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.

Subscriber Exclusive

Pain, sleep, fun: What are people using legal hemp products in Tennessee for?

by Ellen Gerst ·April 20, 2024

What are people using legal hemp products for in Tennessee?

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / THCa hemp flower is seen at Grass Roots on Tuesday.

Subscriber Exclusive

CBD, delta-8, THCa: What’s the difference between legal cannabis products?

by Ellen Gerst ·April 20, 2024

Products sold in Tennessee's legal hemp shops are often labeled based on the most dominant cannabis compound found inside.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Products available at Grass Roots are seen Tuesday.

Subscriber Exclusive

Is marijuana illegal in Tennessee?

by Ellen Gerst ·April 20, 2024

Is marijuana illegal in Tennessee?

Tennessee state Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, co-sponsored legislation last year to regulate the state's growing hemp industry. / Tennessee Lookout Photo by John Partipilo

Man rescued from drainpipe in Fort Oglethorpe

by Ellen Gerst ·April 17, 2024

A street preacher stuck in a drainpipe in Fort Oglethorpe has been freed, officials said.

Catoosa County government / Rescue workers rush a man who was stuck in a drainpipe for medical care.

Charges dismissed for man accused of urinating on Chattanooga mosque

by Ellen Gerst ·April 16, 2024

Charges were dismissed Monday for a Chattanooga man accused of urinating on a local mosque, according to court records.

Staff photo by Ellen Gerst / Shady's Corner, a bar opened in April, sits next to the annex hall of the Islamic Center in 2023.

DA: No charges for Chattanooga officers in killing of Roger Heard Jr.

by Ellen Gerst ·April 16, 2024

Three officers who shot and killed a Chattanooga man in August following a traffic stop at a gas station will not be charged now that a TBI review is complete, the district attorney decided.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / A sign calling for justice for Roger Heard Jr. is held above the crowd at Chattanooga City Hall. The three Chattanooga police officers involved in the shooting that killed Heard will not be charged criminally, the District Attorney's Office said.

Man drowns in Tennessee River near Manufacturers Road dock

by Ellen Gerst ·April 15, 2024

A man drowned in the Tennessee River after reportedly falling from a dock Sunday night, Chattanooga officials said.

Chattanooga Fire Department / Rescue crews from the Chattanooga police and fire departments, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Hamilton County Special Tactics and Rescue Services respond to a man drowned in the Tennessee River late Sunday.

Two Bikes Chattanooga to offer low-cost bikes, repairs and donations at East Main shop

by Ellen Gerst ·April 11, 2024

In the basement of a brick building on East Main Street in Chattanooga, a new community bike shop is set to open Saturday.

Contributed Photo / Mitchell Connell, executive director of Two Bikes, works on a bike. Two Bikes will open its new location in Chattanooga on Saturday.

Usher coming to Chattanooga for April 20 celebration

by Ellen Gerst ·April 10, 2024

Usher is coming back to Chattanooga.

Staff photo by Doug Strickland / R&B artist Usher, third from right, stands with a group at a dedication Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, during a visit to Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. Usher is set to return to Chattanooga on April 20.

Emergency alert system rolls out for Hamilton County residents, workers

by Ellen Gerst ·April 9, 2024

Hamilton County residents can now get alerts about emergencies sent straight to their phones.