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Log in here Police urge drivers to remain cautious and to not drive into water on the roadway Chattanooga police and the fire department are responding to multiple water emergencies related to vehicles driving into flooded roadways Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device A significant rain event on Friday caused extensive flooding across the Chattanooga area The storm led to a sewer backup that forced the temporary closure of The Salvation Army’s Social Services offices at 800 McCallie Ave The flooding began impacting the facility shortly after 2 p.m Affected programs include the Emergency Assistance office The Salvation Army has relocated Emergency Assistance casework to the Area Command offices at 822 McCallie Ave. where services will continue without interruption the ReCreate Café and Blessing Place will remain closed until the impacted areas can be safely reopened “Our first priority is the safety of both our team and the people we serve,” said Major Douglas McClure area commander for The Salvation Army of Greater Chattanooga “We are working as quickly as possible to restore these vital services and we’re incredibly grateful for the prayers and support of our community during this disruption.” The Salvation Army is coordinating with skilled professionals and local partners to assess and restore the damaged facilities The timeline for reopening is still being determined as cleanup and safety inspections are ongoing please follow The Salvation Army Chattanooga’s social media or contact the Area Command office directly at 423 756-1023 After almost a decade in business on East Main Street Slick's Burgers is closing its doors May 11 "It came to whether we were going to re-sign a lease and go for another five (years) but an opportunity came where we were able to work a deal with another restaurant group to take over the space and buy the assets from us," Slick's owner One reason for the decision to close the fast-casual hamburger restaurant is the increased cost of goods and labor since the pandemic Slick's grinds the meat for its burgers and makes everything from scratch "You can only charge so much for an order-at-the-counter burger and it just became more difficult to make the numbers work," Taslimi said "An opportunity came up where we had to make a decision on whether we're going to spend more resources on trying to figure it out or move on." He said he still owns the trade name for the restaurant so the possibility of reopening in another location remains (READ MORE: Meet the Chef: How fava beans might have led Eric Taslimi, co-owner of Slick's and Southside Pizza, to a culinary career) "We are just so grateful for the neighborhood for Chattanooga and all our present and past employees that work their butts off in there and really love the place," he said but I think it's going to be in really good hands I think they're going to do some good stuff with it An owner of the restaurant group that plans to purchase the Slick's Burgers space said by phone that plans are not ready to be announced at this time said that restaurant is doing well and will remain open "I guess pizza is invincible when it comes to pandemics," he said Contact Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508 Emily Crisman became a staff writer for the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 2009 Emily graduated with a degree in humanities from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006 This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing The fifth annual Chattanooga Burger Week has wrapped up after forty of Chattanooga’s best restaurants featured a burger of their choice for only $8 from April 21-27 Participating restaurants served over 20,000+ burgers throughout the week and fought hard to prove that theirs is the best Patrons feasted on burgers ranging in flavor composition from classic to off-the-wall concoctions culminating with voting to crown three champions: Best Classic Burger the Tennessee Beef Industry Council Burger Bud surprised patrons at burger stops throughout the week with gift cards and burger swag and random winners were awarded from app users and social media giveaways Chattanooga voted and we are happy to announce the winners:  With 20,000+ burgers served throughout the week, we are all winners - restaurants and patrons alike! Plus, for the first time, patrons were able to support the Chattanooga Area Food Bank by donating canned goods at participating restaurants and getting bonus points for doing good It was another great Chattanooga Burger Week, supporting the local community and enjoying the best burgers around. Mark your calendars for the sixth annual Chattanooga Burger Week - April 6-12 Digital Producer/Weekend Assignment Editor After a decade of serving the Chattanooga community Slick's Burgers will close its doors on Sunday "We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers who have become our family," says the downtown restaurant we are reminded of the countless hours of laughter and love that have been shared within our walls We are truly honored to have been a part of so many special memories." The popular burger joint also thanked team members past and present for their hard work and dedication: "You have all been the backbone of our operation and we are so proud of the growth and success we have achieved together." the Slick's crew will celebrate memories made over the past 10 years They invite Chattanooga residents to join them for one last visit before May 11 to share stories by Lily Butler — On the fifth floor of the Edney Innovation Center over 50 community members met for a discussion about change on Sunday The Chattanooga Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) group facilitated a "Protect and Resist" meeting Co-founder Meredith Webb said the meeting is a way for average people to learn how they can actively make a change The meeting included a group of activists for different groups Webb said solidarity is a way to have more powerful movements here in Chattanooga (WDEF) — The city of Chattanooga hosted the 76th armed forces parade Every year the Armed Forces Parade marches on Captain Mickey McCamish is United States Navy Retired and the parade organizer we marched in the parade and then went to serve on active duty in the military Chattanooga is deemed the most patriotic city in America because of this achievement Chuck Fleischmann attended the parade again this year The president of the United States knows this Chattanoogans’ hearts are with those who serve.” For 76 years this parade has been happening And for 17 years one MC has been reminding Chattanooga the importance of this parade Chip Chapman is the longest running Armed Forces Parade MC “We also have again our memory car of our armed forces members and veterans who have gone home We thank these folks for coming out and providing us another reminder of why we are all here.” The parade has been around for almost a century and yet still features new events This year the parade honored the newest branch of the military It is special for Chattanooga to have the commander of the space force here The general made his way to Chattanooga to explain the importance of the new branch Chance Satlzman is the Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force “We are no longer the only nation that recognizes the incredible opportunity that space affords Space is a national interest for more than just the United States The General had a mission for Chattanoogans “Please spare a moment to think about your nation’s newest military service We are still in the process of building ourselves into