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Log in here Roads leading to the front of the mountain are open The Signal Mountain Police Department says there is heavy water flow on multiple roads on the mountain on Monday The W Road is closed until it is safe to drive after extreme weather A post shared by Local 3 News (@local3news) Police ask drivers to use caution driving near Signal Mountain 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 Tn — There are many ways to learn about history One of the best ways is to listen to the people who lived it On the Price of Freedom I listened to Marine Corps Veteran Captain Ray Lewis Four years later the young Lewis family had a daughter Ray Lewis had a degree from pharmacy school and a new job in his home town He went home one day and had a conversation with his life I asked him why he made the decision to become a United States Marine as the war in Vietnam was heating up but yet I wound up getting a college education Ray Lewis went to fight school and made it into the Jet Program He was sent to the war in Vietnam as a A-4E Skyhawk Pilot The missions into Laos were classified at the time Captain Lewis said in war you must trust and rely on the people who are fighting with you After the war he came back to Chattanooga and went back to work as a pharmacist Ray Lewis' wife passed away last year As President Donald Trump imposes taxes on imports that he says will strengthen domestic manufacturing his administration is terminating federal contracts focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing 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Chattanooga Times Free Press Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored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 more more — After changes to her school's playground one little girl from Signal Mountain can now spend more time with her friends at recess Dollie Harmon goes to Thrasher Elementary and uses a wheelchair Her mother tells us she used to spend a majority of her play-time alone because she could not reach where the other students played her school's playground now has sidewalks so Dollie can get to where she needs to be And the changes inspired by Dollie do not stop there Dollie's mother Emily Harmon says it was about a year ago when she was confronted by a worry she never thought she'd have Harmon says she worried if her daughter could play with her friends She started a petition for the Thrasher Elementary playground to reach ADA compliance In June of last year, Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson responded, saying that he was committed to making the playground more workable That petition reached over a thousand signatures Dollie can get around and join in on the fun But Harmon says this park could be the start of even more change in the signal mountain community with prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity One element found in playgrounds that Harmon says her daughter has trouble navigating in her chair is mulch But from her talks with parents who have similar concerns there are other less obvious obstacles that could limit inclusive play Harmon says every dollar raised is a step towards a more inclusive town This project is partnered with Playcore and Hope Included A fundraising kick-off for The Dahlia Playground will be on Sunday May 4 at 5:30 PM at Civil Provisions on Signal Mountain Houston has been building relationships and keeping students safe and most recently Signal Mountain Middle and High Deputy Houston has built bridges between students and law enforcement The famed Eagle Walk at Signal Mtn Middle High School in honor of School Resource Deputy Michael Houston who is retiring as Hamilton County’s longest-running school officer Not everyone gets a marching band salute when they retire but the School Resource Deputy at Signal Mountain Middle School did students and teachers give Deputy Michael Houston a big send-off "I see myself as being very approachable," says Houston They come to me and tell me things that they wouldn't tell anyone else." It's an approach that educators and students have admired and appreciated presents lessons," says Signal Mountain Middle High Principal Michael Carson "You'll see kids coming up to him in the cafeteria to say hello "They don't fear him," adds Natalie Hughes but it's on a level where they see him as themselves They're always comfortable to talk to him at any time." When Deputy Houston announced his upcoming retirement the Signal Mountain staff did not want his good work to go unnoticed They organized a salute usually reserved for its championship team "It's kind of like a parade where the band will accompany whoever we're honoring down the hallways The entire school will come out and stand out and cheer for them as they go," explains Carson As students lined the halls awaiting the departure of their hero the longtime deputy looked back on a lifetime of serving others I enjoy everything about it," says Houston a lot of kids say that they hate coming to school and just have fun with kids every day and not have to them home with you This school-wide salute reflects the respect and admiration students hold for a deputy who has made a big impact and has been