Walker County residents want answers after a firefighter crashed a truck paid for by tax payers.VIDEO
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Fire truck crashes on breakfast run
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. - Walker County Emergency Services has reassigned the firefighter who hit a light pole during a Sunday morning breakfast run, damaging a new $640,000 combination ladder truck and fire engine.
The firefighter hit the pole in the Fred's Super Dollar parking lot while en route to the Sonic Drive-In next door. "The initial investigation shows that no one had malicious intent to damage the fire truck," stated a news release signed by fire Chief Randy Camp. "However, that doesn't excuse what happened."
Camp wrote that most meals are cooked at the fire station, but personnel work 24-hour shifts and drive their assigned vehicles at all times because of the delay that would be caused by switching out to a smaller vehicle.
"We all make mistakes," Camp wrote. "The person operating this vehicle is an experienced driver. ... He is embarrassed and disappointed in himself."
A Federal Emergency Management grant covered the entire cost of the fire truck. County officials estimate it should take about a month to fix the truck; the county expects to pay a $1,000 insurance deductible.
Firefighters have reserve equipment to use while the new truck is down, the release stated.
Two area airports receive grants
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Cleveland and Sewanee airports recently were among 10 Tennessee airports to receive $2.3 milllion in federal and state aeronautics grants.
The Cleveland airport received $225,300 in three separate grants, while Sewanee's airport got $250,000 in two grants. The grants are for infrastructure and other improvements.
Free fishing day coming Saturday
NASHVILLE - Tennessee's annual free fishing day is coming up this weekend.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will allow fishing without a license in public waters on Saturday. The annual event is part of an effort aimed primarily at youngsters to increase interest in fishing in the state.
Children ages 13 through 15 will able to fish without a license through June 14.
A basic one-day fishing license for state residents costs $5.50, while an annual hunting and fishing license costs $28. No permit is required for children younger than 13.
Zoo Atlanta plans reptile exhibits
ATLANTA - Officials at Zoo Atlanta are set to break ground today on a new space to showcase amphibian and reptile exhibits. Zoo Atlanta spokeswoman Keisha Hines said the new exhibit space will replace the 51-year-old World of Reptile building -- the zoo's oldest structure.
Hines says Zoo Atlanta officials have raised just under $22 million in an ongoing capital campaign to fund construction of the roughly 14,000-square-foot exhibit space.