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McCallie Downs Silverdale 82-57
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) McCallie hit 11 three-pointers to pull away and beat Silverdale 82-57. Big Blue dominated the second quarter holding Silverdale to just four points. Ernas Valauskas led McCallie with 23 points, while Judah Richardson paced Silverdale with 18 points. [blox_vms…
Weather Update: Tuesday December 9, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Partly cloudy. Cold. Lows: high 20's to low 30's. Winds: near calm. Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Chilly. Highs: low 50's. Winds: S @ 5-10 MPH. WDEF News 12 WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK…
Rezoning Request Deferred to January
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - A rezoning request along Snow Hill Road was deferred Monday after the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission said the updated plan tied to Plan Hamilton had not…
Patten Parkway Project Deferred
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A proposal to build a 12-story mixed-use development on Patten Parkway has been deferred until the January Planning Commission meeting. Commissioners said additional review is needed after community…
3-Year-Old Indian Boy Sets Record As Youngest Rated Chess Player
Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha from India has made chess history by becoming the youngest player ever to receive an official International Chess Federation rating. At 3 years, 7 months, and 20 days old, he defeated five of eight rated opponents to…
Florida Woman Faces Felony Charge After Throwing Chicken During Fight
A Florida woman named Jameisha Tashay Wallace was arrested Thursday night after allegedly throwing chicken at another woman's face during an argument. Broward Sheriff's deputies responded just after 10 p.m. to reports of a fight between two women that escalated…
Father-Son Duo Sets New Hungry Hungry Hippos World Record
Idaho's David Rush and his son Peter have claimed the Guinness World Record for fastest time to clear Hungry Hungry Hippos by a team of two, completing the task in just 5.8 seconds. Rush, who holds the most concurrent Guinness…
Two Exotic Serval Cats Captured After Roaming Baltimore Neighborhood
Baltimore's Office of Animal Control captured one of two serval cats spotted roaming the Reservoir Hill neighborhood on December 5. Officials received 311 calls around 9 a.m. reporting the exotic felines. Resident videos showed the large cats on rooftops and…
Mars Rover Finds Rock Evidence Of Ancient Tropical Climate
NASA's Perseverance rover discovered unusual bleached rocks in Mars' Jezero Crater that indicate the planet once had a warm, wet climate. Purdue University researchers analyzed the rock fragments and found they contain kaolinite, a mineral that forms on Earth after…
Entertainment Tidbits
Jimmy Kimmel will continue hosting ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live through 2027 under a new one-year extension with Disney. Kimmel’s previous contract was set to end in 2026. He and Disney finalized the extension this summer, before the Charlie Kirk controversy.…
Spotify Wrapped Sets New Record With 250 Million Users In 65 Hours
Spotify Wrapped achieved record-breaking engagement after its December 3rd launch, reaching 250 million users within just 65 hours. This milestone took over a week to accomplish in 2024. The annual music summary generated 575 million shares during the same period,…
Judi Dench Defends Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey Amid Ongoing Legal Cases
Judi Dench believes Harvey Weinstein has served sufficient prison time for his sexual assault convictions. "I knew Harvey, and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience – very fortunately for me," Dench…
Judi Dench Defends Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey Amid Ongoing Legal Cases
Judi Dench believes Harvey Weinstein has served sufficient prison time for his sexual assault convictions. "I knew Harvey, and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience – very fortunately for me," Dench…
‘One Battle After Another’ Tops 2026 Golden Globe Nominations With Nine Nods
One Battle After Another leads the 2026 Golden Globe nominations with nine nods. Sentimental Value earned eight nominations while Sinners received seven and Hamnet has six. Wicked: For Good and Frankenstein each scored five. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande received…
Falcons Now Looking Ahead to 2026 Season
ATLANTA (AP) — With a month to go in the regular season, the Atlanta Falcons are already looking ahead to 2026. The Falcons locked up an eighth straight losing campaign and were officially eliminated from the playoff race with their…
Titans Get Much Needed Boost With Victory Over Cleveland
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans came to work Monday with a different feel. “The vibes are good all around in the building and in the locker room for sure,” rookie cornerback Marcus Harris said. Ending a seven-game skid will do…
Vols Big Man Cade Phillips Out For the Year With Shoulder Injury
(utsports.com) University of Tennessee head men's basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Monday afternoon that Cade Phillips is out for the rest of the 2025-26 season. The junior forward is set to undergo surgery to repair a recurring left shoulder injury. “We will sincerely miss…
