 Red Bank Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson |
" I see so much hard work happening here in Red Bank around the holiday season that it warms my grumpy heart"
For me, the holidays are always an interesting time of the year. Hurry up and wait (in traffic), buy this and that, oh and don't forget the figgy pudding. It can be a time of craziness! Not to mention it can be downright expensive between travel and gifts. Call me a grinch, but sometimes it feels like the commercialization of the holiday season isn't much to write home about, especially when you start hearing Christmas music immediately after Halloween...
But, when I shift that reference frame and pull back for a different perspective, things take on a different hue. For my family of my wife and two young boys, the hustle and work that goes into making the holiday season special is unironically the thing that makes it special. Things like staying up late to build some huge toy that takes up far too much floor space in our small house or braving the traffic on I-75 to go visit the grandparents for Christmas Eve dinner, make those moments of joy with family much sweeter.
That effort and warmth extends beyond just my family, it's true for our community, too. I see so much hard work happening here in Red Bank around the holiday season that it warms my grumpy heart. From Public Works hanging the holiday decorations in a timely and tactful way, to the outreach of the Fire Department at community events, to the Festival Advisory Board putting on a spectacular Christmas parade, Red Bank seems to understand what makes the holidays feel special. When you look at some of our local non-profits working here as well, you can feel how much the community cares and gives back to itself. Though their work is happening all year, and certainly not exclusive to the holiday season, folks like Northside Neighborhood House, the Red Bank Food Pantry, and the White Oak Bicycle CoOp are just a few of the groups bridging that gap for families in our community to make their holidays whole.
This year I'll be looking at the holidays through rosy (and green) tinted glasses. The ghost of Christmas-Present appeared to me this year. Strangely, he's a boy of five years old with blonde curly hair and a Christmas list to Santa that he started writing in late September. This little ghost helped me realize that the truest gift I'll be looking forward to this holiday season is the happiness that comes from the season itself. It's the effort yielding the reward, the invaluable time spent with family and friends, those smiles and shouts of excitement on Christmas morning before the sun comes up, and the warmth of being a part of things greater than oneself. It's all of those things that make me look forward to this holiday season. Oh and that figgy pudding? I forgot about that, but I do much prefer a piece of pecan pie or cranberry-apple bake. Hayes Wilkinson Red Bank Commissioner - At Large __________________________________________________________________________________________
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Veterans Day November 11, 2025 In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day. |
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We would like to recognize and thank our Veterans who serve the City of Red Bank today!
- Firefighter Amanda Miller- United States Marine Corps
- Fire Training Captain Andrew Wood- United States Army
- Firefighter Brandon Lamphier- United States Navy
- Officer Brantly Young- United States Navy
- Public Works Brian Fisher- United States Army Reserve
- Police Sgt. Bruce Erlinger – United States Air Force
- Firefighter Carson Dowell- United States Army
- Firefighter Clint Montgomery- United States Air Force
- Officer Daniel White- United States Army
- Officer David Harding- United States Army
- Storm Water Specialist Derick Nash- United States Air Force
- Public Works Ethan Nichols - National Guard
- Public Works Director Greg Tate- National Guard
- Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Carter- United States Air Force
- Deputy Police Chief John Wright- United States Army
- Captain Larry Olivier- United States Air Force
- City Manager Martin Granum- United States Air Force
- Firefighter Robert Sprague- United States Army
- Public Works Laborer 1 Ron Clark- National Guard
- Police Sgt. Steve Hope- United States Army
- Officer Trevor Durham - United States Army
*Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who lost their lives while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us. _______________________________________________ |
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Red Bank Police Department. “Be Safe. Be Smart. Buckle Up.”
National Seat Belt Day is November 14 — a time to remind everyone of the life-saving importance of wearing a seat belt every time they get in a vehicle. While it’s easy to take seat belts for granted, they often make the difference between a minor injury and a tragedy. The simple act of buckling up takes just seconds — yet it can save your life.
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Why Seat Belts Matter According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): - Every 50 minutes, on average, someone not wearing a seat belt dies in a traffic crash.
