First Contact   The first Europeans to encounter the Indians of Tennessee, of course, were the Spanish would-be conquistadors of the 16 th century.  The expedition of Hernando de Soto passed through both ends of Tennessee in 1540 and 1541.  That of Tristan de Luna came northwest in support of their allies from Coosa into the Chattanooga area.  Juan Pardo ... (click for more)

The Signal Mountain Genealogical Society will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, at the Walden Town Hall, 1836 Taft Highway.  The meeting will begin with refreshments followed by the business session and program at 1:30 p.m.  The guest speaker for the June meeting, Rufus Williamson will present a program, “Using DNA to Enhance your Genealogical Research.”  Visitors ... (click for more)

An indirect lightning strike caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damages to Collegedale City Hall during storms last weekend. City Manager Ted Rogers told commissioners during Monday night’s city commission meeting officials still don’t know the physical nor financial extent of the damage. Losses include a copier, four computers, the electric door lock system, more ... (click for more)

A man who police said was traveling 70 miles per hour on a side street in St. Elmo when he wrecked and killed one of his close friends was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison. Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern told Robert Allen "Bobby" Atwood, 22, "There is way too much of this going on. Young people need a wakeup call. Let the message go out." Atwood will be eligible ... (click for more)

The Delta Queen is a magnificent part of history and in many ways I'm pleased she is in town. Having the boat where she is is the problem. The boat blocks the view of and from the prettiest park in our town. The crew take many of the parking spots around the park leaving families to park across Frazier and schlep their kids, strollers and picnics to the park. You don't get fireworks ... (click for more)

It has been about 25 years or so since I had the opportunity to visit every county in the state of Tennessee and, as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society at the time, I met cancer survivors and listened to their incredible stories. I remember one man in particular who had bone cancer and one night he said he rolled over in bed and literally broke his arm in a very simple ... (click for more)