Catoosa GOP selects new leaders

RINGGOLD, GA. - The Catoosa County Republican Party held a special election this month and elected new leaders, a news release states.

The new slate includes Chairman Jeremy Jones, of Ringgold; 1st Vice Chairwoman Denise Burns and 3rd Vice Chairwoman Diana Jost.

Jones said in the release he plans to make the Catoosa County GOP more visible and relevant in the community.

Follow the chapter on Twitter by searching @CatoosaGOP, visit Catoosa County Republican Party on Facebook or see the website at www.CatoosaCountyGOP.com.

TWRA rethinks animal policy

NASHVILLE - The agency that oversees Tennessee wildlife is rethinking its approach to managing hunters and wild animals.

According to WPLN-FM, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency now plans to take a hands-off approach to game populations and instead spend time protecting their habitats.

Previously, game wardens might physically move elk or turkeys to a certain part of the state to beef-up numbers. Daryl Ratajczak, TWRA's chief of wildlife, said that kind of intervention will no longer be a focus.

He said most big game have bounced back to the point that their "persistence is no longer in question."

"They don't need humans to take care of them," Ratajczak said. "What they need is a place to live."

The agency's six-year plan calls for protecting all types of habitat, from forests to wild grasslands to cave openings.

The agency is taking public feedback until Jan. 21.