Local News

The Portland City Police Department arrested four teenagers after a dangerous high-speed chase, finding them in possession of drugs and a loaded AR-style rifle. Police got a hit from a license plate reader on a Nissan with a missing juvenile who was reportedly with possibly armed and dangerous people. When Portland police tried to stop the vehicle, it took off on Highway 52, driving at a high speed, on the shoulder, and endangering other motorists. According to authorities, 18-year-old Kordell M. Parson from Nashville was behind the wheel. Parson was charged with a myriad of felonies, including resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors. Three other teens in the car were also arrested in the incident.

Meanwhile, Portland unanimously approved a new property tax rate for residents on Monday. The new rate is an increase of 17 cents from what the state had recommended for this fiscal year — 90 cents instead of 73. City officials said the money from the tax will allow them to compete with neighboring communities for employee wages and retention. However, some residents believe this increase will hurt the community.

An 11-year-old at Dupont Tyler Middle School was arrested after allegedly making threats against their school Tuesday morning. The sixth grader has been charged with making a threat of mass violence. further details have been given regarding the threat or the student’s charge.

Sam’s Club announced on Tuesday that it will be increasing pay for nearly 100,000 store workers as part of a new employee compensation plan. The company said it has created a roadmap for associates “to plan and pursue more predictable, longer-term financial futures.” The warehouse chain said that, under its new plan, Sam’s Club’s hourly wages “will progress faster in their pay range,” with some increasing between 3% and 6% based on years of service.