🌱 Aquarium COO Announces Departure + Stadium Plans For Late Summer

Hey, neighbors! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your Saturday edition of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Chattanooga long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Partly sunny. High: 58 Low: 48.
• Sunday: Periods of rain. High: 57 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. Tennessee Aquarium's Chief Operating Officer Jackson Andrews has announced that he is stepping down from his position after working with the aquarium for the last 32 years. The aquarium credits Jackson with developing and growing the facility to become a nationally-respected institution that helped to attract 27 million visitors to the city. (WTVC)
2. Officials estimate the groundbreaking for the new Chattanooga Lookouts stadium will probably be moved to sometime late in the summer. Back in August, city officials tentatively planned for the groundbreaking to take place in April, but on Thursday, officials said they are still making preparations before they are able to seek financing for the $79.5 million project. (Subscription: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
3. The ninth annual St. Patrick's Day block party "St. Paddy's Party on the Parkway" is once again coming to Patten Square. This year, the event will run on Mar. 18 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will feature 10 musical performances on two stages, plus food vendors, art and crafts vendors, and other special performances. You can purchase tickets to the event here. (Chattanooga Pulse)

Today and tomorrow in Chattanooga:

Saturday, March 11

• Chattanooga River Market At Tennessee Aquarium Plaza (10:00 AM)

Sunday, March 12

• Chattanooga Spring Event At Camp Jordan Arena (11:00 AM)
• Family Day At Painting With A Twist (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Bring home a new furry family member today! Check out this roundup of pets waiting for adoption in and around the Chattanooga area, including pets like Raven, Rachel, Auntie Em, and more. (Chattanooga Patch)
• As the weather warms up, be aware of black bears looking for food in the greater Chattanooga region. Wildlife officials cautioned the public to be wary of coming close to young bear cubs they might mistakenly think are orphaned as moms and cubs come out for the first time at the beginning of April. (Subscription: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• Daylight saving time is back once again at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 12. In preparation, the Chattanooga Fire Department is giving away free smoke alarms today, Mar. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 5400 block of Dayton Boulevard. (Subscription: Chattanooga Times Free Press)

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That's it for today. I'll catch up with you soon with your next update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.