Latest News
Braves Pitcher Spencer Strider Undergoing Tests on Right Elbow After Experiencing Discomfort
ATLANTA (AP) — Spencer Strider, Atlanta’s ace and the major league leader in wins and strikeouts last season, will have tests on his right elbow Saturday after complaining about discomfort in Friday night’s game. Strider lasted only four innings, allowing…
Track Owner Calls Driver Denny Hamlin "Almost NASCAR Champion" in Social Media Spat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — One of NASCAR’s top track owners deleted social media posts made earlier Friday morning in a back-and-forth spat with top driver Denny Hamlin that began when Hamlin criticized the repaving of Sonoma Raceway in California. Marcus Smith, chairman…
Bama Basketball Team Welcomes Insults Before NCAA Tourney Games
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — In the 15 minutes before Alabama makes its first Final Four appearance in school history on Saturday, there probably won’t be many warm and fuzzy moments in the locker room. Instead, there will be insults. Lots of them.…
Jonathan Adams Leaves Notre Dame For Head Coaching Job at Dalton High School
Notre Dame's Jonathan Adams is leaving the Irish to take the head basketball coaching job at Dalton. He'll now be closer to his home in Calhoun, Georgia. Adams coached Notre Dame for seven seasons, getting the Irish to their first…
Travis D'Arnaud Delivers Walk Off Win Over Arizona in Braves Home Opener
ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d’Arnaud singled off the left-field wall to drive home the winning run in the 10th inning and the Atlanta Braves, who scored twice in the ninth, rallied late to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday…
Ringgold Downs Ridgeland 12-1
Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Ringgold raced out to an early lead against Ridgeland and never looked back on their way to a 12-1 region victory over the Panthers.
Matt Hoppe Named New Boys Basketball Coach at Boyd Buchanan
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Boyd Buchanan introduced new boys basketball Matt Hoppe. He replaces Kenneth White. Hoppe hops over to Boyd after serving as the head coach at Clarksville Academy, where he went 47-17. Prior to that, he was the head coach at…
Mocs Introduce Deandra Schirmer or Coach 'D' as New Women's Basketball Coach
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Mocs introduced new women's basketball coach Deandra Schirmer on Friday. She comes to the Scenic City after a successful stint at Division two Valdosta State. News 12's Brian Armstrong gets us acquainted with the 8th basketball coach in UTC…
Weather Update: Saturday - April 6 , 2024
WDEF-TV News 12 Weather Forecast Overnight: Mostly clear, dry, chilly. Winds: N @ 5-15, gusts 20 MPH. Saturday: Early widespread frost. Highs under sunny skies in the mid 60's. Winds: N @ 5-10 MPH. Overnight: Mostly clear, dry, chilly. Winds:…
Man arrested in Hamilton County after driving into patrol vehicle
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Detectives in Hamilton County arrested a man who intentionally drove into a patrol vehicle with a stolen car, according to the sheriff's office. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office…
Chattanooga Public Library cardholders get free Lookouts tickets
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanoogans can get free Lookouts tickets this year through the Chattanooga Public Library. Anyone with a valid Chattanooga Public Library (CPL) card can check out…
Anti-union group attacks UAW in video
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An anti-union organization has issued a new video attacking the United Auto Workers, which is trying to organize Chattanooga’s Volkswagen plant. The video was created by the group “Center for Union Facts.” It tells the story of…
Incline Railway to temporarily close for maintenance
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Incline Railway is closing for a few weeks in April to replace cables. CARTA officials said they will replace more than 5,000 feet of the cables that pull the cars up and down Lookout Mountain. [caption…
Building, equipment damaged in Athens fire
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Athens firefighters extinguished a structure fire overnight at the MBI. Firefighters responded to the fire just before 8:30 p.m. at 2542 Sullins Road. This is the location for "the maintenance shop and office" of the Athens…
Officers arrest 2 Chattanooga teens for 'checking car door handles'
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Police Department arrested two juveniles who were checking car door handles on East 12th Street. The two juveniles were 16- and 17-year-old males, who have not been identified. Police said they responded to the…
Chattanooga Police arrest Vine Street homicide suspect
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Police Department has made a homicide arrest from an incident that happened near the end of March. CPD arrested 32-year-old Andre Johnson. He faces…
Police investigate shooting at homeless encampment
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police are investigating a shooting at a homeless encampment Thursday evening. It happened on Signal Hills Drive, off of Signal Mountain Boulevard at the bottom around 6 p.m. Investigators say a 55-year-old man was shot…
Man arrested in Hamilton County after driving into patrol vehicle
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Detectives in Hamilton County arrested a man who intentionally drove into a patrol vehicle with a stolen car, according to the sheriff's office. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office…
TBI issues Silver Alert for Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert on various social media for an 80-year-old woman. Donna Tripp is missing out of Hamilton County. Tripp was last seen on…
One person flown to hospital after Highway 60 crash
