Walker County resident killed by tornado and more region news

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga.

Walker resident killed by tornado

A Chickamauga, Ga., woman who was visiting relatives in Higdon, Ala., was killed Wednesday when a tornado touched down there, emergency workers said.

No details on funeral arrangements for Janie Shannon were known late Monday, according to Walker County Resource Coordinator Larry Brooks.

CLEVELAND, Tenn.

Whirlpool road meeting canceled

Because of continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in tornado-damaged areas of Cleveland and Bradley County, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has canceled the highway design public meeting set for today.

The meeting to discuss the state industrial access road serving Whirlpool Corp. was scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. at Park View Elementary School at 300 Minnis Road in Cleveland.

The meeting will be rescheduled.

Drug take-back program canceled

The prescription drug take-back program that was set for Saturday at the Bradley County Judicial Center has been canceled because of tornado cleanup, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office and GRAAB Coalition personnel will accept out-of-date or unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications this week at the criminal investigations office.

The hours for collection are 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday.

KNOXVILLE

Bystanders block driver’s escape

Knoxville police have arrested two people after fleeing shoplifters struck a woman and her child.

Authorities said several bystanders blocked 60-year-old Donna Poole on Sunday afternoon as she tried to drive away, then chased her on foot and led police to her.

A 23-year-old woman was pushing her 5-month-old child in a stroller when authorities said the car driven by Poole backed into them, according to news reports. The woman was slightly hurt and the baby was pinned in the stroller between the car and the sidewalk in front of a Dollar General Store.

Police took Poole and 53-year-old David Watson into custody and found items from the store in their car.

ATLANTA

Governor signs reservoir bill

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday signed legislation that paves the way for public-private partnerships to build reservoirs and other water infrastructure projects.

Supporters said it will give cash-strapped local governments an alternative way to finance costly water projects as the state stares down a federal judge’s deadline that could limit metro Atlanta’s ability to withdraw water from Lake Lanier.

Opponents have said it gives private companies the ability to make a profit off the state’s water woes and could allow for developments along the shores of new lakes that don’t tap state money.