Local News

From Local 3 News: A new bill would allow certain historical documents to be displayed in Tennessee schools.This would include the Ten Commandments, which is stirring up controversy among lawmakers. The House passed the bill 75 to 17 on its third consideration. Some lawmakers believe this bill infringes on the separation between the church and state, while others say it's a part of the 1st Amendme...

Today is the deadline for candidates to file petitions to run for local office in the May 5th Primary.In Bradley County, as of yesterday afternoon, 62 individuals have picked up petitions to run for office and 53 have had their petitions approved. To seek office, candidates must get signatures of 25 registered voters living in the district they wish to represent. The deadline to file those petitio...

From Local 3 News: There has been an increase in E. coli cases in Hamilton County this year associated with the consumption of raw milk. The Hamilton County Health Department says the increase in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is unexpected. They state that "raw milk can carry harmful bacteria that may cause severe or life-threatening illness, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant ...

From Local 3 News: A state lawmaker from Smyrna is proposing new legislation aimed at lowering healthy grocery costs for Tennessee families. House Bill 2086, also known as the Fresh Food Affordability Act, would eliminate the state sales tax on fresh fruits and vegetables, a move supporters say could provide relief as many households continue to deal with rising food prices.Affordability remains a...

Cleveland City Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Joel Barnes will return to the district office to serve as Supervisor of Special Populations.At the end of this school year, Dr. Barnes will transition from his role as Principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary School into the new district-level position.Dr. Barnes previously served as Supervisor of Federal Projects and Professional Development and...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday and approved several key resolutions, including grant applications and budget items.Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting upgrades to Bradley County Parks and the county’s application for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant.The commission also unanimously approved the 2026 Bradley County road list and a rezoning request for pr...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A follow-up inspection for Benton Elementary was completed on February 10. This comes after health inspectors found outstanding risk violations, giving the school as low score of 68. In the new report, it shows zero violations were found during the most recent visit. That is big improvement from the initial findings. Previously, the inspection report cited 16 violations,...

Bradley County Trustee Mike Smith has released the schedule for the satellite property tax collection locations for the remainder of February.Smith says the satellite locations have been very popular with taxpayers, allowing property owners to pay their taxes closer to home without coming to the main office.To pay at a satellite location, taxpayers must have their tax statement along with a check....

From News 12: The Meigs County Commission is still working to determine the future of the county jail after it was decertified by the state in December due to overcrowding and other issues.Meigs County Mayor Eddie Jewell recently presented two possible options to commissioners. One proposal would expand the current jail by adding an additional pod.Another option would involve acquiring property fr...

From the Chattanoogan: Cleveland State Community College has announced a new five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening student success and community partnerships.The plan, titled “Defining Our Tomorrow,” will guide the college from 2025 through 2030.College leaders say the plan was developed with input from faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, and community partners.It focuses on thre...

From Local 3 News: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has a free mobile clinic that offers primary care and other services.MobileMoc, a Medical Outreach Clinic, serves the following local counties.BledsoeBradleyGrundyHamiltonPolkMarionMcMinnMeigsRhea Sequatchie UTC describes MobileMoc as "a healthcare initiative by the University of Tennessee Chattanooga designed to bring interprofes...

From Local 3 News: A new Tennessee state park is coming to McDonald Farm, according to the Hamilton County Mayor's Office.Governor Bill Lee's proposed state budget includes $45.3 million to help transform more than 1,300 acres of the historic property into the state’s next great state park, Mayor Weston Wamp stated in a release:“Hamilton County has a unique opportunity to both preserve the iconic ...

From News Channel 9: A man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder following a shooting at a home in Charleston last week.Charleston Police say officers responded to a residence on Water Street after reports of a shooting.The suspect, identified as Dakota Dewayne Prueitt, was arrested at the scene.He is being held on a one-million-dollar bond.Police say the investigation is ongoing, a...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An attempted murder suspect is now in custody after a several-weeks-long manhunt in the Athens area.Officers arrested David Rodriguez Cruz on Friday, February 13, after a multi-agency operation within the City of Athens.Police Chief Fred Schultz says his arrest happened "without incident" after officers executed "established tactical and safety procedures." Nobody was in...

State Representative Dan Howell has announced new funding for Meigs County.Meigs County has been awarded $100,000 through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Site Development Grant program.The funding will support due diligence work at the Meigs County Industrial Park.Officials say the Site Development Grant program is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, create...

Lee University has announced that Dr. Fijoy Johnson has taken on an expanded leadership role.Dr. Johnson is now serving as director of community and church relations.University officials say he has worked at Lee for 20 years in Campus Ministries and University Relations, and has already been actively involved in community engagement efforts.In his expanded role, Dr. Johnson will serve as a liaison...

From Local 3 News: New nonstop service from Chattanooga  to Fort Lauderdale is now underway.The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport says Allegiant Airlines has officially launched direct flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Airport officials say the new route gives local travelers direct access to South Florida and improved connections to dozens of destinations worldwide.......

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an increase in scam calls from people posing as sheriff’s office employees.Officials say the scammers claim victims have missed jury duty or owe fines and demand immediate payment over the phone.The sheriff’s office says the scammers are spoofing the department’s phone number, making it appear on caller ID that the call is coming direc...

Cleveland High School has received a $10,000 grant to enhance its Tango Flight Program.The funding comes from the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation and will support students interested in aviation and aerospace careers.The Tango Flight Program offers hands-on experience in aviation systems, flight operations, and aerospace technology.School officials say the grant will help expand curr...

From Local 3 News: "Your civil liberties should not be impeded by other people," says Representative Greg Martin (R) of the 26th District of Tennessee.Federal and state laws against those who disrupt a religious facility already exist. However, Representative Martin says House Bill 2264 would reiterate that.He created this bill after hearing about a situation that happened in another state that he...