what our nation needs us to be and we need help Encourage young people to consider a career in the Space Force and educate your neighbors.” — A 50-year-old woman was shot while walking down a street in Chattanooga on Wednesday according to the Chattanooga Police Department Officers say the shooting happened just before 7 p.m officers say they found the woman with non-life-threatening injuries The woman told police she had been walking when she heard gunshots Cincinnati Reds top pitching prospect Chase Burns allowed one earned run on five hits without a walk while striking out eight in five innings in a win Friday night for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts It was Burns' second start for the Lookouts He struck out five while allowing five hits and a walk in four innings in his Double-A debut Burns was promoted April 21st to Double-A after posting a 3.09 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in the three starts he made for the High-A Dayton Dragons Burns ranks first among MLB Pipeline's top Reds prospects, and 23rd among MLB Pipeline's top 100 overall Burns didn't pitch professionally last year after the Reds selected him second overall in the 2024 MLB draft Social media reactions to Burns' start Friday night 3vs0Chattanooga Redshirt freshman Kaley Mathews (18) and her partner each claimed their first NCAA Championship victory clinching the dual win today.Photo by: Jenny XuBruins Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals with 3-0 Win Over Chattanooga May 02 Game Recap: Softball | 5/4/2025 8:24:00 PM Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here — A 24-year-old Chattanooga man faces a total of 10 charges after police say he sent nude photos of himself to minors Police arrested Joseph Arthur Bowles-Morrison on April 30th That arrest came after police "received multiple complaints regarding Mr Bowles-Morrison possessing child pornography on his Google Drive over the last couple of months," according to an affidavit our newsroom obtained Chattanooga Police determined that several child pornography images were on Bowles-Morrison's phone Bowles-Morrison is now charged with 7 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor 2 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and passing or distribution of obscene material A screenshot from TDOT Smartway showing Westbound and Eastbound lanes as of 6:35am Police and TDOT crews have all EB lanes closed up the ridge cut Crews reopened all lanes around 7:30am after shutting the interstate down for multiple hours early Sunday morning UPDATE: Chattanooga police have confirmed there was a homicide on I-24 Eastbound near the Westside Drive exit on Sunday after a suspect allegedly shot and killed another driver They found a 22-year-old man with serious injuries inside a car The preliminary investigation shows that the man was driving eastbound when the suspect shot him from another car Police believe this was a targeted incident and say there is no ongoing threat to the public If you have any information about this incident call the Homicide Tip Line at 423-643-5100 PREVIOUS STORY: The Chattanooga Police Department confirmed to Local 3 News that they are investigating a shooting that occurred on I-24 Eastbound near the Westside Road exit Much of the interstate up the ridge cut was shut down as they inspected the scene Stay with Local 3 News for the most reliable updates PREVIOUS STORY: Heavy police activity at Exit 181A near Dodds Avenue has shut down all lanes on I-24 Eastbound early Sunday morning is being diverted and rerouted through prior exits and the Bachman tunnel towards East Ridge READ MORE | Local 3 Traffic Drivers traveling on the interstate downtown are encouraged to find alternate routes around the ridge cut TDOT cameras showed officers on foot with flashlights scanning the shut-down portion of the interstate There is a car pulled over which police were seen surrounding and searching We've reached out to the Chattanooga Police Department for more information (WCYB) — East Tennessee State University wrapped up its regular season with a doubleheader against rival Chattanooga the Buccaneers took an early 2-0 lead after the first inning Chattanooga tied the game with two runs in the fourth inning The game remained tied until the bottom of the tenth inning when ETSU secured a 3-2 victory with a walk-off run ETSU led 3-1 after the first inning but failed to score for the remainder of the game Chattanooga's Mocs scored one run in the second inning The Southern Conference has released the bracket for this week's softball tournament ETSU is seeded seventh and will face sixth-seeded Western Carolina in a play-in game on Wednesday at 1 p.m while the loser will conclude their season will open its second store Saturday in a historic building on Chattanooga's Southside It also marks a bit of a homecoming for the brand Co-owner Haynes Burnett grew up in Chattanooga and runs the store with his wife Mountain Outfitters was established in 1995 by his late mom who owned a number of businesses in Chattanooga and instilled in Haynes a love of nature (READ MORE: Chattanooga outdoor retailer announces rebrand) "Mom was an incredible activist, philanthropist -- she was just so enthused by Chattanooga's outdoors scene," Haynes said in an interview. "She was drawn to it, and we were always outdoors." On Friday afternoon, Haynes, Anne Porcher and a number of employees were organizing displays for the grand opening, which will be from 10 a.m. David Floyd is a business reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 2017 and previously worked for the Johnson City Press. He is the second youngest of six siblings. Contact him at 423-757-6249 or dfloyd@timesfreepress.com. Copyright © 2025, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. WHITE COUNTY, Tenn. — First responders rescued a Nashville man from a cave in White County Saturday, the Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service says. The agency says at 12:30 p.m., they were called to help the Sparta Rescue Squad and White County Emergency Management on the rescue mission in Blue Spring Cave in Sparta, Tennessee. The man, first responders say, is a Vanderbilt student who was on an overnight research trip with classmates. The Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service says he got sick three miles into the cave, and was too weak to leave on his own. It took hours for crews to complete the mission, according to Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service. They say both the man, his classmates and rescuers made it out safely by 7:30 p.m. Captain Brandon Powers released the following statement: The Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service says Blue Spring Cave is privately owned and gated, and that its systems extend over 37 miles. BREAKING: Former Chatt. Prep. teacher Kenya White intends to plead guilty to enticement charges in federal court. Feathered fugitive: Missing peacock found safe after search by Chattanooga Zoo staffby Ray Collado The Chattanooga Zoo says the peacock has been found thanks to the help of one Chattanooga resident Eric Spear told us he was walking around his neighborhood with his dog when he noticed she was focused on one particular spot "After a couple of passes in this brushy area just right up out of the shrubs," said Spear Director of Marketing and Communications at the Chattanooga Zoo but they are properly trained to handle the situation Cash said the zoo will check the peacock for any health issues after being captured As a reward for helping to find the peacock Spear was granted a free membership to the Chattanooga Zoo He said he plans to use