- In 2023, 10,484 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants were killed.
- Among young adults (18–34) killed in crashes in 2023, 60% were unrestrained — one of the highest rates of any age group.
Behind each number is a life tragically lost and a family left behind. Buckling up can mean the difference between life and death. Five Fast Facts - Seat belts reduce fatalities by 45% for front-seat passengers and drivers.
- They prevent 50% of serious injuries in crashes.
- The three-point seat belt distributes crash forces to the chest, pelvis, and shoulders — minimizing whiplash and internal injuries.
- Airbags alone aren’t enough. Without a seat belt, airbags can cause severe injuries or fail to prevent ejection during a crash.
- You influence others. Children are far more likely to buckle up if their parents and caregivers do.
Seat Belt Safety at Home Make it a household rule that everyone buckles up before every trip — no exceptions. - Always fasten your seat belt before starting the car.
- Check that passengers in both front and back seats are buckled.
- Never begin driving unless everyone is safely restrained.
Final Reminder Seat belts are one of the simplest, most effective safety tools ever invented. Whether you’re driving across town or across the state, buckle up every time — and make sure your passengers do too. ________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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 Red Bank Vice Mayor Hollie Berry |
"Leave the Leaves" in Fall for Summer Fireflies.As the season transitions into fall, we can reflect on one of the most magical memories of summer nights here in Red Bank, the golden flashes of fireflies welcoming twilight. But did you know that the secret to more fireflies next summer starts with your fall yardwork now? Fireflies spend the majority of their lives (1-2 years) living as larvae in leaf litter on the ground before emerging for just the last 30 days in their winged, bioluminescent form we all love so much!
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So if you want to maximize the fireflies you get to enjoy in your own yard and help ensure future generations get the chance to enjoy this experience as well, the three easiest and most effective steps you can take are to: 1) Avoid pesticides and lawn chemicals whenever possible. 2) Let leaves stay as close to where they fell as possible. 3) Keep the exterior of your house dark - motion sensing lights are great to keep a dark environment for fireflies and maintain security. Of course nobody wants a slippery, leaf covered sidewalk or driveway. Simply rake leaves away from pathways and into your garden beds. Leaves provide excellent mulch, and it's much less work than moving them all the way to the curb or bagging them! "Leaving the leaves" doesn't just benefit fireflies either. Many other wildlife species including frogs, turtles, and especially moths. Moth caterpillars serve as a primary food source for baby birds in the spring, rely on leaf litter for overwintering shelter, food, moisture retention and more. With just a few minor adjustments you can skip the birdseed, skip the yardwork, and reap the benefits of more beneficial wildlife in your own backyard. Happy Fall Y'all! Hollie Berry Vice Mayor of Red Bank ________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Red Bank Fire Department. Cooking Safety.
Cooking and Thanksgiving Safety The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there are a lot of activity and people. But did you know? Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires. • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. • Have a “kid-free zone” Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove. • Make sure to turn pot handles inward towards the stove. This keeps children from accidentally grabbing them and pouring any hot liquid on them. • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns. • Keep the floor clear so you do not trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags. • Keep knives out of reach of children. • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer, or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of a children- up high in a locked cabinet.
