Top 5 things to know in the Chattanooga area today (with video)

Nearly 12 million children across South Africa kicked off celebrations Wednesday for the 94th birthday of Nelson Mandela, the country's deeply loved anti-apartheid icon, with resounding choruses of Happy Birthday.

Mandela serenaded on his birthday

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1) SEARCH FOR MISSING BOATERS SUSPENDED

The mood was hushed and solemn inside the Delano Community Farm Market in the Mennonite community in north Polk County.

Cold, wet and muddy, emergency officials told family members of their decision to halt the search for an adult and two children who went missing Wednesday after the canoe they were in capsized in Conasauga Creek. The search was called off just after noon Thursday with plans to resume by noon today.

2) LETTER WARNS ERLANGER TO SLOW CEO SEARCH

A strongly worded letter from Hamilton County lawmakers warns Erlanger Health System trustees for the second time in weeks to slow down their CEO search.

All seven members of the local delegation signed the letter warning that rushing the hire "would be premature" and could lead to "a [CEO] contract that would be expensive and disruptive to terminate," according to the letter dated Tuesday.

3) MAN SHOT DEAD AFTER AIMING GUN AT DEPUTIES IN GORDON COUNTY

The threats had been going on for months, she said. I'll kill you. I'll burn down the house.

But the words Allen Ott spoke Wednesday morning to his wife, Rhonda, sent her in search of help.

"First bullet's for you, second bullet's for me because this is all your fault," he told her. But within hours, it was Allen Ott who lay dead, shot to death by police when he refused to lower his rifle.

4) CHATTANOOGA VILLAGE, CRITICS SPAR AHEAD OF VOTE

The developer of the $100 million Chattanooga Village proposal met with critics for nearly two hours Thursday as the sides sought to hammer out differences - with mixed results.

With a planned City Council vote on the project Tuesday, the sides agreed to disagree on some conditions on the huge apartment and commercial project proposed for Hixson.

5) LEE UNIVERSITY FESTIVAL CHOIR SHOWCASES SONGS FOR U.S. INAUGURATION

Lee University's Festival Choir gave local listeners a taste of its planned Inauguration Day performance for President Barack Obama as part of its official sendoff to the U.S. Capitol.

On Thursday evening at the campus' Conn Center, the 200-member student choir -- with support from the university's Wind Ensemble -- performed nine songs members have practiced together since the first weekend in January. Their repertoire -- a mixture of patriotic, spiritual and regional music -- is fitting for the 2013 Inauguration Day theme of "Faith in America's Future."

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