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Hamilton County EMS, Chattanooga firefighters reunite with patient
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - It’s not every day you get another chance at life. On Tuesday, Amy Young thanked first responders for saving her life. In February, Amy Young suffered a heart attack as she was riding her bike on…
New train alert system aims to keep drivers moving
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new train warning system hopes to redirect drivers stuck on the wrong side of the tracks. Many Hixson residents have been stuck at…
Chattanooga mayor comments on Chief Murphy investigation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly briefly spoke about an ongoing TBI investigation against Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy. Earlier this month, both Chattanooga Police and the TBI…
Cleveland, Dunlap announced they will receive new grants
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland and Dunlap recently announced they are receiving grants to benefit the cities. Bradley County received four grants to improve broadband access in the Cleveland area. The state funding targets improving workers digital skills. That includes tackling…
Scholarship Limits May Hit College Sports When Revenue Sharing Plan Becomes Viable
Cody McDavis’ life changed forever with a few strokes of a pen. McDavis grew up in a single-parent home where his mother worked three jobs to afford life’s essentials. There was zero chance of paying for college if not for…
Tennessee Wins Third Straight SEC All-Sports Title
(utsports.com) Tennessee Athletics etched its name into the record book, becoming just the second school to capture three consecutive SEC All-Sports titles, presented by USA Today Network. "I am so proud of our exceptional student-athletes, coaches, and staff, as well…
Knights of Pythias Clubhouse destroyed in fire
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Firefighters with the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department were busy Monday morning battling a fire at the Knights of Pythias Clubhouse. It happened just before…
TWRA reports boating related fatality on Watts Bar Reservoir
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said there was a boating related fatality over the weekend on Watts Bar Reservoir in Dayton. The TWRA reported this in its 2024 Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Boating Report. They…
I-24 lane closures coming to Marion County
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Drivers on I-24 in Marion County should prepare to slow down. TDOT crews are shutting down lanes starting Tuesday night. The roadwork, beginning on May 28, is expected to last until June 6. Crews will…
Kelly Administration announces train warning system along Hamill Road, Hickory Valley Road
Press release from the Kelly Administration: On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, The City of Chattanooga announced the installation of four train crossing alert systems in the Hixson and Tyner communities. The system will provide real-time crossing data and warn drivers…
TVA to implement weekend lane closures at Thrasher Bridge
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Valley Authority will start summer maintenance on the Thrasher Bridge at the Chickamauga Dam this weekend. As a result, there will be lane closures on Highway 153 in this area. The lane closures will…
Blue Hole reopens after weekend flash flooding
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Getting to the Blue Hole on North Chickamauga Creek could be a bit dicey this week. The popular swimming hole was shut down…
Inaccurate weather reports coming from Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. (WDEF) -- If you have noticed some extreme weather conditions and reports coming out of Scottsboro, Alabama, you're not alone! Officials with the National Weather…
Mom to Mom - Doggy Cheddar Puffs
Today, I'm on Mom to Mom, we are making homemade treats for your fur baby. Our sweet dogs are like our babies, right? So I love to create little…
Get informed with S.O.S. Fest on June 1
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Local agencies are banding together to keep the community safe this summer. For a second year, "Summer Outreach Safety" (S.O.S.) Fest is reaching out to the public to…
Nationals tag Braves starter Charlie Morton for 8 runs in 8-4 win over Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) — Mitchell Parker pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning and CJ Abrams homered, helping the Washington Nationals beat the depleted Atlanta Braves 8-4 on Monday. Parker (4-2) allowed three runs, struck out six and walked none in 6…
Ronald Acuna out for the year again with another torn ACL
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves placed outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list on Monday after the reigning NL MVP sustained a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Acuña was hurt in the Braves’ 8-1 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday.…
New train alert system aims to keep drivers moving
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new train warning system hopes to redirect drivers stuck on the wrong side of the tracks. Many Hixson residents have been stuck at…
TVA to implement weekend lane closures at Thrasher Bridge