his reward to visit his new friend what's up with the little guy?" said Spear There's a feathered fugitive on the run Chattanooga Zoo says it is missing one of its peacocks after two of the birds left the zoo and went into the parking lot Thursday morning The zoo says staff members caught one of the peacocks but that the other went further away and has not yet been found There have been sightings reported near the zoo staff members believe the peacock is still close by Chattanooga Zoo says this is the first time a peacock has escaped in its 40 years of letting the peacocks roam freely The zoo calls the escape "a very rare occurrence." Anyone who sees the peacock is asked to call (423)-697-1322 Chattanooga Zoo advises against chasing the peacock in an attempt to catch it yourself the zoo says staff is working to find the peacock and return it to the zoo There is a house in a quiet Red Bank neighborhood that owner Logan Ridge bought amid low interest rates in 2021 then planted 13 shrubs outside development and the future of the region for the Chattanooga Times Free Press She joined the paper as a reporter covering crime and local news in October 2022 and previously covered crime and local government for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming She holds a degree in communication from Boston College The Interstate 75 half of the $161 million Interstate 24/I-75 interchange improvement project at the Tennessee-Georgia line is behind schedule while the I-24 portion is on track for a 2025 finish Ben Benton is a news reporter at the Chattanooga Times Free Press Ben has worked at the Times Free Press since November 2005 He has a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Tennessee At one time boasting a union density of around 40% of the work force our city has been the center of innumerable hard fights and historic victories for wages street car operators staged multiple strikes for union recognition Supported by thousands of Chattanoogans standing in solidarity they battled strike-breakers sent by the Philadelphia-based company and won their way to the negotiating table Chattanoogans working at the Coosa-Thatcher mill participated in the 1934 general textile strike in which textile workers around the Southeast banded together to demand safe and dignified working conditions SEIU local 205 won their fight for a $15 dollar minimum wage for city workers; this was followed by the victory for a $15 dollar minimum wage at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2023 by UTC's United Campus Workers (UCW-UTC 3865) local members of CWA held the longest telecommunications strike in U.S history and won a new contract despite intentional stalling by AT&T Despite the nationwide setbacks for the union movement in recent decades Chattanooga's workers have continued to fight and win historic victories workers at the Volkswagen plant here in Chattanooga overcame the odds to win their union Now organized as United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 42 they are entering the final stages of difficult and contentious contract negotiations As was the case during their organizing drive they are confronting not only their employer but a whole network of anti-union parties from County Mayor Weston Wamp to state Gov Though they will never say it in a forthright way these interests oppose higher wages and better benefits for Tennessee workers and they fear that if Local 42 wins a groundbreaking contract all employers in the region will face pressure to follow suit both from competition for workers and from a self-perpetuating tide of worker organization we should do everything in our power to ensure these fears are realized That starts with standing in unshakable solidarity with our brothers and sisters in UAW Local 42 The fact is this: Access to a middle-class lifestyle has slipped out of reach for a majority of waged workers in this region housing costs in Hamilton County have increased exponentially as local workers compete with property speculators and corporate landlords from the far corners of the country is expensive to the point of being inaccessible for the average worker Wages and health care are the core demands of UAW Local 42 but a wage increase that will allow their members to live a life of security and dignity in their own community but a plan that actually helps members and their families get healthy and remain that way Anti-worker interests trying to frame this as extravagant overreach is a sign of how degraded conditions have become in the decades of business-friendly policy There was a time that a manufacturing worker could support a home and a family on a single 40-hour paycheck That time corresponded with the height of unionization and the low point of economic inequality No amount of magical thinking can bring back the economies of yore but strong bodies of organized workers still can and will improve living standards across the board This is why all of us who desire better for ourselves and for our neighbors must stand with UAW Local 42 We must have their backs wherever that struggle takes them Despite the ignored or suppressed history of working class victories Chattanoogans are being sold out as a disorganized and desperate workforce That is not the legacy our forebears in the labor movement have left us That is not the reality that UAW Local 42 and all our brothers and sisters are fighting for today to stand together and reclaim Chattanooga as a union town Jaclyn Michael is a member of United Campus Workers; Eric Atkins is a Co-Chair of the Unity Group; and Geoffrey Meldahl is a journeyman ironworker with Local 704 and acting president of the Chattanooga Area Labor Council playChattanooga wins NIT after UC Irvine's heartbreaking miss at the buzzer (1:06)UC Irvine has a great look at a game-winning basket but the shot rims out and Chattanooga comes away with the win Chattanooga (29-9) tied a program record for victories in a season after winning 17 of its last 18 to capture the program's first postseason title UC Irvine 7-foot-1 center Bent Leuchten went to the free throw line with 31 seconds left in overtime for a chance at a three-point lead an entry pass to Leuchten was overthrown and Chattanooga secured the loose ball before missing two free throws to give the Anteaters another chance Devin Tillis tossed a full-court pass with 2.4 seconds left that Leuchten grabbed with one hand and passed it to Jurian Dixon under the basket for a layup attempt that rolled off as time expired UC Irvine (32-7) was also playing in the program's first NIT championship game Bonham had 19 points to go with 10 rebounds for Chattanooga. Keeslar secured his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Honor Huff also had 14 points Tillis scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half for UC Irvine Leuchten finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds Bonham sank a half-court shot just before the halftime buzzer to give Chattanooga a 38-37 lead at the break Both teams had a controversial call go against them in the final 20 seconds of regulation. Huff kicked out a leg to draw a foul and made three free throws with 16.3 seconds left to give Chattanooga its first lead, 76-74, since it was 38-37. Then Myles Che got a defender in the air on a 3-pointer and jumped into him before making two of three free throws to tie it at 76-76 Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 4/3/2025 11:59:00 PM Thanks for visiting the man and crews were safely out of the cave The Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service was called to help rescue a sick man from a cave in White County Saturday afternoon the Rescue Service