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Tuesday, December 27th

Channel 3- Chattanooga police say a call of shots fired at Hamilton Place Mall turned out to be fireworks set off by teenagers Monday. It happened aro

Channel 3-
Chattanooga police say a call of shots fired at Hamilton Place Mall turned out to be fireworks set off by teenagers Monday. It happened around 4:40 p.m.Police say several callers reported shots being fired at the mall; however, Rob Simmons with the Chattanooga Police Department says officers arrived at the scene and found that fireworks were set off by a group of teenagers. A spokesperson for Hamilton Place Mall released the following statement:
“At approximately 4:45pm today someone threw firecrackers inside one of our retailers. It caused a minor disturbance with merchants shutting gates, as a precautionary measure. Everything is safe.”
Police say they now believe the teens were trying to create a distraction with the fireworks in an attempt to cover up a shoplifting incident. Several shoppers received minor injuries from being pushed down by the rush of other shoppers trying to leave the mall. Hamilton County EMS responded and treated the injured.
Channel 3-
The Times Free Press reports (http://bit.ly/2i2DrMj ) Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis is threatening to cut off use of county credit cards amid widespread documentation problems. the threat comes after the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found more than half the county credit card transactions last year lacked signatures, detailed receipts, or were used in town rather on travel. Auditors said the county card was used 430 times in 2015-16, with 240 lacking proper documentation. The audit doesn’t say improper purchases were made. It says lack of safeguards to prevent wrongful use is a significant deficiency.

Press Release-
The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded Lee University a $2.1 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant with the purpose of better serving students. “This grant approval means a great deal to us,” said Lee President Paul Conn. “We consider student success a priority here, so for the Department of Education to come alongside us and support this proposal is a huge vote of confidence.” The Title III grant will fund the “Joining Forces for Student Success” project, which focuses on developing a new Student Success Center that will unify elements of the Center for Calling and Career, the Office of First-Year Programs, and Academic Services to create a place where students can go for help of any kind. The center will be operational by the fall semester of 2017. The goals of the project are to inspire student persistence and degree completion by encouraging them to overcome obstacles and help them succeed. The grant will fund multiple new positions for student success coaches and student mentors who will provide the academic, emotional, social, and real world support students need. The grant will also fund faculty development activities to enhance key courses with active learning strategies designed to better engage students. Lee was eligible to apply for the grant because it gives students of diverse economic backgrounds access to higher education.
Channel 3-
One day after Christmas, a fire destroyed a mobile home in Polk County. Firefighters said it happened around 5 a.m. on Monday off Highway 411. Small flames and smoke covered what used to be a mobile home. Investigators are looking at arson as a possible cause. It was reported that the residence was not occupied with no power on. No one has been charged. Investigators said the person responsible could face aggravated arson charges. Stay with Mix 104.1for more details on this developing story.
Kendra Gray Administrative Assistant to the Director of Public Relations
Encore Program Offers New Classes for Spring-
Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers individuals age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has a new line up of mini-courses being taught for the spring semester. The mini-courses are planned exclusively for Encore students and are available along with traditional courses. The cost to sign up is $25. Students may choose up to two courses from the list of traditional courses and mini-course topics. All enrolled students will also have free entry to campus concerts, plays, and athletic events. Registration will take place on January 5, 6, and 9 in the Communication Arts Building, Room 113, from 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Registration will then be moved to the Higginbotham Administration Building, Room 214, from January 10 – 24. The final day to register is Jan. 24. Lee’s Encore Program is a part of the university’s commitment of service to the community. For more information, visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/encore/ or contact Community Relations at communityrelations@leeuniversity.edu or by calling 423-614-8598.
The following mini-courses will be offered: Introduction to Painting, Fitness for Encore Years, Joint Conditioning, The American Revolution, The “Grantchester Mysteries” in Post-War England, The Gospel of John, John’s Use of Ezekiel, iHows in the iWorld: A Guide to the iPhone and iPad, Basic Computer, Word and Excel for Beginners, Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course, Southern Literature, People Like Us: Kin, Couples and Singleness in our Families, and The Music of Christian Hymnody, Scotland: Then and Now.