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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 17, 2012 8:08:09 GMT -5
A study by a Washington, D.C.,-based nonprofit found that three Tennessee Congress members used campaign money to pay salaries to their relatives. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports (http://bit.ly/ISyWby) that the three were among 82 members whose families benefited from their positions in government over the past two election cycles. In Tennessee, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann paid his college-aged son $4,652 from campaign funds to accompany him on the campaign trail during the 2010 election cycle. U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, of Knoxville, paid his sister, son and niece a combined $7,600 for work on his financial disclosures, and U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn paid her daughter $301 for administrative and fundraising services. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17463885/3-congress-members-paid-salaries-to-relatives
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 17, 2012 8:07:35 GMT -5
Few in Marion County could forget the heartbreak of Andrew and Adam Hughes; brothers, killed two years ago when their car ran off Highway 41 in a curve almost two years ago. "The teen driving group is the one that concerns us most," says Clint Shrum, of the Governor's Highway Safety Office. "Especially with proms and graduations coming." Monday, the GHSO journeyed to Jasper, to tell police officers and sheriff's deputies from throughout the Cumberland region, that the warmest winter in forty years brought out drivers in droves, and made the roads more dangerous. Thirty-eight more people have lost their lives on Tennessee roads this year, compared to the same period last year; 23 of those deaths in March alone. "I wasn't aware that we were third in the state for speeding, and for alcohol-related deaths," Grundy County Chief Deputy Scott Hampton says. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17465628/more-driving-more-deaths-buy-more-cops-more-stops
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 17, 2012 8:06:56 GMT -5
Two Sand Mountain siblings say they were fired for a Facebook post about their boss. "We got text messages from her saying that I was fired," Joshua Griffith told Channel 3. The 27-year-old was fired over text after he called his boss "lazy". "I posted on Facebook it was sorry we had to come to work and I think she was just being lazy because she didn't want to cover my shift," he said. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17473719/siblings-fired-for-facebook-post-about-their-boss
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 17, 2012 7:46:52 GMT -5
A suspect, in custody following a police chase that crossed state lines Monday evening has been identified as a 14 year old male. The chase began around 8:40 in Whitfield County, near Tunnel Hill, when police started to chase a robbery suspect. That chase went all the way up I-75 onto I-24. While on I-75 shots were fired between police and the suspect, though it's not immediately clear how many shots were fired. "Some rounds, some shots were exchanged. A pursuit ensued in which rounds, shots were being fired into Tennessee," said East Ridge Police spokesman Erik Hopkins. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17466421/suspect-leads-officers-across-state-line-fires-at-deputies
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 17, 2012 7:46:05 GMT -5
The City of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture and the Chattanooga SE Tennessee Film Commission in partnership with WRCB Channel 3 and the Chattanooga Times Free Press announce an exclusive screening of "BULLY" at Carmike Cinema's Majestic 12 Theatre downtown on Tuesday, April 17. Before the movie begins, organizers will host a community-wide discussion at 5:00 p.m. and the movie starting at 5:30 p.m. Seats to the movie will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $5.50 each. Call ahead to reserve your tickets through the Majestic 12 box office at (423) 826-2375. WRCB, along with partners at the Times Free Press and WTCI-PBS, will broadcast The Bully Battle: A Town Hall Meeting on May 19 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 3. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17376812/official-premiere-of-bully-in-chattanooga-on-april-17
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 17, 2012 7:45:24 GMT -5
Police in Georgia handcuffed a kindergartner after the girl threw a tantrum, and the police chief is making no apologies. WMAZ-TV (http://on.wmaz.com/I0ZrNE ) reports the 6-year-old is accused of tearing items off the walls and throwing furniture at school in the central Georgia city of Milledgeville. The police report says the girl knocked over a shelf that injured the principal. The elementary school called police after the Friday tantrum. The report says when an officer tried to calm the child, she resisted and was handcuffed. The girl was charged with simple assault and damage to property. Police Chief Dray Swicord says the department's policy is to handcuff people in certain situations, and "there is no age discrimination on that rule." www.wrcbtv.com/story/17498681/police-handcuff-ga-kindergartner-for-tantrum
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 16, 2012 6:25:37 GMT -5
After feeling ignored by the Hamilton County Department of Education, a parent committee in the eastern part of the county is asking school board members to consider installing portables and using another year to gather growth information before signing on to the superintendent's proposed rezoning plan. "We quickly discovered that we were not [meeting with HCDE staff] to provide our input to craft a solution but rather our attendance was perfunctory to give the illusion of community involvement," the parent committee wrote in its report. "... nstead of refuting our concerns with facts and research; they simply told us that they know what they are doing," the parents added.
