🌱 Critical Blood Platelet Shortage + Homicide Investigation

Hello, neighbors! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your fresh copy of the Chattanooga Daily, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. Here goes...

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny, a stray t-storm. High: 88 Low: 69.

Here are the top three stories today in Chattanooga:

1. The Chattanooga region is reportedly facing a blood platelet supply shortage. The Blood Assurance nonprofit reports needing 75-100 platelet units daily to supply the region's hospitals. Currently, there are only 32 platelet units available. The nonprofit is pleading with the community to donate blood. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
2. The Chattanooga Police Department has arrested a man for fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy. Sylvester Andres has been charged with criminal homicide for shooting the boy in the 3900 block of 7th Avenue last Friday. It is unclear how Andres is connected to the boy. He has a history of domestic assault and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. (WDEF News 12)
3. The Chattanooga Police Department is reportedly investigating a Monday morning homicide. The department located the female victim in the 5100 block of Sunbeam Avenue after receiving reports of an unconscious woman. The department is asking the community to provide information related to the incident. The woman's identity has not been released. (WTVC)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Council Meeting At The City Of Chattanooga (6:00 PM)
• Arsenic And Old Lace Auditions, At St. Luke United Methodist Church (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Check out this list of the best Chattanooga area employers hiring for a variety of open positions, including a NACS Collector position at North American Credit Services. Click the link for the full list that includes part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions. (Chattanooga Patch)
• The average gas price in Chattanooga is currently $3.36 per gallon. This is 10.4 cents lower compared to last week. The national average is $3.92 per gallon. (Chattanooga Pulse)
• This Friday's Nightfall concert is presenting Magnolia Boulevard and TN Ruminators. As always, the concert starts at 7:00 p.m. at Miller Plaza. (Nightfall Chattanooga)

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That's it for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— 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.