News - Friday, October 11, 2019

Part of Martin Lester’s practice as an immigration attorney involves fighting for people’s rights to live lawfully in the U.S. So when national media outlets began contacting him to speak about a policy change that could leave the children of some members of the U.S. military stranded overseas, he was eager to join the discussion.

Judge Sandy Mattice has notified President Trump that he intends to step down as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee effective March 10, 2020.

Mattice said, “It has been a great privilege to serve the people of the Eastern District of Tennessee over the past 20 years, first as U. S. attorney and later as district judge. I will always be grateful to those who gave me that opportunity.”

Chattanooga Crime Stoppers is locking local elected officials behind bars – and only you have the keys to release them.

Fifteen officials have agreed to be arrested for a Crime Stoppers fundraiser taking place Friday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Waterhouse Pavilion.

When Realtor Sean Smith thinks about the beginning of his adult life and compares it to where he is today, he can scarcely fathom the difference.

He pictures himself at 19, toiling at a miserable job in a cut-rate steakhouse in Smyrna, making $30 a night polishing brass rails and breathing secondhand cigarette smoke.

Elevate Home Staging and Design owner Mackenzie Smith says she’s always had a knack for home decorating. But she didn’t know she had a passion for it until she started staging her Realtor husband’s listing.

Smith loved decorating her own home, and was so good at it her friends and family members would ask her to help them design their houses.

The temperature has finally started to drop, and the smell of wood smoke is in the air. When temps dip is a good time to do these six things to avoid future homeowner headaches.

Buy appliances

Manufacturers bring out their latest models during the fall, and store owners offer big sales on appliances they want to move out – like last year’s most popular dishwasher. So September, October and November are great months to buy.

The kitchen is the heart of most homes. From cooking to catching up with family and friends, this room is usually the center of attention and activity.

If you’re interested in adding some pizazz to your current cooking space, here are a few top trends in kitchen design this year.

I recently read a film review in which the writer said he “staggered” out of the theater after seeing the movie. I assumed he was exaggerating for effect. Then I saw “Joker,” the new psychological thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix in the eponymous role.

Everybody knows about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. But Tennessee is awash in halls of fame.

I began to suspect as this when reading of the recent death of David Wright in Lebanon. Wright, who transported students for 50 of his 76 years, was laid to rest in a specially designed coffin made to look like a school bus, befitting of his status as a member of the Tennessee School Bus Drivers Hall of Fame.

We’ve still got a couple of months until 2019 draws to a close, but it’s not too early to make some end-of-the-year financial moves. In fact, it may be a good idea to take some of these steps sooner rather than later.

Here are a few suggestions:

A federal grant will allow the Chattanooga Fire Department to prepare firefighters for situations in which their personal safety is at risk.

The CFD has been awarded the 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The annual grant opportunity gives fire departments across the U.S. the ability to apply for a grant to purchase equipment and training.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department is offering flu shots at all locations. Anyone 6 months or older is encouraged to get the vaccine.

Medicare, TennCare and select other insurance providers can be billed. Some people might be eligible for free or reduced cost vaccine.

The Photographic Society of Chattanooga will host its annual open house Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m., at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. Travel, nature and landscape photographer Ledra Woodlee will present a program titled “Preparation, Patience and Perseverance – The Crafting of the Photograph.” Someone will be on hand to perform sensor cleanings and purchase used equipment.

Siskin Children’s Institute has completed renovations to create a pediatric therapy space for children in the Siskin Center for Developmental Pediatrics.

The $50,000 Carolan Foundation grant provided for specialized equipment, including a gait-keeper treadmill, a large suspension walker and a swing with an accelerator.

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will bring the Italian opera “La Traviata” to the Tivoli Theatre stage March 18 and March 20, 2021. The organization previously performed “Carmen” and “Madame Butterfly.”

“The return of fully-staged opera to the CSO began with Puccini’s ‘Madame Butterfly’ and continued with Bizet’s ‘Carmen.’ Now we present one of the great masterpieces of Giuseppe Verdi, ‘La Traviata,’” says CSO Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt, who will serve as the opera’s music director.