UPDATE: Police confirm meth was found at Nolan Elementary
Hamilton County Department of Education say a couple Nolan Elementary students found a bag of possibly meth in the library.
Wildfire threatens multiple buildings on Sand Mountain
UPDATE: - Brush fires have disrupted traffic up Sand Mountain in Dade County this afternoon. The first reports came in after noon about fires along Highway 136. One resident told us it was started from sparks created by a chain dragging…
Two companies vying to provide water system for Signal Mountain
Residents heard from two companies vying to be the provider for the Town of Signal Mountain water system on Thursday night.
Equity Task Force created for Hamilton County Schools
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Schools is committed to meeting the needs of all students to receive a high-quality education, with equitable access to opportunities and resources. They hope to fulfill this commitment to the students by creating an…
Man reports Scam Alert in Dalton
DALTON, Tenn. (WDEF) - Dalton resident reached out to News 12 about a check scam circulating in Dalton. He says that he received a check in the mail to wrap his truck and advertise for Starbucks coffee. They told him…
Citizen Safety Coalition meets at City Hall
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The citizens safety coalition met today at the Mayor's office. This group of concerned citizens and leaders in the community is growing. They talked about crimes stats and the different things that they are working on…
Hamilton County Sheriff discusses school safety
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond discussed school safety at the Hamilton County School Board meeting on Thursday. He shared his own thoughts on possible ways to ramp up security at schools. "Guns are not the problem…
Hamilton Co. Schools create "Equity Task Force"
“Equity was a focus of the community that came through loud and clear in our listening sessions"
Student accused of leaving loaded gun at university bus stop
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - A University of Georgia student is accused of leaving a loaded handgun at a campus bus stop. The Athens Banner-Herald reports that university police say 21-year-old Jasmine Aris Starnes was arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge…
Crabtree Farms takes measures to protect plants
With colder temperatures, Tennessee Valley farmers have been having to stay on top of their plants.
Calhoun, GA Residents React to Viral Facebook Post
A Facebook post is drawing a lot of attention to the small town of Calhoun, Georgia, but not in the way city officials would like.
Alabama 3rd state to allow execution by nitrogen gas
By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama will become the third state to authorize the untested use of nitrogen gas to execute prisoners under legislation signed by Gov. Kay Ivey. Ivey signed the bill Thursday, two days…
Police charge suspects in string of local business burglaries
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Police Department's Property Crimes Unit charge two suspects in a string of burglaries in Brainerd and East Ridge. The burglaries happened from January through last week. Most of the businesses were on Brainerd Road, Rossville…
Charges pending in deadly Marion County wreck
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tennessee (WDEF) - Charges are pending against a driver involved in a head on collision in South Pittsburg on Wednesday. It happened around 10 AM on Highway 72. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says a pickup truck crossed over…
Government spending bill would fully fund Chickamauga Lock
WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) - Sen. Lamar Alexander says the government funding bill will fully fund construction of the Chickamauga Lock for the fourth year in a row. The $78 million in this year's budget is double the amount of last…
Tennessee lawmakers pass 'In God We Trust' school bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers have passed a bill to require public schools to prominently display the national motto, "In God We Trust." It would take effect immediately if Republican Gov. Bill Haslam signs it. The measure requires schools…
9 people injured in crash involving bus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A city bus in Nashville has been involved in a crash that injured nine people. A statement from the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority says the crash happened Thursday morning and involved a bus and a passenger…
Take part in the Battle of the Badges blood drive
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Like most communities, Chattanooga and surrounding areas frequently see a shortage of blood supplies. There are blood drives going on daily, and today it involves the first responders who know first hand how important that can be.…
Chattanooga looks to possibly change food truck ban on city streets
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - "We are just a moving coffee shop. I don't do a lot of food, but I do lattes, teas, chai teas," Lisa Dunny said. Dunny owns Spill the Beans, a coffee shop food truck. But her…
Tennessee AG challenging local opioid lawsuits
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Attorney General of Tennessee is going to court to stop opioid lawsuits across the state. District Attorney Generals in several regions near us have filed lawsuits against drug companies, doctors and pill mill operators. But AG…
Former gang leader tells his story to students
A former Memphis gang leader who is now a motivational speaker shared his message to Tennessee Valley students.
Miller Park block of MLK Blvd reopens
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Miller Park project in Chattanooga is one step closer to completion. This afternoon, Martin Luther King Boulevard was reopened at Miller Park. Closed road signs were removed and drivers were able to go through. Mayor Andy…
Tennessee Valley schools improve school safety
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has proposed $30.2 million to fund school safety, but schools in the Tennessee Valley are already working to make our schools safer. "It's open to everything from SROs to physical improvements in…
New Alabama senator says Congress must act on gun violence
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Alabama Sen. Doug Jones says Congress must address gun violence, even as lawmakers protect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. In his maiden speech to the Senate, Jones says the nation…