Rep. Ron Travis on Monday recognized three academic institutions in District 31 for earning Reward School status from the Tennessee Department of Education. The status is the top distinction a school can achieve in Tennessee. Recipients include approximately 318 schools in 85 districts — 20 percent of the state’s schools — who have demonstrated improvement in overall student ... (click for more)

Dr. Debbie Murray, vice president for academic affairs at Lee University, was invited to participate in a meeting between the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and members of the U.S. Department of Education.  “I was honored to be included in this very interesting meeting,” said Dr. Murray.  The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues of ... (click for more)

Heavy rains throughout Monday brought water over many Hamilton County roads and into some businesses. The front area of the Mapco in the 8100 block of Standifer Gap Road was a small lake. The Sheriff's Office said, "Drivers in the Middle Valley and East Brainerd Road areas are encouraged to avoid driving in low lying areas. All drivers should exercise caution. "Drivers ... (click for more)

Officials of the Mountain City Club are considering sale of the property at Eighth and Chestnut to a developer. Dan Saieed, club president, said the board was approached by developer Byron Defoor with an offer for the property. He said the club is facing declining membership and extreme  financial issues so is considering the offer. The Defoor group developed the nearby ... (click for more)

For much of my life, the commitment to the Democratic Party has puzzled me. I was raised to analyze both sides of issues and to make an intelligent decision based upon that information. The values of self-reliance, hard work, and individual liberty that I grew up with were the same American values that have made this country exceptional. As I have grown older, I have witnessed ... (click for more)

If all goes as (very carefully) planned, the most dynamic president to be hired at the University of Tennessee since the legendary Andy Holt retired in 1970, will be ushered into office today by the university’s board of trustees. The selection of Randy Boyd to take over his ala mater is a genius stroke and certainly seems to solidify two of life’s greatest truths. The first ... (click for more)