CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga.
County reports tornado damage
Catoosa County authorities on Tuesday released statistics on the number of buildings destroyed or damaged in the April 27 storms and tornadoes.
County Manager Mike Helton said that, though the process of property inspections continues and the numbers likely will change, 84 residences were destroyed and 539 damaged. Forty-two commercial buildings have been classified as damaged and 30 were destroyed, he said.
"The numbers on the commercial side are conservative," Helton said. "We do expect to see the residential and commercial numbers rise as the process continues."
For more information about county services, Catoosa residents may call 706-965-2500 and Ringgold residents may call 706-935-3061.
CANTON, Ga.
Woman charged after filing report
Cherokee County officials said a woman who claimed she was being kidnapped has been charged with making a false report of a crime and making false statements.
Sheriff's officers said 44-year-old Lisa Bode, of Ball Ground, called 911 around 2 p.m. Monday and told dispatchers she had been kidnapped after her Ford Explorer broke down and was put into the trunk of a gold car heading south on Interstate 575.
At a news conference Tuesday morning, Cherokee Sheriff Roger Garrison said Bode was alone at a Burger King in Blue Ridge, Ga., when investigators located her Monday night. Garrison said Bode then told deputies she had been picked up by an elderly woman.
She was booked into the Cherokee County Jail and was being held on $11,880 bond.
CLEVELAND, Tenn.
Tickets available for Lowry concert
Tickets are available for a May 26 tornado relief concert at Lee University headlined by Christian comedian/singer Mark Lowry.
The concert, also featuring the a cappella group Voices of Lee and the Life Care Choir, will be at the university's Conn Center at 7 p.m.
The public can buy tickets for $10 each at LifeWay Christian Stores in Cleveland and Chattanooga, White Wing Christian Bookstore in Cleveland, Lee University in Cleveland and Life Care Centers of America's corporate offices in Cleveland.
Checks should be made out to "Bradley-Cleveland Disaster Relief Fund," and organizers said they will direct all the money to families affected by the tornadoes.
Lowry, who will share songs and stories, is a member of the Gaither Vocal Band.
For more information, call 423 473-6115.
FORT OGLETHORPE
Reception Sunday for retired officer
A drop-in reception to mark former Fort Oglethorpe police officer Raymond Gideon's retirement will be held at Constitutional Hall on Forrest Road in Fort Oglethorpe from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Gideon retired in January from the police department after 45 years in law enforcement, his wife Edna said. He spent the last few years of his career at the police department, but also worked for the sheriff's offices in Catoosa, Chattooga and Walker counties, she said.