Local News

From Local 3 News: Tennessee’s sales tax holiday comes around each year before the start of the school year. This year, it’s happening July 31-August 2.Tax-Free Weekend will begin at 12:01 am on Friday, July 31; it will end at 11:59 pm on Sunday, August 2, 2026.All clothing, school supplies and computer purchases during this time will be exempt from sales tax. This includes in-store and online pur...

From Local 3 News: A local duo who appeared on America’s Got Talent in June has received a callback for another chance to appear on the live shows.In Season 21, America’s Got Talent is adding a new Judges’ Callback round, allowing them to work with a special celebrity guest judge, see select acts perform again and decide who moves on.Polk County duo Madelyn Tallent and Malachi Martin were selected...

From Local 3 News: A 19-year-old from Cleveland is dead after an early morning shooting on Thursday, July 30.The Cleveland Police Department says the victim, Aiden Darity, arrived at the Bradley Medical Center emergency room around 2:30am while suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.“Despite lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased a short time later.”While investigating, detective...

Warren and Griffin Law Firm in Cleveland will give away free backpacks and school supplies Friday afternoon.The giveaway begins at 3 p.m. and continues until supplies are gone.The first 100 people will receive backpacks and school supplies.Mix 104.1 will broadcast live from the event.......

The Tennessee Valley Authority says growing demand from data centers is forcing it to order gas turbines years earlier than in the past.Read the full story: timesfreepress.com......

From Local 3 News: Volkswagen is recalling 57,851 SUVs because a software issue could cause the rearview camera image to fail to display.According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a low-voltage electrical event may prevent the rearview camera from appearing on the vehicle's display.The recall affects the following models:2024-2026 Volkswagen Atlas (38,646 vehicles...

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office is asking for help finding a missing teenager.Makenna Parris, 13, was reported as a runaway from the Michigan Ave. area on Friday, July 24th.She is 5'1" and weighs 105 pounds.She was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and black shorts and carrying a white handbag.If you've seen her or know where she may be, call the Bradley County Sh...

From the Chattanoogan: A group of investors led by Chattanooga businessman and media specialist Craig Fuller is planning to buy the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper from its Arkansas owners, sources say.The Hussman family, of Little Rock, has been shopping the newspaper that dates back to 1869 and was once headed by newspaper giant Adolph Ochs when he was a young man.Eliza Hussman Gaines, th...

From Local 3 News: The start of the new school year is less than a month away, and schools in Tennessee can expect some changes.A slew of new laws took effect in the state on July 1. Several of those will impact Tennessee classrooms. Those changes range from electronics in the classroom to the different content students will be taught.HB2393 limits screen time in K-5 classrooms. The law is sponsor...

The Cleveland Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that happened Tuesday afternoon on Stuart Road.Officers responded around 1:40 p.m. to the intersection of Stuart Road and Hardwick Farms Parkway for a two-vehicle crash.Investigators say a Honda Accord was turning left onto Hardwick Farms Parkway when it pulled into the path of an oncoming Nissan Maxima.The driver of the Honda, 95-year...

From Local 3 News: The American Red Cross has declared a “national blood crisis” and is asking the public to donate.Summer blood donations have fallen to a four-year low, the organization said in a news release.The Red Cross needs all blood types, especially type O. The organization has less than a one-day supply of type O blood.The Red Cross will gift all who donate by July 31 a Fandango movie ti...

From Local 3 News: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee has been approved for a $750,000 grant to purchase new vehicles.The Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant will help the sheriff’s office purchase new SUVs and trucks to patrol rougher terrain.The sheriff’s office calls the grant a “big step,” and says purchasing new vehicles is “always a strain.”Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross c...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday for a work session. County Mayor D. Gary Davis said a resolution will be added to next week’s agenda to renew the county’s inmate healthcare contract at the Justice Center.  The proposed agreement would keep the current provider at a cost of about $1.78 million.Commissioner Mike Hughes has asked City Mayor Kevin Brooks to schedule a meeting of the joint ...

According to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office, 3,209 people have cast a ballot during early voting in Bradley County. Although that number is ahead of voting totals at this point in early voting when compared to the statewide primary of 2022, it is still only about 4% of eligible voters. As a reminder, early voting runs through August 1st. In Bradley County, voters may cast ballots at the...

Cleveland City Schools will host its Back to School Bash today, July 27, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Denning Center.Families can pick up backpacks and school supplies while enjoying food trucks, door prizes, and the new Storybook Trail.The Raider Reading Roadshow will also be there, giving students the chance to choose a free book before the new school year begins.......

The Cleveland City Council has approved the use of eminent domain to support Cleveland Utilities in acquiring Volunteer Energy Cooperative facilities and service rights on two parcels along Dry Valley Road.Cleveland Utilities says the move is needed to provide electric service to property that has been annexed into the city.VEC disagrees with Cleveland Utilities’ interpretation of state law, and t...

From News Channel 9: A person was seriously injured after becoming trapped beneath a mini-excavator in Rhea County on Friday afternoon.The accident happened off Watts Bar Highway, where first responders found the victim pinned beneath the machine’s roll cage.Rescue efforts were made more difficult by recent rainfall and the rough terrain.Multiple agencies worked together to free the victim, who wa...

A special-called meeting of the Cleveland City Council has been scheduled for Friday afternoon.The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the Cleveland Municipal Building.Council members will consider a resolution supporting the Cleveland Utilities' proposed acquisition of Volunteer Energy Cooperative’s electric utility facilities and service rights for two parcels along Dry Valley...

Bradley County Schools is celebrating statewide recognition!Patrick Spangler and Dr. Elizabeth Kaylor have been named regional finalists for the 2026-27 Tennessee Principal of the Year and Tennessee Supervisor of the Year awards.School officials say the recognition honors their leadership, dedication to students, and commitment to excellence in Bradley County Schools.Both will now represent the di...

From Local 3 News: The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 15-year-old who may be a runaway.Bailey Yarbrough was last seen leaving her home in Sweetwater around 4:40 Thursday morning. Authorities say she got into a blue Ford Focus traveling toward Loudon County.She is described as 5-foot-7, about 125 pounds, with dark hair and blue streaks. She was last seen wearing a gray ta...