News - Friday, June 30, 2017

Since becoming president of the Tennessee Medical Association in April, Dr. Nita Shumaker has shrugged off most of the comments about her unique role.

“Everybody thinks it’s so astounding that there’s a second female president in 163 years, but I never felt like any man was holding me back from that position,” says the forthright physician and partner at Galen North Pediatrics.

Dr. Nita Shumaker is quick to point out that she is by no means a negative person.

Her goals – and there are many – as the new president of the Tennessee Medical Association simply stem from an overwhelming desire to improve the health care system for her colleagues and, ultimately, her patients. She’s got strong opinions on the insurance industry, the opioid epidemic and clean eating.

Coty Wamp says she believes she is one of a rare breed of attorneys. Although she spends her days arguing with her colleagues, few of them would debate her on this point.

Since becoming a lawyer in 2014, Wamp, 28, has worked for the office of the Hamilton County Public Defender, a job, she says, not every attorney is cut out to do.

Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams attorney Joseph R. White is now a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

The induction ceremony took place before an audience of approximately 600 persons during the 2017 spring meeting of the college in Boca Raton, Florida.

Lookout Mountain Judicial District Chief Judge Kristina Cook Graham says the State of Georgia has fully funded the circuit’s request of $148,166 to plan and implement the region’s first drug court.

Over the last several months, Judge Graham and Judge Don Thompson have established a working team to make plans for the new court. Judge Thompson will preside over the Court, while Judge Graham will preside in his absence or in cases that may require his recusal.

San Francisco resident Terry Karlsson relishes her hometown’s reputation for embracing “multi-cultural diversity.”

The wife of a Swedish immigrant, Karlsson says she believes San Francisco’s status as a sanctuary city, one in which it refuses to participate in the enforcement of federal immigration law, reflects a nation born of people who moved here, a land of immigrants from many countries.

Lisa Booth was on vacation but she was not a happy camper. Waiting for her at the end of her holiday was a job she no longer wanted. As she tried to relax and enjoy her time off with her family, she couldn’t shake the thoughts of how miserable she’d become at work.

Jalen Johnson’s first season on Tennessee’s basketball team didn’t go as planned. Now, he’s better for it.

The 6-foot-5 wing from Durham, North Carolina, arrived on campus last fall barely 170 pounds and competing for minutes with the likes of Robert Hubbs III, who led the Vols in scoring (13.7) and minutes (31.6) as a senior last season.

It’s been 30 minutes since I saw “Baby Driver,” the new genre-smasher from writer and director Edgar Wright, and I’m still humming the soundtrack. “Radar Love” by Golden Earring is spinning on my mental turntable.

Many homeowners make investments in their homes thinking they’re upgrading the property when they’re just completing required maintenance.

Much like replacing worn tires or a broken fan on your automobile, there are many such items in residential real estate. At the foundation of this topic are routine maintenance items such as cleaning gutters, having the HVAC unit serviced and trimming shrubs away from the structure to prevent rotten wood. These activities help to extend the life of the structure and your utilities but are not considered upgrades.

Summer is a great time to entertain visiting friends and family, but some guests shouldn’t be allowed in your home. Pests such as ants, roaches, rats and termites are not just a nuisance, they carry diseases and allergens and can destroy your property’s wood and foundation.

We’re getting close to the Fourth of July, when we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in this country. The U.S. Constitution grants us many of these liberties, but we have to earn others – such as our financial freedom.

What steps can you take to achieve the financial independence you need to reach your long-term goals?

Three semifinalists have been selected to create concept designs for the permanent memorial to honor the five service members who were killed during the domestic terror attack on July 16, 2015.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, Public Art Chattanooga, Erlanger representatives and members of the Fallen Five Memorial Steering Committee provided details on the process on Tuesday.

The House Financial Services Committee recently concluded a markup on multiple pieces of legislation to reauthorize and reform the National Flood Insurance Program. The following is a statement from National Association of Realtors President William E. Brown:

The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga will celebrate Independence Day with an indoor, air-conditioned picnic on Tuesday, July 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Rd. Southern rock and country group River Moon Express will headline the event with lead singer Natasha Anderson. Grilled chicken, potato salad, cole slaw and dessert are on the menu. Vegetarian meals are available if requested two work days in advance. Tickets: 423 493-0270 ext. 10, rsvp@jewishchattanooga.com. The event is open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation.