Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Nude boy enters convenience store
An overnight clerk at a Nashville convenience store was startled to see a nude young boy wander in and begin eating candy and potato chips.
The child appeared about 1 a.m. Tuesday and clerk Tracy Smith told WTVF-TV he and customers in the store calmed the boy and clothed him in whatever they could find. Smith said the boy was 6 or 7 years old and couldn't talk. He later learned the boy is autistic.
About three hours later, the boy's mother awakened at a nearby motel where they were staying and called police, saying her son had climbed up on a chair to remove the nightchain and was missing from the room.
The boy was reunited with his mother.
Gingrich names new Georgia team
Newt Gingrich is naming a new Georgia leadership team as he rebuilds his struggling presidential bid.
The former House speaker has tapped former backers of 2008 presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee to spearhead his efforts in his old home state. Huckabee won Georgia in the Republican presidential primary that year.
Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise, state Rep. Harry Geisinger and grassroots leader Maria Strollo Zack will help lead Gingrich's Georgia campaign.
Gov. Nathan Deal is serving as chairman of Gingrich's Georgia campaign. Gingrich's state director in Georgia, Scott Rials, was one of 18 aides and advisers who resigned this month.
Rhea properties eyed for industry
Three properties on the north end of Rhea County have industrial potential, a county economic official said this week.
Raymond Walker, executive director of the Rhea Economic and Tourism Council, said Monday afternoon that county and economic leaders have reviewed multiple properties in recent months and decided that three undeveloped ones have promise for industry.
Walker said the properties are near Evensville and Spring City, Tenn., and that environmental studies are under way to evaluate the suitability of an industrial park and whether there is sufficient access to infrastructure.
Walker earlier this year announced his intention to retire. Tom Taylor, chairman of the economic and tourism council, said Walker's replacement has not been hired.
Catoosa to host emergency clinic
The Catoosa County Emergency Management Agency is hosting an emergency preparedness workshop at 7 p.m. Thursday.
"This will be an opportunity for our community [members] to come together and get vital information to assist them in preparing when emergencies occur," said Steven Quinn, Catoosa County Emergency Management Agency chief.
He said the workshop will include information about what to do before, during and after a severe weather event. Family emergency planning also will be part of the meeting, Quinn said.
The workshop will be at the Catoosa County Administrative Building, 800 Lafayette St., Ringgold.