🌱 Fire Destroys Birchwood Home + CFD Responds To 2,700 Calls In 2022

Good morning, everybody! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your fresh copy of the Chattanooga Daily, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a thunderstorm; mild. High: 64 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories today in Chattanooga:

1. A fire on Thursday around 5:57 p.m. destroyed a Birchwood home in the 13000 block of Boyd Tree Hollow. The home off Grasshopper Road was down a difficult to access dirt road but responding Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department was able to bring the fire under control quickly. No injuries were reported. (The Chattanoogan)
2. The Chattanooga Fire Department had its highest-ever call volume in 2022. The department responded to a total of 24,500 calls which included over 290 structure fires, 2,700 to assist a citizen, and almost 10,000 for EMS/motor vehicle crashes. The department saved an estimated $151,500,000 in damages to property this year and the data shows 2022 saw a 17 percent increase in fires in the city. In 2021, the department had responded to 23,356 calls. (The Chattanoogan)
3. One of Chattanooga's top news reporters, Bill Mitchell, is retiring from WDEF Channel 12. Mitchell, who's career spans 62 years, spent the last 26 years with the news outlet. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly presented Mitchell with a key to the city to congratulate him on his much-deserved retirement. (Local 3 News)

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Today in Chattanooga:

• Neon Moon: The Ultimate 90's Country Tribute Band W/ Zach Dylan At The Signal (9:00 PM)
• Ring Ring Ring In 2023 At Dave & Buster's (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Chattanooga area at the link! (Chattanooga Patch)
• Chattanooga was the only place in the country where "petting zoo near me" was a top trending Google search in 2022. See all the trends for the city at the link! (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! Happy New Year!

— 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.