Tennessee Decides to Cut Ties With Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
(utsports.com) Tennessee and defensive coordinator Tim Banks have parted ways. "I want to thank Tim for everything he has done for Tennessee the last five seasons," said head coach Josh Heupel. "He helped restore our program to national prominence. More importantly, Tim is…
Jeff Eversole Proposes Separation of the Regional Planning Commission from unincorporated Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- District 10 Commissioner Jeff Eversole has proposed the separation of the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) from unincorporated Hamilton County. This means that unincorporated areas would have their own tailor made regional planning commission. This includes areas such…
Toys for Tots drive-through Toy Drive
CHATTANOONGA, TN (WDEF) - The Tennessee Valley's generosity was on full display this (12/3/25) afternoon! News 12 and Scenic Community Credit Union teamed up for our first Toys for Tots…
Finley Stadium unveils new amenities
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Finley Stadium has announced some new amenities for fans. (more…)
Golden Apple Award: Eric Barth, Hunter Middle School
OOLTEWAH, TN (WDEF) - Eric Barth has a gift for inspiring students both in the classroom and on the football field. The Ohio native has spent the last decade…
What's Right With Our Schools: College Quest at UTC
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -The transition from high school to college is a big adjustment for most students. Knowing exactly what to expect certainly helps. That's the idea…
Laurel Graefe Appointed to Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly announced Laurel Graefe has been appointed to the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners. Graefe is a former Regional Executive and…
City of Chattanooga Holiday Ornament Revealed
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Mayor Kelly has unveiled this year's Holiday Ornament for the City of Chattanooga. The ornament celebrates Chattanooga being named as America's first National Park City. The ornaments are available for…
Blood Assurance in Critical Need of Donations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Blood Assurance is offering extended hours and an incentive through November 30 to encourage the community to donate blood. From November 23 to November 30, O-negative blood donors and platelet…
26th Annual Grateful Gobbler Set for Thanksgiving Morning
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A beloved Thanksgiving tradition returns tomorrow (11/28/25) morning at Coolidge Park. The 26th annual Grateful Gobbler gets rolling at 8 a.m. It's a 5k. You…
Golden Apple Award: Kathlina Alford, Hixson High School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Kathlina Alford spends every school day making sure that students at Hixson High School get all the support they need to succeed. From her…
Stolen vehicle stop leads to Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer charge
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A man is facing multiple charges after deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) located a stolen Hyundai Sonata on Highway 58 on November…
Black Friday Safety Tips from HCSO
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Sheriff Austin Garrett is offering the following tips to help make sure your “Black Friday” outing is enjoyable and safe for you and others. The tips are as…
East Ridge traffic stop leads to drug charges
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. -- The East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) conducted a traffic stop on Ringgold Road that led to the charging of 2 individuals and a short foot pursuit. The…
What's Right With Our Schools: Hunter Crochet Club
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- There is a certain satisfaction that comes from creating something with your hands. The Hunter Middle School Crochet Club makes everything from oven mitts to…
Tiny Trees makes its annual debut at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Children’s Hospital at Erlanger is inviting locals to participate in the annual Tiny Trees program. The program strives to bring the holiday spirit to pediatric patients. “Erlanger’s Tiny Trees really brighten…
Mental health services to be reintegrated into Hamilton County Schools
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Three months ago, the Hamilton County School voted to terminate their contract with Centerstone to provide mental health services. (more…)
Chattanooga Public Library expansion floated at City Council
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the Chattanooga Public Library expand one day? (more…)
Firearm recovered at Brainerd High School
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HSCO) recovered a firearm from Brainerd High School on November 21, 2025. HCSO says one student has been detained. This comes after…
Second Arrest made in 2023 Orchard Knob Avenue Homicide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) has announced a second arrest has been made in the June 14, 2023 Orchard Knob homicide. CPS says Arterrius Allen is…