a positive influence for decades and I've asked: Have I made an impact on any of the kids in here Houston's family members were among the surprise attendees who offered hugs Deputy Houston says he has a few options in mind and almost all of them involve the great outdoors and we thank him for his dedication to the young people in Hamilton County The Signal Mountain Town Council has voted to appoint former Mayor Charlie Poss to serve on the council after Eddie Smith, who was elected in November, resigned after serving for several meetings Signal Mountain residents Jenn Miller and Brian Thurlow are becoming known for their ability to take favorite foods like hamburgers and PB&J and make them their own at Twisted Confections — A current East Ridge representative and a former Signal Mountain representative testified in the trial of former Tennessee House speaker Glen Casada and his one-time chief of staff Cade Cothren Thursday Defense attorneys began by arguing that the pair did nothing illegal Glen Casada and his former aide Cade Cothren of taking taxpayer money to produce political mailings while hiding Cothren's involvement after the two had been pressured out of their leadership roles following a political scandal launched Phoenix Solutions to offer mail and consulting services to lawmakers Cothren registered the company in New Mexico because the state allows anonymous registration of LLCs and rebuffed requests for in-person meetings portrayed the investigation as politically motivated and orchestrated by current House Speaker Cameron Sexton Patsy Hazelwood (R-Signal Mountain) testified on Thursday claiming she unknowingly used Phoenix Solutions for her mailer She testified she never would have knowingly worked with Cothren Former Hixson Rep. Robin Smith is also expected to testify in this trial. WTVF-TV reports that defense attorneys did successfully point out that Hazelwood didn't question former Rep Robin Smith about what sub-contractors she was using for her mailer Smith was the one who approached Hazelwood about making a mailer and is now helping the prosecution in this case Esther Helton-Haynes (R-East Ridge) took the stand next She said she wouldn't have hired Phoenix Solutions if she knew Cothren and Casada were involved Helton-Haynes also said that when Phoenix Solutions did a campaign mailer for her she heard an elaborate false back story on who Matthew Phoenix was Jay Reedy (R-Houston County) was the final witness of the day He echoed concerns about having Phoenix Solutions work on his constituent mailers given Casada and Cothren's unsavory reputation Defense Attorney Jonathan Farmer pointed out that Reedy still wrote then-Rep Glen Casada a check for his campaign after the scandal Reedy says he didn't recall writing the check We plan to have a reporter in Nashville Friday as this trial continues WTVF-TV reports that House Speaker Cameron Sexton is expected to testify Friday The Associated Press contributed to this report The case against a woman accused of fatally stabbing a Signal Mountain man was closed after her death was accused of first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing her romantic partner Criminal Court records show Essenpreis' case was "abated by death" Thursday Essenpreis appeared to be free on a $200,000 bond since August 2023, according to an active bonds list A reporter asked Hamilton County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Matt Lea by email whether she was in jail custody when she died Essenpreis was arrested over three years ago in connection with the Dec Signal Mountain police responded to a 911 call during the early-morning hours for a report of a possible overdose on the 3600 block of Scarlet Maple Court, according to an affidavit in the case Essenpreis allegedly refused to let responding officers into the home eventually opened the door for police to find lifeless Otto in a living room chair Otto suffered from an apparent stab wound to the chest Essenpreis then allegedly ran to her bedroom and barricaded herself inside Officers had to use Fire Department breaching tools to enter and she was taken to Erlanger hospital for treatment of possible narcotics overdose and potential injuries DNA tests of blood found on Essenpreis' body determined it belonged to Otto (READ MORE: Hamilton County jury deliberates in trial over killing of prominent Chattanooga businessman Chris Wright) Essenpreis and Otto were allegedly in a romantic relationship Investigators found a packed suitcase, believed to belong to Otto and empty prescription pill bottles around the house -- consistent with a murder-suicide attempt Essenpreis had allegedly been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had not been taking her medications At previous court hearings it was questioned whether she had the mental capacity to stand trial or premeditate a killing previously told a judge Essenpreis had experienced "periods of anxiety and ups and downs" since she was diagnosed Contact Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476 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 A sign went up at the former McDonald's site in Signal Mountain promising a Popeyes fried chicken place would open there in June Someone wants the people of