Richard Fisher wins seat on council and other news from areas around Chattanooga

photo Richard Fisher

Fisher wins seat on council

DAYTON, Tenn. - Richard Fisher sailed past opponent Jimmy Ewton, 358 to 128, in Wednesday's special election to fill a seat on the Dayton City Council.

The election was held to fill the council seat vacated when Gary Louallen was elected mayor after former mayor Bob Vincent announced plans to retire. Louallen beat Councilman Bobby Doss for the seat.

Fisher retired as the Dayton City School superintendent in May 2011. He had served as superintendent for 28 years and as a teacher for 14 years before that.

Tom Davis, administrator of elections, said the results are unofficial until the Rhea County Election Commission certifies the votes Aug. 5.


Citizen academy sign-ups set

LaFAYETTE, Ga. - Walker County citizens interested in attending the Sheriff's Citizen Academy that begins Aug. 25 must sign up by Monday.

The citizen academy is a 10-week program aimed at teaching residents how the Sheriff's Office operates. Members of the department teach two-hour classes every Monday at the Sheriff's Department Training Building, 10 Probasco St., LaFayette, Ga.

Classes are open to people over age 18. Parents may bring children older than 13. For information, call Sgt. Pat Cook at 706-638-1909, ext.. 252, or at pcook@walkerso.com.


Teen who shot parents sentenced

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A 15-year-old boy who shot his parents because they told him to finish his chores has been sentenced to up to five years in juvenile detention.

Investigators have said the Columbus boy was angry with his parents because one of his friends told him she wanted to be "saved," and he wanted to look for the right Bible verse instead of doing his chores. The teen was sentenced Thursday.

Authorities said the boy was upset after his parents told him to stick to his list of tasks. Officials said he pulled a pistol out of their nightstand the next day and shot them.

The Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus reports the teen has been held without bond since his arrest.


School system put on probation

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham School System has been put on probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

School system officials said Thursday that although probation is a serious matter for the district, all of its schools still are accredited for the time being.

The accreditation agency sent a review team to Birmingham in mid-May and a report outlined micromanagement among other issues in the school district.

Birmingham Schools Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said the district already has started implementing some of the accreditation agency's recommendations.

Upcoming Events