Wreaths Across America sets Chattanooga record
Saturday event places holiday wreaths at National Cemetery to honor veterans
Darrell S. Freeman makes donation to Bessie Smith Center
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Bessie Smith Cultural Center received a substantial boost this afternoon from a well-known entrepreneur. Darrell S. Freeman Sr. has long-standing ties to the community. Today, he presented the Bessie Smith center with a check for $25,000.00.…
Tennessee woman pleads guilty to killing grandparents
CAMDEN, Tenn. (AP) - A prosecutor says a Tennessee woman has admitted to killing her grandparents. News outlets cited a statement from District Attorney General Matthew F. Stowe in reporting that 29-year-old Katelyn Taylor pleaded guilty in Benton County on…
More signs that Covid cases are getting worse in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Friday's numbers from the Hamilton County Health Department set several new disturbing highs. The 217 Covid patients and people under investigation for it in local hospitals are a new single day high. Roughly have of those victims…
Vaccine Confidence
As a physician and researcher, Dr. McKenzie feels confident about the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Inmates facing charges for stabbing of fellow inmate
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has obtained arrest warrants for eight inmates for their involvement in the stabbing of fellow Silverdale Detention Center inmate, Jonathan Conyers, on December 2nd. Each of the eight (8) inmates are charged…
Teen driver killed in I 75 crash Thursday night
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police say a teenage driver was killed in a crash on I-75 Thursday night. It happened around 9:30 PM near the East Brainerd Road exit. Chattanooga investigators say the 18 year old male was travelling…
Rubber at gun range catches fire
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A small fire at Carter Shooting Supply on Highway 58 is under investigation. The building was evacuated when black smoke filled it. But Chattanooga firefighters contained it to one corner of the store. They report that rubber…
How to reserve spot for Donald Trump Jr. in Ringgold
RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) - Donald Trump, Jr. is coming to Catoosa County on Saturday to campaign for Senator David Perdue. He will speak at the Colonnade between 1-2 PM (264 Catoosa Circle). The public is invited, but you have to…
Hamilton County Schools Spring Class Guidelines
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Schools are altering their back to class guidelines, slightly, for the spring. The System announced their Reentry plan on Friday. The move follows weeks of discussions with staff and parents, including a survey taken…
Medical experts say nurse passing out not a side effect of COVID vaccine
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) - Memorial Hospital Nurse Manager Tiffany Dover was one of the first people at the hospital to receive the vaccine. Shortly after receiving the vaccine, she fainted while speaking to the media. She said fainting is a…
Dr. Brian Johnson Named as Superintendent of the Year Finalist
Chattanooga, TN. (Press Release)—The School Superintendents Association (AASA) announced today Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, is a finalist for 2021 National Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Johnson is one of only four superintendents across the United States…
Pence, wife Karen, surgeon general get COVID-19 vaccines
Vice President Mike Pence received the coronavirus vaccine during a White House event aimed at convincing skeptical Americans that the vaccines are safe.
Stimulus check could be back in Covid Bill deal
WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) - U-S Representative Chuck Fleischmann has indicated that individual $600 stimulus checks are back on the negotiating table, as lawmakers work to hammer out a new Covid -19 relief package. While details of what's likely to be included…
Postal worker pleads guilty to stealing gift cards in the mail
ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) - A U.S. Postal worker in Georgia has pleaded guilty to stealing cash and gift cards from more than 15 letters. Markeyta McAllister pleaded guilty to Obstruction of United States Mail. She worked as a mail processing…
First Responder Award: New Home volunteer firefighter battling cancer
Crystal Smith got a fire truck escort following her last chemo treatment, surgery still looming.
Illegal Winery busted at Rainsville Waste Water plant
RAINESVILLE, Alabama (WDEF) - The DeKalb County Sheriff says his officers have uncovered a large, illegal winery on Sand Mountain. They found it at the Rainsville Waste Water Treament Plant. His office got a tip about illegal alcohol at a…
Biden advisor tests positive after Georgia trip
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - One of President-elect Joe Biden’s closest advisers has tested positive for the coronavirus. Biden transition spokesperson Kate Bedingfield says Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond tested positive on Thursday, two days after traveling to Atlanta to attend a…
Eviction Moratorium Ending
"What landlords need to be aware of is that they can be charged” said Ga. and Tn. attorney McCracken Poston.
Police arrest Airsoft pistol robbery suspect
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - 21-year old Steven Pizarro was arrested this morning after attempting to rob a Dalton store using an Airsoft pistol. The Dalton Police Department says Pizarro was taken into custody without incident and charged with armed robbery…
Nashville Singer features Hamilton County's tornado damage
A Nashville singer has touched the hearts of many Chattanoogans with her latest music video. The music video for her song “try” was shot right in the middle of the tornado damage. Singer Melody Sheppard says she saw the video…
Whitfield County masks
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Georgia- Whitfield County Commissioners stopped short of issuing a mask mandate but, have are now officially recommending masks be worn. Commissioner Chairman Lynn Laughter has been trying to get a mask mandate vote to pass since august. She…
COVID vaccine given at Memorial Hospital
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee- The first wave of Pfizer COVID vaccines were administered at Memorial Hospital Thursday. Infectious disease Doctor Mark Anderson was the first to receive the vaccination. He said getting the vaccination is a humbling experience. "I have a great…
March 2021 Elections Will Have Biggest Field of Candidates in History
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanoogans are going to be seeing an unprecedented number of candidates on their March 2021 election ballot. Today at noon was the qualifying deadline for candidates seeking office. With sixteen candidates seeking the office of Mayor,…