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Golden Apple Award: Darren Hulgan, Chattanooga Valley Middle School
FLINTSTONE, GA (WDEF) - Darren Hulgan is on a mission to make the world a little bit better every day. He came to teaching later in life and students at Chattanooga Valley are sure glad that he did. Principal Wade…
Braves Select Walt Weiss as New Manager
ATLANTA (AP) — There were times during the Atlanta Braves’ 33-day search for a new manager that Walt Weiss thought “that ship had sailed” regarding his chances to move up from bench coach and replace Brian Snitker, who is transitioning to…
College Football Playoffs Set to Kick on December 19th
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The College Football Playoff will open with one first-round game on Dec. 19 and three more on Dec. 20, CFP administrators announced Tuesday. The Friday night game will start at 8 p.m. EST and be televised…
Son, husband of Sequatchie County murder victim make initial court appearance
DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF)- 50 year old Silvia Vilchez was found dead last week outside of her Sequatchie County home. Now, her son and father stand…
Tips to avoid a house fire during the winter months
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As temperatures go down outside, you likely will turn up your temperature inside. (more…)
Weather Update: Tuesday November 3, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Tuesday: Mostly sunny, dry. Highs: high 60's. Winds: Light & Variable. Overnight: Mostly clear. Chilly. Lows: low / mid 30's. Winds: near calm. Wednesday: Sunshine. Dry. Highs: low 70's. Winds: SW @…
Police chase leads to one arrest in Fort Oglethorpe
FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) -- A man has been arrested following a police chase this morning. Walker County Sheriff…
HCSO Responds to Altercation In Front of Brainerd High School
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- On Tuesday, November 4, 2025 around 7:45 a.m., the School Resource Deputy assigned to Brainerd High School responded to and broke up an altercation in front of the school involving two adults. A short while…
One dead and one charged in Cumberland County homicide
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An investigation is underway after a deceased individual was found murdered during a welfare check. On November 3, 2025, Cumberland County 911 received a call requesting…
Organization says VW workers can still refuse to strike
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A national anti-union organization is telling Volkswagen workers here they have options in case the U-A-W calls a strike. The organization is the National Right to Work Foundation.…
Catoosa County Home School Co-Op Visits News 12
CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - News 12 welcomed some very smart and capable visitors this (11/4/25) morning. Students from the Catoosa County Home School Co-Op came by just ahead the Noon show. We showed them around our newsroom and both…
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…
Person shot following robbery on Scruggs Street
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF)– The Chattanooga Police Department is investigating a robbery Monday evening that resulted in one person being shot. (more…)
The Salvation Army's holiday campaigns kick off on Thursday
Major Douglas McClure joins News 12's Amelia Greer as the holiday season kicks off in Chattanooga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The season of giving is here and The Salvation Army will…
Strut your stuff on Thanksgiving with the 13th annual Stuffing Strut 5K
Amy Katcher returns to her old stomping grounds to remind viewers of the upcoming turkey day 5K! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Stuffing Strut 5K returns for its 13th year on Thanksgiving…
Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84
ASSOCIATED PRESS By CALVIN WOODWARD WASHINGTON (AP) — Dick Cheney, the hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in U.S. history and a leading advocate for the invasion of…
Mississippi Mother Kills Escaped Monkey To ‘Protect Her Children’
Jessica Bond Ferguson shot and killed one of the escaped Rhesus monkeys near her Heidelberg, Mississippi home Sunday morning after her 16-year-old son spotted it in their yard. "I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,"…
Idaho Record-Holder Catches Ice Cream Scoop From 55 Feet Away
David Rush, an Idaho man holding more than 300 Guinness World Records, has earned another title by catching an ice cream scoop in a cone from 55 feet, 5 inches away. Rush partnered with Josh VanBattenburg from YouTuber Josh Horton's…
HCSO Responds to Altercation In Front of Brainerd High School
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- On Tuesday, November 4, 2025 around 7:45 a.m., the School Resource Deputy assigned to Brainerd High School responded to and broke up an altercation in front of the school involving two adults. A short while…
Person shot following robbery on Scruggs Street
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF)– The Chattanooga Police Department is investigating a robbery Monday evening that resulted in one person being shot. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Woodworking Academy
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - With A-I disrupting a wide range of businesses, the trades are becoming more attractive to young people. The Chattanooga Woodworking Academy lets students progress…
Hamilton County to not participate in Northgate Mall TIF District after city fails to inform them of proposal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County will not participate in the Northgate Mall tax increment financing proposal. (more…)
Hamilton County debuts state’s first Overdose Prevention Team
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Hamilton County EMS, and Hamilton County Health & Social Services today announced the official rollout of the Overdose…
Pet of the Week: Letti Spaghetti
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Meet News 12's Pet of the Week: Letti Spaghetti! Letti Spaghetti is 7 months old with a big heart. She is cuddly and friendly. She…
Chattanooga Public Library Launches Fine Free Campaign
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Public Library (CPL) is thrilled to announce they are no longer charging late fines for the majority of library materials. Plus, previously charged late fines have been removed…
