Terminal hotel eyed for Atlanta airport and other news from areas around Chattanooga

photo Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta

Terminal hotel eyed for airport

ATLANTA - Atlanta airport officials say they're studying the idea of building a hotel either inside or connected to the domestic terminal.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport interim general manager Miguel Southwell told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that airport management has been in talks with consulting firms on the logistical and financial feasibility of building a hotel and will decide whether to move forward within 90 days.

Officials say they're unsure where the hotel would be, how large it would be, how much it would cost and how it would be financed.

Although there are several hotels near the airport, Southwell says a terminal hotel would be especially convenient for travelers who get stranded when their flights are canceled, as was the case for many during two winter storms earlier this year.


Deal signs bill on rural doctors

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed legislation to expand a scholarship program that will allow more medical students to practice in high-need rural areas.

In a statement Wednesday, Deal said the legislation calls for some Georgia Medical Student Scholarship recipients entering certain primary care and specialized medical practices to work in underserved areas with a high level of need. He said the law will change how state agencies classify underserved areas that students will work in.

Deal said the scholarship program provides up to $20,000 to qualified state residents to help pay the costs of medical school.

The Georgia Board of Physician Workforce will define the regions scholarship recipients may work in, and the areas will be approved by Department of Community Health and Department of Public Health commissioners.


Two charged in church burglary

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. - Two people have been arrested and charged in an April burglary at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Bradley County, a news release from the sheriff's office states.

The break-in and theft from the church's annex building where youth worship services are held occurred between April 8 and April 11 when the crime was discovered, police said.

Early in the investigation, detectives reviewing pawn shop records found a DVD/VCR and dehumidifier that were among property reported stolen. Detectives identified the suspects and recovered all the church's sound equipment.

Devan Blade Cartwright, 22, of Littlejohn Circle, and Kea Wooten, 18, of Summer Breeze Drive, each were charged with burglary and theft over $1,000.

Each had bond set at $2,000.


Fires have killed 53 in 3 months

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Authorities say 53 people were killed in Alabama fires in the first three months of 2014, putting the state near the top nationwide in the number of deadly blazes.

Al.com reports that Jefferson County recorded the highest toll among Alabama counties at 13, with eight of those in the city of Birmingham.

The number is far ahead of what the state typically sees this early in the year. Alabama State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk said 81 people died in Alabama fires during all of last year.

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