July 26, 2020:
Lee AD Larry Carpenter gives update on university

“Carpenter said Lee University will be starting school on Wednesday, Aug. 19. ‘It'll be a hybrid type of classes, but we want everyone to have a chance at an education,’ he explained. As far as competitive athletics, Carpenter said, ‘It's been an adventure.’ The AD also pointed out, ‘We also think it's very important to get kids back in school. And we're doing all we can to get them back on the playing fields, but are waiting on directions from the NCAA, CDC and sports scientists.’ Carpenter also responded to a question about some new construction on the north side of the campus. ‘That's going to be a new $4 million track and field complex,’ he said. ‘We hope to be able to host some NCAA events next year.’ 

July 15, 2020:
Lee U cancels graduation planned for Aug. 1

“President Dr. Paul Conn said the decision was both difficult and made ‘with tears, literally, at times.’ The university leadership came to a conclusion to cancel graduation after meetings with Lee’s chairman of the Board of Directors, as well as its eight vice presidents and a number of faculty leaders, Conn explained. Conn said the spring commencement, which was rescheduled for Aug. 1, would have brought a large crowd and ‘too many variables we can’t control.’”

July 3, 2020:
Coldwell Banker Paints City with Color, Tradition

“For the past 35 years, the local business has lined the streets of Cleveland with flags to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend along with the community in which they work and live. Riley Arp, whose father is Lamar Arp of Coldwell, has taken part in the event every year dating back to her earliest childhood memories. On Thursday morning, Arp again found herself on a familiar stretch of Ocoee Street near Lee University that she and her father have decorated together nearly a dozen times.”

June 24, 2020:
Cruise-In starts season Saturday

“The open-air event offers plenty of space for social distancing while classic car enthusiasts see restored cars and other special interest vehicles as they line the streets of downtown. Last season nearly 500 vehicles a month lined the courthouse square and surrounding streets with some participants traveling from several hours away.”

June 24, 2020:
Repurposing Ahead for Sanda Hosiery Mill

“Downtown Cleveland's abandoned Sanda Hosiery Mill structure, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places, will be getting a major repurposing by being converted into a 52-unit residential complex. The $10 million project is expected to begin this fall.
The project will be a feather in the cap for city planners and the city council, who last year launched an ambitious downtown revitalization initiative aimed at drawing more visitors, as well as residents to Cleveland’s historic downtown area.”

June 20, 2020:
Conn reminisces on his Lee tenure

“Last year, Conn announced he would be retiring in August, concluding 34 years as the university’s president. His tenure will be the longest of any university president in Tennessee history.
Conn said he will remain at the university as chancellor.
‘I love being a part of this community,’ he said. ‘I’m not going to retire because we still have a lot of things to do.’”

June 2, 2020:
June’s Friday Festivals set to kick off this week

“‘Friday Festivals each week, combined with the monthly MainStreet Cruise-In and the weekly Market at the Mill, bring a variety of fun summer entertainment options to downtown while allowing plenty of space for social distancing,’ [Sharon Marr, Mainstreet Cleveland Executive Director] said.”

May 20, 2020:
Whirlpool Demolition Nearing Its Finish

“Butch Smith, owner of Steve's Trucking Inc., which is the Whirlpool contractor, believes the work will be finished by the end of June. Once the wrecking ball has taken its final swing at the century-old Plant 1 — the former home of Dixie Foundry, Dixie Products, Magic Chef Company and Maytag Cleveland Cooking Products, prior to the March 2006 acquisition by Whirlpool — crews will cruise over to the final structure.”

May 16, 2020:
Habitat holds community groundbreaking for five houses

“As a single mother of three — Ryan, 17; Delia, 15; and Abby, 14 — Blair was ecstatic when she got a call a month or so after she applied, asking her to come to the office for paperwork. Two months later she got a call to have a home visit, and she began taking her required classes.”

May 9, 2020:
Lee University holds Cinema Showcase

“The event featured 17 student films made during the last year, including documentary, experimental, and narrative films. Most of the films were submitted by cinema majors who had created these films for classes, though at least one non-cinema major submitted a film, and several of the films were not related to class projects.”

May 2, 2020:
Public Library to reopen in phases starting Monday

“‘I know there are many who have been anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library,’ Hunt said. ‘I also know many envision that CBCPL will return to operating as it did prior to COVID-19. But, just as the business community is taking preventative precautions related to the virus, so is the library.’” 

April 18, 2020:
Lee University to offer doctorate in education

 “‘We have been preparing teachers for the last 50 years and graduate students for the last 20. We are now ready to take the final step,’ said Dr. Bill Estes, dean of the HDCOE. ‘The EdD in professional practice will prepare the candidate to bring both theory and praxis into their specific area of education.’”

March 24, 2020:
Cleveland Great Strides weekend 2020 rescheduled for September

“‘The health and safety of our community is top priority, while we all work to address the concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.’” said Leigh Ellington, executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Tennessee chapter.  ‘We must all do our part to protect those more vulnerable at this time, including our CF Fighters.’” 

March 11, 2020:
SPENDING A DAY WITH THE MAYOR

“(Editor’s Note: The Cleveland Daily Banner tagged along with Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks on a recent Monday to document a rare behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a mayor. This account is written as it unfolds over the course of a single day.)

Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks has a packed schedule ahead of him.”

February 29, 2020:
Mayor Davis presents update to MainStreet members

“Davis noted ‘providing the level of service  our citizens deserve and have come to expect in the most cost-efficient manner —without raising your taxes — that continues to be my goal.’ He added ‘the vision for Bradley County hasn't changed — educated people with good jobs living in a great place.’”

Feb 11, 2020:
Bank of Cleveland: Cleveland’s Only Locally Owned and Operated

“Bank of Cleveland, which has been in operation for more than 32 years, is continuing to serve the Cleveland community as the only bank which is completely locally owned and operated. The bank first opened on May 8, 1987, in a modular building on Keith Street. It started out pretty small, with just 10 employees.” 

January 31, 2020:
Dr. Mark L. Walker named Lee’s next president

The news came Friday afternoon following Dr. Conn’s retirement announcement in November 2019. Walker currently serves as Vice President for Ministerial Development and Chair of Lee’s Department of Christian Ministries. Additionally, Walker has previously served on Lee’s Board of Directors.

June 17, 2019:
MainStreet Cruise-In Is Saturday

“The Mainstreet Cruise-In rolls into downtown on Saturdays from 1-6 p.m. and fills the streets surrounding the Courthouse Square.  Car enthusiasts show off their vehicles as all types of cars are displayed from classics to special interest and current models.”