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Jennifer Bardoner

Stories by Jennifer

Signal Mountain trying to grow garden idea

Town of Signal Mountain officials and residents are trying to cultivate interest for a community garden to potentially be located somewhere in the town.

Water rate increases to flow downhill

Increased water costs to the town of Signal Mountain and Walden’s Ridge Utility District due to Tennessee American Water’s requested rate increase will trickle down to residents.

New practice space for growing athletics programs

The town of Signal Mountain has more children involved in its recreational sports offerings than ever before. Soon, more practice space will be opened up to serve them: Norris Field, which residents have successfully petitioned to keep private until now.

STEM seeking roots within the community

Signal Mountain’s award-winning schools are a big draw for parents and students. But there’s still room for improvement, according to local educators.

Lions Club cancels fireworks

Annual display rescheduled for Labor Day picnic

Despite rising temperatures, this Fourth of July will be a little less bright. That’s because the local Lions Club’s annual fireworks display has been canceled.

Tax rate remains unchanged

The town of Signal Mountain is not expected to break even on the upcoming annexation of Fox Run and Windtree, set to come into the town at the end of this year, until 2016 or 2017.

New youth football program in play

Fall may be a ways off, but football season is already ramping up on Signal Mountain, with signups for the town’s newest offering, the Scenic City tackle football program, running July 1-31.

Hodgepodge contract in the works

The Chattanooga Market has experienced a 300 percent increase in vendor sales since 2008, with last year’s vendors raking in more than $2 million. Signal Mountain officials hope Market Director Paul Smith can bring some of that success to this year’s Hodgepodge.

Polling location changes

Two names on this year’s ballot for Signal Mountain government will be the same — Mayor Bill Lusk and Councilwoman Annette Allen have both filed to seek re-election — but the venue will be markedly different.

WRES launching capital campaign

The town of Walden is being asked to commit $75,000 over a three-year period to Waldens Ridge Emergency Services for a capital campaign, in addition to matching the $42,000 it gave WRES for operating expenses last year.

First fundraising agreement being reached between town, library

The town of Signal Mountain is nearing a consensus with the Friends of the Library board on an operating agreement that details terms related to its fundraising activities.

Budget talks begin — no new taxes on table

No new taxes. That’s the expectation after each of the mountain’s municipalities held their first preliminary budget meetings last week.

SMArt transferring scholarship funds

SMArt has one final financial gift it must bestow.

McCoy needs ‘friends,’ funds

In the face of lower than normal budget revenues, Walden Town Recorder Fern Lockhart says the town “won’t be able to start any new projects [this budget year] as far as I can tell.”

Trees a big boon for Signal

Homes on Signal Mountain are selling, according to reports from Prudential Realty Center’s Barry Hamilton.

SMArt shutting down

SMArt Foundation, which spun off just months ago from the Friends of MACC, is ceasing operations.

Both townships talking budget next week

Both Signal Mountain and Walden townships are beginning their budget talks next week.

DRC approves Alexian addition

Alexian Village received approval last week for a new five-story Health and Rehabilitation Center to be located on its campus, but that’s basically all about the new facility that is approved.

Mabbit Springs threatened

A deteriorating culvert is causing the roadway on Glenway to also deteriorate. The town of Walden is entering contract negotiations with local engineering firm Arcadis to design a replacement.

Curves rounds out benefits with new member special

Curves, which celebrates giving women a new lease on life through a supportive environment and guided workouts, is celebrating its new ownership with a membership special.

Baker steps down, Welch stepping up

Chip Baker is stepping down from his District 2 school board seat so “some new blood” can come on board, but unopposed candidate Jonathan Welch isn’t new to the faculties in which he’ll be serving.

Water system upgrade flowing from MACC sprinkler system

Thanks to energy upgrades made possible by a federal grant, the Mountain Arts Community Center is saving approximately $10,000 a year in heating costs. That’s about half what it is estimated to cost to update the water lines surrounding the community center in order to supply it with enough water for a new sprinkler system.

MACC funding source changes

The town of Signal Mountain is working to establish another avenue for channeling auxiliary money to the Mountain Arts Community Center. The Community Foundation of Chattanooga is expected to hold the independently raised funds, which has several benefits, according to MACC Director Barb Storm.

Questions continue about MACC money

Show me the money. That’s what some Signal Mountain residents are asking in regards to the former Friends of MACC, a private organization which had until recently tasked itself with raising funds for the historic community center.

