🌱 McCallie School Poet Laureate Dies + Potential Helmet Law Changes

Hey, everybody! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening around 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:

Warm with periods of sun. High: 74 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chattanooga:

1. Chattanooga firefighters are investigating how a vacant house under construction caught fire Sunday night. Crews responded just before 10:00 p.m. to the 2700 block of Roanoke Avenue after multiple reports of a home on fire. Crews had the blaze under control within five minutes of arrival and protected a nearby home from damage. (The Chattanoogan)
2. Kemmer "Yogi" Anderson, the McCallie School’s unofficial poet laureate, died unexpectedly on Friday after collapsing during the funeral service of a former student. Anderson retired in 2019 after a 42-year career but remained active in school life, often attending campus events and visiting former students and faculty members. "We will always remember his booming voice, his bright eyes filled with passion and wonder, and his classroom wanderings, which somehow, amazingly, his students were able to follow and appreciate more than adults,” said Head of School Lee Burns. (The Chattanoogan)
3. A proposed Tennessee bill could loosen the state's current motorcycle helmet law, letting some bikers ages 21 and up ride without one. Currently, the law says all motorcyclists must wear a helmet, but the new bill states "if the person is covered by health or medical insurance other than insurance through TennCare" then they would be exempt from wearing a helmet. The Tennessee House Transportation Subcommittee and the Tennessee Senate Transportation and Safety Committee plan to discuss this proposal on Wednesday. (FOX Chattanooga)

Today in and around Chattanooga:

• The Great Pages Circus At National Guard Armory, Monteagle (4:30 PM or 7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Chattanooga Police Department is expecting the number of pedestrians hit by traffic to increase as the weather gets warmer. The department provided tips to stay safe when crossing the road. (Chattanooga Police Department via Facebook)
• Calling all job hunters! Check out this roundup of open job opportunities in the Chattanooga area, including positions in customer service, sales, warehousing, and more. (Chattanooga Patch)
• Are you on the search for a new place to call home? Here are five of the newest property listings in the Chattanooga area, including a three-bedroom, two-bathroom for $239,000. (Chattanooga Patch)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up 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.