Chattanooga Pulse » Local News

Normal Park School Zoning Overturned By Board

Gary Poole — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:16:35 +0000

In spite of concerns that it would appear that they would be going back on their word, six of the nine members of the Hamilton County School Board voted to overturn their own zoning plan for Normal Park school.

The original plan, passed in 2007, including the Bell and Spears Avenues area of north Chattanooga.

However, due to what Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales said was “unexpected growth” in the area already zoned for the school, he asked those areas to be removed.

Normal Park, a magnet school, draws a majority of their students from outside the zone via a lottery process.

This has not sat well with families who live close to the school who claim they’ve been cut out of consideration and have to send their children much further away to other schools.

Cleanup Of Highway 64 Pushed Back To April

Louis Lee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:35:58 +0000

As of earlier this week, engineers were saying Highway 64 would be cleaned up and open by the end of this month. Now, they’re saying bad weather and other problems are pushing that date back to April 16th.

The roadway has been blocked since November by a rock-slide off Little Frog Mountain.

Since then, crews have worked trying to clear the debris and shore up the sie of the mountain.

Body Of White Male Found In West Chickamauga Creek

Louis Lee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:19:28 +0000

East Ridge Police are continuing to investigate the discovery of a body found in the West Chickamauga Creek.

Two people picking up litter near the walking track at Camp Jordan reported seeing the body Thursday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as 22 year old Barry A. Moody from Ooltewah.

Investigators say there appears to be no signs of foul play, but are treating it as a homicide until that’s proven otherwise.

Symphony To Perform Mystery Show At Riverbend

Louis Lee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:18:23 +0000

The Chattanooga Symphony will once again back national musicians at Riverbend this year. But what they’ll play will be a mystery until the show starts.

All we know is, pop singer Joan Osborne, Bluegrass singer John Cowan and roots musicians The Waybacks will join the symphony for a headlining show on Sunday, June 13th.

Together, they will perform “one of the world’s most beloved and best known classic albums from rock’s golden era.”

Every song from start to finish.

But we won’t know what album it is until they begin playing it.

According to Riverbend… “the original performers would certainly appreciate the unique orchestral arrangements for this once-in-a-lifetime show.”

City Orders Two Pitbulls Put Down After Attack

Louis Lee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:15:27 +0000

Two pitbulls who attacked a man, inflicting serious bite injuries, will be put to death. City Judge Shery Paty passed the sentence yesterday in the case of the attack which happened on Dodds Avenue.

The victim, Ronald Harris, had numerous bite marks on his hands, arms and legs.

The owner of the dogs, Harold Jackson, Junion, didn’t show up for the hearing.

Dalton Police Looking For Mapco Burglars

Louis Lee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:14:24 +0000

Dalton Police are asking for help in catching four thieves that broke into a Mapco store on March 11th. The men got into the store using a crow bar.

They left with less than $50 in cash, several cartons of cigarettes, lottery tickets, and a laptop computer.

The men wore heavy dark coats with hoods or masks obscuring their faces, apparently aware that the store had surveillance cameras.

They also wore loose fitting jeans or pants, with their underwear showing on the surveillance videos.

If you have any information about this crime or the identity of any of these men, please contact Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085, extension 320.

Chattanooga Fire Marshal Demoted Over Conduct

Louis Lee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:12:59 +0000

Chattanooga Fire Marshal David Brooks has been reassigned to the position of captain. Fire Chief Randy Parker said the reassignment is an administrative decision based on a personal matter.

Parker said Deputy Chief Lamar Flint will serve as the interim Fire Marshal until a permanent replacement is chosen.

According to News 12, it follows an investigation by the police department internal affairs division which led to a charge of conduct unbecoming a city employee.

The report says Fire Captain Craig Haney asked for the investigation…claiming Brooks had an affair with his wife.

Haney said he feared Brooks would retaliate..and could influence his future promotions.

City Considering Using Boot To Fight Scofflaws

Gary Poole — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:25:06 +0000

Faced with millions of dollars in unpaid fines, and a backlog of unrepentant scofflaws, Chattanooga officials are consdering using a tire “boot” against the worst parking offenders.

The city is owed over $7 million in unpaid fines, with little to no incentive on the part of the lawbreakers to pony up the money.

That may soon change, if the city goes through with plans to place the metal boot on the cars of the most egregious offenders.

The device makes it impossible for a vehicle to be driven, and would not be removed until the owner of the vehicle pays off their outstanding fines or comes to a financial agreement with the city.

The police department currently only has four boots available, as the city had stopped using the devices several years ago.

Beer Board Says Kanku’s Violence Not “Beer Problem”

Gary Poole — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:23:35 +0000

The Chattanooga Beer Board today took a look at the ongoing violence at the Kanku’s convenience store on Wilcox Boulevard and concluded that it was not a “beer problem”.

Christopher Keene, a member of the board, said the problems are with the surrounding community.

He cited a lack of an active PTA, no youth sports, and little to no parental involvement with their children as all being factors.

He called on the Chattanooga Police Department to provide more coverage in the area.

The owner of the store, Ashish Chaudhari, had been asked to come before the board, but was not cited for any violations.

Ooltewah Students In Fight Video Suspended

Gary Poole — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:21:50 +0000

A fight that took place in a bathroom at Ooltewah High school has become a YouTube sensation. School officials, however, are not talking the violence lightly.

All of the students involved in the fight – including those who stood and watched – have been suspended.

Principal Mark Bean said that a comment made about the sister of one of the students led to the altercation, which has circulated widely since being posted online.

This is the seventh reported fight at the school this year, although the first to be seen online.