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• Keep anything that can catch fire such as an oven mitt, wooden utensils, food packaging, or towels away from your stovetop. • Be on alert!!!! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol do not use the stove or stovetop. • Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle. • Have activities that keep children out of the kitchen during these busy times. Games puzzles or books can keep them busy. Children can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen. • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. • Turkey fryers can tip over easily, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Make sure your turkey fryer is on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it is in use. • Make sure your turkey fryer is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves. • An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in. Test the amount of oil you need by filling your fryer with water. Place the turkey in the pot making sure the water doesn't get too close to the top. Measure the water and use that as a guide for filling the pot with oil. • A partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when you put it in the cooking pot. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed without frost on it before you fry it. • Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire. If your turkey fryer does not have a thermostat, use a kitchen thermometer that attaches to the side of the pot. This will help you monitor the temperature of the oil. • The side of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot. Always use protective oven mitts. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the turkey fryer. The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate were missing, disconnected, or had dead batteries. This reinforces how important it is to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors each year. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!! ________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Active Older Adults (AOA) Art Classes We’re introducing three new art classes in addition to our regular activities this month, each led by talented local artists: - Friday, November 3 – Pottery Workshop with Scenic City Clay Arts
- Friday, November 10 – Collaging with Cat Thomas from The Chattery
- Friday, November 17 – Decoupage with Rhonda Basner
All art classes are from 1pm-3pm
Location: 3653 Tom Weathers Dr
Free to attend & materials provided - must register: https://redbanktn.recdesk.com/Community/Home |
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As temperatures drop, families often look for alternative ways to generate heat throughout their homes. While space heaters and fireplaces are good sources of warmth, they can be very dangerous. Space heaters account for about one-third of home heating fires and 80 percent of home heating fire deaths annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Families should use extreme caution with all alternative heating devices. According to the NFPA, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths, with almost half of these fires occurring in the months of December, January and February. Common household mistakes contribute to the majority of these fires, such as placing flammable objects too close to heating equipment. |
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The NFPA recommends the following safety precautions when using heating equipment: - Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment such as a portable space heater, fireplace, wood-burning stove or furnace. The three-foot safety zone includes furniture, drapes, electronics—anything that can burn.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater into a power strip or “multi-plug.” They should be plugged directly into an outlet.
- Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not place an electrical cord under a rug. Dispose of older, fraying extension cords.
- Always use only the type of fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.
- Test smoke alarms monthly
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Fall Back One Hour.Fall is in full swing, and that means daylight saving time will soon draw to a close. This year, the time change occurs on Sunday, Nov. 2nd at 2am. |
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It's that time of year again - the Annual Red Bank Lions Pecan and Nut Sale!!! All the times/ prices/ etc can be found on the website or scan the QR code. The in person sale will begin November 1, pending the receipt of the FRESH CROP of nuts! This sale funds the Red Bank High School scholarships, bird feeders at the windows at Life Care of Red Bank, Juvenile Diabetic Camp (always looking for someone that wants to attend), the Junior Lions Club at Red Bank High School, the Food Bank, the Homeless pantry, School for the Blind, and our Vision Screening program and much, much more. Please order now and know you are the ones making the difference!
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Pumpkins for Pigs is back this fall! Don’t toss your pumpkins after Halloween or Thanksgiving—help us recycle them for a great cause! Whole and carved pumpkins (even those used with candles) can be dropped off at the Red Bank Recycle Center (4857 Dayton Blvd).
Drop-off Dates:
October 31st – November 8th
November 29th – December 6th
Hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Painted pumpkins and those that are completely rotten cannot be accepted.
