Rhea County Man, 81, Found Deceased On Boat Adrift On Watts Bar

  • Thursday, October 6, 2022

 TWRA officers responded around 1:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday to a call reported through Rhea County 911 of an over-due boater. While en route, officers received a second call regarding a citizen who located the vessel afloat on Watts Bar Lake.

            Wildlife officers, along with the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office and Rhea County EMS, responded by land and water, about three and a half miles north of the dam. A pontoon boat was found afloat and the body of 81-year-old Rhea County resident Larry Ezell was found in the water.

His body was transported to the Knox County Forensics Center. The incident remains under investigation.

This is the 27th boating related fatality this year.

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/2/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ATCHLEY,GEORGE ... more

East Ridge Touts Low Tax Rate
  • 7/1/2025

After East Ridge’s annual budget for 2025-2026 was passed on the final reading, Mayor Brian Williams said, “We are excited to hold the property tax rate this year to the certified tax rate provided ... more

City's "Park Within A Park" Set To Expand By Over 13 Acres At Historic Missionary Ridge
City's "Park Within A Park" Set To Expand By Over 13 Acres At Historic Missionary Ridge
  • 7/1/2025

Chattanooga’s commitment to becoming a greener, more sustainable city took a major step forward with the official addition of five acres to its “Park Within a Park” initiative at historic Missionary ... more