Tracy Mardis is new Coahulla principal and other news from areas around Chattanooga

photo Coahulla Creek High School is located north of Dalton in Whitfield County.

Mardis is new Coahulla principal

DALTON, Ga. - Tracy Mardis has been named principal of Coahulla Creek High School, according to a news release.

Mardis will replace Principal Stanley Stewart, who is moving to a position at district level.

The release from Whitfield County Schools said many changes launched by the Georgia Department of Education and state legislature are taking effect this school year. Schools Superintendent Judy Gilreath said, "Dr. Stewart's years of experience in a wide variety of school environments makes him a great candidate to support the district's additional needs this year."

Mardis started as assistant principal at Coahulla Creek this year after 10 years as Westside Elementary principal. He has 19 years with Whitfield County Schools.


Legal Aid office to reopen

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Legal Aid of East Tennessee will celebrate its reopening in a new office at 166 N. Ocoee St. at noon on Thursday, according to a news release.

The office closed in 2010 because of federal budget cuts, Russell Fowler, associate director for the organization's southern region, said in the release. He said the United Way worked with Legal Aid to reopen the office, which provides civil legal needs for low-income Bradley Countians.

The Cleveland Legal Aid office will be open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to noon and 1-5 p.m.

For more information, call the Chattanooga office at 423-756-4013.


Lee University hosts gala Friday

Lee University will host hundreds of guests, alumni, and community leaders on Friday for Celebration 2014, commemorating the opening of the new Communication Arts building.

A service of celebration and dedication will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Conn Center, followed by an open house from noon to 3 p.m. at the Communication Arts building. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, call 423-614-8598.


'Biketober' run benefits charity

ROSSVILLE - The first annual Dick Dengler Biketober Poker Run, benefiting the Stocking Full of Love for Walker County, is scheduled for Oct. 4.

The ride starts from Ridgeland High School, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. The event includes awards for oldest rider, best club participation, best hand and more, organizers said in a news release. Cost is $20 for first hand, which includes lunch, and $5 for each additional hand.


Museum takes preacher's dead snakes

GRAY, Tenn. - The frozen remains of 53 dozens of poisonous snakes confiscated from a Tennessee preacher have been sent to a museum for research.

East Tennessee State University's Natural History Museum at Gray will use the bones for scientific study.

Tennessee Wildlife officers seized the snakes last year from Andrew Hamblin, pastor of the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, which uses snake handling in services. A Campbell County grand jury chose earlier this year not to indict Hamblin, but didn't get the snakes back.

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