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The Feasibility of Curbside Recycling in Red Bank, Tennessee The City of Red Bank has carefully evaluated the potential implementation of curbside recycling services and determined that it is not a feasible option at this time. National data indicates that a significant percentage of recyclable materials ultimately end up in landfills due to contamination. Additionally, there is no viable market for certain plastics (specifically types 3-7) or recycled glass, which has seen declining demand due to the increased use of plastics. According to recent data, contamination in recycling streams can lead to significant amounts of recyclable waste being sent to landfills. For example, contamination rates for plastics can exceed 25%, making them difficult to process. Additionally, the U.S. recycling rate hovers around 35%, meaning a substantial portion of materials still end up in landfills. The EPA also reports that more than 50% of municipal solid waste is landfilled, highlighting the challenges in recycling efficiency. Curbside recycling comes with major financial challenges. To make it work, the city would need to hire additional staff, buy expensive equipment, and cover ongoing operational costs—without a reliable revenue source to offset these expenses. Over time, many curbside recycling programs have struggled to stay financially viable, often shifting the financial burden onto taxpayers. In simple terms, residents end up paying three times for recycling: first through their annual Solid Waste fees for curbside collection, then through per-ton fees charged by recycling facilities to process materials, and finally through landfill fees when contaminated or non-recyclable items must be discarded. Given these costs and inefficiencies, curbside recycling may not be a practical option for the community at this time. Recycling with an Educated Point of View in Red Bank, Tennessee Instead, Red Bank remains committed to responsible recycling through a controlled, clean recycling center, which allows for proper sorting and education on best practices. This approach ensures that recyclable materials are clean, properly processed, and marketable, providing a more sustainable solution. Residents who wish to participate in curbside collection can also explore private services that offer home pickup options for a fee. While curbside recycling may be viewed as a "feel-good" service, its history in the early 2000s showed significant challenges, and current data further underscores its impracticality. The City of Red Bank will continue to prioritize effective recycling education and maintain a system that best serves the community while remaining fiscally responsible. Input provided by: Lessily Carter Service Attendant Hamilton County/City of Red Bank Recycling Center ____________ James Allen Solid Waste Supervisor City of Red Bank, Tennessee ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Highlighting Red Bank's Non-Profit:
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MISSION To assist and improve the lives of people who are experiencing homelessness in the greater area of Chattanooga, Tennessee. We provide essential needs, hope, and restore dignity among those who are altered by conflict and disaster to survive. WHAT WE DO Non-Perishable Food Bags Food boxes are provided for those who need assistance due to experiencing a disaster or an emergency that places a long-term effect on using foods that requires electricity This box provides the basic needs of a well- balanced diet to the process of eating foods necessary for health and growth.. Essentials Kits Vision Of Mercy provides thirty essential kits monthly for those individuals that are experiencing homelessness. Each kit provides basic needs of enduring time without proper shelter. Items includes; blankets, tents, toiletries, soap and more Emergency Shelter Finding shelter is critical in times of disaster. Vision Of Mercy will soon provide vouchers for those individuals who need temporary shelter for up to three days. During this stay, we assist in helping to find an extended stay location if needed. Medication Assistance Anyone struggling to pay for their medication will go through an application process for approval for assistance for payment of medial prescriptions. Vision Of Mercy understands the hardships and highly priced medication and are willing to help. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES No Need to Struggle Each year Vision of Mercy hosts one of our annual events called "No Need to Struggle". We take this opportunity to gather our partners and offer an abundance of resources to our homeless communities in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Please contact us if you are interested in being a vendor or if you would like to donate to this event. Hope to the Hopeless Hope to the Hopeless of Students provides resource of hot meals three times a week in conjunction with the students after-school tutoring program. This action ensures students who are homeless and less fortunate are properly assisted educationally and fed before the end of the night. Food Distribution Each month, Vision Of Mercy host an event to deliver one hundred bags, sleeping bags, and toiletries to the homeless in the Chattanooga area. During this time, Vision Of Mercy is able to pray and connect with a multitude of homeless communities and find out more about its needs. We are growing rapidly and preparing for amazing transformations. We are excited to announce that every third week of the month, twenty-five (25) food bags are passed out to a local school for kids in poverty. Also, every fourth Saturday, non-perishable food bags are passed out along with hot meals. WINTER BLANKET DRIVE – SEPTEMBER 15TH THRU NOVEMBER 30TH Join Vision of Mercy in helping the homeless stay warm. Our goal is 300 blankets to be given away December 20, 2025. Donate $20 for a blanket at www.vision-of-mercy.com
Location: 600 E 52nd Street Chattanooga, TN 37410 Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 2435 Chattanooga, TN 37409 Phone: 423-488-1501 Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm / Closed Saturday and Sunday Email: info@vision-of-mercy.com https://www.facebook.com/visionofmercychatt __________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Looking Ahead
November 4th - Regular Commission Work Session - 5 PM Regular Commission Meeting - 6 PM November 18th- Regular Commission Work Session - 5 PM Regular Commission Meeting - 6 PM
November 12th - Planning Commission Work Session - 12 PM November 26th - Regular Planning Commission Meeting - 6 PM
*City offices will be closed November 11th in observance of Veterans Day and closed November 27th- 28th in observance of Thanksgiving. |
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