When Lynn Hawkins’ father died from lung cancer in 2007, she was devastated. “After he passed away, I had to find something to do with my time,” said Hawkins, who decided to become a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and served as chair for the organization’s Relay for Life in Murray County for several years. Then, the veteran employee of the Whitfield County ... (click for more)

Christine Lopes, nurse practitioner at CHI Memorial’s Guerry Heart and Vascular Center, recently received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses . A coworker nominated Ms. Lopes for the way she cares for patients and always goes the extra mile. “Here are just some examples of how she cares for others… A patient was almost out of [oxygen] and had other appointments at another ... (click for more)

A new CEO for Volkswagen Chattanooga was announced on Thursday. Frank Fischer introduced Tom du Plessis to all Chattanooga employees at a team meeting. Also introduced was Burkhard Ulrich, successor to Nicole Koesling, as incoming senior vice president of human resources for the factory. Former Chattanooga finance manager Brent Hinson returns from Volkswagen of America’s headquarters ... (click for more)

County School officials on Thursday presented a revised budget that eliminates most school fees and adds 10 literacy aides. The employee pay increase remains at 2.5 percent - short of the five percent that was included in the initial budget requiring a 34-cent property tax increase. That tax rise was rejected 5--4 by the County Commission. Board member Tucker Pennington put ... (click for more)

Senator Lamar Alexander has been promoting the Lower Healthcare Cost Act legislation passed by the Senate HELP committee he chairs earlier this month. There are many provisions in the bill that will work to lower healthcare costs, something that we all want. His solution for surprise medical bills, however causes more problems than it solves. The bill forces physicians to accept ... (click for more)

Back during the spring, I got word about a book entitled “The White House Boys” and was urged to read it. A friend told me she felt like author Roger Dean Kiser and I shared a similar style in the way we both painted with words. Since then I have happened across several articles penned by Mr. Kiser and I can’t imagine being more humbled or grateful that our names have appeared in ... (click for more)