🌱 Driver Crashes Into Chattanooga Publix + Chattanooga Zoning Delays

Hello, hello! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your Saturday edition of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's going on 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, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 55 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. A driver in a white sedan crashed into the front of Publix in North Chattanooga. The driver told Chattanooga Police that his foot got stuck on the accelerator and he could not stop. After hitting another car, the vehicle finally stopped when it wedged between a pillar and propane tank outside the grocery store. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
2. Due to delays from the Chattanooga zoning department, many local restaurants must wait to open, expand, and serve beer. According to Director of Permitting for the City of Chattanooga Dallas Rucker, the delay is caused by a staffing issue in his department. There are not enough zoning employees to complete facility inspections, which are needed for zoning approvals. After the Thursday, Feb. 16, Chattanooga Beer Board meeting, Rucker said he hopes to have "an additional staff member by the next meeting." (News Channel 9)
3. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, in partnership with Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center in Chattanooga, is seeking volunteers for Weed Wrangle 2023. The volunteers will gather on Saturday, Mar. 4, at 9:00 a.m. to remove exotic invasive plant species from a portion of the Lookout Mountain Battlefield. The battlefield was very important during the “Battle Above the Clouds” and now serves as the gateway to Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center. (Subscription: Northwest Georgia News)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Chattanooga Princess Party At Gilman Event Hall (9:00 AM)
• Free Slice of Pizza for Kids At Community Pie (11:00 AM)
• Black History Festival At East Lake Community Center (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Beginning on Monday, Feb. 20, Chattanooga Gas crews will begin the gas relocation operation at the intersection of East Ridge Avenue and Ringgold Road in nearby East Ridge, about six miles away from Chattanooga. The work is expected to be completed in about seven days. (City of East Ridge via Twitter)
• More housing is coming to downtown Chattanooga's Southside! A new multifamily, nine-unit building is slated for completion this year at East Main and Adams streets and could hold apartments or condominiums. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), only half of all shelter animals, about 3.2 million, are adopted each year. Millions of animals are waiting for their forever homes. Check out adoptable pets in the Chattanooga area, including an adorable mixed-breed dog named Elijah! (Chattanooga Patch)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.