Meet our Pet of the Week
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Meet our “Pet of the Week”. Taz is a playful patient kitten who loves snuggles and treats. Join us tonight for Prime News at 7 to learn more about this adoption. Categories: Local News
Injured hiker rescued on Signal Mountain
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) – At 10:51am this morning, the Signal Mountain Fire Department was dispatched to an injured hiker on the Cumberland Trail at Signal Point. According to the office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, responders responded and coordinated a rescue effort that took a little less than three hours and included the use of 3 low-angle rope…
Structure in Catoosa is a complete loss fire
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – Just after 5:30p.m., the Catoosa County Fire Department responded to a fire reported at 63 Sunset Drive. According to the Catoosa County PIO, the command staff and multiple volunteers arrived to heavy fire conditions. A fire had erupted in the large, detached building. Despite best efforts the building is a complete loss. No injuries are…
The CPD worked a two-alarm high rise fire at Mary Walker Towers
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Around 12:15 on Saturday morning, first responders responded to 2501 Market Street due to an automatic fire alarm. According to The Chattanooga Fire Department, their crew worked a two-alarm high rise fire overnight at Mary Walker Towers. Firefighters found smoke on the second floor and fire in one of the apartments. They quickly put the fire…
Two dead in Lookout Mountain hang gliding tragedy
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) – Lookout Mountain Flight Park, a destination for gliders from across the world, turned into the scene of a heartbreaking accident today. Two experienced hang gliders were killed after a tandem jump went tragically wrong. News 12’s Lillian Yi spoke with Alex Case, director of Dade County Emergency Services, who recounted the difficult day. Case explained,…
Man sentenced to 14 years for blowing up ATM
DECATUR, Ga. (WDEF) — A man has been sentenced to 14 years for blowing up a bank ATM. Prosecutors say that in the middle of the night two years ago, he blew up a Bank of America ATM in Decatur, Georgia. They say he got away with $90,000 and then wen on a gambling spree. He spent several days at…
Fire crews extinguish blaze in FedEx box truck on I-75 near Ooltewah
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — Crews with the Tri-Community Fire Department (TCFD) put out a fire on a FedEx truck in Ooltewah Wednesday morning. On September 24, 2025, at 10:27 a.m., crews were dispatched to the fire on I-75 Northbound near the Ooltewah ramp. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke coming from a FedEx box truck. According to the TCFD, crews…
19-year-old rescued after fall at Pocket Wilderness
DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Sunday afternoon, the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department responded to the Pocket Wilderness after a 19-year-old male was injured in a fall at the Blue Hole. According to officials, a 911 call came in at 5:07 p.m. stating that the young man had jumped into the water and sustained a shoulder injury. Firefighters, along with Tennessee…
Photos from Weather in the Classroom at West Side Elementary
LAKEVIEW, Georgia (WDEF) – WDEF News 12 Chief Meteorologist Austin Onek took Weather in the Classroom to Catoosa County. He visited 4th graders as West Side Elementary School in Lakeview. Teacher Lauren Cunningham sent us these photos of the class. “The kids loved the presentation and it was so relevant to what we have been learning in science.” Categories:…
Man arrested in McMinn County for $12,000 phone scam
MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A man was arrested in McMinn County for trying to trick a couple into giving him $12,000. On September 9, 2025, at 1:45 p.m., McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy received a call from a Zion Hill resident asking for help with his distraught wife. The resident’s wife was on the phone with someone claiming…
Rome brothers sentenced in separate drug cases in northwest Georgia
SUMMERVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — Two brothers from Rome, Georgia, were convicted and sentenced on major drug charges in separate cases. Trevion Williams was arrested in March of 2020 after a routine traffic stop in Chattooga County. A Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputy pulled over the vehicle for defective tail and tag lights. While approaching the car, the deputy detected the smell…
Suspect apprehended after ramming two patrol cars
Hamilton County, Tenn. (WDEF) – During the early morning hours of September 6, 2025, around 1:45 am, deputies attempted a traffic stop on a white Chevy Impala near the 5400 block of Highway 58. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) the vehicle fled, initiating a pursuit which would cover multiple roadways before the pursuit was temporarily terminated. The…
Aquarium pump sparks small fire in Lakesite home
