🌱 Asian Lantern Festival + Record-Breaking Patient Surge

Hello, neighbors. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Chattanooga.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and warmer. High: 55 Low: 35.

🏡 Attention, real estate agents in Chattanooga! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. The Chattanooga Zoo's Asian Lantern Festival will continue through Jan. 15. The festival features more than 38 lighted lantern displays. The lanterns feature some of the zoo's most popular animals. The festival is meant for guests of all ages. Ticket details are available at the link. (The Chattanooga Zoo)
2. Children's Hospital at Erlanger reports a record-breaking patient surge. The surge is being caused by influenza and respiratory viruses. The flu has been spiking while RSV is trending down. On Nov. 7, the children's emergency department had 205 patients in 24 hours. The hospital is hoping that Thanksgiving break will provide some relief. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
3. A sudden surge in illnesses has resulted in a teacher shortage at Hamilton County Schools. Last week, there was an average of 250 teacher vacancies across the district. That rate resulted in about 40 percent of the positions being unfilled. The district's substitute pool was also affected by the illnesses. About 80 percent of today's vacancies have been filled. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Chattanooga:

• Live Music At Whiskey Thief (6:00 PM)
• NUTCRACKER! Magic Of Christmas Ballet At The Tivoli Theatre (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Is the current housing market making you feel a little overwhelmed? Consider this list of the latest properties in the Chattanooga area to hit the market. Click the link to view the full list of properties which includes prices, photos, and property dimensions. (Chattanooga Patch)
• Hamilton County has released its latest arrest report. Click the link to view the complete report. (The Chattanoogan)
• The City of Chattanooga is currently hiring. Click the link to view a complete list of open positions. (City of Chattanooga)

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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (November 22)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer 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.