Monday, March 3, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1893, Lookout Mountain Battlefield—Point Park was created atop Lookout Mountain to commemorate the Battle of Lookout Mountain and the Battles for Chattanooga during the Civil War. The Battlefield includes 3,000 acres with a 16-acre park.

Have you ever wondered what product you would pitch on Shark Tank? One Dunlap business owner will appear in the show’s upcoming episode. You can read more about it today’s Top Stories.

Expect an email from us soon on behalf of our partner, American Hartford Gold, with insights on protecting your retirement savings. We hope you find their message useful!

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I-40 Reopens Five Months After Helene

The section of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border reopened Saturday after a five-month closure due to Hurricane Helene.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the reopening with a single lane open in each direction over a 12-mile stretch with a 35 mph speed limit enforced.

Helene, which hit the Carolinas in late September, triggered massive landslides and caused severe infrastructure damage throughout the region. The closure forced travelers and freight to take lengthy detours for months.

As part of the repairs, crews installed 10,000 square feet of soil nails to stabilize the ground and prevent future landslides. Emergency repair costs are expected to reach up to $15 million, and full restoration of I-40 could take up to three years.

Fire Danger Prompts Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of East Tennessee, signaling conditions that could lead to rapid fire growth if a fire ignites.

No burn permits will be issued in Sevier County, and Knox County has implemented a Burn Ban. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced an immediate ban on all campfires and charcoal use on Saturday.

The Rural Metro Fire Department battled several brush fires across Knox County on Saturday despite the Burn Ban.

The fire department posted pictures from a brush fire on social media, urging residents to “stop burning anything outside until the Burn Ban is lifted.” The ban remains in effect until March 4.

Dunlap Entrepreneur to Appear on Shark Tank

Dunlap business owner Susan Vandergriff will be featured on an upcoming episode of ABC’s Shark Tank on March 7.

The founder of Happy Birdwatcher Company will pitch her a bird seed subscription that customizes blends by ZIP code.

“Research shows that the more birds in your home environment, the happier you are. But attracting more birds starts with the right food,” Vandergriff says.

The company has shipped birdseed to 49 states.

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➤ Memphis: Brent Fong, 51, who was captured attacking a vehicle with an ax in a video that went viral, has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and other offenses. (More)

➤ Clarksville: Residents continue to clean up after the recent flooding, with 108 people signed up for assistance following the recent disaster. (Watch Video)

➤ Sullivan County: A man was tased on Saturday after attacking a police officer, fleeing the scene in his car, and striking three vehicles. (More)

➤ Nashville: The state’s Supreme Court confirmed execution dates for five men as the state plans to resume the death penalty using lethal injection. (More)

➤ Maury County: Several agencies worked together to rescue a horse stuck in a hole on Culleoka Highway Saturday morning. (See Pictures)

➤ The University of Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack has gone viral for his last-second shot from near midcourt to defeat Alabama at the buzzer on Saturday. (Watch Video)

➤ The Tennessee Titans were one of the most injured teams in the NFL in 2024, with their players missing a total of 205 games—the sixth-most in the league. (More)

➤ The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team became the Southern Conference regular season champions after defeating UNC-Greensboro 75-63 on Thursday in North Carolina. (More)

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➤ The historic Peabody Hotel in Downtown Memphis will begin an $18 million makeover later this month to its more than 400 rooms. (More)

➤ Chattanooga’s BlueCross is selling its $229 million headquarters on Cameron Hill, but it may take years, according to the company. (More)

➤ Dr. Joseph Webber, the CEO of Nashville General Hospital, announced Thursday in a surprising move that he is resigning, effective in two weeks. (More)

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➤ The 9th annual Nashville Elvis Festival returns March 13-16, bringing four days of music and celebration of the King of Rock & Roll to Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin, just south of Downtown Nashville. (More)

➤ A new study shows how much you need to make to be considered middle class in Tennessee, with an interactive map comparing the Volunteer State with other states nationwide. (More)

➤ Memphis held its Mardi Growl event on Saturday, featuring adorable dog costumes and live music. (Watch Video)

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