LAKESITE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Dallas Bay fire crews put out a fire caused by an aquarium filter pump Wednesday morning. On September 3, 2025, at 10:29 a.m., crews responded to a residence on Thrasher Trail. According to Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue, upon arrival, crews discovered an aquarium filter pump that had caught on fire and begun to spread up…
Traffic stop leads to arrest in major electric grid vandalism case
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A traffic stop helped close a major investigation into critical infrastructure vandalism and theft in our region. On August 31, 2025, at 2:00 a.m., HCSO deputies arrested Joel Donald Brown during the stop. Brown was wanted in connection to widespread damage and theft involving local electric grid components. According to the HCSO, between 2024 and…
Dalton Police searching for suspect who used counterfeit money at local store
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying a suspect who allegedly used counterfeit money to make a purchase. On Friday, August 22, 2025, shortly before 7:00 p.m., the suspect entered the Sweet Spot on South Hamilton Street. According to DPD, the suspect purchased a drink with a…
Three arrested in Cherokee County drug trafficking investigation
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.c. (WDEF) — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested multiple people in relation to drug trafficking. On August 17, 2025, the CCSO received a tip about two suspects who traveled to Georgia to obtain methamphetamine to distribute in Cherokee County. Authorities conducted a traffic stop, in which they seized nine ounces of methamphetamine and 12 ounces of…
Traffic stop leads to drug and gun seizure in East Ridge
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) seized a sizeable amount of drugs and firearms following a traffic stop. ERPD stopped a white BMW near the Bachman Tunnels for a minor traffic violation. After further investigation, ERPD determined the two occupants of the vehicle were in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. Both Shawn Unruh…
Multiple arrested in Jackson County on outstanding warrants
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) — The Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) say multiple people have been arrested as a result of two separate drug-related investigations. On August 16, 2025, officers responded to a home on Beverly Street after receiving information about an individual with active warrants. When officers arrived, they spotted multiple people on the property. One person, later identified as Cash…
Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City team up for new combo ticket deal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Visitors to Chattanooga will soon be able to enjoy two of the city’s most popular attractions with one ticket. Starting August 20,2025 the Tennessee Aquarium and Rock City Gardens will offer a new Tennessee Aquarium + Rock City Combo Ticket. The tickets will only be available online, and for a limited time. The single-day pass gives guests…
Two charged in overdose death of Walker County man
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Two people have been charged in connection with an overdose death. On April 11, 2025, deputies with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) responded to a residence in response to a death. It was later determined that the deceased individual was 31-year-old David Benitez. WCSO says an autopsy revealed Benitez died from a lethal fentanyl…
Bradley County EMS assists with overturned truck on North Lee Highway
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A driver caught a lucky break after an accident on North Lee Highway Tuesday morning. On August 19, 2025, Bradley County EMS responded to a single-vehicle crash on North Lee Highway. Upon arrival, crews found a loaded dump trailer on its side. Bradley County EMS says the driver was fortunate to walk away with only…
Chattanooga firefighters assist mother and newborn after roadside birth
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) helped a woman welcome her baby into the world last week. On August 14, 2025, around 1:00 a.m., a mother gave birth to her baby on I-75 while on their way to the hospital. Crews met the two at a gas station on Gunbarrel Road. CFD said Lt. Efiom rendered aid…
Community rallies together after historic flooding
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the wake of historic flooding in Chattanooga, community members are stepping up to help their neighbors near and far. District 5 Councilman Dennis Clark and Brainerd High School Principal Dr. Crystal Sorrells have partnered to organize a flood relief donation drive — one open to everyone in need. Bob Nevil, a community contributor, says the…
Two suspects charged in disturbing case involving children and dozens of animals
MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Grundy County authorities are asking for the community’s help after a disturbing case involving children and dozens of animals. Dozens of animals were found living in poor conditions, and investigators recently confirmed that children were also residing on the property. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office has been working on the animal cruelty case, which has…