Celeste Murphy confirmed as Chattanooga's first female police chief
The Chattanooga City Council made history this evening when they confirmed Celeste Murphy as the city's new police chief. She is the first female, and Black female…
Ex Lee University choir director sentenced on sex abuse charges
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Former Lee University choir director James Lamar Phillips has been sentenced to just under a year of prison time for a sexual abuse case. He could get early release after 75% of the sentence is served.…
New school in old Cigna building in East Brainerd?
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Hamilton County School Board is considering a former Cigna Corporation Office building as a potential new school. It is located on Goodwin road, just down the street from East Brainerd Elementary. Members of the board are…
DA asks for investigation into Collegedale traffic stop
COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston is asking for a review of a traffic stop in Collegedale. On March 10th, the driver was charged with speeding, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. His office is not…
Golden Apple Award: Shannon Seigel, Stem School Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - When cutting edge technology is combined with hard work and kindness, learning is sure to follow. Those qualities merge seamlessly in Shannon Seigle's classroom at Stem School Chattanooga. Tony…
Ooltewah Man Starts Non-Profit for Ukraine
OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) - Doing what he can to assist people in his home country, Ooltewah resident Alexander Bormotov has started a non-profit. The non-profit is called Go 4 Life, and it's an answer…
Petition created at Lee University in response to student accident
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- More than 1,500 Lee University students have signed an online petition for safer campus crosswalks. Last month, a freshman student at the school was hit at the Medlin Hall…
Pedaling for Parkinson's Now Offering Free, Local Classes
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): Pedaling for Parkinson's has come to the Chattanooga area. This program is designed to use forced exercise to slow the progression in Parkinson's patients. It involves a one hour session…
CFD responds to residential house fire
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Cleveland Fire Department was dispatched this morning to a residential house fire on the 2700 block of Henderson Avenue in Cleveland. CFD Deputy Chief Pete VanDusen said the house suffered "substantial damage," and that the…
Singer Ruben Studdard joining UTC faculty
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The deal is done and singer Ruben Studdard will become a member of the UTC faculty. The American Idol winner from Birmingham will teach two courses next fall. He has increased his ties to the local university…
Woman charged with shooting younger woman last week
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police arrest a suspect in a shooting last week on 11th Street. It happened in the afternoon last Tuesday a block away from the downtown police precinct and the Community Kitchen. A 21 year old woman…
Dalton man sentenced on child molestation charge
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - A Dalton man has been sentenced to 19 years on a child molestation charge. 55 year old Anthony Marshall Ponders was convicted a couple of weeks ago. Prosecutors say Ponders exposed himself to a child. A…
St. Patrick's Day in Savannah revived after virus hiatus
By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Fountains in city parks and squares are gushing water dyed emerald green and hotel rooms are filling up as restaurants and bars make sure they stock extra beer and hire extra…
Commissioner Greg Martin running to replace Robin Smith
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Martin is both lobbying for and running for Robin Smith's old seat in the state legislature. He says if he is appointed by the Commission as the Interim Representative, he will step down…
Woman wounds suspected burglar with shotgun
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Bradley County investigators say it looks like a resident shot a burglar last night inside her home in northeast Bradley County. She was alone with an infant when she says several men entered her home. But…
Ukraine's capital under fire; 3 EU nation leaders to visit
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia's relentless bombardment of Ukraine edged closer to central Kyiv on Tuesday, with a series of strikes hitting a residential neighborhood as the leaders of three European…
Residents still concerned for gas prices despite price drop
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- On Monday, U.S. oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since March 1 -- more than an 8% plunge in…
Man injured in auto garage fire
UPDATE: Dallas Bay officials say an auto mechanic called 911 to report a garage fire around 7:55 PM. He said he was working on an old Chevy truck when his cordless drill sparked and set the gas tank on…
What's Right With Our Schools: Harrison Elementary Black History Museum
HARRISON, TN (WDEF) - Black History Month came to life at Harrison Elementary School. Third graders became historic figures in a living wax museum. Students and visitors both learned a…
Orr pleads guilty to murder of mother of 4 in double shooting
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Robert Orr pleaded guilty in court on Monday to the murder of a woman more than three years ago. In January of 2019, Orr was at the home of Jimmy Moore on West Main Street Court. Bernice…
City residents hope new police chief meets community members
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - On Tuesday, Chattanooga will see its first Black, female police chief. While that's something to be celebrated, the people at College Hill Courts hope it's not just more of the…
City Continues Work on 12th St. Homeless Encampment
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - On Friday, Mayor Tim Kelly stated his opposition to building sheds for Chattanooga's growing homeless population. According to the City, such structures would be unsafe. "The solutions that we give these…
Heroin suspect dies in Grundy County jail
ALTAMONT, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Sheriff of Grundy County says a female prisoner has died at the jail. 30 year old Rachel Rollins was arrested on Friday for the resale of heroin. She was found in her cell around 7…
New Pizza chain coming to our area
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A national pizza chain has signed a deal to enter the Chattanooga market. Blaze Pizza has signed a franchise agreement with developer Bob Martino for three restaurants to open in our area over several years. The first…
