SPORTS: LOCAL NEWS: Bradley Bearettes Arbor Day break out the observances big bats: Page 11 ready: Page 4 162nd YEAR • No. 307 26 PAGES • 50¢ CLEVELAND, TN 37311 THE CITY WITH SPIRIT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017 Gibson, Watson dispel TMVC closes Watson rivalry claims by media complaint with warning By BRIAN GRAVES blown out of proportion. By BRIAN GRAVES Commerc, confirmed to the [email protected] “The relationship is great,” [email protected] Cleveland Daily Banner that Watson said. “I think it’s the the commission opened com- The leaders of the county’s best relationship in many The Tennessee Motor plaints “related to a recent two major law enforcement years. Chief Gibson is just a Vehicle Commission has story that appeared [in a agencies said Wednesday the phone call away and I’m a closed its case against Chattanooga newspaper].” relationship between the two phone call away from him. We Bradley County Sheriff Eric Walters said at the time a has never been better. speak to each other all the Watson with a letter of warn- check of the Motor Vehicle Cleveland Police Chief Mark time.” ing. Commission files showed no Gibson and Bradley County Watson noted for the first The decision came during evidence of a complaint or Sheriff Eric Watson appeared time ever the two depart- a meeting of the state com- reports of off-site sales or in a live joint interview this ments are now having their mission on Monday. curbstoning in the Cleveland morning with MIX 104.1’s special response teams train- The commission responded area, in reference to the Steve Hartline and a ing together. to allegations which were business or individual during Cleveland Daily Banner “Our forensic teams work made by a Chattanooga the past 12 months. reporter. together on crime scenes and Banner photo, DANIEL GUY newspaper suggesting that "Watson is properly The leaders of local law anytime [the CPD] needs a Watson was "curbstoning," licensed through September enforcement appeared in the CLEVELAND POLICE CHIEF Mark Gibson, left, and Bradley County Sheriff the practice of selling open- piece of equipment we have, Eric Watson, met at the Mix 104.1 studio to assure the Cleveland and Bradley 2018, and is associated with wake of a story last week in a they get it and anytime we title cars on the side of the Best Buy Auto & Leasing Chattanooga newspaper con- need something from them, County community, which they serve, that communication between their road. which is properly licensed cerning inmate refusals at the we get it,” the sheriff said. respective departments is open and healthy. Mix morning co-host Steve In December, Larry through March 2018 and is Bradley County Jail. “Me and Chief Gibson have Hartline, and Cleveland Daily Banner writer Brian Graves, provided interview Walters, communications owned by Everett E. Pierce," Both law enforcement vet- questions touching on stories recently in the news, such as the recent Bradley director for the Tennessee erans said the story has been See CLAIMS, Page 4 County Justice Center prisoner refusals. Department of Insurance and See TMVC, Page 6 Relay for Life State budget gearing up for amendment inspiring day sets $11.8M on Saturday By ALLEN MINCEY for TVA use [email protected] Downtown Cleveland will be filled Saturday with many people doing their part Funds reimburse to battle cancer, help those with the dis- ease, and raise funds for research. They will also have some fun in doing agency for rafting so, as the 2017 Relay for Life will be held around the Bradley County Courthouse By BRIAN GRAVES Square beginning at 9 a.m. The Relay will [email protected] continue throughout the day for 12 hours, ending with the luminary ceremo- Gov. Bill Haslam surprised many Tuesday ny from 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. when it was revealed his amendment to the pro- “It is an enjoyable day, and we hope for posed state budget included $11.8 million to great weather, since we have experienced reimburse the Tennessee Valley Authority for some bad storms before," said Relay for revenues lost when the Ocoee River runs free to Life community manager Chrissy Seals. allow for whitewater rafting Last year's Relay was affected by heavy activities. rains. Currently, TVA has a water Following an opening announcement release agreement which was about the Relay at 9 a.m., there will be a negotiated in 1984 under a new event as part of the morning — a contract under which TVA was “morning stretch” — at 9:30 a.m. Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY paid $6.4 million over the last The opening ceremony, including a wel- 35 years. That contract is set come by Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland LEE UNIVERSITY was the site for Monday’s preparation of survivor bags to be handed out at to expire in at the end of 2018. and National Anthem performed by Saturday’s Relay for Life. Clockwise, from left, are Lee students Madison Dressier and Gabby Farrell; Lee Reports were TVA was going Assistant Professor of Biology Jonathan Cornett; and Lee students Mercy Kehinde-Ige and Wellecia to request $1.8 million a year See RELAY FOR LIFE, Page 6 Mullings. under a new agreement, but a TVA spokesperson told the Bell Cleveland Daily Banner in June 2016 that was not the case. Candy’s Creek bids expected by 5 contractors "TVA is not requesting $1.8 million," Scott Fiedler of TVA Education chairperson Dawn Robinson. Templeton laid out the expectations for the ele- said at the time. "While the By SARALYN NORKUS final amount is still a subject [email protected] The excitement was mostly due to the fact mentary school project. There are four that the building of the new elementary school allowances, including: of negotiations, that figure There was a full house at the Cleveland City is now one step closer. — $50,000 testing allowance more accurately reflects the Schools Administrative Office Building as con- In Robinson’s 23 years on the school board, — $275,000 allowance in a general contin- costs to multiple agencies, tractors and sub-contractors turned up for the including TVA, the U.S. Forest there has been over $100 million invested in gency for miscellaneous work Howell Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School pre- projects for the school system. — $20,000 for additional graphics, such as a Service and the state, for lost bid meeting Tuesday afternoon. “The city should pat themselves on the backs, logo on the gym floor power generation, permitting, Five contractors had gone through the RFQ they’ve done a tremendous job supporting the — $15,000 planting allowance to cover the maintenance and other services directly sup- process and pre-qualified, and seven other sub- schools,” Robinson declared. cost of purchasing trees and shrubs. porting the whitewater industry. contractors were also present at the meeting. According to elected build site representative He also explained that CCS will be handling "TVA fully understands the outfitters' con- The five contractors expected to submit bids Hal Taylor, the school system estimated the the intercom and security for the school, as well cerns, and we are committed to continue to are Rentenbach, Wilson Construction, J&J Candy’s Creek project costing $15.66 million, as the HVAC controls and purchasing the HVAC work with them to help build the whitewater Contractors, Tri-Con and Merit Construction. which includes technology and furniture. The units. industry in Polk County," Fiedler said. Sealed bids are due in on May 11 and will be property came in around $1.7 million and is not The Candy’s Creek Cherokee project also has This new twist comes as State Finance opened at 2 p.m. sharp. included in that $15.66 number. Bids for the nine so-called “add alternates.” Those alternates Commissioner Larry Martin testified before leg- “We were very excited to see all of the con- project are estimated to be around $15 million. tractors come out,” said CCS Board of Upland Design Group architect Brian See BIDS, Page 6 See AMENDMENT, Page 6 AROUND TOWN WEATHER INDEX Classified......................15-17 Opinion...............................14 Jenn Corbitt picking rocks out of Today looks to be sunny, with a high near 83. her softball uniform ... “Speedy” Tonight calls for increasing clouds and a low Comics...............................24 Stocks...................................4 Hannah Deal expecting to win the around 64. Thursday calls for clouds and a 60 Horoscope.........................24 Sports.................. 11-13, 15 “Blazing Fury” award ... Emily percent chance of showers or thunderstorms, 6489076 75112 Rogers letting someone break in with a high near 77. Thursday night should be Lifestyles.....................19-21 TV Schedule.......................25 before her in an important line. partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Obituaries.............................2 Weather................................9 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Wednesday, April 26, 2017 www.clevelandbanner.com Bradley NTHS to hold auction OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office on Saturday POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O. Box 3600, Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 From Staff Reports Published at 1505 25th Street, NW (P.O. Box 3600) To submit an obituary, have the funeral home or cremation his father, Paul Clenton Hutto. in Cleveland, TN 37320-3600, daily except Saturday The National Technical society in charge of arrangements e-mail the information to obitu- He leaves behind to cherish and Christmas day by Cleveland Newspapers, Inc. Honor Society at Bradley [email protected] and fax to 423-614-6529, attention his memory his loving wife, Phone (423) 472-5041. Central High School is prepar- Obits.