Local disc golf course a go

If the fundraising efforts of a group of Signal Mountain High School students are any indicator as to whether local residents want to have a disc golf course on the mountain, the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’

Signal Mountain begins budgeting process

As residents figure and file their income tax returns, the town of Signal Mountain is beginning the process of assessing its financial situation looking forward — which always means looking at whether to raise taxes.

SMAC and town navigating insurance negotiations

When Tom Poteet bought the former Signal Mountain Middle School there was concern over whether the public would continue to be able to use the walking track and trails as they had for years.

New plan crafted for Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge, a community tradition for nearly 40 years, will likely look a little different this year. The people running it definitely will.

MACC issues center on maintenance

Even with the MACC’s primary fundraising source unknown at this point, one thing is certain: the nearly century-old building’s sprinkler system needs to be replaced. That project alone is expected to cost around $100,000.

Walker County Weekly moving into your neighborhood

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Walker County Weekly Community News, a local newspaper focused on providing coverage of Walker County’s news, events, businesses, schools, churches and residents.

Meeting set to tackle football issue March 11

Regardless of whether an umbrella Signal Mountain Youth Athletic Association is formed, Scenic City Youth Football League representatives are still tossing around the idea of introducing a Signal Mountain team. A public meeting about the possible addition of the league locally is scheduled for Sunday, March 11 at 4 p.m. at Town Hall.

Recent rescue effort a community affair on Signal Mountain

Reba, a rescue dog and local pet, had been missing for six days when local resident Sandra Atkinson saw her walking down a Signal Mountain road.

State buying mountain property

The state of Tennessee is in the process of buying up land on Signal Mountain along the Cumberland Trail, which traverses the Cumberland Plateau in a piecemeal fashion.

SMHS students score approval to build local disc golf course

A group of Signal Mountain High School students has landed approval for a disc golf course behind the Pumpkin Patch as long as they can score enough sponsorship money to build it.

Police working two burglaries

Signal Mountain Police Detective Jim Kizzio is working to solve what appear to be two related attempted burglaries that occurred Saturday, Feb. 18.

Community project gains adorning fans

Walden resident Larry Mick’s community service project has turned into a real community project.

Police take-home vehicle changes could mean increased response time

In an emergency situation, a few seconds can make all the difference. That’s one of the reasons Signal Mountain Police Chief Boyd Veal is pushing for a change to the department’s take-home vehicle policy.

New sports association kicking up issues

Proponents of a new umbrella sports association on Signal Mountain want to put representatives of various sports leagues on the same team to save time and hopefully money through group rates.

CNE looking for new Chattanooga homeowners

In its 25th year of bolstering the community, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise is building up its neighborhood-boosting efforts through several new and ongoing housing initiatives.

Sewer expansion in pipeline

The date that Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority will officially request a sewer connection to the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant is near.

Walden revising land disturbance policy

By the time the town of Walden finds out about water issues caused by land disturbance, it’s water under the bridge. And that’s if the town finds out. So officials are studying the land disturbance policies of other towns to find a better solution.

HubFest seeking support, involvement

If this year’s HubFest is to be as successful as the five previous events, it will take a collage of community members working together.

Imagine: a community collage

Chattanooga has made a name for itself through a focus on the arts. If that is to continue, it will take a collage of community members working together, which is the premise for the recently unveiled Imagine 20/20 campaign.

Panelists’ advice boosts local business opportunities

With many still wondering how to do get Volkswagen to do business with their company, several other successful area company leaders shared some best practices which could lead to business opportunities, but almost assuredly to success if their track record means anything.

Subdivision work starts this spring

Lots already on sale

There aren’t any houses there yet, but at least four families will soon call Signal Mountain’s newest subdivision, being constructed along Shackleford Ridge, home.

W Road rockslide called isolated incident

The chance of rain today is high, but the likelihood of another rockslide on the W Road is virtually a washout, according to Hamilton County Highway Department Superintendent Gary Bean.

Town manager highlights 2012 goals

The town of Signal Mountain is getting started on replacing specific fire hydrants that don’t meet flow standards. That short-term project will be the first check mark on a long-term to-do list created by Town Manager Honna Rogers.

County sheriff reaches out to community about budget

When Sheriff Jim Hammond and his top deputies laid out their plans for the upcoming year two weeks ago, the Sheriff’s Office was already approximately $300,000 over budget.

New realty company offers ‘real living’ designs

As head of the area’s first Real Living Design Realty office, Arlene Zuckerman is building a client base by constructing homes with more amenities and less of a price tag.

State of town solid leading into 2012

Last year was a tough but successful time for the town of Signal Mountain, as noted in Mayor Bill Lusk’s recent State of the Town address.

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