Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) articles from June 2000

Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) archives from June 2000

Commercial, Residential Development Planned for Polk County, Tenn., Riverfront.
June 30, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jun. 30--In 1996, Polk County had its time in the limelight as home to the Olympic whitewater events on the Ocoee River. But a Chattanooga outdoor enthusiast and a developer want to build a project in the...

Tennessee Education Commission to Debate Tuition, Fees Increases.
June 30, 2000... Byline: Pam Sohn Jun. 30--It's about to cost more to go to college in Tennessee. At a called meeting this morning of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, officials are expected to debate just how much more students will pay to...

Tennessee to Raise Payment of Managed Care Organizations By Almost One-Fifth.
June 30, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 30--Tennessee will boost what it pays the managed care organizations that operate TennCare by nearly one-fifth, starting Saturday. Even with the infusion of more than $570 million of extra money into...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Health System Seeks to Increase Stake in Women's Hospital.
June 30, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jun. 30--Erlanger trustees unanimously approved a proposed contract Thursday to buy out Memorial Hospital's 50 percent share in Women's East Pavilion for $7.5 million. But the deal isn't done yet. The...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area McDonald's to Be Torn Down.
June 30, 2000... Byline: Beverly Carroll Jun. 30--The golden arches that for so many years framed the view of Lookout Mountain from St. Elmo are coming down to make way for a Walgreen drugstore. The McDonald's restaurant at Cummings Highway will be...

Lawyer Plans to Redevelop Old Chattanooga, Tenn., Building into Housing, Shops.
June 30, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 30--Bill Bolen surveys the activity surrounding the 115-year-old building on Chattanooga's Southside that he plans to revamp into new housing and shops. In nearly every direction around the Williams Street...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Disability Insurance Firm Manager Wins Award.
June 29, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 29--With the move into the new millennium, Patsy Hazlewood says it's fitting UnumProvident chief J. Harold Chandler is the Chattanooga area manager of the year. "His biography is synonymous with change. We're...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Hospital Returns to State's Largest Health-Insurance Giant.
June 29, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 29--A decade after waging a high-stakes battle with Tennessee's biggest health insurer, Erlanger Health System has abandoned its insurance venture and returned to BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee for its...

Norwalk, Conn., Firm to Merge Chemical Operation with Dallas-Based Rival.
June 29, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 29--One of Bradley County's biggest manufacturers may soon be changing owners for the second time in as many years. Olin Corp., which spun off its pool products division in Charleston, Tenn., to Arch...

Gasoline Now $2 Per Gallon in Chattanooga, Tenn., Area.
June 29, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 29--Just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, $2-per-gallon gasoline has hit the Chattanooga area. "I just endure it," said Rick Boyd of Cleveland, Tenn., about gasoline prices that continue to spike...

Physicians Group Pulls Out of Tennessee's Managed Care Program.
June 29, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jun. 29--The largest independent general surgery practice in Southeast Tennessee is pulling out of most of the TennCare program. As of Saturday, the 27 surgeons affiliated with University Surgical Associates...

Expo Exhibitors Say Chattanooga, Tenn., Businesses Ready for New Tech Wave.
June 28, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 28--Eric Brown thinks Chattanooga businesses have been a little more cautious than firms in other cities when it comes to trying out new technology. "They want to see it get to the second and third generation...

Experienced Chattanooga, Tenn., Bankers Unite to Charter New Local Banks.
June 27, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 27--Some of Chattanooga's most experienced bank "Pioneers" opened up a new "Frontier" on Monday. A half dozen executives of the former Pioneer Bank in Chattanooga have joined together to charter new banks...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Based Alternative-Fuel Bus Maker to Buy Larger Plant.
June 27, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 27--A Chattanooga firm that produces alternative-fuel buses is buying larger plant space being vacated by a company that assembles gas-guzzling conversion vans. Electric bus maker Advanced Vehicle Systems said...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Sees Possible Developments in Entertainment Businesses.
June 27, 2000... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Jun. 27--It won't rival Orlando, Fla., anytime soon, but the Brainerd/East Brainerd area could be on its way to becoming the family entertainment capital of Chattanooga. Construction could begin by fall on a $12...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Aquarium Faces Competition from New Facility.
June 25, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 25--For the first time since it sparked the rebirth of downtown Chattanooga some eight years ago, the Tennessee Aquarium is about to face serious competition. A $45 million aquarium will open in Gatlinburg in...

Ooltewah, Tenn., Battery Plant Stands Out for Its Environmental Safeguards.
June 25, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 25--When the owners of a battery plant that Bob Aaron helped manage in Hot Springs, Ark., decided to close the facility in the 1980s, Mr. Aaron went home to tell his family he probably would be changing...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Television Stations Race to Use Tornado-Tracking Software.
June 25, 2000... Byline: Cady Van Dolson Jun. 25--The weather war among Chattanooga's local television stations is escalating as NBC affiliate, Channel 3, begins using new software that will be able to spot tornadoes before they form. However, ABC...

