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Hamilton County, Chattanooga Hit by Data Breach Affecting Thousands

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Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga have announced separate but related data breaches stemming from a cybersecurity incident at Nationwide Recovery Services, a collection agency based in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The breach has potentially compromised the personal and financial information of thousands of individuals, including patients of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and those whose debt collection data was handled by the city.

Hamilton County officials disclosed last Thursday that they were notified of a breach of protected health information (PHI) after receiving an email from Nationwide Recovery Services on July 14, 2024. The email contained a letter confirming a cybersecurity event that had been reported to federal law enforcement. Subsequent investigations revealed that unauthorized access to Nationwide Recovery Services’ network occurred between July 5 and July 11, 2024, resulting in the copying of sensitive files and folders.

The compromised data potentially includes names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial account information, and medical-related information belonging to Hamilton County EMS patients. According to the county’s notification, 14,084 individuals’ PHI was affected. Letters will be sent to these individuals once the investigation is complete and mailing addresses are verified.

“Hamilton County sincerely regrets that this has happened, and apologizes for any inconvenience this breach may have caused our citizens,” the county’s notification stated. “Hamilton County government is committed to providing quality patient care, including protecting your personal information.”

Meanwhile, the City of Chattanooga also learned of its involvement in the breach through a letter dated February 7, 2025, from Nationwide Recovery Services. The agency, which provides debt collection services to the city, had initially sent an email notification on July 14, 2024. City officials are now investigating why this initial notification failed to reach the appropriate channels.

“The failure of this information to reach necessary channels is an unacceptable error,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly’s office said in a statement. “We will launch a thorough investigation into how this information failed for so long to reach necessary channels, and we will share the results of that investigation with the public, while taking the necessary steps to ensure this kind of error never happens again.”

City spokesperson Eric Holl emphasized that there is no indication that any data beyond debt collection services was affected. The City Attorney’s office has written to Nationwide Recovery Services, demanding that they notify all potentially affected individuals and offer complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection.

Both the city and county are urging affected individuals to monitor their credit and medical records closely. Hamilton County has established a dedicated contact for inquiries: individuals can contact the county’s privacy officer, Angela Duncan, by phone at 833-484-8671 or by email at HIPAA@HamiltonTN.gov, using the subject line “HIPAA Breach.”

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter, Inc. Hosts its’ Sisterhood Symposium: Health is Wealth

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter, Inc. (NCBW) will host its’ Sisterhood Symposium: Health is Wealth on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Family Justice Center located at5705 Uptain Rd.  Check in and On-Site registration begins promptly at 9:30 am. The Sisterhood Symposium is a free health conference for women and young girls, ages 13 and up.  The symposium will provide a variety of health and wellness topics from women’s health, improving health outcomes, childhood, and family obesity, to culturally competent research that will be presented by local health experts.  Health is one of the NCBW’s primary areas of focus in its’ advocacy efforts. 

“Let’s build wellness rather than treat disease”, said Michalle Morris MSN APRN APN-C, NCBW’s Health Committee Chair.  “Attendees can expect interactive panel discussions, wellness activities, and workshops that address current challenges in women’s health. Networking opportunities will also be available, allowing participants to connect with professionals and advocates in the medical field.”

A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as door prizes given and other surprises for attendees. Due to limited seating, registration is required and may be done by registering on Eventbrite or by scanning QR Code on flyer found throughout the city.

Parking will be at Family Justice Center and directly across from the Family Justice Center.

For more information about the organization, please visit our website at www.ncbw-chattanooga.org. The mission of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. is to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.  Virginia Harris is National President and Elizabeth Appling is President of the local NCBW chapter.

Tennessee High Schools to Require Success Sequence

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Tennessee will require local education districts to implement and instruct students on a success sequence to high school students. This standardized pathway of life choices will be taught as students are making key decisions, entering critical relationships, and choosing a vocation and career.

What student doesn’t want to succeed? What parent doesn’t what their child to succeed?

And what is this “Success Sequence” that will be required as mandatory instruction beginning July 1, 2026?

It’s an approach to ordering one’s choices in a sequence that impacts three of society’s key institutions: education, work, and marriage.

Research has demonstrated that those who follow this sequence experience completely different outcomes than those individuals who reorder the sequence of certain choices.

The success sequence requires that an individual first complete high school and pursues a postsecondary degree, via apprenticeships and internships, or by completing college or university. Second, the individual enters the workforce. Third, this individual enters a stable relationship and marries before the fourth step, which is to have a child.

