The Walker County Board of Commissioners will meet this evening at 6 p.m. with a full agenda. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on several zoning and variance requests, including proposals in Rising Fawn, Chickamauga, and Rossville. They’ll also revisit a tabled animal ordinance requiring spay/neuter and licensing for pets. Other items include a vote on the 2026 holiday calendar, courthouse environmental testing, and over $289,000 for culvert repairs near Naomi Elementary—half of which will be reimbursed by the school board. The meeting will be held at 201 South Duke Street in LaFayette.
The longtime mayor of Lookout Mountain has stepped down, prompting a special election to fill his seat. David Bennett announced his resignation during the September 11th City Council meeting, citing health reasons. He was the only candidate in the upcoming November 4th election but has since withdrawn. Bennett served the city for 16 years—as a council member, vice mayor, and police commissioner before becoming mayor. Vice Mayor Arch Willingham was sworn in as interim mayor during a special meeting on September 26th. Candidates looking to run in the special election have until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to qualify. They’ll need 50 signatures from registered voters and a $25 fee.
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help finding a missing woman who may be in medical distress. Thirty-seven-year-old Larae Danielle Smith was last heard from around 2:30 Monday afternoon, September 29th, during a phone call with family. She’s described as 5-foot-10, 189 pounds, and may not ask for help if approached. If you see Larae or have any information, call 911 immediately—or contact Lieutenant Todd Pitts at 706-935-2424.
Food City is closing one of its Rossville locations next month. In a statement, the company says it was unable to reach a new lease agreement for the store on Chickamauga Avenue. That location will officially close its doors on November 3rd. Shoppers in the area can still visit the nearest Food City, just 10 minutes away on Mission Ridge Road.
An investigation is continuing into a Ridgeland High School teacher accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student during his time at Central High School in Chattanooga. WTVC-TV reports personnel files show Nathan Dawson was investigated by Hamilton County Schools after a tip in February 2024. While the district couldn’t confirm the relationship, records say Dawson was not truthful about his communication with the student. The student’s mother claims the relationship began in 2021, when her daughter was 16. Dawson’s Georgia teaching certification shows a reprimand from 2017 for violating ethics standards involving student conduct, honesty, and testing. It also lists an open ethics case. Walker County Schools says Dawson passed background checks and is currently teaching science at Ridgeland. He has not been criminally charged.
It’s Senior Night tonight for LaFayette High School Volleyball! The Lady Ramblers are hosting a double match—first against Darlington at 5 p.m., followed by Coahulla Creek at 7. Senior Night festivities will take place in between, around 6:40, following the first match.
