Reliance Partners, a leading commercial insurance agency has promoted Laura Ann Howell to the position of senior vice president. Prior to the promotion, Ms. Howell  began her career with Reliance Partners in 2015 as vice president, overseeing HR and finance. She previously served as vice president for Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods where she founded a trucking company ... (click for more)

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced on Thursday that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region in May was 4.7 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 4.6 percent in April. In May 2016, the rate was 4.9 percent. The rate rose as the labor force grew and there was an increase in layoffs as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance. ... (click for more)

Former City Councilman Manny Rico, who discovered two dead bodies at the Highland Memorial Gardens on Tuesday morning, said it appeared their killers "were making a statement." Mr. Rico said the bodies were lying on a roadway. He said, "It was just a short distance from some woods. They could have dumped them there and they would not have been found for a long time." Police ... (click for more)

An eyewitness to a murder told a Criminal Court jury that a man in the back seat of her boyfriend's car told another youth to shoot the boyfriend. Charles "Chaz" Holsey, 19, died as a result of the gunfire after a drug deal gone bad on March 2, 2015. Briston Smith, who was 18 at the time of the slaying, is standing trial for felony murder and attempted especially aggravated ... (click for more)

We want to add to the many heart-felt messages that have been expressed regarding the recent passing of Tom Edd Wilson, a truly great visionary.    While he made his mark on many local organizations, Tom Edd will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who worked closely with him at Erlanger.   We benefited greatly from his steady guidance, leadership ... (click for more)

Franklin McCallie, a former principal at Howard School and the maverick in one of Chattanooga’s finest families known for education, delivered an impassioned speech before the Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday. Sadly, his remarks came after the commissioners had passed the FY2018 budget that has no financial methodology for the Department of Education, much maligned in the ... (click for more)