Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What a “billion dollar” makeover could bring to Walnut Street’s old jail
Spotted on the Chattanooga calendar: FREE Dalton Home Show

Greetings Chattanooga! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What a “billion dollar” makeover could bring to Walnut Street’s old jail
- Firefighter falls through floor during Hunter Road blaze, then returns to work
- How a Rivermont student’s silent protest led to Sugar Bowl tickets
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: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (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.
- Thursday: Cloudy and warm, with a high of 69 and low of 60 degrees.
- Friday: Cloudy, showers around; warm, temps: high: 67, low: 62.
- Saturday: Some rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 67 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Former County Jail On Walnut Street Set For "Billion Dollar" Film, Music, Tech Complex (chattanoogan.com) — Downtown Chattanooga’s former Hamilton County Jail on Walnut Street is slated to become a privately financed, “billion dollar” film, music, and tech hub, with no county funding requested. Developer Jimmy White envisions studios, residential suites named for stars, a helipad, and a new Bijou Auditorium, saying the project could be finished within 18 months once the county approves a long-term lease.
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2. Firefighter Self-Extricates After Falling Through Floor During Hunter Road House Fire (wdef.com) — A firefighter responding to a house fire on Hunter Road in Chattanooga fell through the floor but managed to pull himself out and return to work without injury. Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department crews rescued one person from the home, who was taken by Hamilton County EMS to a hospital, where their condition remains unknown.
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3. Young Georgia fan's silence speaks volumes and scores Sugar Bowl tickets for his family (newschannel9.com) — A Chattanooga elementary schooler’s refusal to sing “Rocky Top” during a Rivermont Elementary Christmas concert has turned into Sugar Bowl tickets and national attention for his family. The 11-year-old Georgia fan describes the moment on stage, the surprise visit from Fanatics at his Chattanooga home, and what it was like being recognized by strangers in New Orleans and even after returning to school.
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4. Tennessee ranks fourth for most incoming movers, U-Haul says (timesfreepress.com) — Tennessee continues to attract new residents, ranking fourth nationally for people moving in, but Chattanooga’s growth is slower than booming Middle Tennessee cities. New estimates put Chattanooga’s 2024 population at 191,496, up 5.4% since 2020, while statewide projections suggest Tennessee could reach more than 9 million residents by 2070.
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5. TSWA's D-II all-state football team includes 21 Chattanooga stars (timesfreepress.com) — Twenty-one players from Chattanooga’s Baylor, McCallie, Boyd Buchanan, Notre Dame, and Silverdale Baptist earned spots on the TSWA Division II all-state football teams after standout 2025 seasons. Local stars like Baylor’s Briggs Cherry and David Gabriel Georges headline a group that powered multiple deep playoff runs and a state championship. It’s a big recognition moment for Chattanooga private-school football.
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📸 Around Chattanooga
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Chattanooga
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- FREE Dalton Home Show
Dalton Convention Center 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway Dalton, Georgia 30720
12:00 pm - GOLDN Dance Party
The Signal [Choo Choo Ave], 21 Choo Choo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402
5:30 pm - The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Chattanooga, TN
DoubleTree by Hilton Chattanooga Hamilton Place , 2232 Center St , Chattanooga
6:00 pm - 2000s Night - 18+
The Signal - Concert Hall, 21 Choo Choo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402
9:00 pm - Opening Reception: Wood-turned Vessels & Abstract Landscape Paintings
River Gallery , 400 E 2nd St , Chattanooga
6:00 pm - Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church , 1505 N Moore Rd , Chattanooga
6:30 pm - The Imposters Tour - Drop the Leash and Dead & Bloated
The Signal , 21 Choo Choo Ave , Chattanooga
8:00 pm - Chris D'Elia: Go For It!
The Signal , 21 Choo Choo Ave , Chattanooga
8:00 pm
Friday January 9
Saturday January 10
Friday January 16
📣 Chattanooga Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- 1st Farmers Market of 2026
Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., Inc. , 5829 Main St , Collegedale
3:00 pm - Art After Dark: Teen Edition
Downtown Branch - Chattanooga Public Library , 1001 Broad St , Chattanooga
6:00 pm - 2000s Night
The Signal , 21 Choo Choo Ave , Chattanooga
9:00 pm - Chattanooga Crappie Club Fishing Tournament
Chester Frost Park Boat Ramp , 2277 Gold Point Circle N , Hixson
5:30 am
Thursday January 8
Saturday January 10
Sunday January 11
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Chattanooga PatchAM possible:
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lost gold chain and pendant at greenway farms
12/30- lost male gold pendant and chain at Greenway Farms on trail. Huge sentimental and emotional meaning, if found please reach out. (Nextdoor Alpine) - PSA: I got 16 emails supposedly from Apple telling me my Apple Pay acct had been updated.
If you get one of these, it is a SCAM. Don’t respond or call the number indicated. DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY STAY SAFE. (Nextdoor Community In East Brainerd)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Chattanooga. Apply here.
- American Eagle Outfitters posted a job opening for Aerie - Stock Associate - Evening (Off-Hours) 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 needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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