Beer Board authorizes investigation into Shady's Corner
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga bar is finding itself at the center of an investigation following numerous complaints.…
Chemical Exposure at M&M Mars Facility Prompts Emergency Response
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Around 9:00 a.m., a chemical exposure at the M&M Mars facility prompted an emergency response on December 5. Bradley County EMS and the Cleveland Fire Department responded to the incident. Seven individuals…
Bradley County woman arrested after dog reportedly shot
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Bradley County deputies responded to a residence after a report of a dog had been shot on November 23, 2025. Witnesses reported that Crystal Palmer got a firearm and shot multiple rounds at the dog. The dog…
Single-engine aircraft incident leaves one uninjured
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- Bradley County EMS responded to a single-engine experimental aircraft after it experienced a hard landing after performing a touch-and-go maneuver. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without…
Local judge reportedly assaulted in residential neighborhood
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An arrest has been made after the Bradley County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported assault on a local judge in Cleveland,…
Bradley County firefighters push for more pay
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County firefighters are asking their county commission to increase their pay. (more…)
Man fires shots at drones assisting deputies in resolving mental health crisis
UPDATE: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office has identified the individual who shot at the drones as 47-year-old John David Possien. Possien is being held at the Bradley County Jail without bond.…
Parkridge announces plans to open new emergency room in Bradley county
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Parkridge Medical Center announced plans to build a freestanding Emergency Room in Bradley County. The ER would have 11 rooms, including…
Parkridge Medical Center plans freestanding emergency room in Cleveland
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Parkridge Medical Center has announced plans to apply for a Certificate of Need with the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to establish a new $17.4 million freestanding emergency department…
Local YMCA serving free meals to children at 46 sites
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga…
Rockslide causes major backups on Monteagle
MONTEAGLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A rockslide on Monteagle caused major backups on November 4. TDOT reports debris on roadway at Mile Marker 137. The rockslide was reported at 2:33 p.m CST. The slide has caused all westbound lanes and…
What's Right With Our Schools: Walker Valley STEM DAY
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Walker Valley students recently got to look into their possible futures at STEM Career Day. Employers from throughout our region were on…
Solid Orange Drive Thru in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) -It's Tennessee Alabama week! With both teams ranked in the top 11, the stakes could not be *any* higher for Saturday night's showdown in Tuscaloosa. More…
Bail bondsman shootout in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland Police report an arrest after a dramatic confrontation between a bail bondsman and suspects this morning. They say the bondsman from Cumberland County tried to apprehend Jacob…
SK Foods celebrates grand opening of Cleveland plant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County’s newest…
Sheriff Steve Lawson of Bradley County announces bid for re-election
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Sheriff Steve Lawson has announced on Thursday that he will be seeking re-election as Bradley County Sheriff. "In 2018, the people of Bradley County allowed me…
Rabies vaccination baits to be dropped throughout Eastern Tennessee
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Signal Mountain Police Department said our region will be getting some help to protect people and pets from the threat of…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland Middle School's "We the People"
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Eighth graders at Cleveland Middle School recently got a civics lesson they won't soon forget. The students marched onto the football…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland City Schools Historic Growth
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Cleveland City Schools is extra proud of their latest TCAP testing results Students across the district reached five-year highs in math, science,…
What's Right With Our Schools Cleveland High School Welding Grant
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - In today's rapidly evolving workforce, careers in the trades are looking more attractive than ever. The American Welding Society Foundation recently awarded…
Fire crews battle house fire on Brentwood Drive in Athens
