Plus, get fresh peaches from The Peach Truck.
 
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86º | 7% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. | Sunset 8:43 p.m.
 

What’s in store for FY25?

Breaking down the proposed FY25 budget for Hamilton County
NOOGAtoday | Chattanooga
Check out the breakdown of the proposed budget for Hamilton County’s 2025 fiscal year. | Photo by Papa Bear via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp recently presented his proposed 2025 fiscal year budget for the county, notably without a property tax increase.

Note: The 2025 fiscal year will begin on Monday, July 1 + run through Monday, June 30, 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of the budget’s key initiatives:

Investing in young families
  • Expanding the Health Department’s Parents as Teachers program through $800,000 of new grant funding.
  • Establishing the Center for Thriving Families.
  • Increasing funding for the Women, Infants, and Children program by $600,000.
Expanding road improvements
  • Providing additional funding + equipment for the Highway Department to resurface 40+ miles of road and install reflectors on 15 county roads.
Improving community facilities + revitalizing the riverfront
  • Investing $2 million in community parks (including significant upgrades to the Harrison Center + Birchwood Community Center).
  • Enhancing youth recreation facilities across the county.
  • Committing a preliminary amount of $700,000 to riverfront revitalization + Riverpark upgrades.
NOOGAtoday | Mayor Weston Wamp

“Despite revenue constraints, we are proud to have prioritized innovative approaches in fighting the opioid crisis, substantial support for parents and young families, new investments in community parks, and an expanded investment into road infrastructure,” said Mayor Wamp.

|

Photo by @dynamostudios via @hamcotngov

Investing in county employees
  • Allocating $4.2 million to cover increased health insurance costs.
  • Providing a 2% cost of living increase (minimum of $1,000) for county employees.
Committing to public safety
  • Funding for new drone software for the Office of Emergency Management + expanding funding for volunteer fire departments.
  • Budgeting to allow for six additional school resource officers.
  • Providing supplemental pay for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.
  • Expanding funding to the Partnership for Families, Children & Adults, the Children’s Advocacy Center + Family Justice Center.
Additionally, funding will go towards the creation of an Overdose Quick Response Team led by Hamilton County EMS to support overdose victims + facilitate rehabilitation plans.

Note: The Hamilton County Commission will vote on the proposed budget on Wednesday, June 26.

“We have prioritized our county employees to maintain the quality of services for our citizens,” said Mayor Wamp. “I look forward to collaborating with the Hamilton County Commission to implement this budget and support our growing community.”
 
Events
Wednesday, May 22
  • Networking & Neurodiversity | Wednesday, May 22 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Floor Five of The Edney, 1100 Market St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Connect with inclusive employers at this event with game areas + breakaway spaces.
Thursday, May 23
  • “Art Deco Glass” | Thursday, May 23 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | Free | Be one of the first to view the museum’s newest exhibit featuring works from the David Huchthausen Collection.
Friday, May 24
  • Chattanooga Fairy & Folk Festival | Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26 | 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Rd., Chattanooga | $7-$25 | Celebrate the magic of nature + folklore at this festival.
  • Free Movie Night | Friday, May 24 | 8-11:30 p.m. | Tennessee Riverpark, Hubert Fry Center Oval, 4301 Amnicola Hwy., Chattanooga | Free+ | Bring the family out for free popcorn, games, and a screening of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Saturday, May 25
  • Zine Fest | Saturday, May 25 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free+ | See and purchase zines by past and current Stove Works residents.
  • Banana Pudding Festival | Saturday, May 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Dr., Collegedale | Free+ | Shop from over 100 vendors while enjoying food, live music, a petting zoo, and more family fun.
  • Chattanooga Beer Fest | Saturday, May 25 | 12-3 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | $48 | Sip on brews from 25+ local, national, and international breweries.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
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The Father’s Day gifts he’ll ask for every year
Harlestons-National-05.22.24 (2).gif
It’s not too late to order the Harlestons Seaside Hoodie, Seaside Pullover, or Seaside Pocket Polo for Father’s Day. | Photos by Drew Somerville
Calling all children, partners, and friends of dads everywhere: Harlestons’ Seaside Collection will have the men in your life wishing Father’s Day — ahem, coming up on Sunday, June 16 — was every day.

