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Aubie Smith Farms Sunflower Fields attract local tourism
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) A Popular Ooltewah attraction is open for business for a few more days. Aubie Smith Farms is locally famous for its sunflower fields. People pour in from around the…
Early Voting Begins in Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Early voting has begun here in Hamilton County and across Tennessee. Voters who take part in early voting get a few added conveniences. Nate Foster, Assistant Administrator of Elections in Hamilton County told us, "One of…
Fugitive known as "master yachtsman" captured on sailboat after 21 years on the run
A man convicted of sexual assault and considered one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives was arrested off the coast of New Jersey after over 20 years on the run, state officials said Thursday.…
Salvation Army of Chattanooga asks locals to help Beat the Heat
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- With hot weather moving in for the foreseeable future, many people are cranking up the AC to stay cool. Unfortunately, some do not have this option. The Salvation Army of Chattanooga is…
Complaint accuses doctor involved in failed Tennessee execution of violating ethics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The sister of a Tennessee death row inmate whose execution was halted because of…
Brenda Fricker, Oscar winner known for roles in "My Left Foot" and "Home Alone 2," dies at age 81
Brenda Fricker, the Irish actor who won an Academy Award for 1989's "My Left Foot," played the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2" and appeared in "A Time to Kill" and "So…
New Chattanooga Salvation Army Area Commanders return after over 10 years
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga Salvation Army welcomes back their newest Area Commander, Captain Johnny Horton. Capt. Horton and his wife Monica take Major Douglas and Storm McClure's previous positions as Chattanooga…
Rhea Co Wants to Match Regular Season Success in Postseason
Day two of our 30-in-30 high school football preview series takes a look at Rhea County. The Golden Eagles enjoyed a great regular season last year, and now they would like to extend it to the post season this year.…
Catoosa County school board approves property tax hike, blames state legislature
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF)- "Where is the…
No Links Golf Experience No Problem at British Open For Leader Jackson Suber
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Jackson Suber got his first taste of links golf — on his first trip to Europe — when he arrived at Royal Birkdale. Three days later, he proved to be a quick study with a superb…
Weather Update: FRIDAY JULY 17, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Early showers / thunderstorms. Mostly clear / hazy, humid. Lows: low 70's. Winds: near calm. Friday: Mostly sunny, very warm. Scattered showers & thunderstorms. Highs: low 90's. Winds: near calm. Who…
Hamilton County to offer K-12 Quantum Curriculum
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -- Quantum Computing has moved from science fiction to become a very real industry. Chattanooga is currently at the forefront developing this new technology. To…
New airport board sworn in, replaced board claims they are still recognized entity
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Several new members to the Chattanooga Airport Authority Board have taken their seats. This was after a new state law…
Early voting for August 6 State & Federal Primary and County General Election begins Friday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Early Voting for the August 6th State & Federal Primary and County General Election begins Friday, July 17th across Hamilton County. Early voting runs through Saturday, August 1st. There are several locations open across Hamilton County for…
Two dead in suspected murder-suicide at Cleveland residence
A husband and wife are dead from an apparent murder-suicide after being found inside a residence, according to the Cleveland Police Department. They say on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at approximately 3:25 p.m., officers with…
U.S. designates 2 more Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, including one on Texas border
The U.S. government has designated two more Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, including one that operates near the U.S. border. They are the Juárez Cartel, on the border with Texas, and Los Viagras, a criminal group from the western…
Chatsworth man arrested for attempting to meet 14-year-old for 'indecent purposes'
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- On July 16th, 2026, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office says their Special Victims Unit Detectives concluded another operation leading to the arrest of a Chatsworth man attempting to meet…
Aubie Smith Farms Sunflower Fields attract local tourism
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) A Popular Ooltewah attraction is open for business for a few more days. Aubie Smith Farms is locally famous for its sunflower fields. People pour in from around the…
Early Voting Begins in Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Early voting has begun here in Hamilton County and across Tennessee. Voters who take part in early voting get a few added conveniences. Nate Foster, Assistant Administrator of Elections in Hamilton County told us, "One of…
Hamilton County to offer K-12 Quantum Curriculum
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -- Quantum Computing has moved from science fiction to become a very real industry. Chattanooga is currently at the forefront developing this new technology. To…
New airport board sworn in, replaced board claims they are still recognized entity
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Several new members to the Chattanooga Airport Authority Board have taken their seats. This was after a new state law…
Ooltewah Ready to Punt Another Rebuild For More Wins
We begin our annual 30-in-30 high school football preview series, where we take a look at 30 area teams over the next 30-days. Brian Armstrong kicks off…
Residents say they want open spaces, new retail at Northgate redevelopment
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hixson residents had another opportunity to voice what they want to see in the redevelopment of Northgate Mall. This was during Wednesday morning’s Friends of Hixson…
Family Empowerment Initiative expands in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- If your child struggles with mental health challenges, there’s a service available right now. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse expanded its…
Adderall and Estrogen shortage cause major headaches
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two key medications that many Americans rely on for treatment are currently seeing a major shortage. Adderall and Estrogen are both seeing supply chain issues,…
Initial hearing held for man charged with abuse of woman's corpse found at Lookout Valley motel
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man charged with abusing the corpse of a young woman found dead outside of a Lookout…
McKamey Animal Center worked with apartment fire victims
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- While the Integra Vista apartments were still on fire, McKamey Animal Center stepped in to help. Many residents of the Hixson apartment building were pet owners. Firefighters were able to rescue every pet which was trapped…
Local Company Taking Part in World Skydiving Day
MARION COUNTY, TN (WDEF) -- Saturday is World Skydiving Day, and a local company is taking part. Chattanooga Skydiving Company is owned by a second-generation skydiver. Justin Silvia’s father was a parachutist during World War II, and his sons are…
First Responder Hero Award: Trey Buffington
Trey Buffington, who has worked as a dispatcher since 2009, is the latest recipient of the News 12 First Responder Hero Award.
