Ellen Gerst

Ellen Gerst is the breaking news editor at the Times Free Press. She has served as the paper's public editor, overseeing the opinion section, and covered crime, local news, growth and development since joining the paper in 2022. She previously reported on criminal justice and local government for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming.

Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.

CARTA to test free north Brainerd shuttle in summer months

by Ellen Gerst ·May 3, 2025

Residents of North Brainerd neighborhoods will be able to ride a free shuttle in their area this summer.

Staff photo by Abby White / The CARTA bus stop on the corner of Brainerd and Germantown roads is seen May 2, 2025. CARTA is testing a new route along parts of Brainerd, North Moore and Shallowford roads.

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Assessments rising fast in Chattanooga’s lowest-income areas

by Ellen Gerst ·May 3, 2025

In some of Chattanooga's lowest-income neighborhoods, rocketing property values are a sign of the times.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Real estate agent Tamekia Brewer speaks March 22, 2025, during a presale event for a planned cottage development in Alton Park.

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Mary Walker Foundation plans new structure, exhibits for Wilcox Boulevard site in Chattanooga

by Ellen Gerst ·April 25, 2025

She was once called the nation's oldest student.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / A Tennessee Historical Commission tablet marks the home of the Mary Walker House, just off Wilcox Boulevard, on April 22, 2025. A sidewalk, seen to the right, leads to the site on the hill. The Mary Walker Foundation hopes to rebuild the home of the former slave, who learned to read at 116 and lived to be 121.

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New Hamilton County wastewater rules discourage density, developers say

by Ellen Gerst ·April 23, 2025

New rules passed Wednesday could pave the way for less dense development in Hamilton County, particularly in unincorporated areas without traditional sewer access.

Staff photo by Abby White / Hamilton County Water & Wastewater Treatment Authority board members gather Jan. 9, 2025, to watch a presentation on decentralized sewer systems.

Stop signs to make 14th Street bikeway, a Main Street alternative, safer

by Ellen Gerst ·April 22, 2025

Some small changes on a Chattanooga street could make a big difference for bike and pedestrian safety.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / A new traffic pattern along 14th Street, seen April 20, 2025, is meant to help create a new bikeway along the road. The stop signs and information at 14th and South Hawthorne streets are evidence of the effort.

Tennessee lawmakers OK bill that bans most popular hemp products

by Ellen Gerst ·April 17, 2025

The most popular hemp product in Tennessee will likely soon be pulled from shelves after lawmakers on Thursday voted to pass a bill placing limits on THCa.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / THCa hemp flower at Grass Roots in Chattanooga, seen on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

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No to RV campground, yes to tearing down ‘JUNK’ building and more planning decisions

by Ellen Gerst ·April 15, 2025

Hamilton County planning commissioners approved proposals including a large mixed-use development on Broad Street and plans to tear down an abandoned tower next to Finley Stadium to make way for housing.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The vacant Parkway Towers building across from Finley Stadium is seen March 21, 2025. Hamilton County planning commissioners Monday approved plans to tear down the abandoned tower.

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Proposed Ooltewah warehouses, RV storage sites voted down

by Ellen Gerst ·April 14, 2025

Planning commissioners on Monday voted against a request to allow warehouses and other non-residential buildings on a pair of lots on Mountain View Road in Ooltewah, after dozens of residents came out against the proposal.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Mike Price speaks in front of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission during a meeting in the Hamilton County Courthouse on Monday, April 14, 2025.

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What’s going there? 5 construction projects to be reviewed Monday

by Ellen Gerst ·April 11, 2025

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission is set to meet Monday to review a new batch of applications for construction projects that could shape the area.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The vacant Parkway Towers building across from Finley Stadium is seen March 21, 2025.

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Eastdale neighbors worry planned development could bring gentrification, traffic

by Ellen Gerst ·April 10, 2025

In an attempt to win the support of skeptical neighbors worried about gentrification, plans for a 192-acre tract off Tunnel Boulevard in Eastdale have changed.