Four committee members and two other parents met Saturday afternoon in the Hamilton Mill subdivision to discuss their next move in reaching out to board members.
www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/15/parents-offer-own-plan-for-schools/?local
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 16, 2012 6:25:07 GMT -5
Most of the nine Chattanooga City Council members say they want to stay in their posts and plan to run in the March 2013 city election. One exception is District 8 Councilman Andraé McGary, who is running in the Democratic primary for state Senate. And District 4 Councilman Jack Benson still is making up his mind. With 11 years on the council, the 82-year-old former principal and teacher is the senior member. Benson said he is feeling good and believes he could make another run for the office. "Presently, I am," he said. "I could change my mind." The seven other council members all confirmed that they will run, saying they wanted to continue improving programs and services in their districts. Chairwoman Pam Ladd is considering a run for mayor. She said if she decides not to take on that challenge, she will be a candidate for the District 3 seat again. www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/15/most-council-members-are-planning-to-run-again/?local
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 16, 2012 6:24:25 GMT -5
A 19-year-old woman was laid to rest Saturday. It's been a week since she crashed her car on Hunter Road. Misty Szekely was on her way to work at Hamilton Place Mall when she lost control of her car and hit a tree. Szekely was part of the Tennessee National Guard. She was laid to rest in a military funeral at Ooltewah Cemetery Saturday. Her loved ones say she died a hero. Channel 3 attended the service at her father's request. 19-year-old Misty Dawn Szekely of Sale Creek was scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan this weekend. Instead, her family and fellow military members say she died saving lives in another way-- through organ donation. Carrying Specialist Misty Szekely to her final resting place was a group what the National Guard refers to as her "battle buddies." www.wrcbtv.com/story/17452985/19-year-old-killed-in-crash-laid-to-rest-in-military-funeral
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 16, 2012 6:23:32 GMT -5
Hamilton is the only Tennessee county with double-digit tourism growth since the beginning of the recession, a trend local experts hope to continue. Between 2007 and 2010, the Chattanooga area's tourism take shot up by nearly $100 million to $810.1 million, just $2.3 million behind the state's fourth-highest tourism county, Knox. The upturn is continuing for Hamilton County, aided this winter by unseasonably warm weather and general improvements to the national economy. "We've exceeded all of our projections, really since the beginning of the year," said Karen Baker, senior marketing director for Rock City and Ruby Falls. "People are just ready to get out of the house." www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/15/destination-chattanooga/
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 16, 2012 6:22:58 GMT -5
A Chattanooga legacy is celebrated Sunday: a Bessie Smith birthday event was held at the Cultural Center named after the blues legend. This comes as the decision of what happens to the Bessie Smith Strut is still on the table. There's been a battle over the Strut for the last few weeks. Mayor Ron Littlefield said the event would be moved to the river, within the Riverbend festival gates, but now we learn progress is being made to keep it where it's always been. "I am 100 percent certain we are going to have a Strut," MLK Merchants Association spokesperson Moses Freeman said. It's a bold statement from Freeman, the MLK Merchants' point man. "We're all looking ahead with smiles on our face rather than the gloom we were exhibiting a few days ago," Freeman said. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17456318/plans-to-save-the-bessie-smith-strut-move-forward
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 16, 2012 6:22:24 GMT -5
Students in the Collegedale community are trying to find a way to cope with the loss of a fellow student. A Collegedale Academy sophomore drowned Saturday afternoon while swimming at Harrison Bay State Park. Several classmates say it is hard to process their friend is gone. A group of students met at Collegedale Academy Sunday afternoon to pray over the loss of a fellow student. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17452403/first-on-3-search-underway-for-missing-harrison-bay-swimmer
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 13, 2012 11:45:36 GMT -5
Armed with a megaphone, longtime mail carrier Rick Wilhoite hopes to bend the ear of lawmakers. "Congress doesn't deliver, but we do," screams Rick Wilhoite as cars passed by. Postal workers held signs along Martin Luther King Boulevard Thursday. It's part of a nation-wide day of action, meant to inspire lawmakers to save the failing United States Postal Service. The local chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) gathered outside U.S. Senator Bob Corker's Chattanooga office. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17403286/local-letter-carriers