Signal Mountain to think Popeyes is coming to town but it's not a franchise of the fast food chain known for its Cajun-spiced fried chicken Signal Mountain toy store Mountain Top Toys is closing its doors for the last time Saturday "It's a difficult decision," said Patrick Holland who along with his wife Joanna owns both Mountain Top and Learning Express Toys on Chattanooga's North Shore — Signal Mountain will welcome a new 'the American Legion Post,' and that post will carry the name of Captain Larry Taylor Captain Taylor was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2023 for combat action in the war in Vietnam in 1968. He told us the new American Legion Post will receive their charter tonight They want to make sure that Captain Taylor's legacy lives on for generations to come Post Commander Andrew Flor tells us the idea of honoring Captain Taylor came up after speaking with other local veterans and state lawmakers 3rd District Commander for the Department of Tennessee we told you about a new Captain Taylor exhibit opening at the Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center You can find details about that exhibit and about the effort it took to set it up here. — We're working to learn more about a van that rolled off the side of Signal Mountain Wednesday evening Rescue crews have been unsuccessful in recovering the van and are still working on a way to retrieve it This happened on the 2500 block of East Brow Road at about 6:30 p.m. according to Waldens Ridge Emergency Services Responders spoke with the van's owner shortly after the van rolled down the side of the mountain Amy Maxwell with Hamilton County EMA tells us.. He told them that no one was inside at the time and that it happened while he was working on an estate sale for a home Crews found the van still running when they roped down to it to confirm no one was inside Maxwell says Walden's Ridge Cliff and Rescue Team requested a tow truck to pull the van back up It is still unclear exactly what it's going to take to get the van down Maxwell says there's no environmental dangers with leaving the van there Witnesses tell us although there were no people inside the van it was filled with antiques and treasures that are left behind for now Officials say the van is secure where it is currently sitting and there is no risk of it rolling any further as of right now the Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to a possible house fire on Rock Crest Drive Digital Producer/Weekend Assignment Editor A lightning bolt struck a Signal Mountain home this morning causing a house fire with $200,000 in damages they saw the severity of the flames and called for additional manpower Waldens Ridge Emergency Service responded while the Chattanooga Fire Department and the Red Bank Fire Department responded to other emergencies in their areas Mountain Fire Chief Larry Sloan reported that the fire began from a lightning strike Signal Mountain FD says that no one was injured in the fire; no one was home at the time the fire did cause around $200,000 in damages to the home 'Hydrants are tested every 5 years to ensure they are functioning properly and flowing at the proper gallon per minute rate they need to be,' says Signal Mountain Fire If you live on Signal Mountain and have noticed a tint in your tap water today The Signal Mountain Fire Department began hydrant flow testing creating a temporary tint for some residents Officials say that if you do experience this just run the water until it flows clear again "Hydrants are tested every 5 years to ensure they are functioning properly and flowing at the proper gallon per minute rate they need to be," says Signal Mountain Fire Firefighters from Red Shift companies were out flow testing in the following areas: — Crews have contained a 95 acre fire that started along the Marion County side of Signal Mountain over the weekend the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDOA) confirms TDOA says the Woodland Way Fire along Signal Mountain is 100% controlled Monday afternoon crews have safely contained the fire to one area Bulldozers and hand crews put in control lines to stop the fire from spreading They say rain and increased humidity helped slow the spread of the fire Sunday evening TDOA says the cause of the fire is currently undetermined Another brush fire forced evacuations and road closures on Lookout Mountain over the weekend, heavily damaging the Incline Railway. four candidates are vying for three open positions on the five-member town council in the Nov A Signal Mountain High School student is working to unite Democrats his age across Hamilton County has established the Hamilton County High School Democrats a local chapter of the High School Democrats of America Sarah Dolgin is the politics reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press She joined the newsroom as a digital producer and journalist in June 2023 She holds a dual degree in Newspaper and Online Journalism and Information Management and Technology from Syracuse University — An injured hiker was rescued on Signal Mountain Sunday the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management (HCOEM) says HCOEM says a 26-year-old woman hurt her ankle around 4 p.m on the Signal