Channel 3 reports- Volkswagen of America has halted production of diesel-powered 2016 Passat midsize sedans at its plant in Chattanooga, according to
Channel 3 reports- Volkswagen of America has halted production of diesel-powered 2016 Passat midsize sedans at its plant in Chattanooga, according to a report in the industry publication Automotive News. “As we are in the middle of the ramp up of the production volume, it is no problem to adjust the mix to accommodate this change,” Scott Wilson, VW’s spokesman for the Chattanooga plant, is quoted as saying in the original report. VW is currently in the middle of a previously planned production ramp-up. Dealerships expect the gas-powered 2016 Passats to arrive late November or early December. Channel 3- A McMinn County man is in jail after police say he stole a Mayfield delivery truck and took it on a drunken ride with an employee still inside the trailer bed. The brief police chase began with the tractor trailer swinging over the hood of a police car and ended with the truck jack-knifing. Justin Coleman, 24, faces seven charges including DUI, felony theft and assault on an officer. Police say Coleman stole the truck out of the Mayfield parking lot as Andy Hughes was stocking it with milk. Hughes was in the back of the trailer when the truck took off towards downtown Athens. Cleveland Daily Banner- Bradley County recently received the Tennessee ThreeStar Award for the 10th consecutive year. Dr. Lindsay Hathcock Jr., executive assistant to Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, reported the achievement to the Bradley County Commission at its work session Monday. The award comes from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and is given to counties for their performance, accountability and efficiency. The ThreeStar Award program is designed to help communities build a healthy and educated workforce supported by a strong and stable local government that provides security, safety and supports progress in the areas of economic development, responsible fiscal management with efficient government, public safety, health and education. This year’s grant is scheduled to help improve access and efficiency through software license upgrades among multiple Bradley County government offices. Last year’s grant through the ThreeStar Award helped provide medical equipment for the Bradley County Emergency Medical Services. This year’s award will be put on display in the hallway of the Bradley County Courthouse Annex, just outside the mayor’s office. It will join the other nine presently on display there. In other news, the County Commission: — Learned that Finance Committee voted 5-0 to refinance 2007 bonds for the Hiwassee Utility Commission. This will be placed on the agenda for the County Commission’s next voting session. — Heard from Commissioner Howard Thompson that there are concerns over the placement of the school zone signal at Minnis Road and Michigan Avenue Road. Thompson asked that the Road Committee look at these concerns and determine if the signal might be moved or at least altered for safety measures. — Heard from Commissioner Dan Rawls that the CSX Railroad will be conducting a train ride for commissioners for this Friday to look at areas of the railroad tracks that might need to be addressed. He said that the railroad indicated the train ride will last between 45 minutes and an hour. — Was asked by Commissioner Bill Winters to include information from the IT Committee on the agenda for the next voting session to discuss the options of “going paperless” with documents the Commission receives. The Bradley County Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, at noon at the Bradley County Courthouse. County offices will be closed this Wednesday is observance of Veteran’s Day. The Commission’s Education Committee will meet with the Bradley County Board of Education Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m., and the Finance Committee will meet at the County Mayor’s conference room on?Monday, Nov. 16 following the Commission’s voting session. The IT Committee will meet Monday at 11 a.m. prior to the voting session. All county commissioners were present at Monday’s meeting with the exception of Commissioner Mark Hall. The Cleveland Daily Banner reports- A number of restaurants in and around Cleveland will be treating the community’s veterans today, showing appreciation for their military service over the years. One of the biggest events will be the free meal at the Golden Corral Restaurant. The Golden Corral has prepared free meals for veterans for more than 10 years. Another big event will be at the Applebee’s Restaurant near Bradley Square Mall. Applebee’s will be providing a free entree to veterans from a selected menu from 11 a.m. until the restaurant closes. In addition to the free meal at Applebee’s, the American Legion Honor Guard will present the colors and “Taps” at 1 p.m. Other opportunities for veterans Wednesday: — The Olive Garden will provides a free meal from a selected menu for veterans throughout the day. — At O’Charley’s, veterans will receive one of the $9.99 entrees free with their identification. Veterans will also received a free piece of pie from a selected list of pecan, apple, chocolate silk, caramel or pumpkin. — All of the Cleveland-area McDonald’s will provide veterans with a free Extra-Value meal of their choice. — Jenkins Deli will have half-price meals for veterans from 5 p.m. until the restaurant closes. The only thing required is to have an identification, or be in your armed services uniform. — Fazoli’s will provide veterans with a free order of pasta throughout the day. — Melissa Khechacha of the Denny’s Restaurant chain, said veterans are being offered a free “Build Yours Own Grand Slam” from 5 a.m. until noon. — Hardee’s is taking the proceeds from each of its Ultimate Combo Tex Mex meals and donating the money to local veterans organizations. — The Cracker Barrel is giving veterans a free dessert throughout the day Wednesday. — Kathy Keller of The Farmhouse Restaurant on Harrison Pike said Wednesday will be a half-price day for all veterans. — Owner-manager Jenny Chen of Cameron’s Restaurant,is offering veterans 10 percent off for breakfast or lunch. — Buffalo Wild Wings will serve a small order of wings and French fries free to veterans from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. — The Cobblestone Grille at 170 N. Ocoee St. is giving veterans half off on all entrees through the day. — Bojangles on 25th Street is giving veterans free coffee with their meals. Other fast-food and full-course restaurants are offering special deals to veterans on Wednesday, and throughout the week, so vets should inquire about these offers. There are also several special events, programs and celebrations focusing on the community’s veterans population. The Cleveland Elks Lodge will have an appreciation cookout at noon Saturday. A short program will be followed by a free meal of hamburgers and hot dogs. Cleveland’s Blythe-Bower Elementary School is holding a special Veterans’ Day program at 2:30 p.m. today,in the school’s gymnasium. The Blythe-Bower students have issued special invitations. They have invited current members of the armed forces, President Barack Obama, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, the Cleveland police and fire departments, ambulance service, Chattanooga Zoo workers, and a “Dr. Sanders.” The Cleveland Daily Banner- Monday was declared LaVoy Jones Day in honor of the local veteran. “LaVoy is one of the most decorated veterans in Bradley County,” Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said. “He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, Purple Heart, Combat Medic Badge, Army Commendation Medal and three medals for making 115 airdrops over incoming fire, while serving in Vietnam.” Jones made the airdrops from the planes despite hostile fire in order to serve medics’ needs. He was present to receive a proclamation of the honor during Monday’s City Council meeting. Jones served in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Army combat medic.