Frustrations continue between developers and IDB on The Bend project
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- "Quite frankly, I don’t appreciate these allegations." It’s been over two years since The Bend on the Chattanooga Westside broke ground. However, the…
Kelly says he still has concerns over airport board appointments
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The fight over who gets to control the board of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport continues to grow. State leaders have made six appointments…
Playstation to end physical disc production in 2028
DALTON, GA. (WDEF) -- Sony made an announcement that’s sent waves through the gaming community. The maker of the PlayStation announced…
Hamilton County Schools announces Back to School Bash
Hamilton County Schools is inviting locals to join them on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. at Tennessee Riverpark for a day full of excitement before the new school year begins. They…
Firefighters describe response as community rallies after Hixson apartment fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are learning more about the cause and response to a major apartment fire in Hixson on Sunday.…
First indoor pickleball club opens in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- With the heat wave hanging over the Tennessee Valley,…
East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra celebrates 20th anniversary at Collegedale Independence Day event
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn.. (WDEF) -- Faith and Family night has been a tradition in Collegedale for a long time, but…
Mixed reactions to the passage of Plan Hamilton
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- : After years of contentious debate, Plan Hamilton was finally adopted by the Hamilton County Commission Wednesday evening in a 6 to 5 vote. The…
Proposed Cleveland annexation leads to concerns in Bradley County
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- "Why bring something in front of the County…
Charleston residents raising concerns again about possibility of data center
CHARLESTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- “We just want to do our part and leave it better than we found it.” Ryan and Carrie Kertesz have owned the B&B…
Whit's Frozen Custard holds fundraiser for family battling childhood brain cancer
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Each sweet treat sold at a Cleveland frozen custard shop was more meaningful on Monday. Over 20 percent of sales on Monday at Whit’s Frozen Custard are going to…
57-year-old victim identified in June 30 Bradley Co. homicide
UPDATE (7/826): The victim of the June 30, 2026 homicide has been identified as 57-year-old Perry Shawn Freeman. According to Bradley County, during the investigation, Freeman was…
Bradley Co. Mayor to not veto budget with tax hike
Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis has decided NOT to veto the budget with a tax hike. Davis originally proposed a budget with no tax hike. But the county commission decided to raise taxes two weeks ago to increase the…
Man arrested after reports of objects being thrown at windshields
BRADLEY COUNTY -- A man has been arrested following several reports of objects being thrown at drivers windshields in the northeast areas of Bradley County and the City of Cleveland. A joint…
Bradley County Commission approves tax hike for first responder, county employee pay
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- "One of my sons doesn't have health insurance because we can't afford it and the county's offering isn't strong enough…
Residents debate proposed Bradley County first responder pay
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County residents are sounding off over a potential tax increase to support an increase in first responder pay. They made their cases to the Bradley…
First Baptist Cleveland donates 500 Bibles to Bradley County Jail
First Baptist Cleveland has donated 500 Bibles to the Bradley County Jail. The Bradley County Sheriff's Office says this gift will provide hope, encouragement, guidance, and spiritual support to many individuals as…
Bradley County Jail receives TCI certification
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Jail has received its Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) certification following inspection on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The Bradley County Sheriff's Office says the inspection revealed no findings at the facility, and as a result,…
Traffic at a standstill southbound in Bradley County due to crash
BRADLEY COUNTY -- All lanes are blocked on I-75 southbound in Bradley County due to a multi-vehicle crash near mile marker 19.4, according to TDOT. We are working to learn more.
