Valetta Jean Heuser, 93, of Rock Spring, died on Monday, May 20, 2013 in a local hospital. Mrs. Heuser was a charter member of Fort Oglethorpe First Baptist Church where she served as pianist from 1953 – 1978.  An accomplished pianist, for traditional church music, she served in churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia playing for quartets, radio programs, and choirs ... (click for more)

James G. “Jaybird” Henderson, Sr., 66, of Chickamauga, died on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at his residence following a three-year battle with cancer. James was a native and lifelong resident of North Georgia and was of the Baptist faith.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran where he served aboard the USS Uhlmann & USS Samuel N. Moore from 1966 through 1970.  He retired from A.D.M. ... (click for more)

Hayden Lamar Lasley, 60, of Hixson, died on Monday, May 20, 2013.   He was a longtime area girls softball coach for more than 35 years. Lamar coached at Soddy Daisy High School for the past 16 years, as well as Loftis Middle School.  He was a grounds supervisor at Forest Hills Cemetery, an avid hunter and fisherman, and member of the Middle Valley Baptist Church. ... (click for more)

Geraldine McKee Burkhart, of Hixson, died on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.  She was 69. Geraldine was born on Dec. 3, 1943, in Ooltewah to the late Jennie Belle and Raymond McKee.  She retired from State Farm Life Insurance with over 30 years of service and was the owner and operator of The Wig Palace on Ringgold Road.  Geraldine was a very active member of the Old ... (click for more)

City Council Vice Chairman Chip Henderson said Tuesday he will lead an ad hoc committee that will look into possibly increasing the number of council districts from the current term. The panel will also look at staggering the terms of council members, who are currently all elected at the same time, he said. Vice Chairman Henderson said the committee will also look into moving ... (click for more)

Governor Bill Haslam on Tuesday announced Debra Payne as the new commissioner of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) as Jim Henry becomes the permanent commissioner at the Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Ms. Payne currently serves as deputy commissioner of DIDD and Mr. Henry as the interim commissioner of DCS. “These two departments ... (click for more)