joined the Sparta Rescue Squad and White County Emergency Management when a Nashville resident could not leave the White County cave A team of five officers from the Chattanooga Police Department set off Monday morning on an 800-mile cycling tour to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty The ride is part of the 2025 Law Enforcement United Road to Hope a national memorial event that unites officers from across the country participants make stops to honor fallen colleagues We reported live from Cleveland Monday morning where the officers are expected to pause to honor law enforcement officers from Bradley County who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty (WDE) – Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to flash flooding across parts of Chattanooga leaving multiple drivers stranded — including one whose car became partially submerged Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene blocking off the flooded roadway and working to remove two vehicles from the water One man said he was driving through the area when his car began to sink “I was going to the pharmacy — Walgreens — and a lot of cars were moving in the road,” said Ali Despite numerous safety reminders urging drivers to avoid flooded roads several vehicles attempted to push through the high water “If you see water on the road and you don’t think you’re gonna make it — you’re not gonna If you think you’re gonna make it — probably won’t.” coordinating with towing companies and helping drivers out of the water A witness who asked not to be on camera shared what he saw and the car died on him inside the water,” the witness said “Now they called the towing company for him and asked him for some dollars to take it to his house He asked them to put it in the parking lot and they said no — can’t put it in the parking lot.” “Road is flooded — do not drive down that road,” Crockett added We don’t want anyone getting hurt tonight.” The incident is yet another reminder: when roads flood Someone was walking their dog when they located the giant feathered bird UPDATE: The peacock on the run from the Chattanooga Zoo has been safely located Zoo staff say the missing peacock was found just a minute away from the zoo in a nearby neighborhood The peacock was safely brought back to the zoo and will be examined by a vet PREVIOUS STORY: One of the free-roaming peacocks at the Chattanooga Zoo is loose downtown after escaping the zoo on Thursday night Zoo officials say two peacocks were found in the parking lot on Thursday "This is a very rare occurrence," says Jake Cash with the Chattanooga Zoo "The peacocks have been free-roaming the grounds for more than 40 years."  Zoo staff suspect the peacock just doesn't know how to get back home While the zoo continues their search for the missing peacock If you see the peacock in the area surrounding the zoo they ask you call 423-697-1322 to help bring him back home The US Federal Courtroom in the Joel Solomon Federal Building and U.S was found not guilty of federal torture charges by the jury after less than two hours of deliberations UPDATE: A Bosnian man who was accused of torturing prisoners during the 1990s conflict in Bosnia has been found not guilty of those federal charges by a jury in Chattanooga on Friday Miljković was accused of torturing at least two men who were prisoners of war during the conflict in Bosnia in the early 1990s During closing arguments on Friday afternoon the government ended its case by saying that Sead Miljkovic’s lies are the reason the trial was taking place The prosecution stressed the importance of using common sense and told the jury to reject anything that does not link to the evidence and facts of the case The prosecution reminded the jury of the first witness’s claim that the defendant pushed his head on a blade and that hitting a person with a pipe is enough to meet the legal definition of torture The prosecution also told the jury that “torture” is about intent and reminded the jury of witness two’s claims about Miljkovic allegedly tossing a truck tire to him from atop a hill as he was working at a camp ini Stari Grad The prosecution told the jury that the defendant tortured prisoners by forcing them to fight each other before recounting the testimony by a former guard at Stari Grad who claimed he told Miljkovic to stop the fighting The defense focused on the differences in the sworn statements given by the first two witnesses over the years as to what happened to them during their time as prisoners of war The defense questioned why the first witness went from claiming in 2023 that Miljkovic only stood by and watched the incident involving the blade to claiming that the defendant pushed his head on the blade in 2025 The defense told the jury that witness one lied by omission because he failed to say anything about the incident with the blade in at least two sworn statements given in 2015 and 2017 It is noted that the first witness claimed to not be seeking any kind of monetary payout from the defendant before the defense reminds the jury that the witness asked for money on two previous occasions The defense then addresses the second witness telling the jury that he has credibility problems The defense cited sworn statements from previous years in which the second witness’s accounts of the weather conditions and the months he spent in the prison vary The defense cites a former guard at Stari Grad a witness called by the prosecution to give testimony about what he saw during his time stationed at the camp when the prisoners were there The former guard said that no road was built during his time at the prison camp as witness one and two had claimed in their testimonies about the alleged torture they experienced The jury was reminded by the defense that the second witness never mentioned an incident involving a truck tire when he spoke to Bosnian authorities in 1996 just nine months after his release from the prison camp when his side won the war The defense brought up the differences in witness two’s account from 2023 when he said he was beaten for 15 days to his account in 2025 of being beaten everyday while at the camp The defense pointed out how the second witness said he was given too much food in his 1996 statement to authorities and then testified during the trial that he was barely fed The judge then read instructions to the jury before all nine men and three women began deliberating Miljković was found not guilty on both torture charges after the jury deliberated for just under two hours Court records show Miljković still faces a charge of passport fraud in which a separate trial will be held on a date to be determined Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this story as they become available PREVIOUS STORY: Closing arguments are expected to begin in the trial of a Bosnian man who is charged with torturing prisoners during the 1990s conflict in Bosnia following his arrest in Hamilton County who is charged with torture and passport fraud the prosecution wrapped up its case in federal court and was told by the judge they could formally rest the case on Friday before taking up instructions for jury deliberations The defense said it would not be calling any witnesses indicating that Miljković would not testify in his trial the judge reviewed instructions for the jury with both the prosecution and defense with each side primarily objecting to some of the language in the instructions and how it was phrased it was revealed that the prosecution filed a motion late Thursday night to stop the defense from making comparisons of the torture the prisoners claimed they faced to previous cases involving forms of torture