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New Pennington’s Coffee Shop Opens Books Art Space
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A new bookstore, coffee shop, and art gallery is officially open on Chattanooga’s Southside. Pennington’s marked its grand opening Saturday, introducing a multi-use space designed…
13th Annual Chattanooga Autism Celebration Walk
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The 13th annual Autism Celebration Walk was held Saturday at Coolidge Park, bringing together members of the community for a day centered on autism acceptance. The…
CFD extinguishes apartment fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Satuday night around 11:49 p.m., the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to an an apartment fire on the 1100 block of Grove Street. According to CFD, when arriving…
Weather Update: Sunday April 12, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Sunday: Sunny, dry, warm, windy. Winds: S @ 5-10, gusts to 20 MPH. Highs: mid 80's. Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Mild. Lows: near 60. Winds: S @ 5 MPH. Monday: Cloud/Sun Mix. Dry,…
Hello St. Elmo Festival showcases local small businesses
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - While corgis took over the streets, the Community Association of Historic St. Elmo gave residents another reason to celebrate with a chance to shop…
Corgi's take over St. Elmo for Chattanooga’s Corgi Parade
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The streets of St. Elmo were packed with paws and people as community members and their corgis showed off their costumes and charm…
Fort Wayne FC spoiled the Chattanooga Red Wolves' home opener with a 1-0 victory
Chattanooga (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Red Wolves dropped their home opener to Fort Wayne FC, falling 1-0.
Chattanooga FC defeats Orlando City B 3-1
(Chattanooga FC) Chattanooga FC defeated Orlando City B 3-1 to jump up to third in the Eastern Conference on Saturday night. A first-half goal from captain Alex McGrath and second-half brace by Damien Barker John propelled the Boys in Blue…
Attorney charged with one count of theft over $60,000
PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has arrested an attorney charged with theft. According to the TBI, agents began investigating allegations of theft involving James Hargis, who was acting as a licensed attorney. Throughout their…
Notre Dame Remains Perfect After 5-2 Win Over Boyd Buchanan
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Notre Dame soccer team remains perfect on the season after a 5-2 district win over Boyd Buchanan. The Irish improve to 13-0
Braves Get Six Run Sixth Inning to Beat Cleveland 11-5
ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Olson gave Atlanta the lead with a long two-run homer off Slade Cecconi in a six-run sixth inning and the Braves beat the Cleveland Guardians 11-5 on Friday night in a matchup of first-place teams. The Guardians led…
Rory McIlroy Continues to Shine in Second Round of the Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The only thing that stopped Rory McIlroy in the Masters was running out of holes to play Friday. McIlroy stood on the 12th tee in a tie with Patrick Reed and with a dozen other players bunched together in…
Dalton State Golf Coach Ben Rickett Got a Chance to Caddy at the Masters
Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) Dalton state golf coach Ben Rickett has led his team to a national championship. But another huge moment on the lynx for Rickett was getting to caddy at the Masters. He carried the bag for Mocs golfer and…
Bill aims to close truancy loophole in Tennessee
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Good attendance is key for any student looking to do well in school. That logic is why truancy laws are in place to make attendance…
Athens man convicted of the 2024 murder of woman inside church he set on fire
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man has been convicted of murder in a 2024 arson case at an Athens church. A McMinn…
Judge questions speed of proceedings in Rick Davis case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Former jewelry dealer and pawn shop owner Rick Davis made…
Texas’ highest criminal court overturns sentence of inmate who has been on death row for 47 years
Texas’ highest criminal court has overturned the death sentence of a Harris County man who was on death row for nearly half a century. Clarence Curtis Jordan, 70, was first convicted in 1978 of…
Veterans Bridge mural completed
The main mural on the Veterans Bridge has been completed. The city sponsored the project on a wall for the ramp connecting the Bridge to Riverfront Parkway. They are creating art for pedestrians…
Judge questions speed of proceedings in Rick Davis case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Former jewelry dealer and pawn shop owner Rick Davis made…
Winn Smiles holds free dental clinic
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Dental care is something that many take for granted. With rising costs of living, personal health is something that quite a few Americans have put on the back burner. Dr. Brad Winn, dentist and owner of…
Trial in 2023 Chattanooga murder case delayed again
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The trial of an ex-Chattanooga cop charged with the murder of his girlfriend has been delayed again. Lawrence Goodine is facing a first degree murder…
Multi-vehicle crash shuts down Highway 111 overnight in Sequatchie County, HCSO vehicle involved
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A crash on Highway 111 in Sequatchie County has shut down that highway. News 12…
Celebration of life held for Stroud Watson, whose vision shaped downtown Chattanooga
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Launch Pad set to place free narcan box in Miller Park to combat overdoses
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-…
What's Right With Our Schools: Celebrating Dr. Ware at Howard
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Dr. LeAndrea Ware's time at Howard is coming to an end. She has accepted a leadership role with the Boys and Girls…
Chattanooga Renaissance Faire launches May 30th
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new event will be coming to town on May 30th at Coolidge Park The Chattanooga Rennaissance Faire was announced for this year. The event will…
Union Gospel Mission Prepares for Easter Community Meal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Union Gospel Mission is celebrating Easter differently from most ministries. Instead of a sanctuary, they’re taking their message to the people on the lawn…
