🌱 Hope Community Fridge Opens + Suspect Wanted For Animal Abuse

Hello all! Let's get this week started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's going on these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 54 Low: 35.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chattanooga:

1. A new food pantry in Chattanooga held its grand opening this weekend. The Hope Community Fridge, located at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, offered fresh fruits and vegetables at Saturday's opening event. Founder Chaney Lanham encourages the community to help by dropping items off, spreading the word on social media, and volunteering to check on the fridge. (WDEF News 12)
2. Two people have been hospitalized in a Saturday shooting involving a stolen vehicle, according to the Chattanooga Police Department. Officials report a man called the department, saying he had been shot while attempting to make contact with his vehicle that had previously been stolen. Authorities were later notified of a second victim, who had been dropped off at the hospital in a vehicle that matched the stolen one. As of Sunday, both victims are said to have non-life-threatening injuries; the investigation is ongoing. (WTVC)
3. The Chattanooga Police Department and the McKamey Animal Center are working together to find a suspected animal abuser. Representatives from McKamey report that on Thursday night, officers responded to a call on Highway 153, where they found an emaciated and dehydrated dog. The dog, now called Asha, is currently under the care of the shelter and is reportedly "fighting for her life." Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact McKamey's Animal Protection Team. (WDEF News 12)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Free Slice Of Pizza For Kids On Mondays At Community Pie (11:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
• Steam Powered Fun At Downtown Library (5:00 PM)
• Scenic City Chorus - Weekly Open Rehearsal At Spring Creek Road Baptist Church (6:30 PM)
  

From my notebook:

• Looking for a new place to call home? Check out some of the latest properties to hit the Chattanooga market. Happy house hunting! (Chattanooga Patch)
• From the Lookout Wild Film Festival to MLK commemorations around town, here's a roundup of this week's events in and around Chattanooga. (Subscription: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• Wreaths Across Chattanooga is seeking volunteers to retire the wreaths placed on veterans' graves at Chattanooga National Cemetery. The wreath pick-up day is currently scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8:30 a.m. (The Chattanoogan)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.