Bettis guilty in slaying
A Dunlap man pleaded guilty in a 2011 Sequatchie County slaying, according to the sheriff's office.
Thomas Bryan Bettis, 38, pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit felony murder and facilitation to commit especially aggravated robbery in the death of Clifford Carden.
The 55-year-old victim's body was found Feb. 3, 2011, floating in the Sequatchie River at Pickett's Bridge off East Valley Road.
Bettis' co-defendant, Susan Baker, was convicted by a jury in March 2014 of felony murder and especially aggravated robbery and sentenced to 35 years.
Woman accused in Porsche theft
A Chattanooga woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with the theft of a 2010 Porsche 997 valued at $175,000 out of a man's garage in December.
Car owner Bailey Jones, of 829 E. Eighth St,. told police the vehicle was locked in his garage with the keys inside. He wasn't sure how the thief gained entry into the garage.
The car was found abandoned the next day. Fingerprints on the center console pointed to Chelsea Griffith, 23.
Chattanooga offers 2 driver education classes for spring 2015
The city of Chattanooga will offer two driver education classes for spring 2015. Classes are open to all city residents ages 15-22 and consist of 30 hours of classroom training over four days followed by six hours of driving instruction. Classes meet from 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. and the course costs $50.
One class is set March 30-April 2 at the Public Library, 1001 Broad St. The other will be held on four consecutive Saturdays from April 11 to May 2 at the South Chattanooga Youth & Family Development Center, 1151 W. 40th St.
To enroll, visit www.chattanooga.gov/ transportation/ traffic-engineering-a- operations/drivers- education, print and complete online application. Mail with $50 check or money order payable to City of Chattanooga to: Drivers Education Program, Chattanooga Department of Transportation, 1250 Market St., Suite 3030, Chattanooga TN 37402.
For more information, call 423-643-5963 or 311.
Starnes to speak to tea party
Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes is the guest speaker at tonight's Chattanooga Tea Party meeting at 6:30 p.m. at The Century Club Banquet Hall, 3221 Harrison Pike.
Starnes will speak on the root causes of inner city violence and crime and provide some possible solutions, according to a news release. Admission is free and everyone is invited.
Please RSVP at Chattanooga Tea Party's Facebook page (link at ChattanoogaTeaParty.com).
Democrats to hold training
Hamilton County Democrats will begin training tonight for elections from local to presidential levels. The training is aimed at potential candidates for office and campaign managers.
Training begins at 6 p.m. at the HCDP headquarters, 4300 North Access Road. Pizza, soft drinks, water and coffee will be provided.
For more information contact Terry Lee at tleedemocrat@gmail.com.
Thrive 55 on tea party agenda
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- John Anthony will speak about the Thrive 55 regionalism plan and its potential impact on the community at the Bradley County Tea Party meeting at noon Tuesday. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
A discussion of the Bradley County Commission's vote regarding local building codes is also scheduled.
The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in room 200 of the Bradley County Courthouse, 155 Broad St. Admission is free and the public is invited.