Catoosa County superintendent of schools Denia Reese divulges more details for Ringgold students to attend classes at Heritage High and Heritage Middle schools. (Catoosa News photo/Adam Cook)
Ringgold police chief Dan Bilbrey discusses the city’s 9 p.m. curfew and the limited access that is currently available to the downtown area of the city. (Catoosa News photo/Adam Cook)
Catoosa County sheriff Phil Summers speaks to reporters Monday afternoon as the county and Ringgold continue to move past the devastation that struck the community last week. (Catoosa News photo/Adam Cook)
In a news conference this afternoon city and county officials assured the public that everyone is doing their best as the community tries to recover from the unimaginable disaster is now endures.
“It’s been a very devastating time for our community, and we’ve seen a tremendous outpouring of support from all over,” said county manager Mike Helton.
Helton said all county and city operations are functioning as normal in the city of Ringgold, with the exception of the Catoosa County Courthouse, which is expected to re-open Wednesday morning.
Catoosa County superintendent of schools Denia Reese revealed more details on plans for students who are now displaced due to the tornado damages at both Ringgold Middle and Ringgold High schools.
Those approximate 1,800 students will now finish up the remaining 15 days of the school year at the campuses of Heritage High and Heritage Middle schools.
Here are the schedules:
High school schedule: Heritage High School, 7:45 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.; Ringgold High School, 11:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Middle school schedule: Heritage Middle School, 7:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; Ringgold Middle School, 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“I’m very proud and grateful to the principals for meeting and for the state to grant us the opportunity for the abbreviated schedule so that our students can finish the year together the way they started,” Reese said. “We are going to make the very best of the situation.”
In addition to the abbreviated class schedule, Reese said 28 school buses would be brought in by the state to be used as a result of the 28 buses that were damaged during the storms.
Fencing is also expected to go up around the Ringgold schools as a safety measure to keep people from entering the sites while the clean-up efforts are in effect.
Here is the full text of the statement from the Catoosa County superintendent of schools:
“Our middle and high school principals met this morning to determine the abbreviated schedule for Ringgold and Heritage students. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the way our schools are working together to get our students back in class. My children attend Ringgold High School, so I understand the sacrifice our Ringgold children are making to go to a different school. I am so thankful that we have schools we can use and that the state is giving us waivers to shorten the school day so our kids can come back to school and see their friends after this tragedy.
“Due to a slightly longer transportation time for Ringgold students to get to the Heritage campus, we decided Heritage students will attend school in the morning. Ringgold students will attend classes in the afternoon.
“Now, we are working out the details for our bus schedule and meal schedule. Once again, I appreciate your patience while we work out these details. We will post the schedules on our website and we will provide the information to the local media.
“I would like to say to our Ringgold and Heritage students that I understand your last 15 days of school are going to be very different than you had planned. I can’t tell you how deeply I regret that our Ringgold students will not return to their school. I know your Tiger spirit, and I believe you will make the very best out of this situation. I appreciate The Generals for graciously opening their school to us.
“Parents, I understand that some details may need to be addressed on an individual basis, and I would like to encourage you to contact your principal about any special circumstances.
“Thursday morning, I was overwhelmed with the devastation in our community. Today I am overwhelmed by the way our community has worked together. I know we will all make the best of the last 15 days of school for our children. Thank you again for your patience and support."
Limited access in Ringgold
Limited access is also expected to continue in the city of Ringgold. Only residents, business owners, and people with legitimate business in the city are being allowed in and are urged to use extreme caution in the impact areas.
“We’re still working with the gas and power companies to get things taken care of,” said Ringgold police chief Dan Bilbrey. “There still numerous hazard areas and large amounts of debris in various places within the city.”
The city will also continue a 9 p.m. curfew until further notice, which the Ringgold Police Department and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department will work together to enforce.
According to Bilbrey, there have been a total of eight arrests made within the city over the course of the past 24 hours.
“There were several calls received regarding looting taking place in the city,” Bilbrey said. “Six were arrested at the BP gas station at Ga. 151 and I-75, while two arrests were made at Ringgold Middle School.”
Ringgold has officially lifted its water boiling advisement, as was stated in a written release by Ringgold city manager Dan Wright.
“The ban occurred as a precautionary measure following the storm due to the shock the system received from the tornado and hours without power service,” Wright said. “We now have confirmation from tests that the water is completely safe for consumption without taking the additional step of boiling. We want to thank the residents for their patience as we proceed with restoring services.”
In an extra effort to calm the nerves of citizens regarding rumors of undisclosed deaths, the Catoosa County coroner’s office reassured the community there have been no more fatalities than the eight that were revealed pub-licly Friday afternoon.
