Ocoee Whitewater Center

Watershed event at Whitewater Center

NASHVILLE - People living in the Conasauga and Ocoee River watersheds are invited to an event at 5 p.m. today at the Ocoee Whitewater Center aimed at helping them connect, share information, develop relationships and collaborate with others making contributions to water quality.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Division of Water Resources will host the event, according to a news release.

Other agencies, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Aquarium will have exhibits at the event.

The Conasauga River and Ocoee River watersheds include Polk and Bradley counties, along with the cities of Cleveland, Ducktown, Benton and Copperhill.

The whitewater center is on U.S. Highway 64.

Cleveland site makes register

The C.C. Card Auto Co. building in Cleveland, Tenn., has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a news release from the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Built in 1915, the C.C. Card Auto Co. was the first Ford Motor Co. franchise in the city, and the Card Ford franchise extended to nine counties in Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.

Card built the current building after his first dealership burned.

He adopted Ford Motor Co. standards, including details such as the large showroom with architectural detailing.

The two-story building had a ramp at the rear of the building to allow cars onto the second floor.

The Card family moved the business to Lee Highway in 1964.

The historic building was renovated last year using preservation tax credit, according to the release.

Marion Democrats to meet Saturday

JASPER, Tenn. - The Marion County Democrats will have their monthly meeting at 10 a.m. CDT Saturday in the Marion County Commission Building, 5520 U.S. Highway 41 in Jasper.

Chairman Jim Lewis said in a news release the agenda will include an update on ticket sales for the lawnmower raffle.

Light refreshments will be served and everyone is invited.

For information, email lewis217@bellsouth.net or call 423-903-9724

Escaped owl likely gone for good

ATLANTA - Zoo Atlanta officials say they doubt they'll find a barn owl that escaped handlers during a training session over the weekend.

Zoo spokeswoman Keisha Hines said the owl, Soren, flew from trainers Sunday.

Bird curator James Ballance said the neighborhood near the zoo is a good habitat for barn owls, which are relatively common in Georgia.

Zoo officials said that though Soren hasn't hunted for food during his time at the zoo, owls are very instinctual when finding food and dodging predators.

Officials have said the owl is wary of strangers, and anyone who sees him should call the zoo's security team.