HomeLocal News

Wednesday, June 17th

From The Cleveland Daily Banner- State Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland representing the 24th Legislative District, presented an overview of the last l

From The Cleveland Daily Banner- State Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland representing the 24th Legislative District, presented an overview of the last legislative session at the monthly MainStreet Cleveland luncheon on Monday. But, before presenting the audience with his review of actions in the General Assembly, Brooks gave the floor to his guest, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Chattanooga representing the 3rd Congressional District.  Brooks introduced the congressman, commending him on his voting record and his availability before Fleischmann spoke briefly saying, “I don’t know a place in America like Bradley County and Cleveland. I represent 11 wonderful counties in Congress, but every time I come here there’s just something so special. It’s your faith, it’s your love of country, love of God. Brooks began his presentation by recalling his time as a MainStreet Cleveland board member, relating to the audience that his time of service to the organization served as his introduction to Cleveland, and has played a major role in who he has become today.  “Tremendously successful session; in fact, the way we rank it, the fastest session in 45 years … 29 legislative days,” Brooks said. Brooks went on to discuss what it takes to balance the state budget. “The [state] Constitution tells us, demands us, you cannot leave, and you cannot lower the flags until this one act is done,” Brooks said. Channel 3- MCMINN COUNTY, TN (WRCB) – The McMinn County Sheriff’s Office is investing a drowning at the Blue Cove Quarry near Riceville. Sheriff Joe Guy tells Channel 3, 31-year old Warren McLean Dougherty of McMinn County died after jumping into the water from a significant height. After a few hours searching crews were able to recover Dougherty’s body from the former rock quarry. We will continue to update this information as it becomes available. From The Cleveland Daily Banner- The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant to the F.I. Denning Center of Technology and Careers (previously the Teen Learning Center) for a multicultural container garden and engaging outdoor classroom. The mission is to develop a multicultural container garden with flowers and crops from around the world, and to utilize outside benches to create an engaging outdoor classroom. The Denning Center is one of more than 500 schools across the United States to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant this fall for improvement projects during the 2015-2016 school year. BRADLEY COUNTY, TN (WRCB) – UPDATE: A recent state inspection of the Bradley County Jail found inmate checks are not happening every hour, and no policy spells out continuous checks on locks or items that could be used as weapons.  The report called for a re-inspection of the facility that holds on average 423 inmates. Inspectors from the Tennessee Corrections Institute certified the facility after a second inspection on Friday and found no deficiencies. “The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office acknowledges the seriousness of the earlier findings, however the fact is last week’s inspection found no deficiencies, and the fact that the jail was certified for another year, speaks for itself,” said Capt. Gabe Thomas in a released statement. Channel 3 reports- The Tennessee Valley reached above 90 degrees Tuesday, the humidity is adding to the misery index. Scorching temperatures across East Tennessee are topping out in the mid 90’s with the heat index at 100 degrees, it can feel much like an oven outside.  Channel 3 tested playground equipment with a thermometer gun to see just how hot the surface temperature can get. The plastic slide read 127 degrees, the swing set out in the sun read 125 degrees. and the ground made of rubber read 150 degrees.  “You need to use extreme caution when on a playground, when they’re touching things for the first time because it could lead to a first degree burn, if not a 2nd degree burn,” said clinical educator Jason Clark, Erlanger Life Force. Clark tells Channel 3 Erlanger’s Life Force has already flown a few heat related illnesses this week.  “Staying hydrated is the most important, drink plenty of water, stay in the shade if you don’t have to go outside, don’t go outside,” said Clark. The Salvation Army helps low income families by offering a free box fan and help with their utility bills through their “Beat the Heat” Campaign. Mix1041 and Steve Hartline are asking you to take the #mixfanchallenge ….go buy a fan today and take to the Salvation Army on Inman Street.