Single vehicle crash leaves one dead on Highway 58
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office responded to a fatal single vehicle crash on November 2 around 9:50 p.m. Deputies responded to the 10750 block of Highway 58. The driver was pronounced…
Erlanger staff provide reverse trick or treat for Children's Hospital patients
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The staff at Erlanger Children’s Hospital did something special for kids who are in the hospital this Halloween. They showed up and showed out for the little ones who don’t…
CFD adds Ladder 21 to station
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) has added Ladder 21 to its station, allowing for more coverage and services to be provided for the community. Ladder 21…
East Lake family escapes house fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- CFD responded to a house fire around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 31. A second alarm was called due to reports…
AIM Center celebrates milestone of Espero project as leaders hope it can help tackle affordable housing
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A recent report from UTC…
Free concert series at Chester Frost Park proposed
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A summer concert series may be coming to Chester Frost Park. (more…)
Code enforcement blitz coming soon for District 1
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The city of Chattanooga’s Code Enforcement wing will be doing what they call an "enforcement blitz" in District 1. That district includes the Lookout…
United Auto Workers votes for strike authorization
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The United Auto Workers Union voted Wednesday night in favor of a strike authorization for workers at the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant. More than two-thirds of…
Brainerd High School student arrested
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- On Thursday, October 30 at approximately 8:50am staff and students reported a weapon inside a classroom at Brainerd High School. Witnesses say a juvenile student waved a knife and pointed it at another student in a…
Grier avoids death penalty, will likely spend rest of life in prison in 2016 murder case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Andre Grier now knows his sentence after being convicted of first degree murder in the 2016 killing of…
More residents, commissioner bring up concerns about proposed deed swap
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Several residents continue to voice concerns over a potential land deed restriction swap at Enterprise South Nature Park and McDonald Farm. (more…)
County proposing making parking garage adjacent to courthouse free outside of business hours
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County may be making a downtown parking garage free after hours and on the weekend. (more…)
TBI announces Most Wanted alert for East Ridge man
UPDATE: According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Jason Sherman Brown Jr. is now in law enforcement custody. East Ridge, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation…
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…
Bradley County EMS assists with overturned truck on North Lee Highway
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A driver caught a lucky break after an accident on North Lee Highway Tuesday morning. On August 19, 2025, Bradley…
Judge tells Liner not to stall over attorney situation in murder case
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Bradley County judge is warning a man charged with the murder of his ex-wife against stalling future proceedings. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland High Aviation Grant
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) -- TDOT has awarded $22,000 to Cleveland High School's Aviation Program. The money will go be used to prepare future pilots, engineers and aerospace…
Man arrested in Bradley County after authorities uncover large-scale money scam ring
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A man was arrested after authorities uncovered a large-scale money scam ring that was targeting a vulnerable resident. According to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), the victim involved…
Wacker confirms 90 layoffs at Bradley County facility
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Officials at the Wacker Chemical Corporation have put a number on the layoffs coming to their plant in Charleston. Last week, the…
Florida woman charged after crash kills her two children in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Florida woman was arrested in Bradley County after a crash killed her son and daughter. On Monday, July 14, 2025, around 11:00 a.m., a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)…
What's Right With Our Schools: STEM Summer Camp
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Museum Center at 5Points turned up the energy for local students. Last week, rising fifth through seventh graders dove into hands-on learning at…
TBI agents investigating officer involved shooting in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) special agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Cleveland. On Sunday June 29, 2025, at 11:23 p.m., a…
Firework shows happening across the News 12 viewing area
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The fourth of July is a week from today, and we've compiled a list of firework shows happening around our area. The list is by date, here are the following shows…
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…
Whitfield County authorities searching for wanted man
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on multiple felony charges. WCSO says Dallas Brendel is facing several serious…
One dead in multi-vehicle crash on I-75 northbound in Whitfield County
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A woman from Dalton was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning on I-75 northbound. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said troopers responded around 6:44 a.m. on June 20, 2025 to the crash near…
Forever chemical test results in North Georgia alarm scientists
CHATSWORTH, Ga. (WDEF)- A group of environmental scientists in northwest Georgia say recent test results of forever chemicals in North Georgia have them alarmed. (more…)
