Firearm Found in Student’s Backpack at Chattanooga Preparatory School
This morning, a gun was found at another Hamilton County school, raising serious concerns about student safety.
At Chattanooga Preparatory School, a School Resource Officer and an administrator discovered a firearm in a student’s backpack. The school mandates that students leave their backpacks in a designated area as a safety measure. Despite this, the student involved managed to evade capture and left the campus
“We don’t yet know where this gun came from, but it’s crucial for everyone to practice due diligence with firearms. Ensure that you know where your guns are at all times—don’t leave them in your car or lying around the house, especially when children are present. It’s important that we all take responsibility and be accountable for the firearms or weapons that belong to us,” said Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern. Over the past few weeks, Hamilton County Schools have reported at least 30 incidents involving threats of violence or the presence of guns.
On Mix 104.1, Bradley County and state officials discussed the possible reasons behind the surge in threats and outlined several key strategies to prevent future incidents.
“What is happening with the mental health of our students that is prompting this violent behavior and communication issues? I believe you will see ongoing efforts not only to fund safety measures but also to address the root of the problem: increasing the number of counselors in our schools who spend meaningful time with students” said Senator Adam Lowe.
As the investigation continues, authorities and officials are determined to work together to prevent further incidents and protect our schools.
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Hal Gray resigns as Rossville Mayor
ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – The city of Rossville is looking for a new mayor.
Hal Gray resigned from the job this week after harsh criticism at Monday’s Council meeting.
Several residents attacked his handling of the city budget.
They accused him of squandering city tax dollars.
The city has already scheduled a special election next March to elect a new Mayor.
In the meantime, vice-mayor Jonathan Lassetter will take over the job.
He was also a harsh critic of Gray’s spending choices.
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CFD helps rescue two dogs from east Chattanooga residential fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — While responding to the house fire on Big Ridge, other Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) personnel were assisting in a house fire near East Chattanooga.
CFD units were dispatched to the 3600 block of Sapulpa Street at 1:00 p.m. September 12, 2024.
Cleveland firefighters assisted CFD on scene.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and two dogs were rescued from the residence.
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Firefighters still working to extinguish Big Ridge house fire
UPDATE (9/12/2024): The Chattanooga Fire Department is still on the scene of the house fire in the 1700 block Patriot Lane.
CFD reported the fire got under the multitiered decks while firefighters worked to try and prevent it from spreading.
The backyard of this residence is sloped, making it difficult for firefighters to get to the source of the flames.
The wood joist under the deck was buring, compromising the structural stability of the porches.
Due to unsafe conditions, firefighters pulled back.
Moments after they made that call, crews witnessed a large collapse of exterior areas of the structure.
Flames were going through the roof of the house.
CFD has successfully protected nearby residences, however several adjacent houses sustained damage from the heat.
The homeowner and his pets thankfully made it out of the house safely, and he was able to collect a couple of his belongings.
Firefighters are still working to contain pocket fires throughout the house.
We have personnel on the scene and will provide more updates as information becomes available.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Firefighters have been battling a large house on Big Ridge since around 4:30 Thursday morning.
The fire started in the backyard of a house in the Colonial Shores neighborhood in the 1700 block of Patriot Lane.
Flames quickly spread to the decks and underneath.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to prevent it from spreading into the house.
Thankfully, there are no reported injuries at this time.
We will keep you updated as we learn more about what caused the fire.
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Chattanoogans Reflect on 9/11 Attacks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 23 years ago, the worst terrorist attack in modern American history was carried out against our country.
The 9-11 Memorial and Museum in New York says 2,977 people were killed in the attacks
Wednesday, Chattanoogans took time to remember the innocent lives we lost that day.
The Scenic City Women’s Network hosted a remembrance ceremony at the Hamilton County Courts Building.
Retired Four Star Army General B.B. Bell has deep ties to Chattanooga, being a 1969 graduate of UTC, and served almost four decades in our military.
On that fateful day 23 years ago, he had traveled to Washington to conduct meetings with lawmakers when the horror of 9-11 began.
Gen. Bell said, “Then they switched the camera to the other building, and sure enough a second aircraft, and of course that did it for all of us, I said, “Gary, there’s been a damn terrorist attack, and somehow they’ve crashed into the World Trade Towers.” and quite frankly I said to him straight up, “We’ve got to get the hell out of here.”
The nightmare only got worse when he went on the front steps of the U-S Capitol.
“I’m looking that way across the Potomac, about four miles away, at the Pentagon where I wanted to go, when the Pentagon exploded in front of my very eyes. Now it’s four miles away and it was surreal. Now I’ve been in a warzone before, and this was a warzone,” said Gen. Bell.
In all, at least 184 people died at the Pentagon according to the Department of Defense, many of them military personnel.
One of these victims was Lieutenant General Timothy Maude, who General Bell says was a close friend to him, and recalled a harrowing conversation with his widow shortly after 9/11.
Gen. Bell recalled that his widow said,“Just between us, they can’t locate any of Tim’s remains or many of the other folks’ remains. They were incinerated. But I thank the Lord, they found his wedding ring, his wedding band, and I’ve got it.”
He says the day still haunts him as, “And I said to myself, “Why did God let me walk away from this? I could have, maybe should have been killed in the Pentagon. Could have, maybe should have been in the Capitol Building, but I didn’t have a scratch on me. But all of my friends did, and it affected me.”