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Valley Authority will start summer maintenance on the Thrasher Bridge at the Chickamauga Dam this weekend. As a result, there will be lane closures on Highway 153 in this area. The lane closures will…
What's Right With Our Schools: Hixson JROTC
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Air Force Junior ROTC is celebrating 50 years at Hixson High School. That's five decades of students learning priceless lessons in citizenship and serving…
Health Department launches program to help special needs adults
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Enriching the lives of others is a goal many have. (more…)
Deputy rear-ended while providing safety to roadwork crews on I-24
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- One man has been arrested for crashing into a Hamilton County deputy overnight on I-24, according to the sheriff's office. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said the deputy was providing scene safety for road…
CARTA warns of fiscal cliff as county pulls funding
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- CARTA is warning they are entering into a tough financial situation if they do not get funding from the upcoming Hamilton County budget. (more…)
Bus driver who crashed in April pleads guilty to 1 charge
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A school bus driver pleaded guilty to one charge from her wreck on Signal Mountain in April. Margaret Miles pleaded guilty to a charge of "failure to exercise due care," according to the Hamilton County…
Soddy-Daisy teacher arrested, charged with domestic assault
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Soddy-Daisy High School math teacher was arrested on Tuesday and charged with aggravated assault. Law enforcement in Hamilton County arrested Jon Michael Stanford on Tuesday, according to jail records. Jon…
What's Right With Our Schools: East Brainerd Elementary International Day
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The great American melting pot is alive and cooking at East Brainerd Elementary School. Students with roots in nearly 20 different countries go to school there. News 12 was invited to their recent International Fest. It's…
Officials urge water safety after 2 men drown in Tennessee River
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County officials are urging water safety with summer approaching. Just this weekend, two men died after drowning in the Tennessee River. The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) and several other agencies worked to find two men…
Parkridge holds ribbon cutting for Soddy-Daisy emergency room
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Northern Hamilton County has seen a lot of growth. Soddy-Daisy’s population as of the last Census in 2020 was a little over 13,000 and is…
Chattanooga Airport celebrates first nonstop flight to Las Vegas
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanoogans can now get to the city that may set their soul on fire, as Elvis Presley once said, a little bit faster. …
Water rescue training held on Chickamauga Lake
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A large-scale training event was held on the Tennessee River Thursday morning. Water training exercises were held by multiple agencies, including the Chattanooga Fire Department.…
Future of former Hamilton County Jail discussed by commissioners
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Commissioners held a monthly committee session on Building and Economic Development this morning. (more…)
Alternatives for school funding discussed in committee session
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of school funding was also discussed during the committee session. (more…)
Commission approves six million for road safety projects
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission did approve six million dollars for road improvements across the county. (more…)
Father of braindead 22-year-old Hamilton County Jail inmate speaks out
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Monday, we brought you the story of a 22-year-old man who is braindead…
Vacant home destroyed in Highway 58 fire
HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF)- Firefighters in Harrison have been battling a house fire Tuesday morning.…
Family wants answers after 22 year old man suffers brain death in Hamilton County Jail custody
A photo of Christopher Ayala, who his family says is brain dead after being in custody…
Residents want details about potential Soddy-Daisy property tax increase
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Some Soddy-Daisy residents are saying they are against potential property tax increases from their municipal government. Residents with Concerned Citizens for District…
Cleveland, Dunlap announced they will receive new grants
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland and Dunlap recently announced they are receiving grants to benefit the cities. Bradley County received four grants to improve broadband access in the Cleveland area. The state funding targets improving workers digital skills. That includes tackling…
Bradley County deputies help find runaway teen from Florida
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Bradley County Sheriff's Office deputies helped find a runaway 13-year-old from Florida. The Walton County Sheriff's Office notified Bradley County authorities of her possible location on Sunday, May 5. Later, deputies found the teenager in…
Golden Apple Award: Sarah Dodson, Lake Forest Middle School
