🌱 Chattanooga Resident Shot + School Board Member Receives Backlash

Hello, everybody! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter, full of all the community information you need to know right now.

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, today's weather:

Mostly sunny; breezy, cooler. High: 48 Low: 28.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Chattanooga? Partner with the Chattanooga Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top four stories in Chattanooga today:

1. Wednesday evening, a Chattanooga resident was shot after a slight altercation with an individual trespassing on his property on 1500 East 34th St. Police received reports that several parties ran through the victim's yard; when one individual was confronted, a gun was pulled and the victim was shot. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police are still verifying details on the incident and are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact (423) 698-2525. (WTVC)
2. Hamilton County school board member Rhonda Thurman is currently under fire after posting an inappropriate joke on Facebook. Thurman made a joke relating to the Joe Biden "State of the Union" address where he spoke about protecting the country from Chinese threats and related this to a joke she heard about a woman being gang raped on a beach. After hearing the backlash on social media, Thurman commented people need to "get over it," further stating that "as a school board member, I still have a sense of humor." Many are requesting Thurman resign from the position. This is the second time Thurman has received public backlash since October. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
3. Hamilton County Schools are seeking applicants to fill new positions for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Hamilton County Schools are investing about $25 million in its next budget focusing on supporting students' well-being, literacy, behavior, and more. This new budget, and the new positions, will support the strategic plan commitments moving forward. Emphasis will be on hiring high-quality individuals who take pride in making a difference in students' lives and creating opportunities for them to thrive. Recruitment events have been scheduled for those interested to gain more information and speak with HR and hiring managers; the schedule can be found at the link. (The Chattanoogan)
4. On Tuesday, Garrett Behlau was dismissed from murder charges for strangling his mother to death; however, he will remain in custody for the rest of his life and permanently be committed to the State Mental Hospital. In August 2020, Behlau's father called 911 after seeing Garrett strangle his mother to death on the security camera and drag the body out of the frame. When police arrived at the scene and found Garrett on the bathroom floor, he told officers his mother was in the woods, where they found her body covered in plastic. If Behlau is ever released from the Mental Hospital, the Hamilton County District of Attorney's Office will once again file charges against him. (WTVC)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Happy Hour At The Moxy Chattanooga (1:00 PM)
• Jason Cheny At The Comedy Catch at The Choo Choo (7:30 PM)
• The Color Purple At Chattanooga Theatre Center (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Bring your young ones to the Chattanooga Princess Party, where Rapunzel and her princess friends will give interactive stories, songs, crafts, and more! Don't forget to dress up your young ones — babies under 12 months are free! (Chattanooga Events)
• Chattanooga police are doing their best to keep the community and the residents safe. Do yourself a favor and stay up-to-date by checking out this week's briefing. (Chattanooga Police Department via Facebook)
• On Thursday, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce highlighted Roland McIntyre, the founder of Mountaintop Wealth LLC. McIntyre encourages his clients to focus on consistent progress rather than the size of the challenge. Learn more about Chattanooga’s Black-owned businesses at the link. (Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• TN Nursery — (Visit website)
• Wholesale Nursery Company — (Visit Website)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you tomorrow for 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.