Alabama police chase ends in Georgia with two arrested
DADE COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A man and woman are in custody for a hit and run and then fleeing from police. The Dade County Sheriff's Office announced the two arrests on Monday, November 20. Dade…
Great Smoky Mountain campgrounds, roads closed due to weather
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds, as well as other park roads. This is to protect against potential wildfires while the area has an active red flag warning, upcoming…
McCallie students help The Salvation Army provide Thanksgiving meals
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Preparing for Thanksgiving, McCallie Middle and High School students helped provide meals to families in need on Thursday. On November 16, students helped the Chattanooga…
Jury acquits Catholic priest in Tennessee who was charged with sexual battery
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A jury has found a Catholic priest in Tennessee not guilty of sexual battery against a woman who was a church member. Jurors handed down the verdict late last week in the case against Father Antony…
Ooltewah's male JROTC Raider Team wins national championship
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Ooltewah High School's Army JROTC Raider Team recently won first place in the All-Service Raider National Championship. The competition took place November 16-19 in…
An Aquarium Thanksgiving
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Aquarium says they spent nearly $185,000 on groceries for their animals in 2022. The Aquarium provides for 12,000 animals in their care. They even revealed some of the surprising items on their grocery…
Florida's new high-speed rail linking Miami and Orlando could be blueprint for future travel in U.S.
MIAMI, Fla. (CBS) -- As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up for holiday travel. AAA projects that over 55 million people will travel more than 50 miles, which would make this Thanksgiving the third busiest on record. This…
Walker County deputies investigating car theft and break-ins
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Someone stole a car, and someone entered several other cars in Walker County early Monday morning. An unknown person stole a gray 2022 Jeep Wagoneer at around 1 a.m., according to the Walker County Sheriff's…
One dead in Wilson Street shooting Monday morning
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A deadly shooting happened Monday morning in Chattanooga. According to the Chattanooga Police Department, shots were fired around 8:30 a.m. It happened at 2104 Wilson Street, according to Hamilton County 911. This is in a neighborhood…
Tractor trailer loses heavy machinery on Highway 58
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Heavy machinery fell off the back of a tractor trailer Monday morning on Highway 58. Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies were on scene of the accident at around 9 a.m. on November 20. A CAT bulldozer…
Whitwell fire spreads, wildfire danger extreme today
UPDATES: Nov. 20. 11:54 AM News 12 has spoken with Marion County emergency officials to gain more insight into the Whitwell Mountain wildfire. According to Marion County EMA Director Steve Lamb, 125 acres have burned on the mountain so far.…
Local church packs annual Operation Christmas Child boxes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Covenant Presbyterian is packing their annual Operation Christmas Child boxes. Each box that is donated has supplies that help children in need around the world. Church…
Active fire spreads on Whitwell Mountain Sunday night
WHITWELL, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Firefighters are on the scene of an active fire in Marion County. The fire has spread on Whitwell Mountain. Local first responders are trying to contain it. Authorities urge the public to avoid Hwy 108 and…
'Great American Smoke Out' held in Brainerd Sunday afternoon
BRAINERD, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Great American Smoke Out event was held in Brainerd Sunday afternoon to encourage the public to quit smoking. This event was an…
Flames engulf Hixson residence on Sunday afternoon
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hixson residents safely escaped their home on Sunday afternoon as flames engulfed their front porch and began to spread. At 2:38 p.m., Blue Shift companies responded to the 4800 block of Winding Lane after 911 received…
East Ridge hosts annual Christmas parade
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The city of East Ridge hosted a Christmas parade Saturday night down Ringgold Road. There were over 100 entries in the event. Multiple organizations…
Firefighters are preparing for possible high winds Monday
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Firefighters are preparing for possible high winds coming Monday through Tuesday. Wind gusts up to 60 and 70 mph could occur in the Appalachian Mountains. This could cause current fires to escape containment lines, as well…
Sale Creek residents lose homes in severe residential fires
SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Sale Creek residents awoke to black smoke Sunday morning which led to residential fires in the area. Firefighters responded to two…
Firefighters respond to downtown Blue Ridge structure fire
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. (WDEF) -- Georgia firefighters were on the scene of a structure fire Saturday afternoon in Blue Ridge. Fannin County EMA advised people to avoid the downtown area earlier in the afternoon. A structure…
'Hope Harvest' gives out free Thanksgiving turkeys
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A turkey giveaway across Chattanooga is giving away more than just a seasonal feast. The Hope Harvest was held November 18 across the greater Chattanooga community…
Asian Lantern Festival lights up Chattanooga Zoo
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Zoo is lighting up its quarters once again this winter for the Asian Lantern Festival. The Asian Lantern Festival will be hosted…
East Ridge hosts a community Thanksgiving
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) - East Ridge wants to give a home cooked meal to their community. Hannah Spear, the Community Center Supervisor for East Ridge said, "We are having a community Thanksgiving. It is for the East Ridge community…
Better Business Bureau warns of gift card scams
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The season for Christmas shopping is upon us. The Better Business Bureau is now encouraging people to be on alert for gift card…
Hamilton County Commission approves funds for Heritage Center
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Hamilton County commission approved $400,000 for the Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Half of that money will be used to create an exhibit…