Disclaimer: I have a personal interest involved that goes further than just being a citizen. Embedded in this unusually high tax increase proposal is a wage increase for town employees as I understand it. This particular increase is much less than the proposed 21.5 percent which is understandable. My concern: why should town employees have to wait for their well-deserved wage ... (click for more)

The property owners and residents of the non-gated neighborhoods in Hamilton County are currently under siege by another round of political rhetoric from a group I call UnifiEd and the Foundations. Sounds like a band, doesn’t it? And may I introduce, “UnifiEd and the Foundations featuring Obama for America community organizers needing jobs to fundamental change our country.” ... (click for more)

The County Commission voted 5-4 on Wednesday morning against a 34-cent property tax increase for the county schools. Opposed were Greg Martin, Randy Fairbanks, Chester Bankston, Tim Boyd and Sabrena Smedley. In favor were Chip Baker, Katherlyn Geter, Warren Mackey and David Sharpe. County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said the action means that none of the budget is approved ... (click for more)

A fire heavily damaged a Hixson home early Wednesday afternoon. At 1:20 p.m., a neighbor called 911 reporting a house fire at 1833 Bay Hill Dr. The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting heavy fire on the front door and porch area. Firefighters entered the front and back side of the home to find heavy fire downstairs and heavy smoke ... (click for more)

There comes a time in every pet owner’s life when difficult decisions have to be made. Althea and I experienced one of those Monday morning when we decided to send our cat CJ to the rainbow bridge. It was a painful decision, but it was the right one to make. We had gotten CJ when he was just a tiny kitten in October ’97. We figured he was about six weeks old, so we picked ... (click for more)

BIG RIDGE HIGH-POINT SCORERS: 19 – Alana Ratchford, Nathan Jungels, Caleb Aslinger 18 – Morgan Floyd 17 – Lander Smith, Katie White, Quinn Young 15 – Alex Pruett, Brayden Walker, Dylan Floyd, Ben Jungels 14 – Emily Thomson 13 – Amelia Hunt 12.5 – Chapman Mathis 12 – Ryan Wilson, Logan Carroll 11 – Marina Rodgers 10 – Sara Crane, Lily Urbanski, Alex ... (click for more)