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Kindness, patience and understanding are always on the syllabus for Sarah Dodson's class at Lake Forest Middle. She has been described as, "the…
Cleveland High Schools remembers 2 who died in weekend crash
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two Cleveland High School students tragically died in car crash this past weekend. Students, teachers and family came together tonight for a memorial…
Cleveland City Schools says it will not arm teachers
UPDATE: April 26, 2024 CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland City Schools responded to the recent new Tennessee law that allows schools to arm teachers. The school system will join both Bradley and Hamilton County Schools in continuing to only use…
Cooking mishap results in fatal Bradley County house fire
UPDATE: BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Bradley County Government spokesperson identified the two people involved in the fire on Sunday. The two who died in this fire were 68-year-old Dnese Moore and 93-year-old Myrtle Irene Moore. BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn.…
Golden Apple Award: Robin Campbell, Hopewell Elementary School
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - The best teachers genuinely care for their students. Kids can tell. That's certainly the case in Robin Campbell's 4th grade class at Hopewell Elementary School. For always giving 100%, we decided to give Ms. Campbell this…
Hot Slaw Festival to be held in Cleveland this weekend
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Get ready to feel the burn in Cleveland this weekend. Cleveland will be having their third Hot Slaw Festival this Saturday from…
Male Cleveland High School student facing felony sexual battery charge
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Cleveland Police Department says a petition for sexual battery has been filed with the Bradley County Juvenile Court this week against a…
Foundation House Ministries receives $790,000 state grant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - A ministry that serves mothers in crisis received a large grant Thursday. Foundation House Ministries in Cleveland has received a $790,000 grant from the State…
Sheriff Lawson released from hospital after his weekend wreck
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson has moved his recovery to his home following a weekend wreck. The sheriff was released from the hospital on Wednesday. He stopped by the sheriff's office for a visit on his…
Local counties awarded $30,000 to enhance internet connectivity
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Nonprofit Connect Humanity has awarded $30,000 to Bradley, Walker and Whitfield Counties to support broadband internet connectivity. These counties will participate in the Appalachian Digital Accelerator. This will support communities while they create custom connectivity…
Bradley County Sheriff hospitalized after crash
UPDATE: Sheriff Steve Lawson's wife, Connie Lawson, posted an update to Facebook on his condition. She said on Sunday night Sheriff Lawson was in the ICU. Read her post: We have reached out to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, but…
Tennova signs neo-natal deal with Erlanger
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Tennova Healthcare announces a partnership with Erlanger to provide neo-natal staff to their hospital in Cleveland. The deal keeps a NICU for newborns in the Cleveland area. "Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland has been a birthing destination…
Free medical pop-up clinic coming to Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Remote Area Medical (RAM) is offering a free two-day health clinic in Cleveland near the end of March. The free pop-up clinic will be March 22-23, 2024. It will be at the Cleveland Church of God,…
Stephen Hatchett is the new prosecutor for Bradley, Polk and McMinn cases
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) - There will be a new District attorney over four southeastern Tennessee counties this year. Athens attorney Stephen Hatchett narrowly defeated the current DA, Shari Tayloe. She had been appointed to replace Steve Crump who took a…
Golden Apple Award: Jami Thomason, Ocoee Middle School
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Good teachers are good listeners. Pair that with kindness and a healthy respect for others, and you get a great learning environment. That's just…
Former Cleveland police officer arrested for false reports
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation which led to the arrest of a former Cleveland Police Officer and current Airport Police Officer. …
Bradley County superintendent, sheriff comment on school fight videos
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An article in the Cleveland Daily Banner over the weekend is raising concerns about fighting in the school systems. The paper was sent links…
Bradley County chemical plant target of lawsuit
CHARLESTON, Tenn. (WDEF) - A chemical plant in Bradley County is at the center of a new lawsuit. Olin Chemical in Charleston is being sued by over 150…
Dalton GNTC receives CDL truck program investment
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced an investment into the Georgia Northwest Technical College campus in Dalton. $5.5 million will be invested to…
Fiery crash on I-75 is fatal for 1, passenger seriously injured
