Vogtle loan deadline extended and other news from areas around Chattanooga

Friday, January 1, 1904

Vogtle loan deadline extended

AUGUSTA, Ga. - The federal government has granted a third deadline extension to owners of Plant Vogtle to agree to terms for federal loan guarantees of up to $8.3 billion to help finance two new nuclear reactors in Georgia.

The Augusta Chronicle reported the loan guarantee offer from the U.S. Department of Energy has been on the table since 2010 and the last deadline passed at the end of June. Loan-guarantee financing would have the government assume the plant owners' debt if they default.

But no agreement has been reached on the details.

Jeannice M.W. Hall, a Southern Co. spokeswoman, said Wednesday the new deadline for completing the loan guarantee arrangements is Sept. 30.

Plant Vogtle is owned by Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power and Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.


Boaters arrested in holiday sweep

NASHVILLE - Tennessee officials arrested 10 people during a weekend sweep on charges of boating under the influence.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency made the arrests as part of the fifth annual Operation Dry Water.

Wildlife officers issued 166 citations and checked 3,364 vessels.

There was a one fatality, a boating accident in Montgomery County that claimed the life of a 21-year old Clarksville woman.


Vanderbilt cuts hospital jobs

NASHVILLE - Vanderbilt University Medical Center has cut an unspecified number of jobs across departments at the academic medical center.

Vanderbilt spokesman John Howser told The Tennessean the cuts were not considered layoffs. Howser said Vanderbilt, one of the city's largest private employers, was taking steps to address workplace performance.

The cuts came as Vanderbilt began its new fiscal year July 1 under pressure from federal spending cuts and much uncertainty around the Affordable Care Act.


Columbus man wins $1 million

COLUMBUS, Ga. - Georgia Lottery officials said a Columbus man won $1 million playing the multistate Powerball game.

Lttery officials announced this week that Ernest Thompson recently claimed his prize at the Georgia Lottery's district office in Macon, according to The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Lottery officials said Thompson matched five numbers but missed the Powerball number in the May 18 drawing.

He purchased his winning ticket at the Corner Cupboard store on Milgen Road in Columbus.