Click it or Ticket coming up and other news from the areas around Chattanooga

Click it or Ticket coming up

DALTON, Ga. - The Dalton Police Department will participate in the annual Click it or Ticket campaign to encourage seat belt use this month, according to a news release.

The campaign starts today and runs through Nov. 25, Officer Steve Zahn said in the release. Patrol and traffic enforcement officers will be ticketing motorists and passengers not using safety belts and child seats.

Zahn cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data showing 51 percent of people killed in vehicle crashes weren't restrained.

During the event, the Dalton department also is offering free checks to make sure child safety seats are installed properly.


Paving project set for Highway 146

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. - The Georgia Department of Transportation has let a $400,000 contract for rebuilding the shoulder and resurfacing just over two miles of state Highway 146 in Catoosa County, a news release states.

The work area starts at U.S. Highway 27 and extends to east of Westside Drive. The work is expected to be completed by the end of September 2013, the release states.

Information on construction and lane closure schedules will be released later.


Teen trapped in wreck improves

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - A Tennessee teenager who survived nearly three days in a ravine after wrecking his truck in northern Alabama says he expects to be walking on his own within two weeks.

A trucker spotted 19-year-old Tyler Campbell beside a guardrail along Interstate 65 near Ardmore on Tuesday afternoon. The teenager from Dellrose, Tenn., wrecked Saturday night, severely breaking his leg and fracturing his shoulder. He finally managed to crawl out of the ravine to the guardrail, where he was spotted.

Doctors at Huntsville Hospital put pins in his right leg Wednesday and had him standing up Thursday. Campbell told al.com that his recovery is amazing.

His father, Lee Campbell, said things are getting back to normal because his son is texting friends again.


Vandals damage nearly 70 graves

TANNER, Ala. - Authorities in Limestone County are searching for vandals who broke or overturned the headstones on nearly 70 graves at Hatchett Cemetery in Tanner.

Cemetery board member James Lucas told al.com that his parents' headstones were among those vandalized. The cemetery is maintained by members of Little Ezekiel Missionary Baptist Church. Lucas said some families don't have the money to replace headstones.

Church members suspect the vandalism occurred between Wednesday and Friday. They are planning a work day Saturday to try to repair some of the damage.

The Limestone County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

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