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 13, 2012 11:44:36 GMT -5
Crews spent the day preparing the site for the Dixieland Fireworks shop on Ringgold Road. It is one of three being built. Two more are expected to apply for permits. The City Council voted last fall to adopt a set of standards to regulate sales, after the state legislature passed a bill to allow firework sales. Beginning July first, vendors can sell class-C fireworks. It is still illegal to shoot fireworks in East Ridge city limits. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17408891/fireworks-to-be-sold-in-east-ridge
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 13, 2012 11:43:42 GMT -5
U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann on Thursday said he can't figure out why dairy magnate Scottie Mayfield is challenging him in the Republican primary in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District. "I'm already practicing what he's preaching," Fleischmann said. In the first two months of his campaign, Mayfield has emphasized his business experience and downplayed politics, but had little to say about his views. At one point, he responded "Not really" to a question about whether he disagreed with any of Fleischmann's votes. On Thursday, Fleischmann reinforced the similarities, a mere 24 hours after the Mayfield campaign promoted the fresh addition of several political positions on its campaign website, whose only previous clue to Mayfield's platform said, "Republican for Congress." www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/13/us-rep-chuck-fleischmann-says-hes-confused-scottie/
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 13, 2012 11:43:11 GMT -5
The Tennessee Valley Authority will raise its wholesale rates another 2.1 percent in May to cover the anticipated higher expenses of buying more power from other utilities as temperatures warm this spring. TVA said today the typical electricity user in its 7-state region will pay from $1 to $3 more during May because of the increase in the monthly fuel cost adjustment. Despite the increase, TVA said its fuel costs are still 1.5 percent below a year ago. Including the 2 percent base rate increase adopted last fall, however, TVA overall rates are still higher than a year ago. The increase in TVA's fuel cost adjustment comes despite the drop in natural gas prices, which fell this week to the lowest level in a decade. www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/13/tva-boost-rates-21-may/
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 13, 2012 11:42:42 GMT -5
A high stakes poker game bust led to a police involved shooting Thursday night. "We've heard $30,000 to $100,000 exchanges hands throughout a night," said Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd. Police say 32-year-old Clifford Billups provided food for the high stakes poker game. "Mr. Billups drove here in a catering truck, the assumption is that he actually catered the event," explained Police Chief Bobby Dodd. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17403350/officer-involoved-shooting
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:31:13 GMT -5
Merchants, officers with Riverbend's Friends of the Festival, and Board members of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center plan to meet Thursday to begin drafting a master plan for staging the Bessie Smith Strut blues festival on ML King Boulevard June 11. Tuesday, Friends of the Festival announced it would not stage the Strut on the Riverfront, as part of the Riverbend festival. Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd believes the plan can't come quickly enough. "Stop the double talk," Dodd told Channel 3 after a City Council meeting Tuesday. "Because at the end of the day, who's gonna be there (wherever the festival might be)? The police." www.wrcbtv.com/story/17388812/60-days-out-wholl-step-up-to-stage-the-strut-on-ml-king-blvd
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:28:41 GMT -5
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer today released the 3 year transportation program, featuring approximately $1.5 billion in infrastructure investments for 96 individual project phases in 55 counties, as well as 10 statewide programs. TDOT is one of only five state DOT's that does not borrow money to fund projects, and the program continues TDOT's "pay as you go" philosophy, carrying no debt for any transportation initiatives. "This program balances transportation needs across Tennessee, focusing on improvements to strategic corridors, maximizing economic development opportunities, and providing key safety improvements," said Governor Haslam. "A quality transportation system is vital to our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs and the continued growth of the state's economy." The 3 year multimodal program funds improvements to the interstate system, including the addition of truck climbing lanes, ramp enhancements, and interchange reconstruction projects. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17394256/tdot-unveils-15-billion-pay-as-you-go-transportation-plan
