TSU Cooperative Extension Specialist Dr. George Smith will host a workshop titled "Natural Playgrounds: Fun, Food and Learning," on Monday from 10 a.m.-noon.   This workshop will be interactive and will cover topics including natural playgrounds 101 (introduction), funding opportunities, planning and design of natural playgrounds, and how to start/what to expect. The ... (click for more)

Here is the TWRA Fishing Report from Feb. 1: Center Hill:  Fishing is good.  Water temperature is 48 degrees; lake is fairly stable.  Lots of smallmouth are being caught on the lower end of the lake while fishing tailspinners and swimbaits in 10-to-25 feet of water.  A few crappie are being caught around docks on minnows in 15 feet of water.  Chickamauga: ... (click for more)

A $750,000 settlement has been reached in Hamilton County Circuit Court in a case in which a bicyclist was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe and seriously injured. Sean Sanderson and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Sanderson, of Cleveland, Tn.,had filed suit against Benjamin Wilson and Oscar Wilson. At the time of the wreck, Mr. Sanderson was riding a Trek bicycle on Ooltewah-Georgetown ... (click for more)

Rep. Gerald McCormick said the Legislature may take action this session to give physicians more say-so at Erlanger Hospital. The House majority leader from Hixson said, "With the recent financial losses at Erlanger, there is a desire on the part of the medical community to have more of a role at the hospital and to have more board representation." The Hospital Authority Board ... (click for more)

My wife was disgusted to see all the tents and trash on the Hamilton County Courthouse lawn when she went to renew our vehicle tags yesterday.  She described to me all the tents, dirty blankets, trash and  general filth she saw around our historic courthouse.  So last night as I sat and pondered first why the protesters were protesting, then why they were allowed ... (click for more)

Years ago, once when famed Alabama football coach Bear Bryant was reflecting on his success, he spit a fleck of tobacco off his tongue and summed it up with a laugh, “Aw, all it boils down to is being able to talk an 18-year-old into making a decision in 15 minutes.” Since then, college recruiting has reached the point the University of Tennessee now budgets $2.3 million a year ... (click for more)