Officials from the Trust for Public Land, Walker County, the city of Chickamauga and other partners broke ground on the Battlefield Connector Trail during a Aug. 27 ceremony at the Walker County Schools Advancing Education Center.
The 2.2-mile, multiuse trail will link Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park to downtown Chickamauga, offering pedestrians and cyclists a safe and scenic route while promoting healthy lifestyles, preserving history and boosting the local economy.
Funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission grant and supported by additional foundations and local commitments, the trail is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Frost family gift aims to transform patient care
CHI Memorial recently dedicated the St. Anne’s Frost Family Chapel at its Chattanooga campus, made possible through a gift from the Jack and Charlotte Frost Family Foundation. Given in memory of Jack and Charlotte Frost, the contribution supports the hospital’s Invest in the Best capital campaign and will have a lasting impact on patient care.
In addition to naming the chapel, the gift funds an endowment for a dedicated chaplain in the emergency department, ensuring spiritual and emotional support for patients and families during times of crisis. The donation will also enhance cardiac and oncology services, directly benefiting individuals who rely on these vital areas of care.
City unveils trucks that run on natural gas
The Chattanooga Department of Public Works has launched its first fleet of compressed natural gas trucks. By replacing older diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles, the new trucks are designed to lower harmful pollutants, improve efficiency and support healthier neighborhoods. The trucks are doubling as rolling billboards for early childhood literacy. Through a collaboration with Signal Centers and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, each vehicle features a QR code that links families to free book registration for children from birth to age five.
Collegedale Airport unveils new amenities
The Collegedale Municipal Airport has announced several new features, upgrades and partnerships aimed at making the airport more welcoming and convenient for pilots and travelers.
Among the additions is a new Kia Soul courtesy vehicle, available during business hours, giving pilots and visitors an easy way to get around town. Two Club Car golf carts have also been added to provide quick transportation between the terminal and aircraft. For overnight visitors, community hangar space is now available for temporary storage, offering added security and convenience.
Inside the terminal, guests will find upgraded recliner seating, new décor and updated restrooms.
To make planning ahead easier, the airport has also partnered with GO Rentals, allowing visitors to reserve a rental car in advance. Additionally, the airport’s Concierge Service offers assistance with hotel reservations at discounted rates and car rental arrangements.
Soddy-Daisy launches parks shade initiative
Soddy-Daisy has announced the launch of its Shade & Play Initiative 2030, a plan to make local parks and public spaces more comfortable during the region’s hot summer months.
The city will install 10 new shade structures – including pavilions, shade sails and umbrellas – across parks and recreation areas by 2030. Three installations are already funded and scheduled for completion this fiscal year.
In addition, the plan calls for 50 new trees to be planted throughout parks and public spaces and upgrades to existing shaded areas, including adding tables and benches beneath tree canopies.
City officials say the initiative supports Soddy-Daisy’s broader vision of creating more welcoming and resilient public spaces.
UTC Launches RAIL Program
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Department of School Psychology has launched the Rural Assessment Intervention Library (RAIL), a new program designed to expand access to educational and mental health resources for rural school districts across Tennessee.
RAIL offers dozens of test kits and tools that schools can check out to evaluate and support children’s needs. The program is part of the UT System Grand Challenges initiative, which focuses on improving health, strengthening rural communities, and driving economic development through education and outreach.
RAIL was made possible through funding from Project Raise, a grant supporting school psychology, counseling and social work internships in rural areas. Since receiving funding, the team has purchased assessments, created a dedicated space in UTC’s Hunter Hall and launched a website serving more than 50 rural school districts statewide.
While designed primarily for school psychologists, RAIL is also available to counselors, social workers, special education teachers and other qualified professionals. UTC students will benefit as well by gaining hands-on experience with assessments as they prepare for careers in education and mental health.
The RAIL library is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Resources are available at go.utc.edu/rail.
Hamilton County Schools sustain growth
Hamilton County Schools (HCS) maintained a Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System composite growth score of Level 3 for the 2024–2025 school year, signaling that students across the district met expected learning growth based on state standards.
The results, combined with proficiency gains reported in July, reflect continued improvement across the district.
High school math performance stood out this year, with all tested areas earning Level 4 or 5 growth scores – a first since 2020-2021. District leaders attribute the gains to a revamped math curriculum and expanded freshman academy support. Additionally, student growth on the ACT met or exceeded state expectations in every subtest, outpacing statewide averages.
Elementary schools also posted strong results. Fourth- and fifth grade students scored Level 3 or higher in every tested subject, while fourth-grade English language arts achieved Level 5 growth for the first time since 2018-2019, driven by districtwide literacy initiatives like Literacy Now and Literacy First.
HCS also celebrated 43 schools earning TVAAS growth scores of Level 3, 4 or 5.
Looking ahead, HCS plans to strengthen core instruction through its new Tier 1 First initiative while prioritizing support for middle school grades to ensure students leave eighth grade prepared for high school success.