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:28:09 GMT -5
Chattanooga Police say a man was shot three times in the head Thursday morning. Officers say they were called to 2012 Duncan around 9:40 a.m. on a report of a man with shot three times. Investigators say the 38-year-old man had been a verbal fight with the suspect near the intersection of S Kelly Street and Union Avenue. They say the victim was shot there and drove himself to Duncan Avenue before calling 911. The victim was transported to Erlanger Hospital for treatment. Police say his injuries appear to be non-life-threatening at this time. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17393757/police-man-shot-in-head-on-duncan
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:27:41 GMT -5
The Department of Labor is shuttering seven of its career centers in a move to cut costs. No employees are losing their jobs as a result of the closings, which are effective July 1. The 61 employees impacted by the closures will be relocated to other offices with existing staff shortages. The affected offices are in Blairsville, Camilla, Elberton, Kings Bay, Eastman, Monroe and northwest Georgia in Fort Oglethorpe. Most alternate locations are an average of 35 miles away. The Labor Department will continue to operate 46 career centers statewide. The agency is also increasing its online presence, where full registration for employment services will be available in the coming weeks. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17395268/labor-department-to-close-7-locations
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:27:13 GMT -5
o call the HATCH festival a massive undertaking would still be considered an understatement. Organizers from Chattanooga's art, business, and civic communities came together with a goal of creating an event to celebrate creativity of the Scenic City – History, Arts, Technology, Culture and Happenings. The result is a 10 day showcase with more than 170 events at venues spread throughout the city in its first year. It's safe to say if you can't find something to do during the HATCH festival, you may not have a pulse. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17390255/hatch-art-technology-festival-for-the-scenic-city
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:26:25 GMT -5
The House has voted to begin phasing out Tennessee's inheritance tax and to lower the state's sales tax on groceries. The chamber voted 88-8 on the estate tax measure Thursday, and 96-0 to cut the food tax from 5.5% to 5.25%. Republicans hailed the estate tax cut as a way to keep retirees from moving out of state, while Democrats argued that the tax cut on groceries affects a far larger number of people. Both measures were part of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's legislative agenda this year. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17395409/tenn-house-passes-tax-cuts-on-groceries-estates
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 12, 2012 13:25:53 GMT -5
The Richard Tucker Music Foundation is pleased to announce that lyric soprano Ailyn Pérez is the winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award. This prestigious prize, which has been referred to as "the Heisman Trophy of opera," carries the foundation's most substantial cash award, of $30,000, and is conferred annually on an American opera singer at the threshold of a major international career. Previous winners include such luminaries of the opera world as Renée Fleming, Deborah Voigt, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato, Lawrence Brownlee and Angela Meade. The 2009 Richard Tucker Award went to Pérez's husband and frequent collaborator, tenor Stephen Costello, so her award renders the couple dubbed "America's fastest-rising husband-and-wife opera stars" (Associated Press) the first to have two Richard Tucker Awards on the mantelpiece – one for each. Furthermore, Pérez is the first Hispanic singer to receive the award in its 34-year history. The foundation is also pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 Richard Tucker Career Grants and Sara Tucker Study Grants, who were selected by audition this week at New York's 92nd Street Y. A complete list of recipients is provided below. "We are thrilled to be giving the Richard Tucker Award to Ailyn Pérez, a wonderful young soprano who sings with incredible beauty and heart," said Barry Tucker, President of the Richard Tucker Music Foundation and son of the great American tenor for whom it is named. "I first heard Ailyn singing La traviata at our auditions and was really impressed and moved, and I got to know her much better when Stephen Costello, her husband, won the Richard Tucker Award three years ago. We are so happy to be able to recognize her talent today. I know she will make the Richard Tucker Foundation proud." www.wrcbtv.com/story/17395105/hixson-resident-wins-very-prestigious-opera-award
