🌱 Tennessee Riverpark Reopening! + Hamill Rd RR Crossing Reroute

Hello again, Chattanooga! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Chattanooga Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Chattanooga Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Chattanooga long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Sunny and warmer. High: 55 Low: 25.

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Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. After being partially closed to the public since December 2020 for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department will be fully reopening Tennessee Riverpark on Monday, Feb. 28. COVID operations will be relocating to the health department's main campus at 921 East Third Street. Parks and Rec director Tom Lamb told The Pulse that his department "looks forward to welcoming back visitors to all sections of the park." (Chattanooga Pulse)
2. The City of Chattanooga has launched a program to automatically reroute emergency services and commenter traffic around the Hamill Road railroad crossing. According to Tennessee State Representative Robin Smith, there will be an interconnected signaling device that flashes lights when the train occupies the crossing. "That way people will understand not to take that particular route," said Smith. Being able to route around the crossing could make a big difference for emergency vehicles and residents trying to reach Hixson Memorial Hospital, one-eighth of a mile away. (WDEF News 12)
3. One out of 17 ambulances in Hamilton County is unable to operate due to EMS staffing shortages, according to FOX Chattanooga. Jason Payne, the Chattanooga Puckett EMS General Manager, says a contributor is the pandemic, particularly the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. "I would say 40 percent of my staff at one time or the other were COVID positive," said Payne. Leaders in Hamilton County are also currently considering higher pay for EMS workers to increase recruitment, and Payne pointed to Puckett's internal training program to increase the number of paramedics. (foxchattanooga.com)

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Today in Chattanooga:

• Ruins Of Old Harrison Kayak Tour, Hosted By Outdoor Chattanooga (9:00 AM)
• Alton Park Community Market At The Bethlehem Center (12:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Dogs, cats, and other adorable pets are ready and waiting to be adopted from these Chattanooga-area animal shelters. Check out our roundup for details! (Chattanooga Patch)
• First responders from all over Hamilton County are honoring and remembering beloved paramedic Ellen Geeslin, who served with the Red Bank Fire Department for 44 years before passing away of COVID-19 this week. (foxchattanooga.com)
• The City of Chattanooga Park Stewards Program has announced it will be participating in the eighth annual Weed Wrangle on Saturday, Mar. 5. Get the details on The Chattanoogan. (The Chattanoogan)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Kayla Harrison

About me: Kayla Harrison is a Writing Arts professor, as well as a freelance writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. In her free time, you can find her listening to podcasts, writing poetry, and visiting local coffee shops.