
Tierra Hayes is a reporter and digital 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.
Seven months into her new role as the city manager of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, Molly Huhn is looking to prioritize the revitalization of the historic area, but above all, she said she wants to tackle the needs of the community. And she realizes she doesn't understand them all just yet.
by Tierra HayesThe Chattanooga City Council is preparing to vote on a new proposal to house Chattanooga residents experiencing homelessness within the city limits, instead of at an East Ridge hotel.
by Tierra HayesDespite a slew of community comments against a proposal to allow developers to build multi-family townhomes off of South Wooten Road, the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on March 16 to approve rezoning four parcels that make up about 22 acres of land.
by Tierra HayesSince its founding in 2018, the CALEB Hamilton County Community Bail Fund has paid the bails of 60 inmates in a quest to remove the financial barrier of cash bail.
by Tierra HayesSome areas of Walker County may soon have access to public water for the first time.
by Tierra HayesWhile rare because of the high demand for COVID-19 vaccines, people do miss scheduled appointments because of something unforeseen, leaving extra doses at the end of the day.
by Tierra HayesResidents of Chickamauga, Georgia, are getting a say in how upcoming capital projects are initially funded.
by Tierra HayesDespite a lack of communication that left some city commissioners feeling in the dark during much of the planning process, McKee Foods and the city of Collegedale are working to break ground on a new park after years of planning.
by Tierra HayesCollegedale City Manager Ted Rogers on Monday said he would step down, but he said it was not in response to calls for his firing or resignation that took place just last week.
by Tierra HayesA water main break caused by recent fluctuating temperatures near Vine and Palmetto streets in Chattanooga remains days later as Tennessee American Water crews work to assess the damage amid changing weather conditions.
by Tierra HayesThe city of Collegedale fired its director of parks and recreation, Traci Bennett-Hobek, for "a pattern of conduct unbecoming of an employee and manager" after an altercation between her and city planning department employees.
by Tierra HayesAfter the approval of funding, Catoosa County Economic Development Authority Director Keith Barclift is preparing to tackle one of his preliminary goals from when he started his job around two years ago — developing a strategic plan for the county's economic future.
by Tierra HayesCatoosa County commissioners have approved a resolution requesting the Georgia General Assembly to consider repealing two county-specific acts that currently restrict the board's purchasing powers.
by Tierra HayesWith just a little over a month left before Catoosa County's Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax vote, Catoosa County Schools Superintendent Denia Reese is doing all she can to make sure people cast their ballot to provide the district with the funds to continue supporting area students.
by Tierra HayesCommunity members expressed outrage and confusion on Monday evening after social media posts circulated with screenshots of a newsletter announcing that East Ridge Middle School's theme for Black History Month would be "All Lives Matter."
by Tierra HayesAmong various improvements to school buildings and technology countywide, the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) proposed for Walker County could also fund a new high school.
by Tierra HayesFrustration from parents over online education came to a head at the Hamilton County Board of Education meeting Thursday night, but the board left any decision about going back into classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic to the discretion of Superintendent Bryan Johnson.
by Tierra HayesFive years in, education collaboration Chattanooga 2.0 has pulled in scores of industry leaders, parents, administrators and community members alike to accomplish one main objective - to find equitable solutions to support local students from cradle to career.
by Tierra HayesDuring Blue Ridge, Georgia, police Chief Johnny Scearce's three-month stint at CHI Memorial Hospital due to COVID-19 he had his 60th birthday, underwent countless medical interventions and won his contested election bid.
by Tierra HayesIn an effort to "make sure that our leaders are held accountable," freshman Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has already set her personal day-one priority for the upcoming administration — introducing articles of impeachment against President-elect Joe Biden once he takes office.
by Tierra Hayes