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 11, 2012 7:32:11 GMT -5
Georgia's high school graduation rate has fallen to 67% based a new federally mandated calculation. The state Department of Education released the figure Tuesday morning after months of preparing state lawmakers and other officials for the drop. Under the old calculation, the rate of students receiving diplomas had topped 80%, but officials say that number wasn't an accurate picture of Georgia's high school graduates. Officials say the new formula better accounts for dropouts. The formula divides the number of graduates in a given year by the number of students who enrolled four years earlier. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17373667/high-school-graduation-rate-falls-to-67
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 11, 2012 7:31:27 GMT -5
Bowing to the inevitable, Rick Santorum quit the presidential campaign Tuesday, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination. Santorum, appearing with his wife and family in his home state of Pennsylvania, told supporters the race for him was over, but the fight to defeat President Barack Obama would go on. Santorum made no mention of Romney, and stressed that he'd gone farther than anyone expected, competing "against all odds." The delegate totals told the tale of Santorum's demise. Romney has more than twice as many delegates as Santorum and is on pace to reach the number needed to clinch the nomination - 1,144 - by early June. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17376087/nbc-santorum-to-suspend-campaign
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 11, 2012 7:30:30 GMT -5
The ongoing battle of evolution versus creationism is still alive in Tennessee. The proposed "Monkey Law" passed with nearly 3-1 approval in both the House and Senate. Governor Bill Haslam did not sign the legislation. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hixson, the bill would protect both teachers and students when talking about weaknesses in the theories of evolution in the classroom. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17377943/haslam-wont-sign-evolution-bill
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 11, 2012 7:29:21 GMT -5
A Ringgold man is recovering in the hospital after being shot in the chest in argument over a weedeater. Robert Wilson, 37, was shot Saturday afternoon outside of his Karen Drive house by a man hired to do yard work for his next door neighbor. The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office did not arrest the shooter, who says it was an act of self-defense. Wilson's family disagrees. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17378604/ringgold-man-shot-during-argument-over-weed-eater
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 11, 2012 7:28:29 GMT -5
Parents would grade themselves on how involved they are in a student's school performance under legislation headed for a vote on the House floor. The measure sponsored by Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson of Memphis was approved Tuesday in the House Finance Committee on a voice vote. The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Education Committee. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Louisiana is currently considering legislation to grade parent participation. Utah passed legislation last month that creates an online survey where parents can evaluate their own involvement, but the school does not assign them a grade and it's voluntary. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17381899/parent-grading-bill-headed-to-house-floor
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Post by CMF Newsman on Apr 10, 2012 7:21:20 GMT -5
There's something primal that leads people to wonder what's lurking below the surface of any large river. Humans seem to be hardwired to be both fascinated by, and somewhat fearful of, Volkswagen-sized catfish. Soon a remarkable collection of freshwater fish that can reach such legendary sizes will be on display at the Tennessee Aquarium. The new River Giants exhibit, opening April 28th, features amazing species that grow to enormous proportions in the wild. "These guys are the Goliaths of freshwater," said Thom Demas, the Aquarium's curator of fishes. "And, for the first time anywhere, people will have an opportunity to see a global collection of these giants in a single display." Giant pangassius catfish, that can reach lengths of more than nine feet in the wild, will be joined by a seven foot beluga sturgeon, impressive Australian whiprays, beefy barramundi and a menagerie of other freshwater creatures from around the world. Demas says some species like marbled eels, ghostly-white alligator gar and wallago will add a bit of the weird to this collection of monster fish. www.wrcbtv.com/story/17364223/aquarium-to-open-new-exhibit-on-endangered
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