Man saves beer from burning home and other news from areas around Chattanooga

Man saves beer from burning home

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A man who walks with a cane was not injured when he ran into a burning Columbus house to recover beer.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire Thursday afternoon. Residents said they believe the fire was caused by a water heater.

Six adults and two young children were inside watching television when the room began filling with smoke. After the children were rescued and everyone made it outside safely, Walter Serpit told WVTM television that he went back inside "like a dummy" to retrieve his beer and the door shut behind him.

He said he was able to escape without being burned and managed to save several cans of beer.


Chimney Tops Trail work delayed

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Repair work on a popular trail in the Smoky Mountains has met with further delays.

The Daily Times reported rehabilitation work on the Chimney Tops Trail won't start again until next spring.

"We're not going to resume any construction this year," park spokeswoman Dana Soehn said.

Soehn told the newspaper that the partial federal government shutdown, which shuttered the park Oct. 1 through Oct. 17, put the project even farther behind schedule.

"The Chimney Tops rehabilitation was certainly impacted by the shutdown because the crew lost three weeks of work," she said.

Work also was delayed by flooding earlier in the year.

"Earlier in the spring when the bridge washed out and we had the high water and the flooding, the crew had to repair that bridge plus they didn't have access to the site. The project is even further behind because of that delay. Basically, we lost about half a mile [of completed trail repair].

"That project is now behind, but hopefully the entire project can still be completed by the end of next year," Soehn said.

Meanwhile, the trail remains open to the public.


Law enforcement collects old pills

ATLANTA - Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to collect expired, unused and unwanted pills.

The seventh National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held today. Georgians will be able to drop off the pills at sites across the state free of charge and with no questions asked. The Drug Enforcement Administration said the event aims to prevent drug abuse and theft.

People across the country have turned in nearly 2.8 million pounds of prescription drugs during the DEA's six previous Take-Back Days. People can find the closest collection site by visiting the DEA's website, clicking on the "Got Drugs?" icon, and following the links to a database where they can search for their ZIP code.


Veterans program planned Nov. 11

LaFAYETTE, Ga. - The 16th annual Community Veterans Day Recognition program at LaFayette High School will be Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m. in the school's auditorium.

This year's keynote speaker is Sgt. Michael Rewis of the Army National Guard Recruitment and Retention Battalion, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Refreshments will be served, and the community is encouraged to attend.

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