Fundraiser rally set for woman whose home burned ... and more

Fundraiser rally set for woman whose home burned

State House candidate Tona Monroe-Ball is holding a yard sale and fundraising rally for Martha Ridings on Saturday.

Ridings, a Walland resident, has claimed that Blount County workers accidentally caused her home and business to burn to the ground last year. Because of a state cap on property damage claims against local governments, representatives from the county say she can only be paid $100,000 for her losses.

The yard sale will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. It will be held at the property of Martha Ridings located at 749 Blair Loop in Walland.

Citizens wishing to donate items to the yard sale should arrive at 8:30 a.m. with a table to display their donations and a chair if they wish to sit.

Monroe-Ball is seeking the Republican nomination for the 20th District seat occupied by state Rep. Doug Overbey, who has decided to challenge state Sen. Raymond Finney for his seat.

For more information please contact Tona Monroe-Ball at (865) 856-0814 or e-mail her at tona@votetona.org.

Student critical after hit by car

CLARKSVILLE -- A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition after being hit by a car on his way to school in Montgomery County.

Schools spokeswoman Elise Shelton says Joshua Castle was taken by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. The Leaf-Chronicle reported that he was undergoing surgery for massive trauma to his left leg, among other injuries.

Shelton says the student was hit by a car near a bus stop.

Public meetings

Tennessee

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES: Will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Blount County Public Library, 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville, to get public input into a new direction the Department of Children's Services is taking.