The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners has assessed fines against Congressman Scott DesJarlais for being a medical doctor and having sexual relations with two patients. A 7-page consent order said the incidents occurred in 2000. He was fine $250 each for the two patients. Also, he must pay up to $1,000 for costs of the investigation. Click here to read the board order. (click for more)

Funeral services will be Saturday for 35-year-old Tammy Hale, whose battered body was found last Sunday at the home she shared on Lovell Road with Terry Releford. Releford later was tracked by authorities to a motel in Calhoun, Ga. He killed himself before officers could reach him. Ms. Hale was the manager of Liberty Tax Service in Hixson. Family members said, "She was ... (click for more)

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department is very responsive and professional out in Apison, and I appreciate that.  We have some fine deputies serving Hamilton County.    I took a minute to call and tell them thank you, I hope my neighbors will also. Brian Wood Apison (click for more)

I am still wincing over the fact a horrendous bill passed in the state legislature that would make whistle-blowers into criminals would have actually gone into law had it not been for Governor Bill Haslam’s eleventh-hour veto. Called the “Ag-Gag bill,” similar efforts in other states have also soured because it is no more than a Catch-22 trick to protect those who abuse animals, ... (click for more)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – While the prep athletic spotlight is on Spring Fling, Ooltewah High School managed to make news Thursday afternoon. Jon Massey, who formerly played and coached baseball at Ooltewah High School, has been hired as the Lady Owls’ new softball coach. Massey, who turns 49 next month, replaces veteran Norma Nelson, who was fired on May 14 after 20 years ... (click for more)

Elon University will leave the Southern Conference and join the Colonial Athletic Association for the 2014-15 academic year. The change in athletics conference affiliation was approved by the Elon Board of Trustees and announced Thursday by President Leo M. Lambert. College of Charleston announced earlier it was joining CAA. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State are ... (click for more)