City Council To Discuss Senior Tax Freeze Tuesday. See Our Legal Notices.

19-Year-Old Woman Drowns In Watts Bar Lake Monday Evening; Sister Of American Idol Contestant

  • Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Madison Taylor, 19, of Rhea County, drowned Monday evening in Watts Bar Lake. 

American Idol contestant Drake McClain Taylor said on his Facebook page that the victim is his sister. He asked for prayers and privacy for the family. He is from Spring City.

Rescuers had been searching the waters since receiving a call around 6:30 p.m. 

Ms. Taylor entered the water from a boat to swim and did not resurface. 

TWRA officers, along with the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office, Rhea County Rescue, Meigs County Rescue, Bradley County Dive Team and Hamilton County Dive Team searched in 40 to 50 feet of water above the dam. 

Ms. Taylor’s body was located using the TWRA Remote Operated Vehicle after the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Team located a point of interest on the lake bottom with a towfish sonar. 

Ms. Taylor’s body was transported to the Rhea County Medical Examiner’s Office.


Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/19/2025

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 ) ALLISON,JACOB ... more

Driver Robert L. Lynn, 35, Dies As Vehicle Plunges Into Tennessee River At Highway 58
Driver Robert L. Lynn, 35, Dies As Vehicle Plunges Into Tennessee River At Highway 58
  • 7/18/2025

Sheriff deputies responded to the 6800 block of Highway 58 near Wolftever Bridge for the report of a vehicle crash with entrapment shortly after noon on Friday. Upon arrival, deputies located ... more

Man With Felony Record Found With Gun In Car That Almost Hit Officer Gets 37-Month Federal Sentence
  • 7/18/2025

A man with a felony record who almost struck a police officer while driving on June 23, 2024, has been sentenced to serve 37 months in federal prison. Joseph Watkins appeared before Judge ... more