A Ridgeland High School teacher is under scrutiny following allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a student while working at a Tennessee school. Nathan Dawson, now a science teacher in Walker County, is accused by a former student at Central High School in Chattanooga of engaging in an inappropriate relationship when she was 16 years old. The alleged incident dates back to 2021. The woman, now 20, issued a notarized statement detailing the alleged misconduct. Dawson was suspended from Central High in February of this year, after a tip was received. While the district could not confirm the relationship’s full nature, officials cited Dawson for unprofessional conduct and not being truthful about his communication with the student. His contract was not renewed for the current school year. Despite this, Dawson remains employed at Ridgeland High School. Walker County Superintendent Damon Raines told WTVC in Chattanooga that the district was contacted about Dawson’s past, but their hiring process does not typically review personnel files from previous employers — only background checks. Dawson was also arrested for DUI in Hamilton County in July. He is not facing any charges related to the allegations in either Tennessee or Georgia at this time.
Graduation rates are on the rise in Walker County — and they’re once again ahead of the state average. New data released Monday by the Georgia Department of Education shows Walker County Schools reached a four-year cohort graduation rate of 93 percent for the Class of 2025 — that’s nearly six points higher than the state average of 87.2 percent. Both LaFayette and Ridgeland High Schools posted strong results. LaFayette came in at 93-point-1-3 percent, while Ridgeland wasn’t far behind at 92-point-9.
A Walker County man will spend decades behind bars after being convicted in two separate and brutal domestic violence cases — including setting a woman on fire and killing a family dog. 43-year-old Jarvis Jackson was sentenced this week to 68 years in prison, following a bench trial before Judge Christopher Arnt in Walker County Superior Court. According to prosecutors, Jackson assaulted his longtime girlfriend in February 2024, dousing her in rubbing alcohol and setting her on fire. She was left temporarily blinded and severely burned — but managed to escape and seek help. Just months later, in August, Jackson was involved in another violent episode — this time with his new wife. He reportedly shot her dog in its bed, threatened her life, and held her against her will before fleeing to Alabama. Jackson was ultimately convicted on a long list of felony charges — including aggravated assault, aggravated battery, animal cruelty, kidnapping, and firearms offenses.
Authorities have now identified the woman shot and killed during a weekend house party in Ringgold. 24-year-old Daysha Lynch was the victim of what the Catoosa County Sheriff describes as a “chaotic and violent scene” late Saturday night on Indian Springs Road. An argument during the party reportedly escalated into a fight — and then gunfire. When deputies arrived, they found more than ten people gathered in the yard. Two victims were taken to the hospital. Lynch did not survive. An 18-year-old woman who was also shot is now said to be in stable condition. Sheriff Gary Sisk says the suspects fired on deputies as they fled the scene. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.