The prosecution also wanted to keep the defense from using the photo arrays in closing arguments that was admitted as evidence by the prosecution during the trial A prosecutor argued that it should not be used by the defense on the principle of fairness since US investigators were not allowed to use the photos during interviews with the alleged victims in Bosnia The defense countered that the photos were already admitted as evidence in the trial and were fair game The judge ultimately decided to consider amending some of the language in the instructions on items like the definition of serious bodily injury and the jury was allowed to break for lunch The judge also sternly warned each side to stick to the facts presented during the trial while making closing arguments or else they would be reprimanded in front of the jury Miljković is accused of torturing three men who were captured during the Bosnian conflict and held as prisoners of war at multiple encampments including one in Stari Grad where the abuse in question is said to have happened Stay with Local 3 News for updates on the trial as they become available PREVIOUS STORY: The federal trial of a Bosnian man who was living in Chattanooga when he was charged with torturing prisoners during the 1990s conflict in Bosnia resumed on Thursday morning who is charged with three counts of torture and three counts of passport fraud His trial resumed on Thursday morning with brief testimony from a third witness who testified to telling U.S investigators in 2023 that he never saw Miljković give orders to other guards at the encampment following testimony on Wednesday by former war prisoners that claimed otherwise A fourth witness took the stand and said he was captured on December 9 1994 and ended approximately 30 days at Stari Grad before he was freed on August 7 The witness said he met Miljković for the first time when arrived at the camp and was beaten on several occasions by either the defendant or by guards following the defendant's orders The witness claimed he was injured on one occasion when he said Miljković threw a truck tire at him from the top of a hill and told him to catch the tire The witness said the tire was large enough to reach his waist and that he was unable to catch it due to its size The witness said he braced for the tire to hit him on the side and claims he was knocked about 5 meters back by the tire on impact The witness said he was approached by an unnamed superior of Miljković who gave him cigarettes after checking on him and told to stop working when the witness said his shoulder was hurt The witness goes on to say he was given a handful of pills by a doctor and other prisoners helped him put his shoulder back in the socket despite no medical diagnosis of a dislocation The witness also said he was made to fight other prisoners and was always made to fight men who were larger than him including one man who the witness claimed that guards feared approaching unless they were armed The defense brought to light a 5-page statement the witness gave to Bosnian authorities on May 16 1996 where he described other guards at the camp in Stari Grad but no description was given of Miljković The defense points out the only other statement given by the witness in the 27 years since the first in 1996 came in 2023 when he was visited again by Bosnian authorities The defense noted the witness's use of a nickname given to Miljković in the 2023 report before the prosecution objected and court broke for lunch following a brief huddle with the judge Court resumed on Thursday at 1:40pm with the defense finishing its cross examination of witness four by asking him why his statement from 1996 did not mention anything about the incident involving the tire or other injuries he stated in the 2023 report "Are you saying you have a better memory of what happened 28 years later than you did nine months after you were released?" Witness four replied that more and more memories of what happened came back to him in the years since In response to a follow-up by the prosecution the witness claimed that he received most of the beatings during his time as a prisoner at Stari Grad where Miljković was stationed A fifth witness took the stand who said he knew Miljković from serving on the front lines with him during the Bosnian conflict and from also serving as a guard at Stari Grad Witness five said he never witnessed Miljković hit the alleged victims or any of the prisoners during his time at the camp The witness also said that the guards at the camp did not allow prisoners to fight one another Witness six was also a guard at Stari Grad who was there in January of 1995 before taking sick leave that February and returning June or July of that same year Witness six said that he and Miljković had the same rank but said the defendant was the promoted while the witness was on sick leave Witness six said he never saw the behavior Miljković is accused of but said he told the defendant that he should stop if it was true Witness six said Miljković replied by saying he had spies throughout the camp and that witness six could end up as a prisoner himself Witness six said that he never saw prisoners performing any of the work they testified to doing against their will on orders from Miljković The day ended with testimony from a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security who explained the kinds of investigations conducted by the agency and how they worked The agent was shown photos of evidence taken from Miljković's home during a search At least three photos of Stari Grad were found during the search and taken as evidence The prosecution is expected to formally rest its case on Friday when court resumes at 9:00am and then closing arguments are expected to follow PREVIOUS STORY: The federal trial of a Bosnian man who was living in Chattanooga and is accused of torturing prisoners during the 1990s conflict in Bosnia began Wednesday at the Joel W faces charges of torture and passport fraud the prosecution called its first witness to the stand who is named as “victim one” in court documents The witness testified to being held as a prisoner in three different encampments from March to August 1995 The witness says Miljković appeared to serve as a commanding officer at the third and final encampment The witness testified to knowing Miljković from their childhood days recounting stories of the two playing soccer and other memories The witness also recalled being beaten by the guards on multiple occasions while he was in the encampments he was given orders not to talk while he was working to clear brush from a field He said he was approached by an armed guard who began speaking to him as he was working Victim one said Miljković saw him talking to the guard and walked over to them The witness said Miljković took the guard's rifle and hit him four to five times on the hands and arms as he was trying to guard his face Victim one said he was hit three to four on his back as he successfully tried to keep from falling to the ground so the assault would not get worse Victim one said he also recalled another incident involving Miljković and two other guards at the encampment The witness said Miljković also forced his head onto a bayonet blade that was part of an M70 rifle as he was leaning over the chair The witness said he that could not see Miljković as he was on the chair but said he knew it was Miljković who held pushed his head on the blade because he could see the other two guards that helped Miljković take him to the place where the alleged incident happened The witness said that he pleaded with Miljković to stop the assault and said that all he could think