Point trail and could not walk They say another hiker told first responders from the Signal Mountain Fire Department where the woman was about a half mile away on the Julia Falls trail Given the terrain and injured hiker's location HCOEM says first responders from Walden's Ridge Emergency Services were needed for the rescue mission first responders found the hiker within 20 minutes and "secured her to a stokes basket." A rope system was then established to fasten first responders as they carried the injured hiker up through the rough terrain HCOEM says the hiker was then handed over to Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (HCEMS) and taken to the hospital The Prentice Cooper fire on Mullins Cove Road has been 100% contained according to the Signal Mountain Fire Department UPDATE: The Prentice Cooper fire on Mullins Cove Road has been 100% contained the Mullins Cove fire stands at 218 acres and is 100% contained This is the last update we will provide on this fire," says SMFD the Prentice Cooper fire has been 80% contained according to a report from Tennessee Forestry Mullins Cove Fire Department in Whitwell says that those in the area may notice some spots on the mountain side still showing small flames and smoke as everything burns out "Thank you to all the Forestry and local volunteer firefighters that worked so hard to get this fire contained!" says Mullins Cove FD PREVIOUS STORY: The Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) confirmed that the fire on Suck Creek Mountain near Grandview Church of God has been 50% contained "Crews are working hard near Lusk Point to keep it under control It's a reminder of how important it is to protect our beautiful nature." MCSO is continuing to urge the public to stay safe and refrain from burning anything during today's higher humidity values and wind gusts PREVIOUS STORY: The fire in Prentice Cooper State Forest is generating a lot of smoke that is drifting over Signal Mountain and lingering in the valley Both Waldens Ridge Emergency Service and Signal Mountain Fire Department have been dispatched to investigate multiple reports of smoke "We are monitoring the situation closely and want to assure residents of Signal Mountain and Waldens Ridge that there is no danger to public safety. However, if you observe any active flames, please do not hesitate to contact 911, and we will promptly respond to assess the situation," WRES posted on Facebook. A burn ban is in effect across much of the Tennessee Valley due to the dry PREVIOUS STORY: The Marion County Sheriff's Department says there is an active brush fire in River Canyon near Mullins Cove A forestry team is currently working to manage the flames "While they may not be visible as they navigate the terrain on foot, rest assured that additional members are en route to provide extra support," the department posted on Facebook. Mullins Cove Volunteer Fire Department says they responded at 7:18am to the vicinity of Grandview Church of God The brush fire is located halfway up the mountain in Prentice Cooper Forestry took command of the scene and released the volunteer firefighters Drivers are encouraged to navigate with caution on River Canyon Road "We are taking this step to protect visitors and staff including the wildland firefighters working to suppress the fires," says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Here is a look at the current road projects that could impact your commute Some Signal Mountain residents may need to hit the road a little early on Thursday Public Works officials say Shoal Creek Road will be closed for a second day on Thursday until 4:00pm which was previously closed for repaving on April 15 Stay with Local 3 News for the latest traffic alerts in the Tennessee Valley A Signal Mountain man has been accused of raping a young relative according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is charged with two counts of aggravated rape of a child two counts of incest and one count of aggravated sexual battery incumbent Andrew Gardner will return to the town council along with two newcomers GPR Hospitality Chief Financial Officer Gardner was the top vote-earner environmental engineer Miles Jorgensen and business owner and U.S The Signal Mountain Fire Department's Fire Chief Larry Sloan tells us the driver passed away after arriving at the hospital Sloan says the driver was a woman who may have experienced a medical episode though it is unclear if this is what led to the crash Sloan tells us a Valentine's Day dance was scheduled for Friday night though the event was not happening at the time of the crash He says students and faculty members were in the building but not in the area where the accident happened A driver is in critical condition after a car crashed into part of Signal Mountain Middle High School According to Signal Mountain's Fire Chief Larry Sloan Our crew nearby told us this happened around 7:53 Friday night Sloan told us the driver went to Erlanger Medical Center in critical condition Sloan also said that the crash did not involve students or faculty members An investigation by the Signal Mountain Police Department is underway A glimpse of the stuck truck near the 'spacehouse' on Signal Mtn The Signal Mountain Police