FRIDAY 161st YEAR • NO. 210 jANuARY 1, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 22 PAGES • 50¢ Emergency responders have mixed bag of personal resolutions for ’16 By ALLEN MINCEY best job it can. Banner Staff Writer Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson echoed those senti- ments for his department. It has been a busy year for the area’s emergency “My New Year’s resolutions include working hard to Gibson Maney Ramsey New Year’s responders — law enforcement, fire departments and oth- keep Bradley County's Crime Solvability Rate high ... one ers — and many are still working through the holidays. of the highest and best in the entire state of Tennessee, baby to get Several have made resolutions for 2016, but many are and continuing to be a good steward of the facilities much like Ed Ramsey, public information officer for the entrusted to me as sheriff by the people of Bradley Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, who said, “I don’t make County,” Watson said. “I also want to continue to set a gifts aplenty resolutions anymore. I haven’t done them in a long time.” positive example as a leader for our citizens and the From Staff Reports Bradley County Fire-Rescue Chief Troy Maney said employees of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.” much the same, adding that he really doesn’t have the Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson said he also wants The first baby of 2016 born at time to make such resolutions for himself. Like many, his department to be the best it can for the city of Tennova Hospital in Cleveland though, he said that he wants his department to be the Cleveland. His hiring as the new police chief was the top will receive a variety of gifts from best it can be to help those in the community in times of local merchants. need, and wants his department to continue doing the See RESPONDERS, Page 6 Spence Watson West The new parents will receive a $50 gift certificate from Cooke’s Food Store. Bank of Cleveland will help give the first baby of the Tragic year a good start financially, with City looks a $150 VISA gift card. From Cherokee Pharmacy, to continue APD 40 the New Year’s baby will receive a $50 gift certificate and a plush “It’s a Boy” or “It’s a Girl” toy. positives Epperson’s Inc. will give a accident “beautiful baby’s first gift” item, of 2015 said a representative. The Blackwell Law Offices will By JOYANNA LOVE takes life provide Mom and Dad with a Banner Senior Staff Writer simple will to ensure the new As old calendars were com- baby’s future is secure. ing down and new ones dis- of biker Coy’s Jewelers will provide played, city officials took time the first baby of 2016 with a to reflect on New Year’s Eve beautiful 14-kt. gold baby ring. 2015 and their The new mom and dad will be hopes and wreck closes year able to enjoy either breakfast or goals for 2016. C l e v e l a n d By ALLEN MINCEY dinner meals for two at The Mayor Tom Banner Staff Writer Chef. The Village Bake Shop will Rowland said be providing Mom and Dad with his best memo- A sad ending to 2015 occurred a dozen glazed doughnuts. ries of the past on Thursday as a Cleveland man The new parents will be able year are “merg- lost his life in a traffic accident to collect the gifts by coming by Rowland ing Christmas Banner photo, HOWARD PIERCE on APD 40. THE COMPLETION of improvements to Interstate 75 Exit 20 was a highlight of 2015 for city and the Cleveland Daily Banner and Memories and Charles Braddam, 46, was other area officials. killed when his motorcycle, a picking up an authorizing letter. the Empty Stocking fund, 2009 Kawasaki, crashed into a and being able 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Inside Today to serve more another Cleveland resident, Tim families,” and Massengill. The 9:30 p.m. wreck the opening of A time of change occurred near the Overhead Vols do battle the improved Bridge Road exit off APD 40, Interstate 75 according to Evie West, public The Tennessee Vols are set to Exit 20. information officer for the Cleveland Police Department. do battle with Northwestern in the Casteel Rowland called Personnel policies and safety Outback Bowl today. Alabama the completion According to West, Braddam’s and Clemson are bound for a of the road motorcycle crossed the median championship game duel. project “a stay on city’s forefront in ’15 on the heavily traveled road and Stanford and Iowa are ready for a dream come slid into oncoming traffic, where classic matchup at the Rose true for he was struck by the vehicle Bowl. TCU’s quarterback has By JOYANNA LOVE driven by Massengill. Braddam motorists.” Banner Senior Staff Writer apologized for assaulting a police C i t y was reportedly traveling away officer. See Sports, Page 13-15. M a n a g e r Policy and leadership changes, A YEAR IN REVIEW