In research analysis, ninety-five percent of Millennials–those who are currently aged 29-44 years old, regardless of race–who didn’t grow up with both biological parents, yet chose to follow this sequence of steps, are not considered “poor” as adults. The overwhelming majority of Black Millennials (96%) and Hispanic Millennials(97%) who followed this sequence are not “poor” in their mid-30s (ages 32 to 38).

The legislation passed the Tennessee House 73-20 and the Senate, 25-5, along partisan lines.

Studies and research have been ongoing and showing consistent results at the University of Virginia, the University of Wisconsin, the American Enterprise Institute, the Institute for Family Studies, and the Brookings Institute. Specifically, the Institute for Research on Poverty featured researcher Brad Wilcox who has definitively demonstrated that those who did not follow this success sequence of decision-making were significantly more likely to experience poverty.

Of the Millennial adults who reordered their life choices and did not follow this proven sequence, 53% of these young adults are living in poverty. In dramatic contrast, only 3% of the young adults who did follow the success sequence in ordering their life choices are poor.

As you read various media reports about this new requirement in Tennessee high schools, a common word is used by many to describe this law. The instructional idea is deemed “controversial” by those who oppose this approach.

Why? No one is perfect. Wanting the best, teaching the best, and encouraging the best for our students should not threaten us at all. The new legislation gives parents an opportunity to talk with their students and to acknowledge that life is often unpredictable and requires flexibility. However, there seems to be a proven path of success. Try to tread that path!

Chattanooga Celebrates as America’s First National Park City

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Bryson “Cupid” Bernard, Lafayette, Louisiana native and creator of the global hit Cupid Shuffle, will headline a free concert Saturday, April 19, on the Chattanooga Green to kick off Earth Week festivities.
Dr. Daniel Raven-Ellison, an environmental scientist and National Geographic Explorer, uses guerrilla geography to promote urban biodiversity and advocate for urban green spaces.

Chattanooga has officially been named North America’s first National Park City, joining London and Adelaide (the capital city of South Australia) as only the third city worldwide to receive this prestigious designation. The announcement comes after a comprehensive peer review process coordinated by the National Park City Foundation, with support from Salzburg Global and World Urban Parks.

To celebrate this historic achievement, Chattanooga will host a free concert on Saturday, April 19 from noon-7 p.m. on the Chattanooga Green, across from Ross’s Landing and the Tennessee Aquarium. The event kicks off Earth Week with performances from Soul Aerobics, MillionDollaMan, Rachel McIntyre Smith, The Essentials, Slim Pickins, and Cupid–creator of the global hit Cupid Shuffle.

“Here in Chattanooga, we’ve used the National Park City movement to encourage folks to think about Chattanooga as a city in a park, rather than a city with some parks in it,” said Mayor Tim Kelly in a video message celebrating the achievement. “The outdoors is our competitive advantage. It’s at the heart of our story of revitalization, and it’s core to our identity.”

The journey to this designation began in late 2023, driven by widespread community support including more than 5,600 signatures, dozens of grassroots organizations, local businesses, and city government. In November, Chattanooga submitted its “Journey Book,” showcasing the city’s transformation from one of America’s most polluted cities in the 1970s to an unrivaled outdoor destination and biodiversity hotspot.

Alison Barnes, trustee of the National Park City Foundation, praised Chattanooga’s application: “During our peer review we saw first-hand the extraordinary breadth and depth of engagement with the Chattanooga National Park City vision informed by outstanding experts in design, ecology, culture and arts.”

The city’s National Park City charter outlines commitments to provide unrivaled access to nature, foster a culture of outdoor activity, promote environmental stewardship and education, ensure inclusive and sustainable development, enrich community and culture, and improve support for food, agriculture, arts, and creativity.

In addition to musical performances, the April 19 celebration will feature a presentation by Dr. Daniel Raven-Ellison, creator of the National Park City movement and National Geographic Explorer.

The city, in collaboration with National Park City supporters, will host more than 50 events during Earth Week, scheduled for April 16-22. Centered around the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” Earth Week 2025 will spotlight renewable energy and sustainable practices, concluding with Earth Day on April 22. “We’re excited to see how the city will use their new status to make Chattanooga a place where people and nature are better connected,” said Mark Cridge, executive director of the National Park City Foundation, “and how they might inspire more cities to ask: what if our city was a National Park City?”

Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy Wins National Impact Award for Community Engagement

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Chattanooga, TN, April, 2025, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) has been named a national winner in the 2025 Building Hope Impact Awards, earning top honors in the Community Engagement category. The award highlights CGLA’s commitment to equity, leadership, and academic achievement for girls in Chattanooga.