about was never seeing his child again as it continued The trial broke for lunch shortly after 12:30pm Wednesday and resumed around 1:50pm with the defense’s cross-examination of the witness identified as victim one The defense used reports that were filed in 2012 and 2023 by victim one with Bosnian authorities citing there was no mention of the incident involving the bayonet blade until 2023 when victim one claimed that he saw Miljković as he stood by and watched the incident happen The defense then cited that victim one never mentioned Miljković pushing his head on the bayonet blade until 2025 Victim one said he didn't say anything about Miljković pushing his head on the blade because he did not remember it until after he filed the 2023 report with Bosnian prosecutors while he was under oath Victim one also said that he never mentioned the assault in the 2015 report that was filed because the questions were about other events that happened while he was held captive The prosecution asked victim one if he was simply seeking money and he ended his testimony by replying that he was not looking for a payout The prosecution then called a second witness who said he was captured at the same time and place as victim one The second witness recalled the incident that allegedly involved Miljković hitting victim one with another guard's rifle for talking while working to clear a field The second witness said he was about two meters away when he saw Miljković hit victim one with the rifle three times on the back causing him to fall to the ground on his knees The second witness also said he saw Miljković and two other guards take victim one to a small home at the Stari Grad location where the alleged incident with the bayonet happened The second witness said he did not see what happened inside the home but said he could hear victim one screaming from the outside as he was working meters away Court dismissed for the day following the testimony by the second witness The trial will resume at 9:00am on Thursday A third witness and former war prisoner is expected to take the stand for the prosecution along with an official from the Department of Homeland Security Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story PREVIOUS STORY: A federal trial begins on April 30 with a Hamilton County Grand Jury for a Bosnian man living in Chattanooga who allegedly tortured prisoners in the 1990s The suspected crimes occurred 30 years ago Local 3 News is in the courtroom to bring you the latest PREVIOUS STORY: A Bosnian man living in Chattanooga who allegedly tortured prisoners in the 1990s will not have his charges dismissed after a federal judge denied his motion had been charged with three counts of torture and three counts of passport fraud according to a ruling from United States District Judge Charles Atchley Jr Dukic and his attorneys moved to dismiss the charges primarily because they say the statute of limitations has run out They also claimed the government lacked jurisdiction and had violated due process Although his suspected crimes occurred near 30 years ago the federal judge concluded the defense's arguments were null "None of Defendant’s arguments regarding the statute of limitations and vagueness warrant pretrial dismissal of the Superseding Indictment’s torture counts Read federal judge Atchley Jr.'s full ruling here: including case context from the superseding indictment PREVIOUS STORY: The Eastern District of Tennessee's United States attorney office announced that a Chattanooga man was arraigned on Thursday for torturing prisoners during the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s According to a recent superseding indictment aka "Sead Dukic," was allegedly a member of the Obezbjeđenje objekata i lica (OBL) a police force of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (APZB) “Sead Miljković allegedly tortured prisoners and then decades later lied about his identity to obtain a U.S passport,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division “Neither the passage of time nor a defendant’s concealment efforts will prevent us from bringing human rights violators to justice and ensuring that perpetrators of torture cannot seek refuge in the United States.” “The superseding indictment’s torture charges are serious human rights abuses that cannot go unpunished,” said U.S Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee "We thank our investigative partners on this case for their outstanding efforts to gather evidence required for these charges.” Miljković and other OBL members allegedly inflicted brutal beatings on the prisoners They also threatened the prisoners with death “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is resolute in its commitment to protecting human rights and the pursuit of justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of HSI Nashville “The United States in not a safe haven for war criminals and human rights violators Thanks to the dedication of our HSI Chattanooga special agents Miljković will now have to answer these allegations in court.” Miljković is charged with three counts of inflicting torture on prisoners he was charged in a three-count indictment for passport fraud Investigators say Miljković could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count if convicted This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available Sead Miljkovic of East Ridge removed his glasses dried his tears and wiped his forehead in apparent relief as a judge announced Friday he was not responsible for torturing two men during the Bosnian War Jurors deliberated for about two hours at the Chattanooga federal courthouse before reaching a unanimous verdict Friday that Miljkovic was not guilty of two counts of torture His wife gasped from the audience and broke out into sobs Defense attorney Logan Davis hugged Miljkovic while defense attorney Bryan Hoss high-fived a few people sitting in the front row Miljkovic was accused of beating two unarmed prisoners of war The majority of the trial was conducted through translators because most of the witnesses were from Bosnia or Bosnian was their first language Unlimited access to subscriber exclusive content you can't get anywhere else and a daily digital version of the printed paper Sofia Saric is a criminal justice reporter with a focus on the courts system for the Chattanooga Times Free Press She previously worked as a crime and breaking news reporter at the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming and as a metro correspondent at the Boston Globe Contact Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476 Thatcher attended Normal Park School and graduated in 1949 from Girls’ Preparatory School She attended Randolph Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg and graduated from the University of Tennessee she joined the Chattanooga Times staff where she wrote a weekly column of people and events in Chattanooga called “Among Those Present.” she was married to Lewis Patterson Thatcher (Pat) of Signal Mountain at First Presbyterian Church by Dr Thatcher was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church First Families of Hamilton County and Tennessee Catherine Wood Thatcher Traver (Doug) of Knoxville and Elizabeth Lewis Thatcher Bryant (Mark) of Signal Mountain Lewis DeLeon Thatcher (Marita) of Sale Creek Her grandchildren are Douglas Dunlap Traver (Natalie) and James Patterson Wood Traver of Knoxville and Catherine Iva Carolyn Bryant of Signal Mountain Her great grandchildren are Douglas Dunlap Traver III and Cannon Ellis Traver of Knoxville at the Chattanooga Funeral Home North on Highway 153 Burial will be immediately following the service at Chattanooga Memorial Park The family will receive visitors on Sunday the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Chattanooga Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com Local law enforcement reported at 7:48 p.m Friday that they were responding to multiple flooding related emergencies Social media pictures and videos showed upwards of two feet of water on Hixson Pike There were reports of heavy hail on Lookout Mountain late Friday afternoon.  