Sgt. Wysong Returning From Afghanistan

Monday, February 06, 2012

Sgt. Daniel Wysong, USMC, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, will be returning home from Afghanistan to surprise his four- year-old son, Jeremiah, at the playground at Northgate Mall, today.

Sgt. Wyson's unit was charged with locating and destroying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) throughout Afghanistan.  His unit suffered a high number of killed and seriously wounded.

Lance Corporeal Frankie Watson of Madisonville, Tn., was the first of those killed.  Sgt. Wysong wrote from Afghanistan after his death:   “On September 24, 2011.

One of the most fun loving and energetic souls I've ever known went to be with Lord. During a fire fight Lcpl Frankie Watson was shot and killed and gave his life defending those around him. He died defending his fellow country men, you and I. It will be hard to leave this place without one of our own. May you rest in God's arms till we see each other again. Semper Fidelis my bother in Arms and in Christ!”

Sgt. Wysong and his unit received a number of commendations for their work finding, disarming or destroying IEDs. 


Dalton Fire Department Promotes 2

The Dalton Fire Department opened the May meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission by presenting two candidates for promotion.  Lieutenants Steve Hollingsworth and Brandon Bray both had their promotions to the rank of captain confirmed by unanimous vote of the commission.  Captain Hollingsworth has served with the Dalton Fire Department since April 1987. He served ... (click for more)

W Road Closed Wednesday

The W Road will be open for commuting tomorrow morning, however, it will close at 9 a.m. for completion of repair work. The W Road  work is expected to be completed by 3 p.m. Wednesday. (click for more)

McConnell Faces Up To 5 Years In Prison, $250,000 Fine After Pleading Guilty In Horse Abuse Case

A horse trainer featured in a secretly taped video beating a horse faces up to five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, supervised release for up to three years, and a $100 special assessment after pleading guilty in Federal Court in Chattanooga on Tuesday morning.  Jackie Lynn McConnell, 60, of Collierville, Tn., appeared before Federal Court Magistrate ... (click for more)

Signal Mountain Principal Suspended For Rest Of Year

Hamilton County School Superintendent Rick Smith has notified Tom McCullough that he is suspended from his job as principal of Signal Mountain high school and middle school. The suspension will be for the remainder of the contract period and will be without pay. Dr. McCullough is retiring at the end of this year. He has long been an educator in the Chattanooga area including ... (click for more)

Debates Don't Decide Leadership Ability

I've watched how some in the media have attacked Scottie Mayfield for not debating. I've never been to a debate, and I am not going to vote for someone because they are able to remember and recite from memory, the well crafted answers they came up with the night before.   Often times, candidates focus on attacking each other instead of influencing undecided voters on any ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: Two Horse Owners Write

As Jackie McConnell was being told he now faces up to five years in prison and a multitude of other penalties after pleading guilty to just one of 48 counts in violation of the Horse Protection Act on Tuesday, the outcry from Tennessee Walking Horse owners was incredible and there is a groundswell of support growing to either clean up a very crooked industry or actually ban it. ... (click for more)