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Weather Update: Wednesday - May 1st, 2024
WDEF-TV News 12 Weather Forecast Wednesday: Sunny. Warmer. Highs: mid 80's. Winds: N 5-10 mph. Overnight: Mostly clear. Cool. Lows: near 60. Winds: NE around 5 mph, becoming calm. Thursday: Sunny. Even warmer. Highs: upper 80's. Winds: NE around 5…
McCallie Beats Baylor 4-1 to Stay Unbeaten on the Year
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The McCallie soccer team beat rival Baylor 4-1 on Tuesday to stay unbeaten on the year. Big Blue went up 2-0 at halftime thanks to a pair of goals from Brandon Mathurin. [blox_vms account="WDEF" key="ed9ca82b90ed958d532401e94cdc1a318f5dfcd5" vtitle="McCallie Beats Baylor 4-1…
Josh Heupel Kicks Off Big Orange Caravan Tour in Nashville
The Big Orange Caravan tour kicked off Tuesday in Nashville. Vols football coach Josh Heupel was on board for the Music City stop. Hard to believe he's already heading into his fourth season on Rocky Top. Heupel faced a lot…
Chattanooga Mocs Volleyball Team Hopes to Continue Historic Run in NCAA Tournament
The Chattanooga Mocs fielded their first beach volleyball team only three years ago. Now they're headed to beach bash version of the NCAA tournament this week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Brian Armstrong chronicles the team's historic ascension. [blox_vms account="WDEF" key="af7a4e730d104d3fd1ca4c5d71fcc9f9e067d067"…
Louisiana man charged with rape in DeKalb County, Alabama
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WDEF) -- A Louisiana man has been arrested for a rape case in DeKalb County, Alabama, the sheriff's office said. Lafayette, Louisiana law enforcement arrested 31-year-old Bobby John Bergeron, Jr. on Friday, April 5. [caption id="attachment_1717307" align="alignright"…
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…
First responders rescue missing hiker at Rainbow Lake Trail
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- First responders in Hamilton County conducted a rescue of a hiker at the Rainbow Lake Trail on Signal Mountain on Tuesday. A woman…
Fort Payne man dies in Chattooga County crash, GSP says
CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Fort Payne man died from a car wreck in Chattooga County on Monday, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. on Georgia Highway 1 at Kirby Hollow Road. There…
Walker County unveils McLemore Cove sign on Tuesday
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - Walker County unveiled its new interpretive sign of McLemore Cove on Tuesday. In the 1900s, the McLemore Cove Historic District was added to…
Sherman+Reilly acquired in merger, continuing Chattanooga operations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A local utility company that’s been around for nearly a century announced a big change on Tuesday. Sherman+Reilly have been making products for…
City Council discusses potential new staff position
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga City Council discussed a potential change to how they reach out to the public during a committee session Tuesday. A new position called…
Texas A&M Believes Georgia Pitcher Christian Mracna Cheated by Doctoring Up the Baseball
Social media videos of Georgia’s Christian Mracna’s activity in the bullpen and during a dominant performance on the mound in a weekend game at top-ranked Texas A&M has led Aggies coach Jim Schlossnagle to suspect the pitcher was putting a…
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 vigil in honor of the two. "Shytez was a leader, we had several conversations…
Justice Dept will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, sources say
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug as soon as Tuesday, CBS News has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country. The…
Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust him
By KEVIN FREKING/Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats will vote to save Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s job should some of his fellow Republican lawmakers seek to remove him from the position, Democratic leaders said Tuesday, likely assuring for now…
Tennessee Aquarium ranked nation's best aquarium in recent poll
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A recent poll named the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga as the nation's best aquarium. Newsweek Magazine held a readers' choice poll, allowing readers to vote for their favorite aquariums.…
U.S. pilot accounted for 57 years after vanishing during Vietnam War spy mission
An American pilot who disappeared during a Vietnam War-era spy mission has been accounted for almost 60 years later, officials said Monday. John C.G. Kerr, originally from Florida, was 35 when he was reported missing in 1967. Kerr had been…
4 law enforcement officers killed in shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina
Four law enforcement officers were killed and four others were wounded in a shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina, while trying to serve a warrant Monday afternoon, police said. A suspect was killed in a shootout with police, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings announced during…
First responders rescue missing hiker at Rainbow Lake Trail
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- First responders in Hamilton County conducted a rescue of a hiker at the Rainbow Lake Trail on Signal Mountain on Tuesday. A woman…
Sherman+Reilly acquired in merger, continuing Chattanooga operations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A local utility company that’s been around for nearly a century announced a big change on Tuesday. Sherman+Reilly have been making products for…
City Council discusses potential new staff position
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga City Council discussed a potential change to how they reach out to the public during a committee session Tuesday. A new position called…
Chattanoogans sound off on public safety concerns
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Many are on edge after a string of recent shootings. We asked local residents if they feel safe in Chattanooga after recent incidents. One resident, Kristy,…
Hamilton County lawyer temporarily suspended
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A lawyer in Hamilton County has been temporarily suspended for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility. Arthur C. Grisham, Jr. did not respond to the board concerning one complaint of misconduct, they…
Two hikers drown in creek near Rainbow Lake Trail
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - A family is mourning…
Vigilance, care urged after back to back Chattanooga shootings
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - It has been a violent 24 hours in the Scenic City. First, shots rang out at Champy's Restaurant at 6:30 Thursday evening. That…
Is the Hamilton County Commission following the Sunshine Law?
