Lew Gilliland

Lew Gilliland has been an assistant news editor for the Chattanooga Times Free Press since January 2022. A native of Chattanooga and graduate of Hixson High School and UTC, he has worked in journalism full time since 1995, working at papers in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee and winning multiple writing awards. After spending much of his career in sports, he switched to news in 2012.

Contact Lew Gilliland at lgilliland@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6306.

Chattanooga Knows? What longtime Scenic City business celebrated a milestone 41 years ago this spring?

by Lew Gilliland ·March 30, 2025

What longtime Scenic City business celebrated a milestone 41 years ago this spring?

Staff Photo / Jim Crittenden stands in front of an eye chart at an Eyear store in 2004. Crittenden opened the first one hour optical superstore in Tennessee in 1984 on Rossville Boulevard.

Chattanooga Knows: What Scenic City first took place exactly 100 years ago?

by Lew Gilliland ·March 23, 2025

What Scenic City first took place exactly 100 years ago, on March 24, 1925?

The Daily Times marked a milestone from 100 years ago.

Chattanooga Knows: What TV personality faced a battle with oral cancer in the 1970s?

by Lew Gilliland ·March 16, 2025

What Chattanooga TV personality faced a battle with oral cancer in the 1970s?

Staff Photo by Lew Gilliland / Marcia Kling poses for a photo March 12, 2025, in her Chattanooga home. Kling worked as an on-air personality for 50 years for WTVC News Channel 9 before retiring in 2013. Along the way, she triumphed over oral cancer in 1974.

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Chattanooga Knows: What Scenic City area native released his first album 50 years ago in 1975?

by Lew Gilliland ·March 9, 2025

What Scenic City area native released his first album 50 years ago in 1975?

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Hometown artist James Rogers preformed as Fort Oglethorpe celebrated Labor Day in 2018.

Chattanooga Knows: What former resident gained notice in 1933 by proposing FDR appoint an all-woman Cabinet?

by Lew Gilliland ·March 2, 2025

What former resident gained notice in 1933 by proposing FDR appoint an all-woman Cabinet?

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections / Lorine Pruette, center, is pictured in the April 24, 1916, edition of The University Echo, the University of Chattanooga's student newspaper.

Chattanooga Knows: What service were residents using for the first time 50 years ago?

by Lew Gilliland ·February 23, 2025

What service were residents taking advantage for the first time 50 years ago?

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles, left, talks in 2020 to then-Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond during a county commission meeting.

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Chattanooga Knows: What world class bass-baritone made a guest appearance here in April 1960?

by Lew Gilliland ·February 16, 2025

What world class bass-baritone made a guest appearance here in April 1960?

Staff photo / The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera performs in 2018 during a Veterans Day concert at the Memorial Auditorium. In 1960, the Chattanooga Opera Association produced the opera "Susannah." The show featured three members of the New York City Opera, including bass-baritone Norman Treigle.

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Chattanooga Knows: What early 20th century celebrity appeared here exactly 100 years ago?

by Lew Gilliland ·February 9, 2025

What early 20th century celebrity appeared at the Memorial Auditorium exactly 100 years ago?

Library of Congress / Homer Rodeheaver was a gospel music pioneer and early 20th century celebrity who made multiple appearances in Chattanooga, including a show at the Memorial Auditorium on Feb. 10, 1925.

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Chattanooga Knows: What Chattanoogan found himself in political limbo ahead of inauguration day 1981?

by Lew Gilliland ·January 19, 2025

What Chattanoogan found himself in political limbo ahead of inauguration day 1981?

In 1980, Republican presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan, left, smiles with Bill Brock, Republican National Committee chair, during a news conference in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

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Chattanooga Knows: Why was the city ‘Bracing for the worst’ the first week of January 1988?

by Lew Gilliland ·January 12, 2025

Why was the city “Bracing for the worst” the first week of January 1988?