from the city, and Massengill Janice Casteel as well as safety concerns, were into Cleveland, when Braddam Forecast said her the focus for Cleveland govern- crossed into his path. West said that Braddam did Poe favorite memo- ment leaders in 2015. ry of 2015 on a The Cleveland Police not survive the injuries he sus- Today looks to be mostly cloudy, tained in the accident. with a high near 46. Tonight should professional level was “the Department received new leader- swearing in of our new police ship as Mark Gibson was selected Massengill was reportedly unin- be mostly clear and cold, with a low jured in the wreck. around 26. Saturday calls for sunny chief — Mark Gibson — and as chief and chose a new com- the swell of support he mand staff. The public information officer skies, with a high near 49. received from the City Council, “As I reflect on the year, with also added that investigation has Saturday night should be mostly Cleveland Police Department new leadership in our police led police to determine that clear, with a low around 30. and citizens of Cleveland.” department and with the valuable speed and alcohol could have On a personal note, a mem- help of our consultant Larry been factors in the crash, and Index ory Casteel treasures from Wallace, a new vision for the that these would be factors 2015 is spending time with her department has surfaced. I am involving the driver of the motor- Church........................................8-9 brothers and sisters, and their extremely proud that the depart- cycle, not the SUV operator. Classified................................20-21 families, at Myrtle Beach, S.C. ment has been reaccredited by As of the beginning of December 2015, Bradley County Comics.........................................17 “This year has really been a CALEA. This was not an easy good year for my family and process, but the evaluators saw had recorded nine more traffic Editorials......................................16 fatalities than the year before, Horoscope....................................17 business,” Vice Mayor George that our department is focused on Poe said. the finest and most professional according to the Tennessee Obituaries.......................................2 Highway Patrol. This latest Looking to the new year, department it can be,” Mayor Tom Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES Stocks............................................4 health goals are the focus of Rowland said of the CPD’s CLEVELAND CHIEF of Police Mark Gibson takes the oath of wreck would then place Bradley Sports......................................13-15 city leaders’ resolutions. approval by the Commission on office from Mayor Tom Rowland, right, at a 2015 City Council meet- County in the highest number of TV Schedule...........................18-19 Casteel said she is resolving Accreditation for Law ing. Gibson’s wife, Jerri, left, watches along with other family mem- wrecks involving deaths in the Weather........................................11 12-county Chattanooga THP See CITY, Page 6 See CHANGE, Page 6 bers and friends of the new chief. Around Town See ACCIDENT, Page 6 Adonia Johnson Latham being thought of by a friend ... Cuyler Trow and Cory LeGrand enjoying County officials resolve to move forward play time while school is out ... Buddy Smith retiring from the By BRIAN GRAVES firehall and looking forward to all Banner Staff Writer the time he’ll be spending with Maddie, Riley and Caden ... County officials are bracing for a new year full of new challenges Cindy Worley “winning big” at a and new projects. casino ... Bud Kinches hitting the Some of them took a moment to share their resolutions for a gym hard. county they all agree they want to see move forward. There is one thing County Mayor D. Gary Davis always wishes for, and he was not shy in stating it again. “I would resolve to maintain the level of service our citizens have 6489076 75112 Alford Blake Caywood Davis Peak Yarber See COUNTY, Page 6 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Friday, January 1, 2016 www.clevelandbanner.com Review: A look back, and a OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) technology wish list for 2016 Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office By ANICK JESDANUN A touch of the home button POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O. Box 3600, Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 AP Technology Writer bypasses the password by con- Published at 1505 25th Street, NW (P.O. Box 3600) firming you’re the one holding To submit an obituary, have the funeral home or cremation in Cleveland, TN 37320-3600, daily except Saturday NEW YORK (AP) — This past the phone. We need more such society in charge of arrangements e-mail the information to obitu- and Christmas day by Cleveland Newspapers, Inc.