The local health department began an investigation after more than a dozen people came down with a severe stomach ailment. We first brought you the story when doctors diagnosed three of deputy Mark King’s children with an E. coli infection. Health investigators also determined that five other people contracted the bacteria. 



WDEF News 12’s Rebecca Cruz reports the probe indicates several of the victims ate at Ryan’s Buffet in Hixson. Ten of 14 people who got sick back in July say they ate at Ryan’s Buffet in Hixson. Investigators now confirm that eight of them contracted the E. coli bacteria. Five dined at Ryan’s on July 8th.