Tennessee halts road work for holidays and other news from areas around Chattanooga

Tennessee halts road work for holidays

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Transportation is suspending lane closures in construction zones to accommodate holiday traffic.

Lane closures will be halted on interstates and state routes from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Jan. 2, according to a TDOT news release.

New crime labscheduled to open

A state-of-the-art crime lab is set to open early next year in Nashville.

Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson told The Tennessean that the facility will have space for DNA testing, forensic analysis of weapons and ammunition, drug identification and testing for toxicology.

Much of the testing that will be done in the new lab beginning next month currently is done by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which does evidence testing for agencies statewide.


Zoo will recycle Christmas trees

CLEVELAND, Ga. - Get $1 off admission to the North Georgia Zoo in coming days by bringing your Christmas tree to recycle.

According to a zoo news release, goats, sheep, cows, buffalo and other animals feed on them while wolves, cougars and kangaroos enjoy them as chew toys and scratching posts. Beavers, porcupines and monkeys tear them up and decorate their habitats.

Live trees (no artificial trees, please) will be accepted Thursday through Sunday and Jan. 4. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The zoo is near Dahlonega, Ga., For more information and directions, visit www.northgeorgiazoo.com.


Ringwald coming to Hiwassee College

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. - The Monroe Area Council for the Arts will present stage and screen actress Molly Ringwald on Jan. 19.

Ringwald earned a Golden Globe nomination at age 13 and starred in several films, including the iconic John Hughes films "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink," an arts council news release stated.

She starred in Broadway productions of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "How I Learned to Drive," the revival of "Cabaret" and other productions. Her debut album of American standards, "Except Sometimes," was released in April.

The show is at 3:30 p.m. at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, sponsored by Peoples Bank. Advance tickets are $18 at all Citizens National Banks in Monroe County and at Century 21 Hendershot Realty in Madisonville. Buy online at monroearts.com or call 423-442-3210. Tickets at the door will be $20. All student tickets are $10.


Shooting kills 3 at apartments

MARIETTA, Ga. - Police in suburban Atlanta said three people have been fatally shot at an apartment complex.

Cobb County police spokesman Dana Pierce told Atlanta media authorities responded to the Ivy Ridge Apartments in Marietta Sunday afternoon. Pierce said the three people who were killed appear to be the only ones who were involved in the shooting and authorities aren't searching for a suspect.

The identities of the victims have not been released.

Upcoming Events