Here is today's news, sponsored by Toyota of Cleveland: Topping our news today, from WRCB Channel 3… Crews from across Loudon County have made progr
Here is today’s news, sponsored by Toyota of Cleveland:
Topping our news today, from WRCB Channel 3…
Crews from across Loudon County have made progress extinguishing flames that engulfed the county courthouse, causing devastating damage to the structure.
The nearly 150-year-old historic courthouse has been deemed a ‘significant if not total loss,’ according to county mayor Buddy Bradshaw.
When the call initially came in, crews could be seen battling flames coming from the roof at the courthouse at 601 Grove Street around 6 p.m.
Crews thought the fire was nearly under control during the evening, but as they worked to put out hot spots, the flames made a resurgence and began engulfing the upper floor.
Mix 104-1 has learned from WVLT Knoxville that the mayor said early reports indicate the fire could have started from a light switch in one of the courthouse rooms; however, further investigation will be needed to confirm the cause. Also, while the investigators do not know how damaged the courthouse is, many historic documents and items were removed from the building within the last several weeks.
From the Chattanoogan…
State officials said a portion of Interstate 75 between Chattanooga and Cleveland will be widened.
The project will add one lane in each direction. It will take it from two lanes to three from north of U.S. 11/Lee Highway in Hamilton County to near Exit 20 in Bradley County.
It was included in this year’s multimodal program to tentatively receive right-of-way funding in FY 2022.
The new state highway program also includes eventually widening Interstate 24 from the Georgia state line around Moccasin Bend to US 27.
Also, there is a project in development to widen a portion of U.S. 11 in Bradley County in Charleston. A 4.5-mile section of U.S. 11 from near Anatole Lane at the end of the existing five-lane section to north of SR-308 near Market Street in Charleston is in development.
The roadway will be widened from two lanes to five lanes with shoulders and ditches. The survey is complete and design work will start shortly for the project.
From WRCB Channel 3…
An already contentious voucher-like proposal took a dramatic turn in Tennessee as Republican leaders refused to acknowledge a vote spiking the proposal on the House floor and Senate leaders advocated for a drastically different version.
Tuesday’s action marked the latest evolution stemming from Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account proposal – known as a voucher-style program allowing families to take public dollars to pay for private school tuition and other expenses.
In the House, Speaker Glen Casada refused to accept a vote tally spiking the voucher bill by just one vote. Instead, he held the floor in limbo for more than 30 minutes until he had successfully lobbied a fellow Republican to flip his vote.
Casada’s action sparked outcry from Democrats, who argued the decision likely violated the state’s constitution.
