🌱 Defense Course For Women + Moxy Hotel Sells For $14.5 Million

Hey, friends. It's Saturday in Chattanooga and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

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: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 53 Low: 28.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and cold. High: 47 Low: 29.

📈 Interested in reaching our highly engaged readers with targeted messaging that drives proven results for local businesses? I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Chattanooga who want to build awareness, connect with customers, and increase sales. If that's you, click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. Sergeant Rebecca Tolbert from the University of Chattanooga will be teaching a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course for women. The class will use real-world violence scenarios to teach defensive techniques, including the basic skills to defend yourself against physical threats and various social situations. The course will take place at the Challenger STEM Learning Center Room 128 across from the UTC Police Department, starting Mar. 21 through Mar. 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and those interested in attending can email marion-perkins@utc.edu by noon on Mar. 21. (Chattanooga Pulse)
2. Police were requested to check the well-being of an apartment in the Hawthorne at the Summit apartment complexes on Thursday, Mar. 16. Neighbors reported that they heard loud noises and were afraid the sounds were coming from a domestic disorder. When officers arrived, it turned out to be just a group of kids celebrating March Madness. (The Chattanoogan)
3. New York-based DelMonte Hotel Group has officially purchased the four-story Moxy hotel for around $14.5 million. The 108-room downtown Chattanooga hotel was originally built in 2018 by the Chattanooga-based 3H Hotel Group. Of the purchase, chief executive Alexander DelMonte of the investment group said, "We're thrilled to add Moxy Chattanooga Downtown to our growing portfolio of properties and make our mark in one of America's most breathtaking cities." (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Today and tomorrow in Chattanooga:

Saturday, March 18

• Opera Extravaganza At Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium (7:30 PM)

Sunday, March 19

• Family Day At Painting With A Twist (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chattanooga Firefights responded to a residential structure fire on the morning of Wednesday, Mar. 15 in East Lake. Upon arrival, firefighters saw flames and smoke coming out of the side of the house located on the 3200 block of 6th Avenue. There were no sustained injuries, and the Red Cross will be providing support to one impacted resident. (Chattanooga Fire Department)
• The Tennessee Humane Animal League is looking for a female Aussie mix on Dayton Blvd. and Dowlen Rd. that ended up escaping from a fenced-in property. The dog escaped by digging underneath the fence while playing outside the other day. If you or someone you know has any information about the dog, please call the shelter at 423-877-0738 or 970-451-3561. (Tennessee Humane Animal League)
• Planning a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium during spring break? Bring home the wonder of the aquarium's new Ridges to Rivers gallery with a free Ridges to Rivers activity book, which guests can grab from Guest Services when exiting the River Journey building. (Tennessee Aquarium)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.