Soaky Mountain Waterpark, the new, massive state-of-the-art 50-acre waterpark, located at 175 Gists Creek Road in Sevierville, officially opened for business Saturday. Dave Andrews, general manager of Soaky Mountain Waterpark, said, “We are so excited to be open to the public! Soaky is such a fun place for families and truly features something for all ages to enjoy, all in a ... (click for more)

Anakeesta is unveiling AnaVista Tower, now downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point. Offering 360-degree views of the Smokies and the only one of its kind in the world, AnaVista Tower offers a unique view of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding states. Nearly two million people have visited Anakeesta since it opened less than three years ago in one of Tennessee’s ... (click for more)

There are 74 coronavirus patients in Chattanooga hospitals - a new one-day high, Health Department officials said on Monday. Of that group, 39 are from Hamilton County. However, the number of Intensive Care Unit patients with the virus dropped to 15. Hamilton County had 52 new cases of coronavirus, but deaths remain at 38, officials said on Monday. The local case total is ... (click for more)

The City of Dalton’s Municipal Court is suspending in person court appearances through at least Aug. 12 in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Whitfield County and the northwest Georgia region. Payments for fines can still be made online or in person at the window in the Public Works building at 532 N. Elm Street. There will be no in person Municipal Court ... (click for more)

Most people that know me well know that I will not vote to reinstate the $900,000 commissioner’s discretionary spending of taxpayer money. My reasons are: 1. There could not be a worse economic time for the government to spend additional money. It’s time to tighten the belt of government spending and not expand it. All American families are having this conversation around their ... (click for more)

Minutes after I learned one of my very earliest friends, B.B. Branton, died early Sunday morning, another friend sent me an email that just fit the moment perfectly. When I was growing up, our back yard butted up against the Brantons' backyard, so B.B. and I were quite sure we started out as playpen partners and were close ever since. Both of our fathers were from Mississippi - ... (click for more)