Mix and match any of the pieces in the Seaside Collection (including the hoodie, polo, and quarter-zip) to create a complete look perfect for Father’s Day. Wearable throughout every season, Harlestons’ easy-care, performance fabric keeps you both cozy and cool all year long.
    Father's Day gifts that won't miss
    News Notes
    Civic
    • CALEB + the Chattanooga Association for Defense Lawyers will host a community event on Thursday, May 30 at The Historic from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a social hour, a presentation, and Q+A discussing bail hearings.
    Cause
    • The Community Association of Historic St. Elmo will host its annual Great American Yard Sale on Saturday, May 25, benefiting the Chattanooga Veterans Coalition. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., folks can walk around the neighborhood to shop for antiques, furniture, home decor, and more.
    Community
    • The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is seeking volunteers for National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1. Starting at 9 a.m., helping hands will work on clearing the Bluff Trail (leading to Sunset Rock) from invasive species + debris while conducting general beautification efforts.
    Ranked
    • Guess who’s back on another “Best Places to Live” list. That’s right, the Scenic City ranked No. 27 on US World & News Report’s roundup, cited as being the “comeback kid of Tennessee.” Bonus: The city also ranks No. 85 for “Best Places to Retire.”
    Biz
    • La Paz Chattanooga has announced the promotion of Vivian Lozano from its director of social impact to chief operating officer — a new position for the nonprofit. Notably, Lozano will provide staff support and oversee partnerships + initiatives. (Chattanoogan.com)
    Kids
    • SoundCorps is partnering with the Junior Appalachian Musicians program to offer low-cost instructions to 4th-8th graders. In a 12-week course (June 11-Aug. 28), students will learn how to play the fiddle, banjo, or guitar. Register by Friday, June 7.
    Outdoors
    • The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy recently appointed Alex Wyss as its new executive director. Wyss, who has over 30 years of experience in conservation, will work with his team to “expand public accessibility, inspire the next generation, and strengthen environmental stewardship within state parks.”
    Try This
    • Want to get your brand in front of our readers? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Display and Branded Content. Psst... social posts are now available. Get started today.
    Health
    • Wild Health creates you a personalized 50-page report detailing your ideal nutrition, exercise, and recovery plan — all based off your genetics + biometrics. Get 20% off with code WH20.*
     
    Try This

    🍑 We’re feeling just peachy

    The Peach Truck to travel to Chattanooga
    The Peach Truck tents with lines of people picking up boxes of peaches.
    Get your hands on some farm fresh peaches this summer. | Photo provided by The Peach Truck
    Each summer, Nashville-based company The Peach Truck hits the road to deliver boxes of farm fresh peaches across the country. Soon, the truck will make its first few pit stops in and around Chattanooga.

    Folks can place an order online for their box of peaches before pick up. Note: The boxes weigh 12 pounds and are $45 (there are discounts if you choose to order more than one box).

    After selecting the quantity, you’ll choose a pickup date, location, and time. Here’s where the truck will be stationed:
    • Saturday, May 25 | East Ridge Church of the Nazarene | 8:30-10:30 a.m.
    • Saturday, May 25 | Tractor Supply Co. (Fort Oglethorpe, GA) | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 26 | Hamilton Place Mall | 8:30-10:30 a.m.
    • Sunday, May 26 | Finders Keepers Discount Store | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 26 | Northgate Mall | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Bonus: The Peach Truck will make its rounds through the Scenic City again in June, July, and August if you need to get your peach fix at a later date.
    See the full season schedule
    Asked

    What’s your favorite way to eat peaches?
    A. Pie/cobbler
    B. Ice cream/milkshake
    C. Jams/jellies
    D. On salads
    E. On their own
    F. Other
    Practice what you peach
    The Buy

    Group B, The Buy 5.22.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
    Lululemon’s everywhere belt bag, which you truly can take everywhere, from errands to hikes to shopping. Points for being hands-free.
     
    The Wrap
     
    Kristen Templeton

    Today’s edition by:
    Kristen
    From the editor
    Personally, my favorite way to enjoy a peach is cooked in brown sugar with ice cream and granola — bonus points if it’s from Chattanooga-based Noke’s Granola.
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