The nine whooping cranes led by ultralight aircraft have been released from a holding pen at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge after Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership biologists attached marking bands and transmitters to help track their movements. “So far the cranes are foraging and hanging around close to the pen and moving into the flooded fields,” said Bill Gates, biologist ... (click for more)

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission approved the 2012 special elk hunting season and the addition of a permit for one state resident youth to participate in the elk hunt among its business at its February meeting that concluded Friday.  The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had made its recommendations for the 2012 elk hunt at the January TWRC meeting. The TWRC ... (click for more)

The mother of the man charged with killing Chattanooga Police Sgt. Tim Chapin was sentenced Monday to serve 30 years and six months in federal prison.  Judge Sandy Mattice said the sentence for Kathleen Mathews, 57-year-old mother of Jesse Mathews, as a packed courtroom watched.  Ray Mathews, 51-year-old father of Jesse Mathews, must serve 20 years and 10 months. ... (click for more)

Rep. Vince Dean has picked up papers to run for the Senate District 10 seat now held by Democrat Andy Berke. And Rep. Tommie Brown picked up papers to retain her District 28 seat. That sets up a clash with Rep. JoAnne Favors, who picked up for District 28 earlier. Under Republican redistricting, Rep. Favors wound up in the Brown district. Rep. Dean, a Republican from East ... (click for more)

I would like to thank Judge Mattice for handing down a 30.5 year sentence for Kathleen Mathews.  Obviously, no amount of jail time, fines, or lashings can bring back Tim Chapin.   A 30-year sentence will, however, make the world just a little safer.  That's what Sgt. Chapin would have wanted.  He was a protector and sacrificed his life so the rest of ... (click for more)

Ah, step into my parlor of first-hand wisdom because, in the School of Hard Knocks, there are priceless lessons that you should know before it becomes your turn to dance. Never in my life have I ever had any back problems but, in early December, I came down with what is called sciatica and I have been a miserable man ever since. There are two big nerves that sprout out of the ... (click for more)