Usher receives key to Chattanooga, encourages youth to dream big
Before he received the key to the city of Chattanooga on Saturday, Usher said he was given a key from his loved ones: an understanding he could do anything he …
Stories by Andrew Wilkins
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Growth, agriculture key topics in Walker County commission race
How Walker County will grow is one of the main topics as a lifelong North Georgia project manager and a retiree with a background in electrical cooperatives vi…
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UPDATE: Crews rescue street preacher stuck in drainpipe in Fort Oglethorpe
After working for more than nine hours, Catoosa County firefighters along with multiple partners freed a 22-year-old man who was trapped inside a partially clo…
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Subscriber ExclusiveCatoosa County GOP ballot fight will continue in federal court
Because of the First Amendment right of free association, the courts can't require a private political party to include candidates the Catoosa County Republica…
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Subscriber ExclusiveWalker County sewer project aims to ease reliance on Chattanooga
Amid underpayment accusations from the city of Chattanooga, Walker County's wastewater authority has begun a $23 million sewage redirection project it says wil…
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Proposed Walker County quarry concerns neighbors
A new rock quarry planned for southern Walker County is facing opposition from many of its neighbors who said their quiet rural area will be hurt by blasting a…
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Whitfield County Republicans censure lawmaker over immigration, taxes
Whitfield County Republicans censured state Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, after he voted against a measure requiring local governments to cooperate with fede…
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Walker County Schools nepotism claim rejected by judge
A Walker County Superior Court judge rejected a claim of nepotism in the county school system Thursday.
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Catoosa County commissioners update development costs
The Board of Commissioners has approved an update of Catoosa County's development fees.
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Catoosa County residents clash over issue of primary ballot vetting
Catoosa County Republican Party officials were accused of trying to consolidate power by excluding some candidates from the primary ballot at a Fort Oglethorpe…
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Ringgold’s new smart hospital breaks ground
Northwest Georgia is one step closer to its new hospital after local elected and hospital officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the CHI Memorial Hospital …
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Driver found not guilty of vehicular homicide; family calls verdict in 2021 Walker County crash senseless
A three-day trial in Walker County last week found a man not guilty of second-degree vehicular homicide and guilty of a traffic violation in a 2021 wreck on Hi…
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Catoosa County GOP ballot questions rejected; candidate challenges filed
The Catoosa County Republican Party wanted to ask its voters about the party's efforts to reject four candidates from the May primary ballot, but the Georgia s…
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Chattanooga party marks St. Patrick’s Day, new Choo Choo gardens
A St. Patrick's Day celebration is planned for the new gardens at the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex Saturday, and organizers are ready to show off the updated …
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Continuing a trend, Northwest Georgia voters helped cement presidential rematch between Trump, Biden
Donald Trump and Joe Biden both sailed to victory in primary elections in Northwest Georgia and across the state during Tuesday elections in which both men won…
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Catoosa sales tax passes, approved by over 60% of voters
Catoosa County residents voted this week to continue a 1% sales tax for county infrastructure and equipment.
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Celebrating 30 years of music, Ringgold Depot Opry welcomes outlaw country legend Roger Allan Wade
The Ringgold Depot Opry offers a spotlight for talented local musicians, the show's executive producer said, and Saturday's show welcomes Chattanooga-based out…
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Catoosa County candidates qualify, but expect ballot fight to continue
The four Catoosa County Board of Commissioners candidates denied a spot on the Republican primary ballot were allowed to qualify directly with the county's Ele…
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Judge threatens to use deputies, fines to enforce rulings in Catoosa GOP ballot case
What has become a showdown between a Superior Court judge and the Catoosa County Republican Party took another turn Thursday with the judge threatening fines a…
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Judge allows blocked Catoosa GOP primary candidates back on the ballot
A Georgia judge Tuesday ruled in favor of four Catoosa County candidates who didn't qualify to appear on a GOP primary ballot under new county party rules.
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2 Catoosa County incumbents kept off Republican ballot
Two incumbent Catoosa County commissioners and a former commissioner were denied a spot on the Republican primary ballot Monday morning — a new effort, county …
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McLemore hotel opens for business ‘above the clouds’ on Lookout Mountain
The doors of the 245-room Cloudland at McLemore Resort hotel were officially opened to its first guests Thursday, a milestone in the development of Lookout Mou…
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Subscriber ExclusiveA family’s search for closure: Sisters lead effort to have 1980s Ringgold homicide case reopened
The family gathering at the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office headquarters had the hugs, tears and the whispered, comforting words of a funeral.
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Dayton, Tennessee, looks to future of marina building, despite business limitations
Dayton city officials are moving forward on finding a contractor to occupy a building at Dayton Municipal Park, near the site of many successful fishing tourna…
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Catoosa County voters are deciding whether to extend 1% sales tax for capital projects
Catoosa County residents are voting on whether to continue a 1% sales tax for county infrastructure and equipment.
