News - Friday, November 23, 2018

When former U.S. Attorney Bill Killian was an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, he purchased a thin, nearly pocket-sized copy of the Constitution of the United States for class.

Some 50 years later, the same copy of the supreme law of the land still lies within Killian’s reach, although its blue cover is now crinkled from use, and its yellowed pages are curled like the ears of an old Jack Russell Terrier.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, lists 61 members of the Chattanooga Bar Association as 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers.

Covering more than 70 practice areas, Super Lawyers is a directory of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Realtor Bekah Cochran, leader of the Bekah Cochran Team at Keller Williams Greater Downtown Realty, is the newest member of the Women’s Council of Realtors Chattanooga.

Cochran is a former kindergarten teacher who became a Realtor in 2006. She says she built her real estate business on a foundation of superior customer service, which has resulted in a steady flow of referrals and return clients.

The more than 1.3 million members of the National Association of Realtors now have access to an exclusive benefit through the digital advertising platform Adwerx, in partnership with NAR’s Realtor Benefits Program.

“When I became CEO, I promised our members that we would bring technology inside the NAR tent to benefit Realtors, not work against us,” says NAR CEO Bob Goldberg. “The announcement of Adwerx as the latest REALTOR Benefits Partner is the type of partnership that fulfills this vision.”

If the last few months are an indication of the temperature of housing markets across the country, a period of relative calm can be expected during the last three months of the year.

A trend of market balance is emerging as we approach the end of 2018, and this is normal for the Greater Chattanooga market. Prices are still rising in most areas, and the number of homes for sale is still low, but there’s a general shrinking of year-over-year percentage change gaps in sales, inventory and prices.

While buying a new home is exciting, it’s also a huge investment that requires careful attention to myriad details. From securing financing to planning the move, your home-buying checklist is likely long and overwhelming, and among your most important things to do will be the home inspection.

On Nov. 13, after a five-day jury trial before the Hon. Curtis Collier, senior U.S. district judge, James Silas, 50, of the Chicago suburb of Dolton, Illinois, was convicted of conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Sentencing is set for 2 p.m. on April 24 in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga.

The Chattanooga Police Department has added 14 new public safety cameras to its network, bringing the total to 29 cameras around the city focusing on violent crime and deterring acts of violence.

The CPD used community input, three years of compiled statistical crime data, qualitative intelligence, officer experience and vendor consultation to determine placement of the cameras.

We’ve still got a couple of months left in 2018, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about some year-end investment moves that might benefit you. Here are a few possibilities (although not all will apply to your situation):

• Add to your IRA. For the 2018 tax year, you can put up to $5,500 into your traditional or Roth IRA (assuming you are eligible), or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older.

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and Chattanooga State Community College announce a partnership to work with business, industry and other educational partners to grow apprenticeship programs in their service areas.

Dr. Mack Worthington, Dr. Larry Schlabach, JoAnne Favors and the late Dr. Francis Fesmire will be honored at the Erlanger Health System Foundations annual Dinner of Distinction on Jan. 18. This is the 16th year for Erlanger’s annual recognition event.

Ice on the Landing has returned to the Choo Choo Gardens and will be open daily until Jan. 21.

Ticket pricing will remain at $10 for an adult and $8 for a child (12 and under.) This includes skate rentals and a two-hour skate session.

Step Outside magazine named Ice on the Landing the “Best Outdoor Ice Rink in Tennessee” in 2018. Over 31,000 skaters visited Chattanooga’s only open-air holiday ice rink over the nine-week 2017-2018 season.

Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O’Neill at least $1 million.

That’s how much O’Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.

A great big bear. That’s what you’ve sounded like all week: a growl here, a snort there, grump, grump, snarl. Everything that could go wrong did – spectacularly.

But what went right?  Hmm. Grab a mug, take a seat and turn your frown around with “Thanks a Thousand” by A.J. Jacobs.

I never joined a sorority when I was in college. But, like you, I’ve heard some of the horror stories that pledges have to endure as part of Greek life.

For some – but not all – student-led organizations, hazing rituals are just a part of life. Looking back, it seems like they’re a silly college-aged tradition that should have been left in the past.

Miller Park is hosting a weekly farmers market and marketplace Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. The market favors local and regional sustainable farmers, local food entrepreneurs and vendors who make unique, handmade products and gifts. Community-focused non-profit organizations also participate in the market.

The Chattanooga Police Department is seeing an increase in robberies involving people who are buying and selling items through mobile apps and websites. Some of the victims were robbed at gunpoint of the items they were trying to sell, along with other items.

Fresh off the 25 Years of Giving Campaign, the First Horizon Foundation is accepting nonprofit funding requests for its next grant cycle. Eligible nonprofits are encouraged to submit their funding requests for consideration by Dec. 1.

“For the past 25 years, our Foundation has partnered with organizations to serve and uplift our communities,” says Charles Burkett, chairman of the First Horizon Foundation. “From providing students with financial literacy education to empowering individuals through job training and readiness programs to making access to health services available to the underserved, we’re proud of the direct impact we’ve been able to make.”

La Paz Chattanooga is working with local businesses to provide marketing resources and diversity training.

Among the businesses to work with La Paz on this effort is the Tennessee Aquarium, which has held multiple cultural competency trainings for its staff and participated in a secret shopper study to include feedback given by Latino “shoppers” on how to improve their inclusivity with marketing materials and bilingual staff and volunteers.

The Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club has revealed two components of the professional club’s identity in the Scenic City: the team crest and a first look at the future stadium.

“We drew inspiration from Chattanooga’s natural beauty, iconic landmarks and the red wolf itself to create the team’s crest,” says team owner Bob Martino. “We’re pleased to share the icon of professional soccer with the people of Chattanooga and surrounding areas.”

Construction on The Commons in Collegedale is complete, giving Collegedale Market vendors a covered venue where they can sell their goods year-round. The growing bazaar will hold its second annual Christmas Market inside the barn-like space, which is fitted with a large wood-burning fireplace. Around 50 vendors will be selling soaps, jewelry, pottery, specialty food items and more Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Santa will be on hand for photos from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. both days.