Department says the road has been reopned to traffic UPDATE: The Signal Mountain Police Department reports that Signal Mountain Boulevard has been reopened Wednesday morning after a large truck and its cargo became stuck Tuesday morning PREVIOUS STORY: Signal Mountain Boulevard at Palisades Road is shut down due to a stuck oversized tractor trailer The Signal Mountain Police Department says those needing to go down the mountain should take Roberts Mill Road Traffic is being allowed to come up the front of the mountain Stay with Local 3 News for the most reliable updates she thinks of sitting outside with her late husband who she said did an excellent rendition of the species' distinctive call Shirley Stone Keyes of Signal Mountain passed away peacefully November 19 2024 surrounded by her loving husband and children.  She was born on January 29 She graduated from the Medical College of South Carolina (Roper) School of Nursing in 1956 Shirley and her husband Albert Vincent Keyes (Abbie) met and lived in Charleston They then went on to live in Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem They moved to the Chattanooga area in 1969 She worked as a registered nurse throughout her life Arch Smith as well as working for Welcome Wagon of Signal Mountain and Landmark Tour and Travel Her need to stay busy and help anyone and everyone she could was shown in all the volunteering she did from Girl Scouts to the Signal Mountain Women’s Guild and Signal Mountain Social Services Augustine Catholic Church of Signal Mountain people were blessed with her beautiful smile and energy Shirley was a ray of sunshine in many people’s lives with her feisty spirit and love for life and others She is survived by her three children: Karen Stuber Kevin Keyes (Cheryl) and Kirsten Keyes Myers (Brock) Shirley is survived by seven grandchildren: Jenson Keyes Shirley also has seven great grandchildren Aidan Keyes The family would like to give special thanks to Adoration Hospice as well as Home Comforts in our family’s time of need In lieu of flowers please consider Adoration Hospice Augustine Catholic Church and American Haitian Foundation Visitation is 10:30 – 11:30 am Saturday 2024 followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 at St Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home (WDEF) – There’s a new movie in town—and this one’s homegrown faith-infused horror film starring 21 Jump Street actor Richard Grieco has just wrapped production after filming across Northwest Georgia and on scenic Signal Mountain based on a book by local author Kenyon Henry brings chilling fiction to life while showcasing regional talent said the idea for the film came from a short story he had previously published “I was writing a script that was going in a completely different direction,” he explained I had a short story I’d published through a publisher—and when I got the rights back This is the story I need to tell on film next.” Henry said Sanctus House stands apart from his previous work “It’s so different from our first film,” he elaborated “I didn’t want to get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing over and over I wanted to do something that could reach a completely different audience.” The plot centers on four college students assigned a research paper about urban legends they visit a reportedly haunted house—only to find that it’s not as abandoned as they thought “There’s actually a caretaker who invites them in and offers to share the home’s tragic story,” Henry said Some of the group starts turning on each other The only thing they can agree on is—they never should have come to Sanctus House.” The film builds suspense by combining visual tension with psychological fear “There’s a chase scene in the woods and later “One of the things I’ve learned in film is that what people imagine can be far worse than what you could ever show them,” he explained “We take the viewer right up to the edge of something happening then we cut away—and let their imagination fill in the blanks we circle back and reveal what actually happened.” Henry confirmed the film carries allegorical elements rooted in faith even though it’s not explicitly labeled as “faith-based.” “There are a lot of different ways to tell faith-based stories,” he said the first thing you’ll probably see in the movie is a passage—the Parable of the Sower.” “That part wasn’t even intentional at first I realized this story actually mirrors that parable in a pretty powerful way.” The production involved numerous local cast and crew members including students from Dalton State College Henry praised the talent that emerged during filming “I’ve been surprised—on both this film and Country Rain—by just how much talent there is here locally,” he said “Most of the people involved are volunteers They just want to exercise that creative side.” have even launched careers from the experience get ready to be a little scared—and enjoy the movie.” News 12 is hoping to attend the official debut Henry said plans are already in motion for a screening “We’ll do a premiere somewhere in the Chattanooga area,” he said Distribution will follow a similar path to his previous film “JC Films has partnered with us on this,” Henry explained “They usually