Friday, April 26th

Here is today’s news, sponsored by Toyota of Cleveland:

In news today…

On the morning of April 24th, Deputies responded to a residence on Georgetown Rd in reference to a burglary in progress. Hamilton County deputies also responded due to the fact the home sits near the county line. Hamilton County Deputies arrived first and detained Christopher Thomas Goewey who was attempting to make a forced entry into the rear of the home.

Mr. Goewey stated that he had come from an area storage unit facility where he attempted a break-in of one of the units. Upon further investigation, Mr. Goewey appeared to be intoxicated and on some sort of narcotic. A metal container was found in his shirt pocket filled with drug paraphernalia and an unknown white pill.

Investigators moved to the storage unit facility to search the unit Mr. Goewey described. Upon arrival and an initial search, Amy Michelle Miller was found hiding in the unit. Ms. Miller stated she entered the unit because she had nowhere else to stay. Her vehicle was present and search of the vehicle turned up additional drug paraphernalia, a bag of crystal powder, a bag of a blue powder, a green leafy substance, and several bottles of pills.

All narcotics were seized and logged into evidence for further testing and identification by the TBI lab.

Both were taken into custody and booked into the Bradley County Jail on related charges.

From The Tennesseean…

For the second time this week, Gov. Bill Lee’s controversial education savings account bill received approval in the legislature, this time advancing in the state Senate.

The upper chamber approved the governor’s signature legislation with a 20-13 vote after an almost two-hour debate. Although the margin appears wide, all bills must receive 17 votes in the Senate to advance.

The approval in both chambers doesn’t yet guarantee the program will become law, but Lee told reporters it marks a “historic” moment.

Education savings accounts are a controversial school voucher-style program that provides parents with public money to spend on private school or items such as supplies and educational services.

Also in news today…

On Thursday, April 25, Lee University awarded nine incoming freshman the 2019 Rymer Scholarship. Three Gold Scholars, three Silver Scholars, and three Bronze Scholars were presented at the annual Rymer Scholars luncheon on Lee’s campus.

This year’s Rymer Gold scholars are Kate Gwaltney (BCHS), Anna Grace Jackson (WVHS), and Lake Preston-Self (CHS). They each will receive a scholarship of $10,000.

The 2019 Rymer Silver scholars are Mikayla Beasley (WVHS), Avery Morrison (BCHS), and Reyna Whitaker (WVHS). They will each receive a scholarship of $5,000.

The Rymer Bronze scholars are Madison Gobble (WVHS), Gabe Harden (CHS), and Cole Shelton (CHS). They each will receive a scholarship of $2,000.

All monetary awards will be dispersed to the winners over a period of four years.

For more information about the Rymer Scholarship, contact Lee’s Office of Admissions at admissions@leeuniversity.edu or (423) 614-8500.

In news today…

The labor statistics for March have arrived. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States was 3.8%, the same as in February, and down from 4% one year ago. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Tennessee was 3.2%, the same as in February, and down from 3.6% one year ago.

Moving closer to home, in Bradley County the unemployment rate was 3.4%, up from 3.2% in February, and down from 3.6% one year ago. McMinn County was at 3.7%, up from 3.4% in February, and down from 4.3% one year ago. Meigs County was at 4.3%, up from 4.1% in February, and down from 4.7% one year ago. Polk County’s unemployment rate was at 3.9%, up from 3.7% in February, and down from 4.4% one year ago. Rhea County was at 5.7%, up from 5.6% in February, and down from 6% one year ago. Hamilton County’s unemployment rate was 3.1%, up from 2.9% in February, and down from 3.5% one year ago.