'Pet, owner treated in rabies case' and more Chattanooga region news

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Rabies tile

Pet, owner treated in rabies case

ELLIJAY, Ga. - A dog owner was told to see a doctor after touching the wounds where his pet fought a raccoon that later tested positive for rabies.

Andrea Martin, environmental health manager for Gilmer County, Ga., said the fight was June 24. The owner couldn't break it up, so he shot the raccoon and took it to be tested, Martin said in a news release.

The owner was told to get treatment because the rabid animal's saliva might have been in the wounds, Martin said.

The dog's rabies vaccination was up to date, so all it needed was a booster shot, she said.


Declaration reading planned

RINGGOLD, Ga. - There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on the lawn of the County Courthouse, and the public is invited to bring a lunch and listen.

The event is sponsored by "our nation's criminal defense lawyers," Catoosa County Republican Party spokeswoman Karen Howell said in a news release.


Talk about tools, weapons at park

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - Park Ranger Larry Beane will present "American Indian Tools and Weapons" on July 13 at Little River Canyon National Preserve.

"This one-hour program will feature how early people made their tools and weapons such as arrowheads and the atlatl for throwing spears," Beane said in a news release. "Learn how stones were used for grinding seeds and cracking nuts. Watch how fast a bow drill creates a fire."

Participants can try throwing the atlatl, drilling holes with a bow drill or pump drill, grinding seeds, or playing games that improve coordination.

Programs are set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. CDT at the Little River Canyon Center. To register or for more information, call 256-845-9605.


Bankruptcy exit plan filed

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Attorneys for Jefferson County have filed a 101-page plan to exit the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history.

The plan calls for cutting the county's $4.2 billion debt by more than $1.2 billion and raising sewer rates annually by 7.41 percent for four years. Rates would rise by 3.49 percent annually for an undetermined time after that.

The plan must be approved by Thomas Bennett, U.S. Bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Alabama.

Bennett has scheduled an Aug. 6 hearing to consider approving a proposed disclosure statement. The statement provides creditors with information about the county so they'll be able to make an informed vote on whether to approve the exit plan.

County officials are looking to exit the bankruptcy by Dec. 20.