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Subscriber Exclusive2014 Gilmer County alleged sex assault case still awaiting trial
At an alcohol-fueled party after Calhoun High School's prom in May 2014, a young woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by three male students after passing …
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Subscriber ExclusiveCatoosa County GOP announce dates for candidate vetting
The Catoosa County Republican Party has announced dates for potential candidates to be interviewed and considered for inclusion on the Republican primary ballo…
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Rossville road widening for development brings growth concerns
A Rossville road widening project approved by the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners brought concerns from residents that the county is growing too fast.
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Subscriber ExclusiveCatoosa County GOP imposes rule to decide who can run as a Republican
The Catoosa County Republican Party is asserting the power to approve — and possibly disallow — candidates who want to run as Republicans in updated rules file…
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Ringgold residents work to memorialize segregation-era Black school
Sometimes, we forget where we come from, Ringgold City Council Member Earl Henderson said, but we cannot forget that previous generations made sacrifices to bu…
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‘A blessed life,’ family says about 110-year-old Flintstone woman’s passing
About a week after enjoying her 110th birthday with a family party and coverage in the local news, Flintstone resident Thelma Little has died.
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Longtime Walker County sheriff faces primary challenger
Former Georgia State Patrol Commander Don Stultz is challenging longtime Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson in an upcoming Republican primary for the post.
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Walker County school board members respond to nepotism lawsuit
Two Walker County school board members have responded to a lawsuit alleging they should be removed from office because of nepotism.
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Subscriber ExclusiveProperty tax refunds coming for some Catoosa County homeowners
More than 350 Catoosa County property taxpayers will be issued a refund as government officials work to keep property appraisals proportional to home prices in…
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Walker County saw a 150% growth in new housing permits last year
Unincorporated Walker County set a record for new home starts last year, with nearly a 150% increase from 2022 to 2023, but some residents think the growth wil…
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Catoosa County fire chief to retire after nearly five decades of service
The long-serving chief of the Catoosa County Fire Department is retiring after nearly five decades of service in Northwest Georgia.
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Subscriber ExclusiveChattanooga-area parents weigh value of traditional snow days vs. return to remote learning
The winter storm that closed Chattanooga-area schools this week left some parents celebrating the technological advances that allowed their district to impleme…
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Flintstone, Georgia, woman celebrates 110th birthday with family, shares longevity secrets
Surrounded by multiple generations of her family, Thelma Mae Kirby Little of Flintstone turned 110 this week.
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Walker County hiring practices questioned in board meeting
Members of the Walker County Board of Commissioners want more information from Board Chair Shannon Whitfield regarding the creation of new staff positions.
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Walker County prioritizing 50 miles of paving in new year as rock stabilization work continues
Walker County has unveiled its road paving priorities for the new year as it continues work on an emergency rock stabilization project.
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New trails coming to Rocky Face Ridge Park in Whitfield County
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept a $150,000 federal grant to add more hiking trails to the Rocky Face Ridge Park north o…
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TV personality Rowe awards scholarships to five Dade County lineman trainees
In an effort to boost interest and the number of workers in skilled trade careers, TV personality Mike Rowe has awarded partial scholarships to five students a…
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Subscriber ExclusiveFormer Rossville mayor accused of stalking city employee
A Rossville city employee is alleging former Mayor Teddy Harris has been stalking her for about 10 years.
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Cohutta, Georgia, police celebrate new headquarters after fire caused ‘difficult,’ ‘emotional’ year
The Cohutta Police Department has purchased a facility to house the department more than a year after its headquarters were destroyed in a fire
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‘Kind-hearted’ Walker County toy maker dies at 83
In the social media post announcing the death of James "Cecil" Brannon, the manager of the Walker County Farmers Market said perhaps it's fitting a toy maker w…
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Gordon County official critical of county’s move to suburban congressional district
The redrawing of Georgia's congressional map to protect the interests of Black voters is having a negative effect on Gordon County, an official with the county…
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Single mother on the road to stable housing thanks to Neediest Cases Fund
A single mother of two without permanent housing is thankful for her Neediest Cases Fund gift that helped her pay for a hotel while she goes to work and school.
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Volunteers sought for three Catoosa County boards
The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners is seeking volunteers for three panels focusing on issues including growth, property taxes and health care.
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Letters to future sought by Walker County government for county’s upcoming 200th birthday
Walker County officials are asking residents to submit a message to their future self as part of the county's 200th anniversary celebration.
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Subscriber ExclusiveWalker County elections board chair won’t get another term
After nearly 16 years of service on the Walker County Board of Elections and Registration, Jim Buckner said he was sad and disappointed to learn he wouldn't be…
