Local News

From the Chattanooga: Cleveland Police have made an arrest in an armed robbery at Harry’s Food Mart, 4600 North Lee Highway, that occurred last Monday.The store was robbed by a lone armed subject. Information gathered from the initial investigation, combined with online tips and the work of Sergeant Russell Fredricks of the CPD Intel Unit, developed a suspect.  Based on this information Detective ...

From NewsChannel 9: An investigation by the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) led to the owner of a tropical fish store in Cleveland pleading guilty to tax evasion.The department says a judge accepted Eric Wayne Helton's guilty plea last Friday.Helton's charges stem from his failure to remit collected sales tax for the Aquatic Den, located on Keith St NW in Cleveland.TDOR says Helton was sent...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday. County Mayor Gary Davis suggested a resolution authorizing the county to participate in an interlocal purchasing system. The resolution passed 12-0. Fourth District Commissioner, Howard Thompson, announced he will not seek re-election. He thanked his fellow commissioners and the community for their support over the years. Commissioners had a lengthy dis...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Everyone involved in the crash on Ingleside Avenue, including a deputy, an arrestee, and the occupants of another car, suffered minor injuries, McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy says.Paramedics took all parties to a local hospital, but the wounds sustained during the collision don't appear to be serious.Sheriff Guy did not share any additional details about the crash.An inve...

From Local 3 News: Over the weekend, Athens police arrested two people in separate incidents at the same location, on two separate days. On Saturday December 13, there was a domestic incident at 322 Lynn Avenue. Athens police said they arrested Skyler Farrar and charged him with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and retaliation for past actions. The next day, December 14, law enforcement were c...

From the Chattanoogan: As part of its Homecoming tradition, Lee University presented Alumni of the Year awards across its 11 departments and schools. Recipients were recognized during departmental breakfasts or receptions held throughout Homecoming weekend.For the College of Arts and Sciences, the award winners include John and Joan Perez, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences; Louis Morgan...

From Local 3 News: Former State Rep. Gerald McCormick, who served constituents in Hamilton County and Chattanooga, has died at 63.Tributes are pouring in from local and state officials for the former Tennessee House Majority Leader, who battled ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly stated McCormick was a force of nature who worked tirelessly to make the Scenic City a...

From TN.gov: Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady in September at 3.6%, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.The statewide rate was unchanged from August and remained below the national unemployment rate of 4.4 percent.State officials say the release of September data was delayed due to impacts from the federal government shutdown affecting the U.S. Bureau ...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The State of Tennessee has put Harold Wayne Nichols to death for the 1988 rape and murder of ChattState student Karen Pulley.Officials pronounced him dead at 11:39am EST.Six witnesses, including Local 3's Michelle Heron, attended the execution. They report seeing both Nichols and the spiritual advisor shedding tears."To the people I harmed, I'm sorry," Nichols said befor...

From News Channel 9 (Read the full story here): A teacher at Shenandoah Baptist Academy in Cleveland has been cited after grabbing a student by the face and shaking his head during an October incident.The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office says Dr. Jeff Fauver, who also serves as athletic director, was upset with the way a student threw a basketball. The student reported the action felt like assault....

From Local 3 News: Tennessee will prohibit the use of SNAP benefits to buy sodas and other high-calorie foods made primarily with sugar beginning in 2026, following federal approval of the state’s request for new restrictions.The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Tennessee’s waiver on Wednesday, allowing the state to bar SNAP purchases of items where the main ingredient is sugar, corn syrup,...

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Jail has again earned Tier 1 Accreditation from the Tennessee Corrections Institute, renewing the designation it first received in 2024.The recognition follows a comprehensive audit evaluating the jail’s operations, safety protocols, and inmate care. During the Tennessee Corrections Institute Board of Control meeting on December 3, members voted to approve the...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee says that he will not grant clemency for death row inmate Harold Wayne Nichols.“After deliberate consideration of Harold Wayne Nichols’ request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene,” Governor Lee said.PREVIOUS STORY: Harold Wayne Nichols' appea...

Cleveland City Schools has announced the 2025-2026 Employees of the Year, along with the district’s Principal and Supervisor of the Year.District leaders surprised each honoree in their schools, where they were selected by their peers for their dedication and leadership.Elementary Teacher of the Year is Jordan Reeves from Ross Elementary. Katie Swafford from Blythe-Bower Elementary was named Novic...

From Local 3 News: Volkswagen Chattanooga workers could break with the United Auto Workers, if a newly launched petition succeeds.This comes after months of stalled contract negotiations between the union and the automaker, following workers' vote to join the union in April 2024. The petition calls for employees to take their raise "without all the drama," and decertify the union. If 30% of union ...

From Cleveland City Schools: Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce that E.L. Ross Elementary and Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary have been named Tennessee Reward Schools, the state’s highest recognition for student achievement and growth.This designation celebrates exceptional academic progress and reflects the dedication of teachers, staff, students, and families who work together each da...

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.Cleveland City Council is moving toward taking full ownership of the city’s traffic lights.Currently, Cleveland Utilities owns most traffic lights, but the city expects to save $1.4 million over ten years by transitioning ownership. City staff will present a final plan in March.Maintenance options are still under review, including continuing to work with Cl...

From the Chattanoogan: United Healthcare has terminated negotiations with Bradley Medical Center and Vitruvian Health for a separate contract.Hospital officials said, "As a result, a new agreement is unlikely during this open enrollment period."Bradley Medical issued this statement:What This Means for Patients:Emergency Care Is Always Covered by all insurers when minutes matter. If you believe it’...

The Bradley County Commission held a work session this week.Mayor Gary Davis announced salary increases for the Bradley County Fire Department, funded through savings from unfilled vacancies. Four positions are currently vacant, with two more expected to open in January. These six vacancies represent an estimated $76,000 in savings, which the mayor redistributed as salary increases. Effective Dece...

From Local 3 News: Two men are still at large after robbing and shooting a man near the 1900 block of E 33rd Street Saturday night.Chattanooga police say the incident happened just before 10:00pm.First responders found the victim at a gas station on Rossville Boulevard with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.He told officers that he had been communicating with someone on Facebook, and when he arr...