CARTA pitches airport shuttle to Hamilton County Commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could there soon be a free shuttle between the Chattanooga Airport and downtown? CARTA CEO Charles Frazier pushed the idea while presenting his budget request…
Urban League set to renew partnership with Hamilton County Government
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is set to renew their partnership with Hamilton County Government. County commissioners will consider…
Study says indoor youth sports venue would generate millions for Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Does Chattanooga…
Hilltop Drive extension shelved after backlash, other Ooltewah projects to be studied
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF)- A planned extension of an Ooltewah road has been shelved. Hamilton County was looking into extending Hilltop Drive from Hunter Road…
Fire damages Birchwood home under renovations
BIRCHWOOD, Tenn. (WDEF)- A home in the Birchwood area went up in flames Wednesday evening. Just before 6 p.m. first responders got a call of…
Samaritan Center Kicks off "Spring Cleaning" Donation Drive
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- With rising fuel and food costs, SNAP benefits often aren’t enough to survive. The Samaritan Center has been working to fill the gap for…
Peer city study raises concerns about poverty in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A study commissioned by the city of Chattanooga to compare our city to other similar cities raised concerns among city council members Tuesday morning.…
Sheriff Garrett defends partnership with ICE
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Sheriff Austen Garrett defended a partnership with ICE Monday. This was during a talk with the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club during their weekly meeting. In…
Chattanooga Company Lodestar introduces new firearm safety mechanism
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A local Chattanooga firearm company is taking firearm safety seriously, and they’ve added a technological twist. The Lodestar LNK 9 is a 9mm handgun…
Walnut Street Bridge restoration over halfway complete
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A little over a year ago, the Walnut Street Bridge was…
Code orange air quality advisory
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Wildfire smoke is causing elevated levels of fine particles in the air across our region, which has put our area under a code orange air quality advisory, according to the Hamilton County Health Department. They say…
Identity sought for man stealing cameras from Bradley County property
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is seeking the identity of a man who they say was seen removing and taking the cameras from a property. They say On…
Atlanta area woman charged in Bradley County fraud scheme
BRADLEY COUNTY -- An Atlanta area woman has been charged after a Bradley County resident became the subject of fraud. According to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, on April 3, 2026, a…
Golden Apple Award, Jordan Reeves, E.L. Ross Elementary
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - The best teachers make learning fun. Jordan Reeves has a gift for doing just that, and her students' test scores continue to climb, and…
Bradley Co. Sheriff's Office increasing traffic enforcement near schools, bus routes
The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) says it will be increasing traffic enforcement in issue-prone areas such as school zones and bus routes. "Speeding in these areas is dangerous and unacceptable. Drivers should slow down…
Golden Apple Award: Alexis Kaczor, Oak Grove Elementary
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Did you ever have a teacher who made you love going to school. For students at Oak Grove Elementary, Alexis Kaczor is that teacher.…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office warns of scam involving social media groups
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals about a scam involving social media groups. The scam is about local social media groups involving an individual claiming to need assistance…
Parkridge to be allowed to build freestanding emergency room in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few months ago, the Parkridge Health System announced their intentions to build a new freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. However, they faced…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office Warns of Local Scam
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals about a circulating scam that could affect individuals. The BCSO says they have received an increase in reports of scam calls where…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office Partners with Blood Assurance for Blood Drive
The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) says they are partnering with Blood Assurance to hold a blood drive. The blood drive will take place Monday, February 9, 2026 from 12 to 4…
Aggravated Domestic Assault Suspect Caught with Drone Assistance
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- An individual has been apprehended following an aggravated domestic assault incident in Cleveland, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). At approximately 5:50 a.m., deputies responded to a residence on Bent Tree Drive North West. BCSO…
Cleveland to utilize school bus cameras with AI to deter stop sign violators
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Getting kids to and from school everyday is a top priority for school districts.…
5 Vehicles Involved in Crash that Shut Down I-75 in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY -- Five vehicles were involved in a crash on I-75 at mile marker 24 in Bradley County, which temporarily shut down the roadway. One person was extracted and transported to a local hospital with non life threatening…
Battle continues over proposed Bradley County emergency room
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The debate over a proposed new emergency room in Cleveland is continuing to heat up. Despite there being over 110,000 people in Bradley County, the…
Vitruvian Health petitioning against new Cleveland Parkridge emergency room
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A battle is brewing in Bradley County over a proposed new hospital. Vitruvian Health, who operates the Bradley Medical Center, has posted a petition opposing Parkridge's plans to open a freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. They argue…
State no longer pursuing Bradley County site for mental institution
