Local News

From our partners at Local 3 News: UPDATE: A man who police say shot two women at a Cleveland bar two years ago and then fled to Arizona has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder.Police say 29-year-old Brandon Crofton fled Tennessee after a shooting at Classy Cat Lounge on Inman Street back in March of 2023.Several agencies worked to find him.US Marshals in Glendale, Arizon...

A Bradley County man has been indicted on six charges related to child sex abuse over a period of more than four years.The indictment says 69-year-old Phillip Eugene Brackett is accused of sexually abusing at least three or more children on separate occasions.The incidents allegedly happened sometime between July 5, 2020 and September 1, 2024.According to the indictment, all of the victims were un...

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.Council members discussed Encompass Health, a major in-patient rehab provider, that is planning a 40-bed facility in Cleveland. The council is considering a letter of support for its state application. The Council decided to further discuss the letter at a later meeting. The council approved updates to the 20-year Urban Growth Boundary plan, with most expan...

The Bradley County School Board met last night, approving several key initiatives. The board approved new science textbooks based on teacher recommendations, focusing on accessibility, special population support, and digital resources.The board is considering transitioning to a new website provider featuring a branded mobile app for improved parent-teacher communication. If approved by the board, ...

The County Commission met last night.3rd District Commissioner Milan Blake announced that reappraisal notices will be mailed out by the end of the week, and while appraisals are expected to go up, the tax rate is anticipated to decrease.  If you have any questions, please call the Bradley County Tax Assessor’s Office. 2nd District Commissioner Louie Alford raised concerns about inmates from the Br...

From Local 3 News: A two-car crash on Friday evening took the life of one 61-year-old woman in the 5600 block of Highway 58.Around 6:52pm on March 21, the Chattanooga Police Department began investigating when they arrived to the scene to find the victim already deceased.The initial investigation shows that a Hyundai was trying to turn east on Ferdinand Piech Way from Highway 58 southbound under a...

From Local 3 News: The TN Dept. of Health says there is one confirmed measles case in the state.It is the first measles case in 2025 and originates from middle Tennessee."The individual became infected with measles in early March and is recovering at home. Public health officials are working to identify other locations and persons potentially exposed to the virus," states the TN Dept. of Health.On...

From Local 3 News: A fire has broken out near Daus Mountain Road in Sequatchie County.]The Sequatchie County Rescue Squad tells Local 3 that there are multiple structures and mountains involved.A deputy on scene says the fire covers about 300 acres. The Fredonia community has evacuated.Resident Allison Powell tells Local 3:"We are in the Fredonia Mountain nature resort on Fredonia Mountain current...

From Local 3 News: Food City officials celebrated the Grand Opening of the new, locally owned Curt's Ace Hardware on Whitewater Drive in Ocoee near Cleveland. The location marks the retailer's 13th Curt's Ace Hardware location. “Much like our Food City stores, we are excited to continue to grow and expand our Curt’s Ace Hardware family of stores,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chie...

The 10th Judicial Drug Task Force, comprising multiple law enforcement agencies, reported significant drug seizures for the year 2024. The task force initiated 324 new cases and assisted in 200 others, leading to 176 felony arrests and 77 misdemeanor arrests. Notably, they confiscated over 50,000 dosage units of fentanyl tablets, approximately 16,319 grams of methamphetamine, and 5,101 grams of co...

Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson announced that the Bradley County Jail has successfully passed the annual Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) inspection for the second consecutive year, registering zero deficiencies.This accomplishment underscores the dedication and professionalism of the jail officers and staff, reflecting the agency’s commitment to excellence in corrections. Sheriff Lawson...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive at the scene Friday to investigate the Cirrus SR22 plane that crashed at the Barwick LaFayette Airport Thursday.The NTSB says the small plane crashed while attempting to land, and a post-crash fire followed.The NTSB released the following statement to Local 3: "Once on site, the investigator will begin the pr...

We are deeply saddened to announce Earl Rowan, aka “Mr. Bradley,” a long-time educator and broadcaster passed away on Wednesday evening, at the age of 80.While still a student at Lee University, Earl joined Corky Whitlock & spent over 50 years broadcasting Bradley Central Bears High School Football games. He continued broadcasting with Gary Owenby on ESPN Cleveland 101.3 until last season. Our tho...

From Local 3 News (AP): President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Education Department, according to a White House official, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that's been a longtime target of conservatives.The official spoke on the condition of anonymity before an announcement.Trump has derided the Department of Educatio...

From Local 3 News: Georgia lawmakers have filed a resolution to create a commission to solve a centuries old border dispute with Tennessee and North Carolina.The resolution would create the Joint Georgia-North Carolina and Georgia-Tennessee Boundary Line Commission to settle a dispute over the actual location of what is called the "thirty-fifth parallel” that has been up or debate for more than 20...

From Local 3 News: A new Tennessee bill aims to lower the age requirement for school bus drivers, reversing a law enacted after the deadly 2016 Woodmore bus crash.The existing law, which raised the minimum age for bus drivers to 25, was introduced in response to the Woodmore tragedy, where a 24-year-old driver lost control of a school bus, leading to six student deaths.While some support the age r...

From Local 3 News: The Chattanooga Lookouts are gearing up for an exciting new chapter in their fan experience following the passage of a significant bill in the Tennessee General Assembly.President Rich Mozingo shared that while the team has long offered beer at their stadium, wine, and spirits were previously limited to certain areas. However, this will soon change thanks to House Bill 823, whic...

From Local 3 News: A Dalton firefighter who was off-duty was commended for saving a driver's life after a crash in February.Dalton firefighter Seth Coley took action while leaving the gym to assist a driver injured in a crash near the intersection of the North Bypass and Sawgrass Drive."Lots of nurses from the Priority Care were heading over (to the crash scene)," Coley said. "There was a woman wi...

From News Channel 12 (Read the full story here): A major tax debate is underway in Tennessee as lawmakers consider eliminating the state’s grocery tax. Supporters say the move would provide relief for struggling families, while opponents caution it could impact funding for essential services.Tennessee currently has one of the highest grocery taxes in the country, adding financial strain to residen...

From Local 3 News: A manhunt has ended after a Whitwell, Tennessee man was arrested in connection to a homicide, TBI says.Special agents began investigating the death of Danny Durham, who was found dead in a home on March 9. Authorities soon found information confirming Billy Massengale as the person responsible for Durham's death.Massengale was arrested Saturday and is being held in the Marion Co...