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Athens Fire Department (AFD) worked a structure fire Monday afternoon. At 3:24 p.m., August 25, 2025, AFD responded to the fire on Brentwood Drive. Upon arrival, crews found the back…
Neighbors come out against proposed neighborhood near Varnell
VARNELL, Ga. (WDEF)- Rapid development…
Qcells to furlough one-third of its workers at Georgia plant
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The company "Qcells" has announced they are furloughing a thousand workers at their two plants in Georgia. And one of those plants is in…
Whitfield County scam alert
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) --Whitfield County law enforcement is warning residents of several scams going around their community now. They say scammers are posing as employees of the Sheriff's Office. They say they have…
Whitfield County man sentenced to 30 years for violating sexual offender registry statute
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Whitfield County jury found Vincent Michael Harper guilty of violating the sexual offender registry statute, leading to a sentence of 30 years in prison…
Residents pack meeting on Whitfield County property tax rate proposal
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Could Whitfield County property taxes soon go…
Property tax increase proposed by Whitfield County Board of Commissioners
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners have announced a proposed property tax increase. They say it would be roughly 23 percent higher than the rollback millage rate. The commissioners say…
12 kilograms of cocaine found during traffic stop in Whitfield County
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) conducted a traffic stop on I-75 in Whitfield County, resulting in 12 kilograms of cocaine…
Georgia Bureau of Investigation promotes Dalton native, Daniel Nicholson
DALLAS, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has announced that they are promoting Dalton native Daniel Nicholson to assistant special agent in charge of the…
Man fatally stabbed in Whitfield County
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- During the night of October 1st, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) responded to a call at the Dollar General on Beaverdale Road about a female covered…
Calhoun man sentenced for attempted murder after stabbing his girlfriend
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Calhoun man will be behind bars for three decades after being convicted of attempted murder. On October 24, 2025, Terry Lee Chamlee purchased a knife from a…
Dalton parents arrested after toddler dies in car seat at home
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two Dalton parents have been arrested and charged after their 22-month-old son was found dead in a car seat inside their home earlier this summer. On June 5, 2025, police were…
Dalton Police searching for suspect who used counterfeit money at local store
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying a suspect who allegedly used counterfeit money to make a purchase. On Friday, August 22, 2025, shortly before 7:00…
Whitfield County authorities make arrest in New Zion Hill Road murder
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A man was arrested in connection to a murder on New Zion Hill Road. In the evening hours of August 19, 2025, deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office…
Whitfield County authorities arrest suspect in connection with armed robbery at Dixie Corner
UPDATE (8/5/2025): Authorities in Whitfield County have made an arrest in regard to the armed robbery Tuesday morning. Whitfield…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office donates hundreds of backpacks
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office gave back to their community on Friday. Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce wants the community to know that…
Early morning fire destroys vacant Dalton home, fire officials say
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Crews with the Dalton Fire Department (DFD) responded to a house fire on Fairview Drive early Wednesday morning. DFD arrived at 500…
Whitfield County authorities arrest known gang member following major drug bust
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) uncovered, what they're calling, one of the largest drug busts in Whitfield County history.…
Fire crews knock down fire at Cohutta Dollar General
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Fire crews responded Monday to a working fire at the Dollar General located at 4525 Cleveland Highway. Crews were able to bring the fire under control after confirming the primary search of the building…
Cohutta Police Department searching for driver in Apison Road hit-and-run
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Police are asking for help identifying the driver of a truck involved in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday morning. The incident happened between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. on June 29, 2025…
Dalton police searching for person suspected of stealing tools from Christian Heritage School
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is asking the public for help in identifying a man who stole tools from Christian Heritage School. Surveillance cameras first captured the suspect at 2:00 a.m., June 8, 2025. He…