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- For months, the state of Tennessee has been searching for a replacement for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. (more…)
Bradley County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Eric Wayne Helton, owner of the Aquatic Den, has pled guilty to tax evasion after an investigation by The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Helton's charges stem from his failure to remit collected…
BCSO Asks for Public's Assistance Regarding Stolen Trailer
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is asking the public for its help locating a stolen trailer. A black and silver 24-foot 2019 Formula Triumph Slope Nose…
Golden Apple Award: Kaitlyn Foulks, Charleston Elementary School
CHARLESTON, TN (WDEF) - Kaitlyn Foulks is living her dream as a Charleston Elementary School teacher. She may be new to the job, but her enthusiasm and dedication more…
Bradley County Firefighter Pay Increases
TENNESSEE -- Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis has redirected a total of $76,000 in vacancy savings to firefighter salaries, prompting an increase in pay. This adjustment increased pay for…
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…
Golden Apple Award: Kassie Dockery, Park Creek Elementary
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Parents describe Kassie Dockery as a wonderful and dedicated teacher. Her students at Park Creek Elementary know that she will always be there for them.…
Whitfield Co. Sheriff's Office purchases Carter Kits
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has shared that they have purchased Carter Kits, which can be used to assist officers during calls involving children who have autism spectrum disorders. They say…
Fuller, Harris make joint appearance at Dalton town hall on forever chemicals
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Both candidates in the runoff election in north Georgia attended a…
Charges dropped in teen's in custody death in Whitfield County
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Indictments have been dismissed against five former employees of the Dalton Youth Detention Center in a teenager’s death. Attorneys for the family of Alexis Sluder say a Whitfield County judge dismissed those charges this week. Sluder had…
Chatsworth man convicted of child molestation, cyber sex crime
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- A Chatsworth man was convicted of two counts of child molestation and computer pornography on March 11, 2026. Barry Alexander Gordon, 40, was found guilty in 5 minutes by a Whitfield…
What's Right With Our Schools: GeorgiaFIRST Robotics Competition
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Creating a working robot requires a strong understanding of mathematics and mechanical engineering. Teams of local teenagers recently showed what the machines could do…
Spill from commercial motor vehicle causes lane closures on Highway 201 at I-75 exit 341
Lanes are closed at Highway 201 at I-75 (341 exit) due to a large spill from a commercial motor vehicle, according to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). They say a temporary…
Golden Apple Award: Ashley Lyons, Westside Middle
ROCKY FACE, GA (WDEF) - The best teachers truly care about their students. That certainly describes Ashley Lyons. Her students at Westside Middle have a friend and mentor for…
Who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress?
14th DISTRICT, Ga. (WDEF) -- On January 20, the Walker County Republican Party held a meet and greet for the Republican candidates vying for the open 14th Congressional District seat in Georgia. There are 22 candidates who have qualified for…
Driver in custody following foot chase
The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) says they are on scene in the area of Eugenia Drive and Zell Drive regarding a foot chase. They say deputies stopped a black passenger car and…
Dalton man arrested for child molestation, aggravated sodomy
A Dalton man has been arrested on multiple charges, including child molestation, according to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). On February 19th, 2026, Whitfield County Sheriff's Office detectives served a warrant…
What's Right With Our Schools: NWGA College and Career Academy
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - The Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy is continuing its mission to develop a 21st century workforce. They do that through focused…
Whitfield Co. Sheriff's Office Receives “Adventure Bags” to Support Children in Crisis
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) says they have been the recipient of "adventure bags" that are able to help children in crisis. They say this is a resource…
Golden Apple Award: Janet Robbins, Northwest Whitfield
TUNNEL HILL, GEORGIA (WDEF) - Janet Robbins has a knack for growing things. From the endless rows of flora lining the Northwest Whitfield greenhouse to the young minds inside…
What's Right With Our Schools Northwest Whitfield AG Program
TUNNEL HILL, GA (WDEF) - Traditional classrooms are great places to learn, but sometimes students need to get their hands dirty. That's exactly what happens at the…
Whitfield County Drug Bust Leads to One Arrest
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following a drug bust. Eric Underwood was arrested and charged with the following: • Trafficking in Methamphetamine • Trafficking in…
Theft Ring Disrupted in Whitfield County Possibly Linked to Multiple States
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- A theft ring has been disrupted in Whitfield County following the discovery of $4,000 of merchandise in a vehicle. On Monday, February 2nd, 2026, deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office made arrests involving shoplifting at…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office to Host Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Course
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has shared they are hosting a free Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Course (CRASE). They say the CRASE training will cover: *…
Whitfield Co. Coroner's Office Identifies Pedestrian Struck and Killed on South Dixie Highway
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Coroner's Office has identified the pedestrian who was struck and killed on South Dixie Highway on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They say the person was identified as 43-year-old Daniel…
Discovery of container leads to Whitfield County hazmat response
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- A surprising discovery led to a large police presence in Whitfield County Wednesday. Whitfield County Sheriff's…