Atlanta-Based Manufacturer to Introduce Carpet Made of Corn, Other Plants.
June 23, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 23--Carpet makers who have long worked on stain resisters to help keep food out of carpet are now beginning to find ways to use food to make carpet. Interface Inc., the world's largest commercial carpet...

Hamilton County, Tenn., Jobless Rate Hits Two-Decade Low.
June 23, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 23--Hamilton County's jobless rate in May hit its lowest level in more than two decades, as the economy appears unfettered by higher interest rates. "Absolutely the economy is very good. The unemployment rate...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Banks, Former Stadium Operators to Reschedule Payments.
June 23, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 23--The former operators of financially battered Max Finley Stadium and a group of banks agreed Friday to reschedule payments on a loan issued when the facility was constructed. "We've amended the loan to...

Nashville, Tenn., Firm Considers Chattanooga, Tenn., High-Tech Incubator.
June 23, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 23--The move to create a for-profit, high-tech incubator in Chattanooga took some steps forward Thursday with a Nashville firm expressing interest in the idea. IncLabs, which provides technical and management...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Van Conversion Firm to Sell Local Plant, Business.
June 23, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jun. 23--A Chattanooga van conversion company has sold its local plant, and negotiations to sell its businesses could lead to the loss of 100 jobs in Chattanooga. Choo-Choo Customs owner Kurt Faires said...

Louisville, Ky.-Based Fluid Heating Firm to Close Chattanooga, Tenn., Plant.
June 21, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 21--A longtime Chattanooga company is closing its manufacturing plant here and consolidating operations in Louisville, Ky. First Thermal Systems, which began in 1890 as Lookout Boiler and Manufacturing, plans...

Chattanooga Electric Company Consolidates, Lays Off Workers.
June 20, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jun. 20--Ten of 90 Westinghouse Electric Co. employees here will lose their jobs as the company consolidates its local controlled radiological site at an existing operation in Madison, Pa. Westinghouse said the...

Ooltewah, Tenn.-Based Golf Company to Sell Part of Firm, Close Headquarters.
June 19, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 19--The Arnold Palmer Golf Co. announced Monday it has agreed to sell off part of the company and is shopping for a buyer to acquire the rest of the business. The names of Arnold Palmer and Nancy Lopez, both...

Bicycling Enthusiasts Become Owners of Shop in Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 15, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jun. 15--When cycling enthusiasts Robert Johnston and Bill Dominici went to work for one of Chattanooga's busiest bicycle shops, little did they know that one day they would wind up owning the place. But...

Tennessee Legislators Continue to Debate Proposals to Establish Income Tax.
June 15, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 15--Opponents of a state income tax appear to have again beaten back proposals for taxing wages in Tennessee -- even a plan to tax only the wealthiest Tennesseans. But as the Legislature struggles with how...

Shuttle May Be Added Between Chattanooga, Tenn., Insurance Firm's Sites.
June 15, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 15--CARTA is looking at adding shuttle service between UnumProvident Corp.'s headquarters and office space the insurer is to lease at another downtown site. Tom Dugan, the Chattanooga Area Regional...

Income Tax Debate Continues to Rage among Tennessee Lawmakers.
June 15, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 15--Opponents of a state income tax appear to have again beaten back proposals for taxing wages in Tennessee -- even a plan to tax only the wealthiest Tennesseans. But as the Legislature struggles with how...

U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce Comes to Chattanooga, Tenn., for Convention.
June 14, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 14--In Chattanooga, the Jaycees have helped build homes for the elderly, operate summer camps for the handicapped and support dozens of other local charities. But perhaps at no time in the organization's...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Pharmaceutical Distributor Relocates.
June 14, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 14--Eastgate Town Center is gaining another downtown tenant as AmeriSource Corp. relocates from office space in the Tallan Building to the suburban location. AmeriSource, a distributor of wholesale...

Tennessee Republican Says Greenspan Has Gone 'One Rate too Far'.
June 13, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jun. 13--The golden glow of the country's longest economic boom is showing signs of dimming. The Federal Reserve's actions to head off inflation may have already rerouted the economy toward a recession,...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Lawn-Care Company to Move to New Office Complex.
June 13, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jun. 13--TruGreen ChemLawn has outgrown its Volunteer Drive location and will soon plant its operation in a new 12,000-square-foot office complex on South Creek Road off Amnicola Highway. Although various...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Engineers Club Aims to Help Develop High-Tech Incubator.
June 13, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 13--The Chattanooga Engineers Club believes the city is ripe for a high-tech business incubator and has pledged to join an effort looking at forming one of the job-creation centers. Club President Ed Chapin...

Franchise Formula Keeps Chattanooga, Tenn.-Based Hamburger Chain Growing.
June 11, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 11--John Marek wanted to balance his menu of fast-food holdings two years ago when he opened a Krystal restaurant next to his Taco Bell in Madisonville, Tenn. His immediate success with Krystal whetted his...