He was the son of the late Mason Burt Phillips and Edith Frost Phillips and was preceded in death by his sister Tom retired from TVA after 21 years of service He also served 23 years in the U S Army Reserves and was stationed Tom loved working in his career field and when time permitted he enjoyed swinging a club out on the golf course A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Rev Kenneth McElhaney officiating and military rites being conducted In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — It might be Revenge of the Sith today but in five days the Chattanooga Lookouts will celebrate Watch as Dan Kopf with the Chattanooga Lookouts talks about all the fun they will be having this week CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Jason Holcomb of Chattanooga Monuments Company was on the show today talking about Mother's Day and about families who have lost a mother recently wanting to get their memorial in place Robert was a lifelong resident who cherished his roots and family ties Robert began his career directly out of high school with a strong work ethic He worked other jobs before landing at Model Box often bringing everyone together with his love for grilling He was also known for his unique hobby of crafting beautiful small furniture pieces from clothespins a talent that fascinated all who saw his work His passion for Old School music filled his home with joy and he frequently traveled back to his hometown of Monroe Robert leaves to cherish his memory two sons Larry Daniel and Tyrance “Ty” Tory; two daughters Mia “Missy” Daniel Brown and June Nicole “Nikki” “Junebug” Daniel; thirteen grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; sisters and 5 great grandnieces; friend and former wife and love for his family will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery The former East Lake Academy and Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher arrested in February pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor in federal court on Friday one student at East Lake and one at Chatt Prep The charge Kenya White pleaded guilty to carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release The Chattanooga Police Department responded to reports of inappropriate contact between White and a seventh grade student (READ MORE: Files: Chatt Prep was informed teacher needed to be fired year before arrest) A police investigator who also worked with the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force seized the student's phone and discovered texts between White and the student that spanned three days Kailee Shores covers breaking news for the Chattanooga Times Free Press She holds a degree in journalism from Middle Tennessee State University — A major sewer backup caused by Friday's storms has Chattanooga's Salvation Army saying its office on McCallie Avenue will be closed temporarily That storm caused extensive flash flooding throughout the Chattanooga area including the Salvation Army's local office A release says the flooding affected several critical programs the Salvation Army says it has relocated Emergency Assistance casework to the Area Command offices at 822 McCallie Avenue But the release says the ReCreate Café and Blessing Place will remain closed until the impacted areas can be safely reopened and the Salvation Army hopes to update folks on a repair timeline soon If you want to help Chattanooga's Salvation Army in its recovery efforts go here It’s now a 25-year tradition, bringing MOM to Chattanooga Market for Mother’s Day And there’s good reason…a day spent with family live music and unique gifts makes it an easy choice This weekend boasts nearly 200 vendors and eateries at the First Horizon Pavilion Selections from vendors always vary from arts & crafts And fresh cut flower bouquets are always a popular Mother’s Day gift It’s a day all wrapped up for MOM and the Chattanooga Market is prepared to make special for her And Acura of Chattanooga makes it all possible This Sunday, live music on the Lodge Cast Iron Sizzle Stage: Chattanooga Market Hours are Sundays 11am-4pm at First Horizon Pavilion the City of Red Bank will be kicking off their monthly 2nd Saturday Morning Market The Red Bank 2nd Saturday Market is a local event held every second Saturday from May 10th through November 8th The event takes place from 10 AM to 1 PM on Unaka Street This market will feature a variety of vendors offering fresh meat and local guests like the Red Bank Fire Department to keep you informed about the community Dates for the Red Bank 2nd Saturday Market are: If you are a vendor and would like to apply They will not be accepting "information" vendors or vendors selling store bought products/items To apply, go to: https://redbanktn.portal.iworq.net/REDBANK/new-permit/600/4743 Average gasoline prices in Chattanooga have fallen 10.4 cents per gallon in the last week according to GasBuddy's survey of 170 stations in Chattanooga Prices in Chattanooga are 6.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 66.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago the cheapest station in Chattanooga was priced at $2.32/g yesterday while the most expensive was $2.89/g The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.32/g while the highest was $4.11/g "Last week was another mixed bag at the pump for many Americans but there may be some promising short-term news from OPEC+ which has agreed to increase oil production starting in June," said Patrick De Haan slightly more than half of the states saw gas prices rise We continued to see price cycling in states prone to such movements the most notable development is OPEC+'s decision to raise production next month as oil prices hover near their lowest levels since the pandemic." The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.0 cents per gallon in the last week The national average is down 12.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 49.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country The national average price of diesel has increased 0.2 cents in the last week and stands at $3.501 per gallon "While gasoline inventories have been tightening due to ongoing refinery maintenance — which has limited how much gas prices have fallen in response to lower oil — refinery output is expected to rise soon," De Haan,added we could see an increase in gasoline supply and a national average that may soon dip below $3 per gallon." Historical gasoline prices in Chattanooga and the national average going back ten years: Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: GasBuddy is the authoritative voice for gas prices and the only source for station-level data GasBuddy's survey updates 288 times every day from the most diverse list of sources covering nearly 150,000 stations nationwide the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the country GasBuddy's averages, graphs, maps and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at prices.GasBuddy.com Galleries Lauderdale resident Gyselle Parker prepares her dog “Penny Pie” for the costume contest during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday which was a benefit of the Humane Educational Society Penny Pie went on to take first