Hosted annually by Building Hope, a national nonprofit that supports charter schools, the Impact Awards honor schools that lead in community engagement, student empowerment, and educational innovation. CGLA was selected from over 150 nominees across 23 states and recognized as one of four winning schools nationwide.

As Tennessee’s first all-girls public charter school, CGLA provides a STEM-focused, college-preparatory curriculum designed to build young women’s confidence, leadership, and academic excellence.

CGLA’s wraparound services, academic rigor, and community partnerships contribute to the vitality of Chattanooga’s Highland Park neighborhood, positioning the school as both a center of learning and a catalyst for community development.

This recognition will be announced during the fourth annual Building Hope IMPACT Summit, which will be held May 6–7, 2025, in Miami, Florida.

“We believe every girl deserves access to an education that values her voice and nurtures her potential,” said Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of CGLA. “This national recognition fuels our passion to continue creating a place where young women grow into empowered leaders.”

During the summit, winners will share their stories and receive grant awards. In total, $160,000 in grants will be awarded across the four categories: Community Engagement, Educational Innovation, Student Empowerment, and the S. Joseph Bruno Model Charter School Award. About Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy:  Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) is a public charter school for girls in grades 6-12. It provides a rigorous college-preparatory education in a supportive and nurturing environment, empowering young women to lead and succeed in college, careers, and life. For more information about CGLA and its programs, please visit CGLA’s website

General Assembly passes bill to support vehicle registration services in emergencies

Nashville, TENN- The Tennessee General Assembly has passed legislation allowing local county clerks to partner with other nearby clerks’ offices in emergencies.

House Bill 737, sponsored by State Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, ensures citizens are able to conveniently access vehicle registration services without interruption during natural disasters or other situations when a county clerk’s office is temporarily closed.

“This legislation provides a safety net for our communities, ensuring that essential vehicle registration services don’t stop when disaster strikes,” said Vital. “It allows county clerks to work together for the benefit of Tennesseans to keep critical services available.”

Once a request is received, the county clerk providing assistance will process vehicle registrations and renewals for an agreed period of time. However, the assisting clerk will not collect county-specific vehicle taxes. If needed, the assisting clerk will send a report of registered vehicles to the requesting county clerk for tax purposes.

County clerks providing assistance may charge a $2.50 fee for services such as issuing registration certificates, transferring registration plates and accepting returned plates.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue reports that approximately 100,000 registrations are made each year, bringing the total number of registered vehicles in the state to 6,712,567. House Bill 737 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.

NIT CHAMPIONS! Mocs Earn in Overtime Win

Quick Recap
(Gomocs.com) The Chattanooga Mocs are NIT Champions! The first NCAA DI national tournament crown matching the 1977 DII title. Garrison Keeslar hit the winning shot in overtime to cap an 85-84 drama filled affair.

UC Irvine opened the second half on a 11-2 run to take an 8-point lead, 48-40. The Mocs chipped away and cut it to one five times only to see the Anteaters find answers.

It was a 73-67 deficit when Garrison Keeslar nailed a triple from the top of the key to get it back to one possession, 73-70 at 2:13. Bent Leuchten hit one of two free throws to get the lead back to four. On the ensuing possession, the Mocs missed two threes but scrapped for offensive rebounds on big plays from Keeslar and Bash Wieland.

Keeslar came through again with another three to cut it to one, 74-73. UC Irvine went to the free throw line with 27.6 seconds on the clock. Justin Hohn missed both to set Honor Huff up for heroics. He missed a three with 16.3 left on the clock but was fouled by former Moc Myles Che. Huff made all three for the 76-74 advantage.

Che then pump faked and leaned into Keeslar drawing three free throws of his own at 13.1. He made the first two to tie it and then saw the third spin out. Trey Bonham claimed the rebound and sped to the bench and called timeout with 8.1 seconds remaining.

The Mocs worked the ball inside to Collin Mulholland. His jumper in the paint rimmed out and rolled out of bounds at 1.7 with the possession staying with UTC. He got a chance at redemption with a three from the top of the key which also rimmed out.

The two teams traded scores and stops throughout the extra period. Irvine had Devin Tillis make one of two free throws at 1:51 and then Che made one of two 18 seconds later to make it an 82-80 Anteater lead.

Mulholland got the answer with a three which quickly shifted to a Che jumper as the changes were rapid fire. An empty possession down one saw UCI back at the line with 31.0 to go. Leuchten missed them both and the Mocs brought it down and found Keeslar. He hit a 15-footer for the lead.