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- In addition to their regular meetings, the Hamilton County Commission hold a series of committee meetings. (more…)
Superintendent discusses next year's Hamilton County Schools budget with Commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Next year’s proposed Hamilton County School budget was presented to the Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday. (more…)
Hamilton County Government may soon use electric vehicles
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County government may soon be using more electric vehicles in their fleet. County Commissioners briefly discussed a resolution during their Finance Committee Wednesday…
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day happening this Saturday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up this weekend. Taking place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the day allows people across the nation to dispose of their…
Hamilton County Schools assistant nutrition director fired, indicted for theft
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The former assistant director of the Hamilton County Schools Department of School Nutrition (HCSN) has been indicted for theft. Andrew Woodbury, 44, was arrested…
What's Right With Our Schools: University High
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Schools and UTC have teamed to put equity into action! University School serves as a college pipeline for kids who might not have…
Man arrested for sexual battery inside Signal Mountain Walmart
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Signal Mountain man has been arrested for an incident police say happened in a local Walmart. (more…)
Vandalism, other criminal activity increases at Lakesite Park
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Lakesite, Tennessee government officials are looking into several cases in the Lakesite Park regarding vandalism, animal cruelty and human waste. These instances have happened over the past ten days. Government officials posted to Facebook about…
Volkswagen workers vote for UAW representation
UPDATE: President Joe Biden has issued the following statement on Volkswagen workers' vote to unionize the Volkswagen plant. The statement reads: "Congratulations to the workers at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on their historic vote for union representation with the United…
Birchwood Pike temporarily shuts down after serious crash
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A serious wreck took place on Birchwood Pike Friday evening, according to Hamilton County authorities. The crash involved entrapment on the 9200 block of Birchwood Pike,…
Motorcyclist dies after hitting deer on Birchwood Pike
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A motorcyclist died after colliding with a deer on Birchwood Pike, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. A deputy patrolling Birchwood Pike saw the dead deer in the middle of the road just before…
Hixson mother says school lost child during dismissal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A mother of a Hixson Elementary student says she recently had a scare during one school dismissal period. (more…)
Red Bank, Trust for Public Land restoring historic cemetery
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) - The city of Red Bank is teaming up with a preservationist group to restore a long-forgotten cemetery. Called “The Field”, this historic cemetery was only recently discovered…
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 vigil in honor of the two. "Shytez was a leader, we had several conversations…
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…
Charleston's Olin Corporation faces lawsuit over mercury exposure
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Charleston chemical manufacturer is being sued for mercury exposure. The Joey James Law Firm filed a lawsuit against the Olin Corporation with a complaint of more than 200 pages. It accuses the Olin Corporation…
Two men charged in Bradley County inmate fentanyl death
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office has arrested and charged two men for the fentanyl death of an inmate. Authorities found Eric Means unresponsive in his…
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.…
Whitfield Co. Health Department offers free annual breast exams
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Health Department held their free annual 'Breast Cancer Awareness' clinic Thursday for women aged 19 and older. The Women’s Clinic…