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A single vehicle crashed on I-75 southbound over the weekend in Whitfield County. The Georgia State Patrol said the wreck…
Whitfield County jury finds man guilty of attempted murder
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Whitfield County grand jury found a man guilty of attempting to commit murder, kidnapping and two other charges. The jury found Mitchell Lee…
Whitfield County GOP censures representative
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - The Whitfield County Republican Party says they are censuring one of their state representatives. They are upset with Representative Kasey Carpenter over what they say are a…
Local counties awarded $30,000 to enhance internet connectivity
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Nonprofit Connect Humanity has awarded $30,000 to Bradley, Walker and Whitfield Counties to support broadband internet connectivity. These counties will participate in the Appalachian Digital Accelerator. This will support communities while they create custom connectivity…
Whitfield County Courthouse undergoing accessibility renovations
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Those who pay a visit to the Whitfield County Courthouse may notice some renovations at this time. The county said on Monday that they are working…
DPD investigating road rage shooting on West Walnut, no injuries
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department is investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting on West Walnut Avenue that apparently stemmed from a road rage incident. No one was injured in the shooting. Dalton investigators have identified a suspect in…
DPD looking for suspect after one man shot
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department is investigating a late Sunday afternoon drive-by shooting that left one man with an injury that is not considered to be life-threatening. Investigators do not believe that the incident is connected to…
Helton Tire and Off-Road raises money for injured firefighter
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - Whitfield County Firefighter Ricky Pratt was driving back from Atlanta when he was suddenly shot in the leg by another driver. While…
Home catches fire during below-freezing temperatures
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A mobile home caught on fire Tuesday morning, despite the below-freezing temperatures. Whitfield County Fire reported the blaze on social media Tuesday around 10 a.m. When firefighters arrived,…
Mohawk Industries catches fire Tuesday night
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Workers at Mohawk Industries in Whitfield County are back at work Wednesday after the scare of a roof fire. Fast action and teamwork made the difference and preserved lives.…
Whitfield County alerts residents of recent scam
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County government is alerting residents of a recent scam going around. The scammers in this case are impersonating county employees, according to a social media post. The county says these scammers are falsely…
Coahulla Creek student wins $40,000 scholarship
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - One Whitfield County high schooler made some unexpected cash for her future Monday morning. Coahulla Creek High School student Alana Lopez was surprised with a…
Hamilton County man wanted for property damage in Cohutta
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Cohutta Police Department is searching for a Hamilton County man who they say caused property damage in a car crash. Officers are searching for Austin C. Lansing. Austin Lansing / Courtesy…
2 dead, 1 injured in Whitfield County wreck, GSP says
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two people died and one other was injured in a wreck in Whitfield County on Sunday, according to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP). The crash happened at 4 p.m. on December 3 on Dawnville Road.…
Chattanooga native receives 2 life sentences for Dalton armed robbery
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Chattanooga native has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for an armed robbery. Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks sentenced 36-year-old Alando Ray Johnson on Wednesday, November 15. Alando Ray…
City of Dalton implementing 30-day burn ban
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The City of Dalton is going under a burn ban, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 13. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning. Those who violate the burn ban may receive a $1,000 fine and…
Dalton man sentenced to prison for 2022 fentanyl-related death
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Dalton man pled guilty to second-degree murder on Friday for a fentanyl overdose that occurred in 2022. According to Whitfield County officials, 19-year-old Devin Wayne…
Dalton School Board to hold runoff election in December
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Dalton will have a runoff race for a role in their Public Schools Board. The runoff will be between John "Tulley" Johnson and Laura Orr. Neither candidate received at least 50% of the vote, which is…
Whitfield Co. EMS hosts "Touch-A-Truck" event this weekend
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - Whitfield County EMS will host their second annual Touch-A-Truck event this Saturday. More than 1,000 people came out to the event last year.…
