News - Friday, May 25, 2018

Walter Amador was watching search lights manned by border patrol scan the Rio Grande River when his guide spoke.

“Whatever I do, you do. If I run, you run; if I stop, you stop,” the young man said in Spanish. “If you hear shots, don’t stop. If you hear crying, don’t stop.”

Our Law Day Celebration breakfast on Friday, May 18 was a success, with a good turnout at the Westin. The candid remarks of Sen. Bob Corker were the highlight of the morning as he provided excellent insight and thoughtful responses to good questions posed by lawyers in the audience.

Attorney Max Bahner has received the 2018 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Sixth Circuit. Chief Judge R. Guy Cole, Jr., and Judge Pamela L. Reeves presented Bahner with the award this month at the Sixth Circuit Annual Judicial Conference at the Nashville Music City Center.

Ten years ago, the Tennessee Supreme Court made access to justice its top strategic priority. In the years since then, one thing has become clear: improving access to legal services in Tennessee is a collaborative effort.

In its first annual report, the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission highlights the thousands of people and organizations – from attorneys and county clerks to churches and legal aid providers – that have worked to improve access to justice in the state.

A year-old law enabling Tennessee colleges and universities to keep secret the “proprietary” fees they pay money managers for handling risky investments is likely to be reviewed this year.

A special committee appointed by House Speaker Beth Harwell and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally is set to start digging in to more than 530 exemptions to the Tennessee Open Records Act, possibly before the August primary election, and they say this will be one of them.

Employee relocation solutions provider Cartus Broker Network has named Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty in Chattanooga a Platinum Award winner for its performance during the past year. The award was presented at the 2018 Cartus Broker Network International Conference in Boca Raton, Florida.

Many sellers and builders are in a good position for financial gains as the economy continues to favor putting existing homes on the market and building new homes for sale. Moreover, we’re finally beginning to see some upward movement in new listings after two years of positive outlook.

David Stearrett, director of the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate at the Federal Emergency Management Administration, led a panel discussion with fellow FEMA staff at the Realtors Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, held this month in Washington, D.C.

Appraisals are a vital part of the real estate transaction and have traditionally been done in-person by an experienced appraiser, but efforts to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and incorporate more innovation, technology and data in the valuation process are expanding the use of alternative valuation methods.

Having seen “Deadpool 2,” I can confirm that it is indeed a thing. I can also inform you that you can buy a ticket to see it. Beyond that, I’m at a loss as to what to write about it.

Maybe that “Deadpool 2” is a superhero film based on Marvel Comics’ Deadpool character, a mercenary turned antihero with accelerated healing and enhanced physical strength and agility. (See “Deadpool” for why. It’s complicated.)

United States District Judge Harry Mattice, Jr., has sentenced Darius Jermaine Blakemore, 29, of Chattanooga to serve 23 years in prison for his role in a heroin distribution conspiracy resulting in death.

Upon his release from prison, Blakemore will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Chattanooga Police Department, hosted the 2018 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to honor local deputies and police officers who were killed in the line of duty and their surviving family members.

Inmates at the Hamilton County Jail have created a mural expressing their message to “people on the outside.”

After discussing the stigma associated with being an offender, participants decided to demonstrate the idea that they could, after rejoining society, be worthwhile citizens capable of creating work that beautifies neighborhoods.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, Lowe’s and more than 50 local women celebrated Mother’s Day one day early by spending Saturday, May 12, placing the final touches on a home for a mother and her two children.

The event was the local observance of National Women Build Week, when women volunteers devoted at least one day to help build decent and affordable housing in local communities.

Mad Priest Coffee Roasters, runner-up in Tennessee in Food and Wine Magazine’s “The Best Coffee in Every State” article, is expanding to open a full café and cocktail bar at 719 Cherry Street.

Michael Rice, owner of Mad Priest Coffee Roasters, and Matt Sears, owner of Haskel and Sears Design and Construction and the 719 Cherry Street building will be partnering in a new venture called The Mad Priest: Coffee & Cocktails.

Gazing into the Secret Reef exhibit is as close many Tennessee Aquarium guests have come to scuba diving. Now “Oceans 3D: Our Blue Planet” is giving audiences at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater a look at underwater environments ranging from the Arctic Ocean to Antarctica.

You’ve heard of Tesla Autopilot, but perhaps not always in a good way: The semi-autonomous driving system is now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board for the role it may have played in a March fatal accident near Mountain View, California.

Jeff Carter has joined Pinnacle Financial Partners as a senior vice president and financial advisor. He is based at Pinnacle’s Broad Street office in Chattanooga.

Carter brings 15 years of financial services experience to his role. Before joining Pinnacle, he spent eight years with First Citizens Bank, where he was a senior vice president and Chattanooga market executive. Previously, he worked with Regions Bank, where he served as a business banker.

The final debate between Hamilton County Board of Education candidates will feature Karitsa Mosley and Ann Pierrewill from District 5 on Thursday, May 29, 6-8 p.m. at Dalewood Middle School. Information