The Anteaters floated a pass into Leuchten but Bonham swooped in to intercept and pass it to Huff who was fouled with 2.7 to play. He missed them both giving UCI the length of the floor to go with 2.4 on the clock. The 2.4 seemed like an eternity as the full court pass went to Leuchten who hopped and passed to Jurian Dixon who missed from 3-feet our for the Mocs win.
Chattanooga finishes its season with a win for the first time since the 1977 NCAA Division II Championship. That goes with the 13th regular season Southern Conference title for the program and school record-tying 29 wins making it a season for the ages.

RECORDS – Chattanooga: 29-9 | UCI 32-7

INSIDE THE BOX – SCORE
Scoring Leaders – UTC: 19-Trey Bonham/Collin Mulholland | UCI: 19-Devin Tillis
Rebounding Leaders – UTC: 10- Bonham/Garrison Keeslar | UCI: 11-Bent Leuchten
Assist Leaders – UTC: 5- Keeslar | UCI: 4-Justin Hohn
Largest Leads – UTC: 8 (8-0– 17:58 1st | LUC: 8 (48-40 – 14:07 2nd)
Lead Changes: 14 | Times Tied: 9

  • UC Irvine entered the game ranked third in the nation at 80.1 percent at the free throw line. It 21-34 tonight, 61.8 percent.
  • Keeslar loaded up the stat sheet with 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
  • UTC held a 17-12 advantage on second chance points. Only allowed six offensive boards to the bigger Anteaters squad.
  • Career-high five 3pt made for Mulholland. UC Irvine hit five as a team.
  • Chattanooga overcame a tough shooting night at 38.9 percent largely due to a 14 of 44 night (21.8 percent) from three.
  • Five Anteaters scored in double figures.

NIT HISTORY

  • 5th appearance but first since 1987. The program made four straight NITs from 1984-87. That was in the middle of the first eight DI postseasons for the Mocs going to the NCAA Tournament in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1988.
  • 8-4 all-time in the event (3-2 road).
  • 23rd postseason appearance in school history: NCAA DI (12) & DII (5) tournaments, NIT (5) and CIT (1).
  • 44th postseason contest: 22-22 record: 8-4 NIT | 3-12 NCAA DI | 11-5 NCAA DII | 0-1 CIT.
  • 4-0 all-time in overtime in the NIT. Second overtime game of this year’s run (109-103 at Middle Tennessee).
  • Matched the longest postseason run in school history. The 1977 squad won the NCAA Division II National Championship a year after finishing as runner-up in 1976 in the same event.
  • Matched the deepest postseason run in SoCon history with West Virginia finishing as NCAA runner-up in 1959.

SERIES HISTORY
Meetings: 4
Record: 4-0
Neutral: 2-0
Postseason: 1-0
Streak: +4

NOTES TO KNOW

  • First time in school history with three student-athletes scoring 500 or more points in a single season: Huff (578), Bonham (554) & Wieland (502).
  • Bonham averaged 22.2 points per game in the NIT Championship race.
  • Huff played 224:10 out of a possible 225:00 in the 5-game title hunt. That’s an average of 44.8 minutes per game.
  • Huff is the national leader in 3pt made with 131.
  • Keeslar’s five assists came with zero turnovers. He’s the national leader in A/TO ratio (5.62).
  • Won 17 of the last 18 games. 21-4 since the calendar shifted to 2025.
  • Won 13 of the last 14 games outside of Chattanooga.
  • 29 wins for the second time in school history: 29 (2015-16).
  • Five postseason wins for Dan Earl ranks second in school history behind Ron Shumate (11).
  • 68 wins for Earl is a program record for the first three years of a coaching tenure ahead of Mack McCarthy (62), Murray Arnold (61) and Ron Shumate (59).

POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Dan Earl‘s opening statement following Chattanooga’s 85-84 overtime victory over UC Irvine in the NIT title game.
“I don’t want to watch that last play where they got that little layup and offensive rebound layup, I think is what happened. That’s not the way we drew it up. But super proud of these guys, as everyone says when you win a championship like this, but they are a wonderful young group. They all remained completely unselfish and played the right way throughout the year. This might have been our least efficient offensive game in, I can’t even tell you how long, so there was some great defense involved in this game, which we were fortunate to come out on top against a very, very good UC Irvine team. They are great on both sides of the ball, but super proud of our guys. These are the two guys sitting here, but Garrison (Keeslar) has given us courage all year long, plays extremely unselfish and is an unbelievable defender. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to win. And then Trey Bonham, we have a long history, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of him. I’ve been with him a while and I’ve been really tough on him in the past. Eased up a little bit, but I’m so proud that he’s playing his best basketball at the end of his career and able to cut down the nets for a championship. Proud of all the guys and we’ll take it.”