place in the costume contest Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Local artist Swayyvo performs during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Onlookers watch as the chihuahuas race during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ “Mila,” a dog belonging to Maria Zumeta of Ooltewah runs down the course during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Rossville resident Ellé Bohn carries her dog “Minnie Belle” during the costume contest portion of the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Owners line up their racers during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Chattanooga resident Jasmyn Ruderman points her dog Mocha down the track before the start of a race during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Maria Zumeta of Ooltewah walks her dog “Mila” while participating in the costume contest portion of the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Chattanooga residents Pat and Lisa Hagan put a hat on their dog “Minnie” during the 16th Running of the Chihuahuas at First Horizon Pavilion on Saturday Chattanooga Football Club fought to its first goalless draw since joining MLS NEXT Pro on Saturday evening as Philadelphia Union II visited Finley Stadium for the first time the visitors won the extra point on offer after a marathon penalty shootout ended 9-8 in Philadelphia's favor Chattanooga created multiple goalscoring chances in the first half Daniel Mangarov produced the game's first shot on target and the talented winger also had a header strike the crossbar in the 20th minute Scandinavian duo Peter Plougmand and Markus Naglestad both had shots saved by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick as well The half ended after Nick Mendonca attempted a shot from just outside the penalty area and it whizzed inches wide of Rick's post CFC nearly went in front four minutes into the second when captain Farid Sar-Sar got on the end of a free-kick and saw his header cleared off the line chances were harder to come by in the second half Mangarov had the biggest chance of the second half when Keegan Ancelin played him a through pass however Rick was able to make another big save for Philadelphia and the match ended goalless Philadelphia won the extra point after 24 spot-kicks "I felt we played quite well tonight and created a lot of chances and probably deserved to win," said Nugent in his post-match press conference "But to not get the extra point doesn't feel like a consolation but to play quite well and then go that long into the penalties and lose them feels a bit like an energy drainer "I felt our reaction today following our defeat last weekend was excellent We created a lot of good chances in the first half and the goalkeeper made two high-level saves With just a little more cleanliness in the finish I was pleased with the response at halftime last week and pleased with today Philadelphia's a really good team—it's quite clear when you watch them play I felt we gave more than enough to deserve to win that today Canada for its next league match at Toronto FC II on Friday EST at York Lions Stadium before a shorter trip over to Huntsville on Saturday The club's next home league match at Finley Stadium will take place on Saturday In Chattanooga's North Shore neighborhood off Frazier Avenue sits a new breakfast and lunch spot: Keystone Dom Santora and Alec Mason opened their grab-and-go restaurant earlier this spring, providing options for early-risers in the Scenic City The menu offers everything from hot coffee and breakfast sandwiches to hoagies filled with spiced meats and an array of bright veggie sides and creamy house-made dips But what makes Keystone so special is the through line woven throughout the lives of Santora and Mason That connective tissue in their story holds everything from the Appalachian mountains to Anthony Bourdain to countless kitchens in Philadelphia It's the thread that brought them both to Chattanooga Lyric Lewin has covered food stories across international kitchens and newsrooms As a photo editor her work with the CNN Photos team was recognized by the National Press Photographers Association; and as a photographer her images have appeared in Esquire As a writer her work has has appeared in Whetstone Magazine She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia Subscribe to her weekly newsletter for more information of the food scene in Chattanooga: whattoeatnextchattanooga.com Residents of North Brainerd neighborhoods will be able to ride a free shuttle in their area this summer is part of a pilot program to test a route that could potentially lighten the load of Chattanooga's on-demand ride service when the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority switches to its summer schedule (READ MORE: Under new leadership, a 'revitalized' CARTA makes play for local funds) The circulator is meant to replace some trips on CartaGo At an average of four trips an hour during open times Chief Administrative Officer Veronica Peebles said at a recent meeting of the CARTA board In some of Chattanooga's lowest-income neighborhoods rocketing property values are a sign of the times East Lake and Alton Park both saw home values more than double as a result of this year's county reappraisals and 84% of people say they'll be celebrating According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation families are planning to spend an estimated $34.1 billion on gifts this Mother's Day If you're shopping for Mother's Day — whether online or in stores — your Better Business Bureau reminds you to stay alert and shop smart to avoid scams. BBB's Annual Risk Report identifies online purchasing scams as the fourth riskiest Start early to avoid rushed decisions and out of stock items Also set a budget to narrow down your options and avoid overspending Here are a few tips for safe shopping for the most popular Mother's Day gifts: Flowers: Make sure you order early enough to allow time for delivery ask about all fees associated with your order and make sure the date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order Public education is the clearest predictor of a community's future prosperity strengthens neighborhoods and fuels economic growth That's why cities across Tennessee have stepped up to invest in their local schools alongside counties The city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County have a long history of collaboration — on economic development tourism and even a controversial new baseball stadium But when it comes to public education — the foundation of a thriving community — there's room for a stronger While many schools in Hamilton County's small towns and unincorporated areas are excelling we face a difficult reality that 30 of the 34 zoned public schools within the city limits are performing below the state average despite nearly $2,000 more per student being spent at these schools compared to elsewhere in Hamilton County Local Scout units across the Chattanooga region recently collected 2,525 pounds of non-perishable food items in partnership with local food banks and Crown Subaru of Chattanooga The groceries collected will provide 2,104 meals for those in need throughout this area The annual "Scouting for Food" collection of nonperishable food items is coordinated across the 11 counties served by the Cherokee Area Council of Scouting America will deliver goods to its network of Hunger Relief Partners across the community the local Scouts are helping us provide food and hope to those neighbors in our community who are struggling and seeking food assistance," food bank president and CEO Melissa Blevins said in a news release