🌱 Purple Lady Has Died + Coldest Chattanooga Weather In Eight Years

Hello and happy Friday! I'm back in your inbox this chilly winter morning with everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this newsletter mistyped “University of Tennessee at Chattanooga” as “University of Chattanooga.”

But first, today's weather:

Brisk and much colder. High: 16 Low: 11.

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Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. Sonia Young, better known as the Purple Lady, has died. The beloved Chattanooga icon was famous for her philanthropic efforts, her witty nature, and — most of all — her love for the city. A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Young also taught public speaking at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for over 30 years. She was 88 years old at the time of her death. (The Chattanoogan)
2. Bundle up, Chattanooga! An arctic blast is likely to bring about the coldest temperatures Chattanooga has experienced in almost eight years. Temperatures are expected to fall to the single digits. There may be brief snow showers, and winds are expected to gust at up to 30 miles per hour. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
3. After being wanted by authorities for over a decade on rape charges, a Chattanooga man has finally been captured. Mario Escobar was wanted for multiple rape charges, which involved a juvenile victim. Escobar was captured in Arizona. No additional details were available as of Thursday evening. (WTVC)

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Today in and around Chattanooga:

• Happy Hour at HiFi Clyde's (4:00 PM)
• NoogaLights at Chester Frost Park, Middle Valley (5:30 PM)
• Jesse Black Music at Big River Grille & Brewing Works (6:30 PM)

Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Chattanooga!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
• If you want to nominate a local athlete, click here.

From my notebook:

• Love live music? This list will give you the rundown of all the live music in Chattanooga through the rest of the year. (Chattanoogan)
• Celebrate New Year's Eve at Signal Mountain, and step into 2023 surrounded by local artists, vendors, and creatives! There will be finger food, dinner, and, of course, a midnight champagne toast. (AllEvents)
• Now your kids can get in on the end-of-year fun at New Years Bouncin' Eve! Let your little ones bounce into 2023 with this fun, family-friendly event. (Ticket Source)

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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— 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.