Friday, April 21st

From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, here is your news for Friday, April 21st, on Mix 104-1 and Talk 101-3 The Buzz.

Topping our news today…

A longtime Bradley County Sheriff’s Office deputy died Wednesday after a long battle with an illness.

Retired Deputy Kester Calfee was lovingly referred to as “Ole’ Kester” by his co-workers, and those who worked with him in the Judicial Services Division.

Calfee served at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office for more than 10 years as a full-time deputy, but that doesn’t represent the many years he volunteered with the agency. In November 2015 he retired, and his dedicated service was honored at Bradley County Sheriff Office’s annual Christmas Party.

Calfee spent most of his career in the Judicial Services Division serving Civil Process and operating the security desk at the Bradley County Judicial Complex. Those who knew him said was cherished by many court officials, especially the court clerks who worked in the General Sessions and Criminal Court Clerks’ offices.

Upon retiring, Calfee held the rank of corporal and was the division’s field training officer. Many awards and recognitions were bestowed on Calfee, including being honored as an Employee of the Year.

Funeral arrangements are pending, and will be announced at a later time. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office will be in charge of the procession to Calfee’s final resting place.

Also in news…

Lee University recently announced the 2017 Rymer Scholarship finalists. Provided through the Rymer Foundation, the scholarships honor local student achievement and encourage talented high school students to remain in the Cleveland area after graduation.

Nine seniors were selected as Rymer finalists for 2017: Vivian Baker, Sarah Beavers, Samantha Kate Eason, John Hixon, Morgan Mantooth, Sydney Morgan, Alexandra Squires, Blaire Terrell, and Andrea Wilhelm.

Three finalists will be designated as Rymer Gold Scholars, three as Rymer Silver Scholars, and three as Rymer Bronze Scholars. The selection committee was appointed by the Lee University President’s Office and the principals from Bradley Central, Cleveland, and Walker Valley high schools. The committee conducts interviews with each finalist and will announce the award recipients at the annual Rymer Scholarship banquet on April 27.

From the Chattanooga Times Free Press…

The National Weather Service predicts strong to severe storms could hit several counties in the Chattanooga region on Friday and Saturday as a cold front moves in to East Tennessee.

Some storms over the weekend could carry quarter-sized hail, damaging downburst winds up to 60 miles per hour, along with heavy rain and lightning, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service.

In the Chattanooga area, the outlook is for Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, Marion, Hamilton, Bradley and Polk counties.

Friday and Saturday will likely bring heavier storms that are expected to first hit the Chattanooga area after 2 p.m. but before 8 p.m. on Friday.

On Saturday, a storm system will enter the Tennessee Valley which could produce widespread storms in east Tennessee, as well as parts of Alabama and Georgia.

The storms could produce large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain and lightning.

According to the National Weather Service’s detailed forecast, the chance for storms will be greatest after 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Chattanooga area.

The federal weather agency has also warned that the heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding in some areas.

This has been your local and state news. You can get news anytime by visiting our website, mymix1041.com, powered by Pioneer Credit. From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, this is Jeremy Gault reporting.