release content on JC Plus first as a thank-you to their supporters I imagine it’ll follow in Country Rain’s footsteps—available on YouTube and a suspenseful message built to entertain and provoke thought Sanctus House is shaping up to be a Southern-made thriller worth watching The Signal Mountain Police Department thanked crews who were able to respond to the early morning call swiftly Northbound Signal Mountain Boulevard was temporarily blocked by a large boulder and small landslide at 1:30am Monday morning, the Signal Mountain Police Department said Officers notified the town's public works department and they had the road cleared within 45 minutes The department thanked crews who were able to respond to the early morning call swiftly "Thanks to our public works folks who were quick to respond and got the job done quickly in less than desirable circumstances," the department said in a post on Facebook. sparking a grass fire on Signal Mountain Friday night EPB crews first had to cut power before firefighters could address the fire and James Blvd while crews worked to remove debris and restore power It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Douglas “Bubba” Allen fly fisherman and absolute legend to all who knew him He peacefully left this world to be with Christ on December 25 Bubba (as he was known to those who loved him) lived a life filled with passion A graduate of Mississippi State University successful finance career in the agricultural industry where he built and nurtured some of his greatest friendships Using his extensive professional experience Bubba served the Episcopal Church on the Vestry at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Lakeland as chairman of the finance committee at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Memphis TN and treasurer at Trinity Episcopal Church in Gatlinburg Bubba found joy in fly fishing and creating beauty with his hands An accomplished builder of split-cane bamboo fly rods he dedicated countless hours to crafting beautiful (yet always practical and functional) works of art a pursuit that showcased his craftsmanship and deep appreciation for the natural world The rods were never sold…only gifted to people he loved and causes he believed in His love for fly fishing brought him joy and tranquility the gentle rhythm of casting and sometimes This passion was the genesis of some of his greatest friendships and amazing adventures; traveling to the far reaches of the globe to fish some of the most beautiful rivers in the world with beautiful people whom he loved He never stopped seeking knowledge and understanding of the world around us There aren’t many octogenarians taking sailing courses or master classes in everything from macro-economics to the origins of the universe If you had a few extra hours on your hands he would enthusiastically regale you with all the intricate details of his learnings with the same sharp wit skill and passion that he brought to all his endeavors you might have been lucky enough to sail with him or take a spin in one of his very fast cars (or many RVs) over the years Bubba recently celebrated 58 years of marriage with his beloved wife Bubba is cherished in memory by his daughter He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Emily Susanne Heartsill and was preceded in death by his parents James Wellington Allen and Mildred Quick Allen as well as his brothers Numerous beloved nieces and nephews also mourn his loss written more than three thousand years ago refers to “three score and ten” as being the typical number of years allotted to mortal man                 -Desert Solitaire “Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting life not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.”                 -Preface for Commemoration of the Dead No injuries were reported from inside the school but Signal Mountain Fire Chief Larry Sloan tells Local 3 that the driver passed away after being taken to the hospital a woman crashed into Signal Mountain Middle School during their Valentine's Day school dance Sloan says the incident was a low-speed collision He says she most likely passed away from a medical condition rather than the crash That's why we think she had a medical emergency that led her to running into the building." Sloan says they are unsure if the driver passed away before or after the crash Students and faculty members were not in the area of the building where the crash occurred "They were getting ready to have their Valentine's Day dance," says Sloan when asked if there was anyone in the building at the time of the crash "There were faculty members and students in the school They weren't in the area where she hit the building the driver did not have any affiliation with the school Red Bank girls' basketball coach Kelvin Clay and others on the bench for the Lady Lions let out a collective roar when Malika Odum took one of her seven fourth-quarter steals for a fast-break layup with the junior finishing despite being knocked to the floor by a Tyner defender Patrick MacCoon is an avid sports lover who joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press January 2 He covers prep sports along with the Chattanooga Football Club and Chattanooga Lookouts