“There have been a lot of exaggerated stories out there, and we ask the people please stop spreading rumors,” said coroner Vanita Hullander. “There has already been enough tragedy. … Everyone has been accounted for at this time. Unless you hear it from me publicly, it is just a rumor.”
At this point in time, the community is attempting to move on to the next stage of the disaster relief, which not only involves cleaning up the area, but attempting to get back to a state of normalcy in daily life as well.
“We’re now moving out of the emergency mode and moving on to the long-term planning phase,” said Catoosa County sheriff Phil Summers. “We’re doing our best to get things back on track, and we can make strides towards that as long as we have the cooperation of the community.”
People who still wish to volunteer to help the city and county can do so at Ringgold United Methodist Church, Poplar Springs Baptist Church, and Cherokee Valley Baptist Church.
Fencing is also expected to go up around the Ringgold schools as a safety measure to keep people from entering the sites while the clean-up efforts are in effect.
Here is the full text of the statement from the Catoosa County superintendent of schools:
“Our middle and high school principals met this morning to determine the abbreviated schedule for Ringgold and Heritage students. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the way our schools are working together to get our students back in class. My children attend Ringgold High School, so I understand the sacrifice our Ringgold children are making to go to a different school. I am so thankful that we have schools we can use and that the state is giving us waivers to shorten the school day so our kids can come back to school and see their friends after this tragedy.
“Due to a slightly longer transportation time for Ringgold students to get to the Heritage campus, we decided Heritage students will attend school in the morning. Ringgold students will attend classes in the afternoon.
“Now, we are working out the details for our bus schedule and meal schedule. Once again, I appreciate your patience while we work out these details. We will post the schedules on our website and we will provide the information to the local media.
“I would like to say to our Ringgold and Heritage students that I understand your last 15 days of school are going to be very different than you had planned. I can’t tell you how deeply I regret that our Ringgold students will not return to their school. I know your Tiger spirit, and I believe you will make the very best out of this situation. I appreciate The Generals for graciously opening their school to us.
“Parents, I understand that some details may need to be addressed on an individual basis, and I would like to encourage you to contact your principal about any special circumstances.
“Thursday morning, I was overwhelmed with the devastation in our community. Today I am overwhelmed by the way our community has worked together. I know we will all make the best of the last 15 days of school for our children. Thank you again for your patience and support."
Limited access in Ringgold
Limited access is also expected to continue in the city of Ringgold. Only residents, business owners, and people with legitimate business in the city are being allowed in and are urged to use extreme caution in the impact areas.
“We’re still working with the gas and power companies to get things taken care of,” said Ringgold police chief Dan Bilbrey. “There still numerous hazard areas and large amounts of debris in various places within the city.”
The city will also continue a 9 p.m. curfew until further notice, which the Ringgold Police Department and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department will work together to enforce.
According to Bilbrey, there have been a total of eight arrests made within the city over the course of the past 24 hours.
“There were several calls received regarding looting taking place in the city,” Bilbrey said. “Six were arrested at the BP gas station at Ga. 151 and I-75, while two arrests were made at Ringgold Middle School.”
Ringgold has officially lifted its water boiling advisement, as was stated in a written release by Ringgold city manager Dan Wright.
“The ban occurred as a precautionary measure following the storm due to the shock the system received from the tornado and hours without power service,” Wright said. “We now have confirmation from tests that the water is completely safe for consumption without taking the additional step of boiling. We want to thank the residents for their patience as we proceed with restoring services.”
In an extra effort to calm the nerves of citizens regarding rumors of undisclosed deaths, the Catoosa County coroner’s office reassured the community there have been no more fatalities than the eight that were revealed pub-licly Friday afternoon.
“There have been a lot of exaggerated stories out there, and we ask the people please stop spreading rumors,” said coroner Vanita Hullander. “There has already been enough tragedy. … Everyone has been accounted for at this time. Unless you hear it from me publicly, it is just a rumor.”
At this point in time, the community is attempting to move on to the next stage of the disaster relief, which not only involves cleaning up the area, but attempting to get back to a state of normalcy in daily life as well.
“We’re now moving out of the emergency mode and moving on to the long-term planning phase,” said Catoosa County sheriff Phil Summers. “We’re doing our best to get things back on track, and we can make strides towards that as long as we have the cooperation of the community.”
People who still wish to volunteer to help the city and county can do so at Ringgold United Methodist Church, Poplar Springs Baptist Church, and Cherokee Valley Baptist Church.
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