Helton Tire and Off-Road raises money for injured firefighter
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - Whitfield County Firefighter Ricky Pratt was driving back from Atlanta when he was suddenly shot in the leg by another driver. While…
Justin Whaley sentenced to nine years in state prison
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The former Hamilton County EMT who was convicted in October of vehicular manslaughter by intoxication, found out his sentence Monday. It was a highly…
EPA provides Chattanooga with $56 million for lead cleanup
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga leaders gathered at the Southside Chattanooga lead site to highlight their cleanup process on Monday. The Southside lead site is considered the largest residential…
HES: Pet owners report improved mental health
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee awarded the Humane Educational Society (HES) with the "Power of Pets" grant. According to HES, bonding with a pet is good…
Ron DeSantis drops out of 2024 Republican presidential race, endorses Trump ahead of New Hampshire primary
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the 2024 Republican presidential race and suspended his campaign on Sunday, posting a video on X saying he could not ask his campaign staffers to give their time "without a clear path to victory." "It's…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cloud Springs Reading Gains
ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) - Cloud Springs Elementary School recently welcomed Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods to campus. That visit came after third graders increased their reading scores by more than 20 percent! A strong foundation in reading is a rock-solid example…
Several areas face water main breaks, leaks as temperatures rise
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Several cities around the Tennessee Valley were experiencing water main breaks or other issues on Monday. Tennessee American Water and other companies…
Dalton Police looking for Walmart shoplifters
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Investigators with the Dalton Police Department are searching for two men who they say shoplifted more than $1,500 of merchandise early Monday morning. The police department…
Dexter Scott King, son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., dies of cancer at 62
ATLANTA (AP) — Dexter Scott King, the younger son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, died…
Chattanooga-area Chick-fil-A restaurants offering free entree
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga-area Chick-fil-A restaurants are offering a free entree all week starting January 27. Participating restaurants are offering either a free chicken sandwich or chicken biscuit. The offer can be found in the Chick-fil-A app from Monday,…
Malone's, other additions to Hamilton Place in 2024
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Several new additions are coming to the Hamilton Place Mall area, one being a Malone's Steakhouse. Malone's Prime Beef Steakhouse is slated to break ground in January 2024. Additionally, it should open in Summer of 2024…
Rhea County man admits to accidentally shooting child
UPDATE: RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Rhea County man admitted to shooting a seven-year-old boy, who died from his injuries. A Rhea County Sheriff's Office affidavit says that Chris'tion Jones admitted to accidentally discharging the gun. On January 14, Jones…
Copperhill coping with water issues because of break in line
COPPERHILL, Tenn. (WDEF) - Copperhill's water issues were improving Monday, January 22, but residents remained under a boil water advisory. The small town in Polk County has suffered through "a significant line break." The city has been posting updates on…
Jack Allen announces campaign for political office
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A local congressional candidate announced his campaign for the House of Representatives Saturday in Chattanooga. Jack Allen is campaigning to represent Tennessee's third…
Lions and Leos to make 50,000 'Meals of Hope'
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Signal Mountain Lions and Signal Mountain Leos Clubs will be partnering to provide 50,000 meals to assist the needy in the East Tennessee area with over 130…
Hamilton County Schools to return to classes on two-hour delay
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Schools are planning on returning to classes this week, following the severe winter weather from the past week. Hamilton County Schools issued the following information concerning their return to campus. "Hamilton County Schools will open…
Continued icy road conditions prompt safety tips
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Some secondary roads in Hamilton County are still covered with frozen ice and snow due to the extremely cold temperatures and areas of continuous shade. The Hamilton County Highway Department asks drivers to remain cautious during…
Woman suffers from burns due to apartment fire caused by candle
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A woman suffered from bodily burns following an apparent candle mishap on Saturday night. The candle sparked an apartment fire on Mountain Creek Road. Red Shift companies responded to the Alpine Villas Apartments after a resident…
Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising protests Roe v. Wade
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Women’s March in protest of the overturning of Roe V. Wade was scheduled for earlier on Saturday. Due to the chilling temperatures throughout the…
First responders combat chimney fire in Harrison
HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County first responders were on the scene of a residential fire Saturday afternoon. A homeowner called 911 reporting a chimney fire at his house. At 2:00 p.m., Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department responded to 6014…
School board feels conflicted about using Urban League funding
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The school board had to vote on whether to approve a new turf field for Howard and a softball field for Brainerd with funding they say wasn’t theirs. Marco Perez with district two said, “This…
Blood Assurance wants elective surgeries postponed due to blood shortage
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The winter storm we saw this week is continuing to cause a variety of problems. One of those is causing what…
UTC celebrates 2024 MLK Day at Memorial Auditorium
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Many gathered at Memorial Auditorium today for the annual MLK Day celebration. UTC puts on the event each year. Winter weather delayed it a…
Hamilton County Schools recognizes the 2024 Teachers of the Year
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Board of Education held a ceremony on January 18, 2024, to recognize and honor their teachers of the year. The teachers of the year were recognized, gifted $500 and given a car…