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Wednesday evening, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said a serious crash occurred on Highway 60. One person was trapped after a two-vehicle crash on the 5700 block of Highway 60. The crash happened around 4…
Commissioners criticize Mayor Wamp's anti-union press conference
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Some Hamilton County Commissioners criticized Mayor Wamp Wednesday on his press conference attacking the Volkswagen union drive. Republican leaders who joined the press conference argued…
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Ellis, STEM School Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Teaching is a family tradition for Jennifer Ellis. Lessons learned from her mother's 40 years in the classroom gave Jennifer a gift for explaining…
Bicyclist found dead near Edwards Point identified
UPDATE: HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has identified the bicyclist who was found dead on Monday near Edwards Point. They identified that person as…
Local Republicans slam UAW, urge VW employees to vote against union
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Local and state Republican officials held a press conference Monday morning to discuss their opposition to a unionization effort at Volkswagen.…
Bloodanooga returns with Super Mario theme
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The princess might be in another castle, but you can give blood at UTC. Held by Blood Assurance, the 13th edition of Bloodanooga is one of…
Woman dies after falling from Signal Point
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A woman died after falling from Signal Point on Sunday, according to the Signal Mountain Police Department. Firefighters reached the 26-year-old woman's body via rope rescue. Upon finding her body, she was already deceased. The…
First responders respond to hazmat situation in Decatur
DECATUR, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Several agencies responded to a hazmat situation in Decatur on Monday. Tri-State Mutual Aid Association reported that the hazardous materials situation happened at Storm Power Components…
Man facing attempted murder in shooting near East Brainerd ballfields
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after a shooting near some East Brainerd ball fields. That…
Seven people displaced after early Saturday morning fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Seven people were displaced early Saturday morning after their home caught on fire. Chattanooga firefighters say they were called out to the 4200 block…
Hixson home damaged in Friday afternoon fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The cause of a Hixson house fire Friday is currently under investigation. The Chattanooga Fire Department says that before 6 p.m. Friday, they were called…
Tennessee Innocence Project to hold Chattanooga event
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A non-profit law firm that works to exonerate convicts will be making…
City says neighboring developer cited before Heritage Park flooding
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We do have an update on ongoing flooding issues at Jack Benson Heritage Park. (more…)
Mayor Wamp delivers State of the County Address
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp delivered his State of the County Address Thursday morning. "In the weeks, months and years ahead, we should…
Man arrested for motorcycle pursuit after posting video to Instagram
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for fleeing from police on a motorcycle on Sunday. The HCSO said a deputy was trying to make a lawful stop of the motorcyclist on Highway 27,…
Patten Towers murder suspect makes brief court appearance
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The suspect charged with…
Frequent user of Heritage Park concerned about increased flooding
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Frequent flooding is disrupting life in one Chattanooga park. One citizen, Henri Tenthorey, says that the flooding at Jack Benson Heritage Park in…
Suspect in Brainerd T-Mobile shooting makes first court appearance
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The suspect in a shooting outside of a T-Mobile store in Brainerd last week made his initial appearance in court Wednesday morning. [caption…
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…
Bradley County mayor suggests school merger
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - For over a century, the Bradley County School District and Cleveland City Schools have operated as two separate entities. However, the idea of school consolidation is…
Wife pleads guilty to shooting husband
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - A Bradley County woman entered a guilty plea on Sunday to fatally shooting her husband. Britany M. Taylor called the sheriff's office in May of 2022 to say she had…
Update on Cleveland church pastor arrested
UPDATES: CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- This week, Rick Sentell was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor for possessing child pornography. Sentell is listed online as the pastor of the Cornerstone Church of God. However, there is a…
Hamilton County has "concerns" over how state is grading schools
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - The state this week is giving a letter grade for each school in our area. But Hamilton County leaders don't think much of their grading system. The Department of Education has crunched a lot of…
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…
Dalton Police searching for runaway teen missing since June
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is searching for a teenager who ran away over the summer. Dalton Police are looking for 16-year-old Angel Rodinilson Vasquez-Vasquez. He…