Patrick is a fan of Atlanta professional sports and began reading newspapers at an early age to analyze the MLB box scores He is a graduate from Red Bank High School and the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) The car caught on fire at Citgo/Hill-Top Market The car sustained  major damage as well as damage to the fuel pump and canopy above the car The car sustained major damage as well as damage to the fuel pump and canopy above the car A Ferrari caught on fire while being fueled at a Signal Mountain gas station on the evening of Thursday as well as damage to the fuel pump and canopy above the car Fuel pumps were shut off due to the incident No injuries were sustained by the driver or others This is a developing story & will be updated (WDEF) —  A Signal Mountain man was arrested on Thursday on child rape charges Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a residence on Signal Mill Lane for a report of child rape. HCSO reported that the child’s mother had contacted authorities about this incident She stated that her husband had raped their four-year-old son and alleged that there was video of the incident Detectives reviewed the video and were able to identify the father as Stephen Rapaport and FBI personnel arrested Rapaport at a seperate location off of Manchester Drive January 9 Rapaport is being charged with the following: Six Signal Mountain Middle/High School students were identified in a video of the teens breaking into Signal Mountain Athletic Club where authorities say they carved a swastika into a pillar among other acts of vandalism The Signal Mountain Town Council is appointing a new member to the board following the resignation of council member Eddie Smith, who was elected in November 2024 to serve a four-year term The average household in the small mountaintop community pays approximately $2,450 per month on household bills Doxo released a report ranking Signal Mountain the 11th most expensive city in the state for household bills 8,852 people call the 8.37 square mile suburban town their home in 2024 According to the report, the average household in the small mountaintop community pays approximately $2,450 per month on household bills – that’s $29,403 per year The report has revealed that the average Chattanooga household pays $1,900 per month which is 11% less than the national average of $2,126 Signal Mountain residents’ bills are $3,891 higher per year than the U.S with household bills accounting for 26% of an annual household income of $111,228 The Signal Mountain community forks over $2,066 a month for a mortgage bill and $1,302 for rent; however only 11% of residents pay for rent while 49% pay a mortgage Mobile phone service is the most paid-for service with 96% of residents spending $127 a month on average for phone bills only 12% pay a monthly alarm and security bill of $80 The report says Brentwood is the most expensive city for household bills and Bristol is the least expensive city Athens and Dunlap are the two most affordable cities in the Tennessee Valley To read the full report, visit Doxo's website Several residents at a Signal Mountain Town Council meeting last week expressed their desire for the removal of a new sign added to a restroom at the Mountain Arts Community Center Zella Rose Byrd passed away peacefully at her home on November 12,2024 with her loyal and loving dog Stormy by her side Zella was known by anyone she loved as “Mamaw” Zella Rose (81) was proceeded in death by her husband Dandy & James Millwood all of Signal Mountain Her greatest loss and heartache in life was the death of her 3 sons: Darrell To know our sweet Zella Rose was to love her you knew it and you could feel it in every step you took and word you spoke she was best known for loving her family and taking care of each one of us in a way only she could and absolute unconditional love will forever leave us all better people Zella leaves behind an army of family who loved her more than the air we breathe & who will forever long for her Joshua (April) Byrd & Robby (Michelle) Byrd; grandchildren Zella had many great (great) grandchildren great nieces & nephews and a river of life long friends she loved dearly She was a life long member of Community Baptist Church Stormy,  was everything to her and Stormy will miss her dearly Visitation will be 5:00pm -7:00pm Saturday 2024 at Lane Funeral Home on Ashland Terrace followed by a  Funeral Service  in the Coulter Chapel of Lane Funeral at 2:00pm.  Interment will follow at Sawyer Cemetery on Signal Mountain Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415 www.lanefh.com 423-877-3524 — Cleveland's Piper Fowler and Signal Mountain's Ethan Uhorchuk cemented their prep wrestling legacies Saturday night in state traditional tournament competition at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park with each senior doing so via an unprecedented accomplishment in Tennessee Lightning from Saturday morning's storm set fire to a Signal Mountain home According to Hamilton County Emergency Management the house on Rock Crest drive was struck around 11 A.M Signal Mountain Fire Department arrived on the scene and just as quickly called for extra manpower Fire officials report the damage to be close to $200,000