News - Friday, October 13, 2017

Gospel singer Steve Darmody had performed in front of audiences around the world and been embraced by fans in faraway places. But he was unprepared for what he would experience as he landed in Bucharest, Romania, for his first concert in the country.

The chaos emanating from President Donald Trump’s administration is changing the landscape of Tennessee politics, setting the stage for upheaval within the dominant Republican Party.

“This is a really big moment for the Tennessee Republican Party,” with the Trump wing or far-right wing “firmly in control,” says Kent Syler, Middle Tennessee State University political science professor.

W. Neil Thomas III has stepped down from the bench but not away from practicing law.

Thomas wrapped up two decades as a Hamilton County Circuit Court judge on Thursday, Oct. 5 – his 20th anniversary in the position. During a reception hosted by the Chattanooga Bar Association that evening at Baylor School, the former justice also announced his re-entry into the practice of law.

The Hon. Curtis Collier will speak on “Professionalism in a Time of Declining Confidence in Our Courts,” Tuesday, Oct. 31, noon to 1 p.m., at the Walden Club. Registration will begin at 11:15 a.m. A buffet lunch will be served at that time.

Attorney William Colvin’s peers have selected him for inclusion in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for litigation – construction and litigation – insurance. Colvin has practiced in these areas for over 35 years. Colvin is of counsel at Cavett, Abbott & Weiss and the current president of the Chattanooga Bar Association.

Kathy Tucker, managing broker of Crye-Leike Realtors in Chattanooga, was installed as 2018 president-elect for Tennessee Realtors at its fall convention. She will serve as part of the statewide association’s 10-member executive committee.

A 40-year real estate veteran, Tucker is a member of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors where she has served as president (2004 and 2006), chair of the Governmental Affairs and Strategic Planning committees, RPAC trustee and MLS president.

Crye-Leike Real Estate Services recently recognized Rachael Henderson as a Multi-Million Dollar Club Lifetime Award recipient. To qualify for this award, Realtors must achieve multi-million dollar sales production for five years.

A resident of Walker, Georgia, Henderson has specialized in residential real estate sales for over ten years, working out of Crye-Leike’s Downtown Chattanooga office. As a licensed broker in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, Henderson specializes in residential, investment properties and relocation services. She serves the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in Hamilton, Walker and Catoosa counties.

Eight finalists have been selected to pitch their business ideas at The Company Lab (CO.LAB)’s annual “Will This Float?” competition. The event will take place Monday, Oct. 16, 6-9 p.m., at River Place, located at 2 W. Aquarium Way. Admission is free.

Police Chief David Roddy has made additions and changes to the Chattanooga Police Department’s executive staff. All five chiefs ?of the CPD’s executive staff a?re long-time department veterans with two decades or more experience each.

Former ?Assistant Chief Eric Tucker will serve as deputy chief. Edwin McPherson will remain as assistant chief of investigations. Former Assistant Chief Danna Vaughn will serve as assistant chief of department and community services, former Captain Jason Irvin will serve as assistant chief of special operations and former Captain Glenn Scruggs will serve as assistant chief of neighborhood policing.

Mayor Andy Berke has selected veteran fireman Phil Hyman to lead the Chattanooga Fire Department. If the Chattanooga City Council approves the appointment, the new chief will bring 22 years of service to the position.

“Phil is well respected by the men and women of the Chattanooga Fire Department,” Berke says. “With his decades of service and knowledge of every level of the department, he will lead our firefighters to do their best work in keeping Chattanooga safe and improving the lives of everyone in our community.”

Fans are fuming. Players are fighting. Butch Jones is coaching for his job.

The Tennessee football coach is in dire need of a good showing when the Vols (3-2, 0-2 SEC) play host to South Carolina (4-2, 2-2) on Saturday Neyland Stadium (noon, ESPN).

I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. The Death Star bursting into a bloom of fire against an expanse of glimmering stars. The Ark of the Covenant opened and God’s wrath unleashed on Nazi scum. A DeLorean ripping through the fabric of time to take a young man home.

Bryan College is now offering criminal justice as an online degreed program. The school is accepting applications for the Spring 2018 semester.

The online program provides educational offerings based on constitutional law while also providing hands-on experiences with a multitude of local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Part of you knows you need to sell your house and move (upsize, downsize, etc.) but overall, you’re in denial.

Your spouse, family and friends are telling you it’s time to move but you’re resisting and accumulating “reasons” why now isn’t the right time. You have to declutter but physically can’t. Your house needs work but you don’t have the resources or relationships to get it done. You have a mortgage and aren’t sure you’d net enough to buy another house. Your credit has been dinged and you might not be able to get a loan with favorable terms.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga  will host a Showcase of Homes throughout Hamilton County.

Presented by EPB Fiber Optics, the event will feature 10 builders and 18 homes. The dates will be Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 20-22. Hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays.

Columbus Day was observed on October 9. And while it may be true that Leif Erikson and the Vikings beat Columbus to the New World, Columbus Day nonetheless remains important in the public eye, signifying themes such as exploration and discovery.

As an investor, you don’t have to “cross the ocean blue,” as Columbus did, to find opportunities – but it may be a good idea to put some of your money to work outside the United States.

Compact SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the road today thanks to their combination of performance, practicality and fuel efficiency. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and 2017 Mazda CX-5, two of the top entrants in the segment, recently underwent full redesigns to make them even more competitive. But which one is the best match for you? Here’s how they stack up.

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga will present its annual Equal Opportunity Day breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Chattanooga Convention Center. John Hope Bryant, founder and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, a nonprofit financial services network, will be the keynote speaker. This year’s event theme is “Urbanomics – The Breakdown of Economic Inequality.”