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Thursday, November 30th

From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, here is your news for Thursday, November 30th, on Mix 104-1 and Talk 101-3 The Buzz. Topping our new

From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, here is your news for Thursday, November 30th, on Mix 104-1 and Talk 101-3 The Buzz.

Topping our news today, from the Cleveland Daily Banner…

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has cleared Bradley County Circuit Court Clerk Gayla Miller of any wrongdoing involving funds in her office.

That finding came after the District Attorney General’s office had already found nothing in a preliminary investigation.

Tenth District Attorney General Steve Crump reported the findings to Miller, Bradley County Commission Chairman Louie Alford and County Attorney Crystal Freiberg in a letter released to the Cleveland Daily Banner by Miller after the filing of a Freedom of Information Act request.

Crump said he is in the process of getting a court order which will allow the TBI file to be released to the public.

Miller said Tuesday she hopes the results of the investigation performed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation concerning allegations of wrongdoings against her will finally put to rest any doubt about the integrity of her office.

Miller released the following statement to the Cleveland Daily Banner concerning the issue:

“In light of the results of the recent investigation, I would like to thank 10th District Attorney General Steve Crump, Investigator Calvin Rockholt and the TBI for conducting a very thorough investigation into the recent allegations against my office. By mutual agreement, the district attorney general and I requested a separate, independent investigation by the TBI due to the continuing accusations by the individuals named in Gen. Crump’s letter.

I don’t know the reasoning behind the repeated attacks against my office, unless there is a political motivation of which I am unaware. It is my hope that the investigation results, showing no finding or truth to the allegations, will finally put to rest any doubt about the integrity of my office. I am eager to continue serving the people of Bradley County without the hindrance of these accusations.

Being an elected official puts you in a position to represent the citizens with every good intention, but it comes at a price. Your reputation is on the line, and endless time is invested to prove that you are worthy of the people’s trust and confidence. When people who have no knowledge of our financial procedures choose to make unfounded accusations, it leads to defamation of character and slander. With so much misinformation being put out there, we all suffer.

In closing, no words can convey my gratitude to my family, my employees and the citizens of Bradley County for their continued prayers, support and unwavering faith. It has been my honor to serve the citizens for the past 11 years. I look forward to serving another term as Bradley County Circuit Court Clerk with the same honesty, compassion, integrity and dedication.”

From WRCB Channel 3…

The couple in the middle of a seven hour standoff made their first court appearance Wednesday.

Thirty-eight-year-old Mark Cain is charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, and theft over $1,000.

His girlfriend, 32-year-old Andrea Pridgen, is also charged with her connection to the stolen vehicle, that led to the standoff.

Years ago neighbors in the Royal Oaks subdvision exchanged garage door openers so they could check on each other in an emergency. That came in handy on Tuesday, as police used that device to get closer to the suspects and ultimately end the seven hour standoff.

Herb Stafford, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years, said the living room looked like a tornado had hit it. Everything was turned upside down, books and paper were scattered everywhere. One of the detectives told him the whole house looked that way. Stafford said it was heartbreaking to hear what his neighbor was going through, as she has cancer and is currently going through chemo.

The homeowner is okay and is staying with family Wednesday evening. Bradley County officials estimate the damage inside the home is over $30,000.  

From the Chattanooga Times Free Press…

A Tennessee woman who checked in to a hotel as deadly wildfires raged nearby says in a lawsuit that she was terrified she would die in the hotel and is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from the experience.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Holly Whitsell of Knox County contends employees of Park Vista hotel downplayed the risk of flames reaching the hotel and didn’t tell guests about a voluntary evacuation. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Knoxville against Park Vista in Gatlinburg and Hilton Worldwide, which has a franchise agreement with the hotel.

The newspaper said Park Vista couldn’t be reached immediately on Wednesday.

The fires claimed 14 lives and contributed to up to $2 billion of damage around the Gatlinburg tourism region.

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.