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🌱 Patch AM: How serious is Chattanooga’s new flu surge, according to Erlanger?

Be sure to catch FREE Dalton Home Show on the Chattanooga Patch calendar

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Hi there, Chattanooga! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How serious is Chattanooga’s new flu surge, according to Erlanger?
  • Why this East Hamilton band director just earned a Golden Apple Award
  • What really happened when Chattanooga cleared the Hooker Road homeless camp?

Also on today's calendar: FREE Dalton Home Show and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Chattanoogafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Sponsored: BJ's Wholesale Club opening this winter in Chattanooga! Join today for just $40 (reg. $60) for 1 year and get a $10 reward for each $100+ spent, up to 15 times. Click here for details.

Find out what's happening in Chattanoogafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Cloudy and warmer, with a high of 70 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cloudy and warm, temps: high: 69, low: 60.
  • Friday: Cloudy, showers around; warm, with a high of 67 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Flu cases surging around Chattanooga, Erlanger says (local3news.com) — Health officials at Erlanger say flu cases are surging around Chattanooga, with positive tests now above 10% and most involving Influenza A. They’re urging residents to get vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene, cover coughs, and stay home when sick, especially as Southeast Tennessee nears peak flu season.
   

2. Golden Apple Award: Adam Miller, East Hamilton Middle School (wdef.com) — A Chattanooga band director at East Hamilton Middle School is being honored with this week’s Golden Apple Award for building a standout music program and strong student relationships. Adam Miller, a third‑generation band director, leads concert and jazz bands, supports countywide competitions, and has his own children in the East Hamilton system, deepening his ties to local schools.
   

3. Property owners ask Chattanooga Police to relocate homeless camp from Hooker Road site (newschannel9.com) — Property owners on Hooker Road in Chattanooga asked police to clear a homeless camp from their private land, and city staff have been offering housing and rehab options to those displaced. Officials say remaining residents agreed they had to leave, but at least one city resident publicly criticized the impact on dozens of people and their pets. The situation highlights ongoing tensions around homelessness solutions in Chattanooga.
   

4. Chattanooga city council approves ordinance for earlier retirement of carriage horses (newschannel9.com) — Chattanooga’s City Council has approved new rules that let carriage horses retire earlier and require more vet checks and lighter workloads as they age. The ordinance also adds protections for pregnant mares and tightens temperature limits. Supporters say the changes are meant to prevent problems and preserve the tradition of horse-drawn carriage tours downtown.
   

5. Chief: Chattanooga saw fewer fires in 2025, but EMS calls increased (newschannel9.com) — Chattanooga’s fire chief reports that overall fire calls and multi-vehicle crashes dropped in 2025, but rescue and EMS calls jumped to more than 10,000. Sharing the data with City Council, he credited school and neighborhood education for fewer fires and outlined plans to expand community outreach before and after emergencies.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE: I took her to the vet and she is not chipped.
    They determined by ger teeth that she is less than 1 year old. She is a strong puppy and about yanked my arm out of socket. I do not think she has… (Nextdoor Tyner)
  • Weve got another cutie joining our daycare program today!
    This is Gypsy, an adorable German shepherd pup just a little over a year old. She joined our group for the first time today to dip her toe into some… (Nextdoor Elements of Chattanooga)
  • MISSING: The Tennessee Department of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for a man missing out of Shelby County, TN.-... (X: Local3News)
  • The. took the unprecedented step Monday of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child -- leaving other immunizations, such as... (X: TimesFreePress)
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Grocery Team Member (Stocker, Inventory, Floor Service, Customer Service) - Part Time in Chattanooga. Apply here.
  • Mars, Incorporated posted a job opening for Forklift Operator-12 Hour Night Shift in Chattanooga. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chattanooga here.

Ok Chattanooga! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
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