TOSHA investigating Amaero plant explosion, experts say this is reminder of dangers of lithium batteries.
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A state agency says they are beginning their investigation into an explosion at a Bradley County plant Wednesday . TOSHA says they began that investigation Thursday morning after two people suffered severe burns from a lithium battery…
Craig Liner pleads guilty to 2025 murder of ex-wife
UPDATE: Craig Liner has pleaded guilty of the 2025 killing of his ex-wife Karen Liner and has been sentenced to life in prison. Liner…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland High Best Buddy Program
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - A new organization at Cleveland High School got off to a strong star this year. The Best Buddies Club is a student…
BCSO warns of scam claiming individuals owe money for traffic offense
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals of a scam involving claims that individuals owe money for a traffic offense. They say message may include what looks like an official court document and it…
Multi-vehicle wreck causing major backups in Bradley County near MM 19
Traffic is moving extremely slow due to a multi-vehicle crash on I-75 southbound near Mile Marker 19 in Bradley County. TDOT says the southbound left lane (of 2 lanes) blocked, left shoulder blocked. Delays are expected.
Bradley County passes strict new regulations against data centers
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- "Because I care much about this child and what you guys are voting, (me speaking is for) this gal right here." Tyler Ownby, holding…
Rumored data center sparks concerns in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Data centers have continued to stir debate all across the country. Now, numerous residents say they are nervous that one could be coming to…
Golden Apple Award: Madison Limburg, Walker Valley High
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Madison Limburg is a proven teacher at Walker Valley High. Her course load incudes English Language Arts and Journalism. She has also served as…
Bradley Central High School teacher misconduct allegations prompts investigation
BRADLEY COUNTY -- An investigation is underway following allegations of misconduct by a Bradley Central High School teacher. Bradley County Schools says they became aware of allegations of serious misconduct involving…
Playstation to end physical disc production in 2028
DALTON, GA. (WDEF) -- Sony made an announcement that’s sent waves through the gaming community. The maker of the PlayStation announced…
Goodwill Opportunity Centers connect the community with employment
DALTON, GA. (WDEF) -- If you need help finding employment, Goodwill says their Job Opportunity Centers can lend a helping hand. Goodwill hosted a hiring event in…
What's Right With Our Schools: SE Whitfield Pawsome Program
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Pets are our best friends, but keeping them clean and clipped can be challenging. Students at Southeast Whitfield are getting some valuable lessons…
What's Right With Our Schools: Whitfield County Financial Planning
WHITFIELD COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - Understanding money, and how to make it work for you, is a key to success in life. Students in Whitfield County are…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office warns of scam involving incarcerated individuals
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is warning individuals about a scam involving recent arrest information and incarcerated individuals. They say they assume that scammers are now preying on recent arrest…
Three firefighters treated for heat exhaustion in battle with Dalton house fire
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Three firefighters were treated for apparent heat exhaustion in a Dalton fire Tuesday evening. Dalton firefighters say they responded to a home at…
Cohutta Town Council reinstates police department, tables decision on mayor's future
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Controlled underground blasting to take place off Old Tilton Road
Controlled underground blasting will take place today, Friday, May 1st, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for construction off Old Tilton Road, according to Whitfield County.
Mayor, police chief speak on resolution to Cohutta dispute
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF)- Has the controversial situation surrounding the small…
Community baby shower held in Dalton
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Mothers in the Dalton area got to relax a…
Mediation leads to resolution in Cohutta
We have an update on a controversy engulfing the Whitfield County town of Cohutta. According to a post from the Cohutta Police Department, there has been mediation in the matter…
Underground blasting to occur off Old Tilton Road
Controlled underground blasting will take place Monday, April 27th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for construction off Old Tilton Road, according to Whitfield County.
Whitfield County employees make take-home meals for senior citizens
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- On Tuesday, April 21st, Whitfield County employees volunteered with the Senior Center to assist with the preparation of take-home meals. They say a total of 31 grocery bags were filled, each…
Meth, marijuana, cash and scales seized in Rocky Face area investigation
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- Over 300 grams of Methamphetamine and over 750 grams of marijuana have been seized following an investigation in the Rocky Face area. According to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office…
Dalton public safety board temporarily revokes license of establishment as manager questions process
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- What is the difference between…
What's Right With Our Schools, Valley Point STEM Night
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Families at Valley Point Middle School recently came together to solve a mystery. Students used the skills they learn each day to track…
UPDATE: Man in stable condition after wife shot him multiple times
UPDATE: On April 15, 2026 at around 9 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence after receiving a call from Jeffrey Perkins, who stated he had been shot multiple times by his wife, Rita Perkins,…
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…
