Airbnb ordinance open to legal challenge, violates constitution on 3 counts

Many owners of houses like this one in East Ridge are being told they may not use the Internet to bring paying visitors to their dwellings. (Photo Zillow) Another Southeast Tennessee municipality is making war on the Internet, trying to raise a Beijing wall to keep out wealth that flows into town via short-term vacation […]

Berke would make enemies if takes tough action over roadside abuses

Mayor Andy Berke of Chattanooga celebrates residents’ creativity in his state of the city speech April 19. (Photo Andy Berke) Ending police abuse of the traveling public in Chattanooga and beyond is an exciting prospect that will increase freedom and liberty in the area, draw more people to live and prosper here, and become an […]

7 reasons mayors, sheriffs will refuse adding single question to traffic arrest protocol

Jeremiah resisted false prophets who rejected warnings from God because they had always done things the same way and could not change, even if for the better and obedience to their creator. (Image from woodcut from Eduard Bendemann, Museum Kunstpalast) The universal abuse of Tennessee driver’s license law cries for reform from the ground up, […]

Taxi board oversees transportation, no authority over private travel

Justin Strickland is the new chairman of Chattanooga’s taxi board, which regulates “vehicles for hire,” those involved in commerce. (Photo David Tulis) Hotel marketing manager Justin Strickland is the new head of the city’s transportation board, a sleepy volunteer regulator that exercises authority over transportation in the city. By David Tulis / 92.7 NoogaRadio Mr. […]

4 profiles in courage in Chattanooga — council hassles poor, Hammond hassles traveler

Chattanooga city council courageously votes to ban free speech by beggars in a pending panhandling ban. Only Demetrus Coonrod and Jerry Mitchell have objected. (Photo city government) Neal Pinkston prosecutes taxpayer watchdog Tim Boyd. Sheriff Jim Hammond hounds immigrant laborer Rodriguez for using car. Bradley deput cuffs man using phone camera. Darrin Ledford, other city […]

Cops stop truck transporting explosives without permits, placards

Bags of explosive material sit in the back of a Ford pickup without being secured according to the Tennessee transportation code in title 55. (Photo THP) A Tennessee highway patrol trooper arrests a driver transporting explosives without proper permit or markings. (Photo THP) Law enforcement intervention against travelers on the roads in Tennessee operates many […]

City to criminalize begging, directs cops to do social work among poor

Landon Howard is shushed by Phil Noblett, city attorney, because critics of the panhandling rule have already had their turn to be heard and will not be heard from further. With him are protesters Beth Foster and Jeannie Hacker-Cerulean. Police chief David Roddy, center, is empowered under a proposed ordinance to arrest beggars. Worried about […]