News - Friday, July 9, 2021

In normal times, a high unemployment rate would mean that those offering jobs would be swamped with qualified candidates. But this is the post-COVID economy, and the old rules don’t seem to apply.

In Tennessee, as across the United States, the state and local economies are reopening, and businesses are hiring. Some of them, particularly food service and hospitality providers, are facing significant headwinds in staffing back up.

A couple of months into a season of reopening, Tennessee is faring well in terms of existing companies coming back online and the influx of new operators, says Bob Rolfe, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Every year, the Eastern District of Tennessee Civics Education and Outreach Committee partners with local chapters of the Federal Bar Association to sponsor local essay contests for high school students.

The contests, which focus on some aspect of civics education, are open to public, private and home-school high school students in all 41 counties in East Tennessee. The goal is both to educate students and to engage them in topics regarding our country’s government, how the government functions and our citizens’ obligations to participate in government.

Realtor Lee Hobbs says real estate is not for the weak.

As a competitive industry that’s always changing, real estate requires agents who are tactically minded, skilled problem solvers and able to adapt to change, she says.

“Some people think all an agent has to do is stick a sign in a yard, but there’s more to selling a house than that,” she insists. “My approach is to give a home a week so I’m not taking the first offer or conceding to a buyer who said, ‘Here’s my offer, and I need to know your answer in five hours.’ That might not be the best thing for my seller. Maybe the best thing for my seller is to wait a few days.”

It’s pretty easy to see that Realtors love where we work and live. Taking care of our neighbor’s real estate needs is a huge responsibility and something we don’t take lightly.

Yet, putting “For Sale” and “Sold” signs in the yard isn’t where a Realtor’s job begins and ends.

Homeownership benefits millions of Americans across the country. In addition to having a place to call home and a sense of community, many people purchase homes to help build their wealth.

A primary residence was the largest asset among households across age groups in 2019, the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances reports.

Sixteen years ago, firefighter Amanda Horner found herself trailing a fellow rookie through a blistering brick duplex in search of flames. As they navigated the dark labyrinth, her energy, as well as her air, dwindled.

By the time Horner and her companion found the conflagration, they were exhausted. But, being new to the job, they were more focused on dousing the flames than protecting their skin.

A Tennessee legislator has accused the Tennessee Department of Health of “targeting” young people and threatened the agency with the prospect of being “dissolved and reconstituted.”

Given that the department’s stated mission is “To protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee,” you might think that targeting young people – targeting anyone – is a good thing.

Here’s something to think about: You could spend two or even three decades in retirement. To meet your income needs for all those years, you’ll generally need a sizable amount of retirement assets. How will Social Security fit into the picture?

Few economists predict we’ll return to the double-digit price increases of the late 1970s and early 1980s. But knowing some of the ways consumers coped back then – and how things are different now – can help you formulate a plan to deal with rising prices.

EPB and its HCS EdConnect partners recently received the American Public Power Association Sue Kelly Community Service Award at the APPA National Conference in Orlando.

The award recognizes activities that demonstrate the commitment of the utility and its employees to the community.

The Chattanooga Zoo invites the community to join it July 24 from 6-9 p.m. for the return of Q ‘n Brew, its annual barbeque and beer event. In addition to barbeque available to purchase from local restaurants and several drink options, free activities will include animal encounters, tortoise races and live music. Activities that will be available for purchase will include camel rides, giraffe feedings, train rides, animal art and the opportunity to purchase and dye a zoo shirt. Tickets must be purchased online at chattzoo.org.

The Chattanooga Police Department has launched Dragonfly Community Connect, a public-private community partnership that combines technologically advanced crime response with community policing to improve public safety.

Dragonfly Community Connect is a volunteer program that links security systems at Chattanooga businesses with the CPD’s Real-Time Intelligence Center using an existing internet connection and a cloud storage platform.

The Hamilton County Schools Mobile Learning Lab made its maiden voyage last week as teachers led interactive lessons outside East Ridge Elementary School.

HCS Mobile Learning Labs provide a community outreach service offering academic support to currently enrolled K-5 students in the areas of math, science, literacy and the arts.

Chambliss Center for Children invites the community to participate in the Isaiah 117 House Lemonade Stand Challenge Saturday, July 17, to help raise awareness for the first Isaiah 117 House in Hamilton County.

Chambliss Center for Children recently partnered with Isaiah 117 House, an East Tennessee-based nonprofit that serves children and teens entering state custody, to establish the first house for youth awaiting placement.

ChattaNeuter Spay Neuter Clinic staff celebrates completing 30,000 surgeries. The nonprofit clinic provides spay and neuter services for pets and adoptable dogs and cats housed at Chattanooga area shelters and rescues. ChattaNeuter also provides low-cost, walk-in vaccine and microchip clinics for pet owners each month at its Brainerd Road clinic. More at ChattaNeuter.org.

There’s some hesitancy from the public regarding the future of self-driving cars. For example, A survey by Autolist reports most shoppers are split about whether having self-driving capability on a vehicle makes it safer.

Thankfully, real automated driving vehicles are still years away. But considering that nearly every new car on sale today comes standard or is available with some level of driver-assistance technology, it’s best to stay informed on what these features actually do and whether you would want to pay extra for them.

Hey, internet: Remember millennials? Many of us have graduated from our lattes and leisurely brunches to become parents with jobs, car loans and perhaps even a mortgage.

On our road to adulthood, we’ve experienced two global crises – a recession and a pandemic. Many of us are also still carrying mountains of student debt. These years have shaped our outlook on money, and now we’re teaching our children what we know.

Start small, plan big. You don’t have to have much for the former, just a little love and a place to launch. The latter, though, that takes some work. You have to see the goal, hold your confidence tight and know yourself well.

And then, as in the new book “Where You Are is Not Who You Are” by Ursula M. Burns, you step up and fly.