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Chattanooga Honors Literary Giant Ishmael Reed with Key to the City

Ishmael Reed, whose sharp pen and sharper wit have reshaped American letters for decades, received Chattanooga’s Key to the City on March 17. At a private lunch, Mayor Tim Kelly presented the tribute to Reed, acknowledging the author’s extraordinary contributions to literature and his lifelong advocacy for marginalized voices.

The occasion marked a hometown celebration of Reed’s influential career as a poet, novelist and essayist whose work has challenged conventional narratives and expanded the American literary landscape.

In a moving commemoration, Mayor Kelly also named him Chattanooga’s Poet Laureate Emeritus.

“Ishmael Reed is one of the most influential literary voices of our time,” Mayor Kelly stated. “His fearless storytelling and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices have shaped generations of writers and artists, including me. It was an honor to welcome him back to Chattanooga.”

The mayor further highlighted Reed’s connection to the city by recalling his State of the City address last September, where he opened with a reading of Reed’s poem Chattanooga.

“His words speak to our city’s history, its struggles, and its resilience, capturing both the wounds of the past and the hope for the future,” Mayor Kelly said. “That’s why I wanted everyone in the room that day to hear them.”

Ishmael Scott Reed, born in Chattanooga in 1938, is renowned for his satirical works that challenge American political culture. His 1972 novel, Mumbo Jumbo, stands as a landmark of his prolific career.

Reed’s work has consistently sought to represent neglected African and African-American perspectives, broadening his advocacy to encompass all vulnerable populations.

Reed’s journey took him from Chattanooga to Buffalo, New York, during the Great Migration, and later to the University at Buffalo. Though he withdrew from college to pursue his writing, the university later awarded him an honorary doctorate.

In 1962, he moved to New York City, co-founding the influential underground publication, the East Village Other, and engaging with the Umbra Writers Workshop.

His career includes a 35-year tenure teaching at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Distinguished Professorship at California College of the Arts.

Reed’s literary achievements are extensive, including National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize nominations. His works have been translated into numerous languages, and he has received prestigious honors such as the Langston Hughes Medal, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a lifetime achievement Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. Reed resides in Oakland, California, with his wife, Carla Blank.

The 1975 NBA Finals (1975)

The 1975 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals was the first contest pitting teams led by two African American coaches K.C. Jones, of the Washington Bullets (Now Washington Wizards) and Alvin Austin Attles Jr., of the Golden State (California) Warriors
During the 1969-1970 NBA season, Attles became a player-coach for Golden State, replacing George Lee. He retired from the NBA as a player following the 1970-1971 season at 35 but remained head coach with the team following his retirement.

K.C. Jones retired from the Boston Celtics as a player after the 1967 NBA Season at the age of 35. Jones begin his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles (California) Lakers in 1972. In his first year the Lakers won the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Jones then coached the American Basketball Association (ABA) team the San Diego (California) Conquistadors for one season before resigning. He returned to the NBA in 1974 to be head coach of the Baltimore Bullets where they relocated to Washington D.C. to become the Washington Bullets.

During the 1974-1975 NBA Season, Attles and the Warriors had a 48-34 regular season record. They made the playoffs by defeating the Seattle (Washington) Supersonics (Now Oklahoma City Thunder) and Chicago (Illinois) Bulls. Jones and Bullets had a 60-22 regular season record. The Bullets defeated the Buffalo Braves (Now Los Angeles Clippers) and Celtics in the playoffs.

The Washington Bullets were led by star players including Phil Chenier, Elvin Hayes, Leonard Eugene “Truck” Robinson, and Wes Unseld. The Golden State Warriors were led by star players including Rick Barry, Bill Bridges, Jeff Mullins, Phil Smith, and Jamaal Wilkes. The Warriors home games were played at the Cow Palace in Daly near San Francisco while the Bullets played their games at Capitol Centre, Landover, Maryland. The games were played at both arenas, two games apiece. Although the Bullets were favored to win in the 1975 NBA Finals, they were defeated by the Warriors in four games in the series. Rick Barry was named the Finals MVP by the NBA.

Al Attles remained head coach of the Warriors until the 1983-1984 season. From 1983 to 1986, Attles was the Warriors general manager, but he returned as an assistant coach for the team, during the 1994-1995 NBA season. Attles died on August 20, 2024, at the age of 87 in Oakland, California. Jones returned to the Boston Celtics in 1978 and would lead the team to two NBA Championships in 1984 and 1986. He retired from the Celtics as head coach in 1988 and was inducted into to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989. K.C. Jones died on December 25, 2020, near Hartford, Connecticut at the age of 88.