Wednesday, June 10th

From News Channel 3- HAMILTON COUNTY, TN (WRCB) – Tennessee Highway Patrol and Chattanooga Police worked an accident on Interstate 75 southbound at mile marker 14. Dispatch says a construction worker was hit.  The condition of the victim is unknown at this time. The call came in to dispatch around 11:30 Tuesdaynight.  The Interstate was  shutdown so emergency workers could work  the scene.  Traffic was rerouted to exit 20. We will update this story as information becomes available. From News Channel 3- An 11-year-old girl has died after a crash on Interstate 75 near mile marker 22 in Bradley County yesterday morning. Bradley County EMS responded to the crash just before 10 a.m. to a 1999 Dodge 2500 pickup that struck an 18 wheeler hauling paper in the southbound lanes.The left lane was blocked after a previous crash at mile marker 20 in a construction zone, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol. Traffic was backed up and the pickup failed to stop in time. The driver of the pickup swerved and lost control of the vehicle. The passenger’s side door hit the rear of the trailer. The pick up had extensive damage and the girl was found lying in the roadway when paramedics arrived on scene. The little girl, identified as Makenzie Biddwell was flown to Children’s Hospital where she passed away several hours later. The driver was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Both were wearing seat belts. Tuesday night, friends and family gathered at the family’s church, Rivers of Living Water Ministries, where the congregation turned out to mourn, support her family, and thank God for her life. From The Cleveland Daily Banner- Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said Monday during an impromptu visit with state Rep. Kevin Brooks that construction of the new bridge and ramps at Exit 20 on Interstate 75 is still on schedule for completion in December. Brooks, R-Cleveland who represents the 24th Legislative District, praised the construction efforts. “Today, we visited the amazing progress at Exit 20 — and the $35.5 million investment there,” Brooks said. “I am very grateful for the past, present and future TDOT commitment in the 24th District. The progress we now enjoy would not be possible without great commitment from the state.”     The new five-lane bridge is 100 feet wide with two through lanes in each direction, a dedicated center turn lane and shoulders. The current bridge is 24 feet wide with one travel lane in each direction. “Soon, Exit 20 will be a state-of-the-art interchange and bridge crossing, opening the ‘Gateway To The Smokies’ for everyone to enjoy,” Brooks said. “We welcome this much-needed improvement to our community.” From The Banner- A resolution will be introduced to the Bradley County Commission next week to increase property taxes by 10 cents and designate those funds be for the construction of a new Lake Forest Middle School academic facility.Commissioner Thomas Crye said Monday it was time to get the project “back on track.  An additional 10 cents on the tax rate would bring in an estimated $1.6 million per year. The estimated yearly debt service on an $18 million bond for Lake Forest is $1.2 million. He added education is critical in the creation of a qualified workforce. Commissioner Johnny Mull, who is an employee of the county school system, said the school board has hired an architect to work on plans for a new academic building. “That process will probably take until February or so. I believe about this time next year, we’ll be looking at a bond or two in support of doing that,” Mull said.  Davis said the timeline would put the county there, and noted the school board said “the first million is on them.”  “The architects will take until after the first of the year, then a big document process and then the bidding process,” Davis said. “So, you’re easily into the spring of next year and if it went to bid, you’re probably opening bids in June of next year,” he said. “That means any bonds would come within the next budget year.”  Davis also said at the Finance committee if the fund balance is up at the time a bond issue is needed, “You might be in a situation where you approve an $18 million project, but only borrow $17 million. That would be ideal.”  At this point, the budget numbers appear to be holding up with no property tax increase.  However, Davis told a meeting of the Finance committee on Monday he was “frustrated” at the inability to get accurate numbers on the in-lieu-of tax receipts. From A News Partner- Athens, TN (WDEF) – A UT professor died over the weekend in McMinn County from a bee sting.  40 year old Dr. Kelly Thomas was a lecturer and tuba/euphonium instructor for the University of Tennessee Music Department.  He and his family has just moved to the Clearwater community in northern McMinn County from Arizona to be near his wife’s family. On Sunday, he was stung in the back of the neck by the bee.