Knoxville, Tenn., Restaurateur to Open Eatery in Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 10, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 10--Knoxville restaurateur Paul Meyer had picked Johnson City, Tenn., for his first expansion with plans to build next door to a new 16-screen movie theater. But when the theater project fell through, he...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Based Firms Report Decline in Sales, Stock.
June 10, 2000... Jun. 10--Two of Chattanooga's publicly traded companies announced this week that their second quarter results will fall short of expectations. Chattem Inc., a Chattanooga-based consumer products manufacturer, said Friday that its second...

Atlanta-to-Chattanooga, Tenn., Train Planners Face Feasibility Report Deadline.
June 10, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 10--Advocates for an Atlanta-to-Chattanooga bullet train face a deadline this month that could derail the effort or help assure its future. After about a year of work, planners are expected to turn over a...

New Buildings Are under Development in Downtown Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 9, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 9--Downtown Chattanooga's skyline, already dotted with towering construction cranes, will change even more as the central city brings new projects online. Three structures, valued at over $41 million, are in...

Office Condominium Project Set for Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 9, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 9--A $3 million office condominium project is planned north of the Tennessee River as developers take advantage of the thriving North Shore. Six buildings are slated to make up the footprint of the North River...

Huntsville, Ala., Hopes to Become a Key Technology Area.
June 9, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 9--HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--When it comes to attracting high-tech venture capital, there's Silicon Valley in California, Route 128 in Boston and Research Triangle Park near Raleigh, N.C. Huntsville officials say they...

Tennessee Valley Authority, EPA to Pay for Acid-Rain Monitoring Station.
June 9, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 9--TVA and the Environmental Protection Agency may still be squabbling over how the utility must clean up its coal plants. But the federal agencies have agreed to pay jointly for a monitoring station to...

Experts Say Lock on Tennessee Dam May Cause Problems.
June 8, 2000... Byline: Andy Sher Jun. 8--WASHINGTON--For 60 years the Tennessee Valley Authority's Chickamauga Dam has protected Hamilton Countians from a rampaging Tennessee River in times of flood. But unless Congress acts two years from now, the...

Tennessee-Based Nuclear Power Program Ranks High for Plants' Safety Record.
June 8, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 8--TVA's nuclear power program -- vilified by anti-nuclear activists for its troubles in the 1980s and early 1990s -- is beginning the new century with high grades from federal regulators for the safety record...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Business Leaders Approve Plan for Technology Jobs.
June 8, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jun. 8--Creation of a technology incubator aimed at growing high-tech jobs in the Chattanooga area drew the approval of a group of business leaders Wednesday. "Right now we're diffused light. We need to become a...

Truck Dealership Wants Part of Freight Market in Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 8, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jun. 8--Add the name Sterling of Chattanooga, a subsidiary of Freightliner Corp. of Portland, Ore., to the growing list of truck dealerships wanting to own a piece of the freight market here. The dealership...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Businessman Re-Enters Furniture Business.
June 7, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jun. 7--A year after closing Jernigan's Furniture, its onetime owner, Jimmy Jernigan, will soon re-enter the area's competitive furniture business. Mr. Jernigan is opening his newest venture under the name...

Boost in Sales Allows Lafayette, Ga.-Based Plant to Hire More Workers.
June 6, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jun. 6--LAFAYETTE, Ga.--Robust sales of the popular General Electric Spectra range have led the Roper plant here to create 150 new jobs by adding a third production line for the popular range. The addition of...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Medicare HMOs to Drop Plans Next Year.
June 6, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 6--Thousands of Chattanooga area seniors may have to change their health care plans next year because their Medicare health maintenance organizations are pulling the plug on their money-losing plans. ...

New President, Expansion in the Works for North Georgia Hospital.
June 6, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jun. 6--Hutcheson Medical Center is preparing to launch the most ambitious update in the Fort Oglethorpe hospital's history. Dr. Robert Jones, president of Hutcheson Medical Center, is stepping down as...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Internet Service Provider Has New Name.
June 3, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 3--Voyager Online, the 5-year-old Internet firm acquired last year by Duro Communications, has adopted its domain name and its homestate's nickname. As "Vol.com," the Chattanooga name will soon go statewide to...

Cigna Will Drop Medicare HMO Plan in Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 3, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jun. 3--Nearly 3,000 Chattanoogans enrolled in HealthSource for Seniors will have to switch health plans or go back to traditional Medicare coverage next year. Cigna Corp., which acquired the HealthSource HMO...

Father, Son to Open Restaurant in Old Steak & Ale Building in Brainerd, Tenn.
June 3, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jun. 3--A father-and-son team has bought the former Steak & Ale building in Brainerd and will reopen a restaurant there Monday under the name Christopher's. Jere Edwards and his son, Chris, for whom the...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Firms Still Seeking Workers despite National Jobless Rate.
June 3, 2000... Jun. 3--The nation's unemployment rate rose to 4.1 percent in May as businesses cut 116,000 jobs, the biggest reduction in nine years. Friday's report triggered a rally on Wall Street, where it was viewed as the best evidence yet that the...