Justice Dept. watchdog opens probe of response to riot
The Justice Department’s internal watchdog says it will investigate how the department and its agencies prepared for and responded to last week’s riots at the U.S. Capitol.
Varnell Police Chief is our First Responder Hero of the Month
VARNELL, Georgia (WDEF) - Whether you're in a big city or a small village, the job of responding to emergencies is much the same. We're lucky to be able to call on these law enforcement officers, firefighters and E-M-S personnel. In…
Blue Ridge Police Chief in rehab facility after COVID battle and over 90 days in hospital
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. (WDEF) - Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce will be in a rehab facility for two weeks before finally heading home. He spent 94 days in the hospital. Chief Scearce had stayed active and had no underlying…
Alabama man charged in Capitol take-over
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Investigators said an Alabama man has been arrested and charged with taking part in last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors say the man - Joshua Mathew Black of Leeds, Alabama - was charged Thursday…
Whitfield offers vaccine drive-through on Monday
Make appointments beginning Friday morning at 7AM
Vaccine Appointments and Shortages
When vaccines rollout again, an appointment system will be implemented.
Police charge 12 year old boy with stabbing death of 12 year old girl
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police have made an arrest in an overnight fatality. But the victim and the suspect are anything but ordinary. Officers were called to a home on Eastwood Drive right off of Jersey Pike around 2:45 AM.…
Distribution of stimulus checks could cause spike in Overdoses
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) - Data from the Tennessee Department of Health’s Drug Overdose Reporting System suggests the distribution of the second coronavirus relief package may result in a spike in opioid overdoses. According to the Hamilton County Coalition, opioid overdoses…
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) - Love’s Arm outreach is a local non profit organization that helps human trafficking victims safely find a way out. Human trafficking is everywhere, even here in Hamilton County and officials say that Chattanooga is a very…
Man charged with death of six month old baby
SODDY-DAISY, Tennessee (WDEF) - A Soddy-Daisy man is in Hamilton county jail charged with criminal homicide in the death of a 6-month-old baby girl. The crime happened last September. Twenty nine year old Seth Jones had told officers the baby…
Governor says Georgia 'battered, is not broken' by pandemic
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is defending his record fighting the COVID-19 pandemic while highlighting a strong economy and promising $1,000 bonuses for teachers. Kemp's State of the State speech Thursday was shadowed by Georgia’s soaring COVID-19 death…
Former commissioner disappointed in reversal of building mask mandate
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Georgia- As COVID-19 deaths and cases continue to rise the Whitfield County Commissioner’s repealed a mask in county buildings. "It was just unbelievable to me," said former Commissioner Chairman Lynn Laughter. Back on December 17th, the Whitfield County…
Over 1 Million New Unemployment Claims in Tennessee Since March 15
NASHVILLE, TN (WDEF) - The number of new unemployment claims in Tennessee since March 15, the start of the pandemic, topped the one million mark last week. There have been 1,002,908 claims since mid-March. New unemployment claims in Tennessee increased…
Lawmaker wants Dolly Parton statue at Tennessee Capitol
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A statue of country music icon Dolly Parton could be added to the Capitol grounds in Nashville, Tennessee, if one state lawmaker gets his way. Democratic Rep. John Mark Windle introduced a bill Tuesday that aims…
TN COVID vaccine appointment system, Hamilton County to get more vaccines
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - COVID-19 vaccinations remain in demand in Hamilton County. The health department has been vaccinating people, and its rollout has not been easy. "The rollout here locally started off without long lines and early closures until…
Dalton schools hit new highs for Covid-19 cases
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - Dalton City Public Schools reported the highest number of coronavirus cases, with 81, after students and staff return from winter break. Currently around 20 percent of students are enrolled online. The school system expects another 4…
Two arrested in chase near Wildwood, Georgia
TRENTON, Georgia (WDEF) - A Lookout Valley driver has been charged after a high speed chase in northwest Georgia on Tuesday. It started after 3PM, when Eric Tyra's car shot by Dade County deputies on Highway 299 near the Tennessee…
Election Commission elevates Scott Allen to Administrator
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Election Commission voted today to make Scott Allen to new administrator of elections. The former assistant took over after administrator Kerry Steelman was fired last fall. Allen ran the November elections. “Mr. Allen was…
John Lewis statue may replace Confederate at the U.S. Capitol
ATLANTA (AP) - A statue of the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis could soon represent Georgia in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. A bipartisan resolution introduced Wednesday in the Georgia House seeks to replace…
The new Space Command HQ is moving to Huntsville
But don't confuse it with the new "Space Force"
Alabama puts Covid vaccine reservations on hold
"Staff continues working to expand vaccine scheduling capabilities at the call center. At present there are no more appointments available at county health departments, but the call center will take your contact information and add it to a waiting list."
Locals Voice Frustrations With Delayed Vaccine Rollout
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County residents are not too thrilled with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution from the county’s health department. After those hoping to receive the vaccine were greeted with long lines off of Amnicola Highway, the Health Department…
House votes to impeach President Trump
See how your representative voted and their reactions.
Mayor Jim Coppinger extends Mask Mandate
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger held a news conference this morning to discuss the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the county’s stance on vaccines. “What i am going to ask of the health officials is to extend…