Tierra Hayes

Tierra Hayes is the digital and engagement editor for the Times Free Press. She is from Athens, Georgia, and graduated from Southern Adventist University in 2020 with her B.S. Mass Communication-Writing/Editing.

With Chattanooga area’s census response rate lagging compared to 2010, bureau prepares to knock on doors

by Tierra Hayes ·July 22, 2020

Over one third of area residents yet to respond to the 2020 count

A worker gets ready to pass out instructions in how fill out the 2020 census during a town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at a senior center in Lithonia, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Walker County to give away 2,000 free face masks Monday, July 27

by Tierra Hayes, compiler ·July 22, 2020

Walker County will be distributing free face masks in an initiative called "Mask Up Monday" in its ongoing effort to slow the transmission of the novel coronavirus, according to a news release.

A woman holds a package of face coverings. Walker County will hold a drive-thru distribution on July 27 in an innititave, "Mask Up Monday," to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Photo provided by Walker County Commissioner's Office.

Pandemic impacts North Georgia self-response rates to the census

by Tierra Hayes, correspondent ·July 21, 2020

Over four months past the usual April 1 deadline for responding to the U.S. Census, much of the United States is still behind self-response rates reported from 2010, including counties in North Georgia.

Photo by Matt Rourke of The Associated Press /Shown is a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident, in Glenside, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Hamilton County Schools officials address last-minute questions ahead of deadline to choose complete remote or hybrid instruction

by Tierra Hayes, correspondent ·July 20, 2020

In an effort to provide families with additional information ahead of Wednesday's deadline for parents to choose which back-to-school option is best for their children, the Chattanooga Times Free Press hosted a live question-and-answer session on Monday with representatives from Hamilton County Schools.

Screenshot of Times Free Press Zoom forum / Breckan Duckworth, a middle school English/language arts lead with Hamilton County Schools, discusses options available to parents during a live forum hosted Monday by the Times Free Press as the school system prepares a return to class amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Additional warrants issued for four more protesters who Chattanooga police say blocked an emergency vehicle

by Tierra Hayes, compiler ·July 17, 2020

The Chattanooga Police Department has obtained warrants for additional protestors, stating they also impeded the travel of an emergency vehicle attempting to get to an active call on Friday, July 10.

A photo from Market and Main streets Friday night in which protesters blocked emergency vehicles. / Photo contributed by the Chattanooga Police Department.

Watch: Advocacy approaches, thoughts on COVID-19 reopening framework separate Hamilton County school board District 1 candidates

by Tierra Hayes ·July 16, 2020

During the final Hamilton County school board debate on Wednesday evening, 16-year incumbent Rhonda Thurman and lifelong resident Stephen Vickers demonstrated strong commitments to the Soddy-Daisy community with contrasting approaches on how to advocate for that community and how schools should respond to COVID-19.

Watch: Despite similarities, divisions arise in experience levels, beliefs on funding for Hamilton County District 7 school board candidates

by Tierra Hayes, correspondent ·July 15, 2020

While District 7 candidates for the Hamilton County school board shared some common views, differences in experience level and beliefs on funding shaped a Tuesday evening debate.

Walker County Schools continues work to balance budget

by Tierra Hayes, correspondent ·July 14, 2020

The Walker County School Board is working to finalize its projected budget for the 2021 fiscal year while accounting for impacts from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Staff file photo by Tim Barber / Superintendent Damon Raines addresses the audience during a Walker County School Board meeting in this 2017 file photo.

Watch: District 2 school board candidates draw differences during debate on testing, equity, funding beliefs

by Tierra Hayes, correspondent ·July 14, 2020

Hamilton County School Board candidates Marco Perez and Tom Decosimo drew notable differences in opinion about funding, equity and other issues during Monday night's virtual debate hosted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Chattanooga 2.0 and WRCB in the race to fill the District 2 seat being vacated by incumbent Kathy Lennon.

Hamilton County road closures, shifts and detours for July 9-14

by Tierra Hayes, compiler ·July 9, 2020

Hamilton County has a number of road closures, shifts and detours planned as crews work on various construction projects in the area.