Retired Fire Chief Joe Knowles passes away at 93

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) has shared that Retired Fire Chief Joe Knowles has passed away at the age of 93. Chief Knowles passed on April 20, 2026. Chief Knowles became Chattanooga’s fire chief in 1976 during a period of growth and modernization and he served as chief until 1984. CFD says he was critically injured in a…

Pet of the Week: Hyde!

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Join us at Prime News at 7 to meet this week’s Pet of the Week: Hyde! Hyde is a 3-month-old mixed breed pup looking for his forever home! He is the last of his litter of 8 to be adopted, but we know his perfect family is out there waiting for him. Hyde is everything you’d expect…

Bidders for Critters begins at Chattanooga Zoo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Zoos’ Bidders for Critters online auction has begun. The Chattanooga Zoo says bidding runs until this Sunday, April 26th, at 5:00 p.m. They say you could win unique animal experiences, like painting with a giant anteater or our meerkat mob, and many other behind-the-scenes opportunities like dinner with the giraffes! Also up for auction is…

Two charged after business vandalized in Bledsoe County

BLEDSOE COUNTY — Two individuals have been charged following an investigation into a business that was broken into and vandalized on April 13, 2026. Deputies with the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a business alarm at the Get-N-Place. When deputies arrived, they found the business had been broken into and vandalized. Detectives and deputies began an investigation into the…

Cleveland High student creates community through Best Buddies Club

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A Cleveland High School student is bringing students together in a meaningful way. The school’s Best Buddies Club, a student-led group focused on building friendships and creating a place where every student feels seen, valued, and included was envisioned by Emma Grace Cloutier to bring people together. Cleveland City Schools says what began as a simple idea…

Three individuals involved in rollover crash on Highway 111

The Cagle Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash with possible entrapment on April 14, 2026. As officials arrived on scene, they reported a single-vehicle rollover with all occupants out of the vehicle and no entrapment. According to witnesses, the vehicle struck TDOT temporary barriers within the construction zone, causing it to overturn. They say a total…

Cat dies in Catoosa County house fire

CATOOSA COUNTY — A cat perished in a house fire that occurred on Three Notch Road on Monday, April 13, 2026. According to the Catoosa County Government, at 4:38 p.m., Catoosa County E-911 received calls about a house on fire where a person was still inside as others were rushing in to get them. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke and…

Pet of the Week: Goofy!

CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. — Join us at Prime News at 7 to meet this week’s Pet of the Week: Goofy! Goofy is so eager to learn and please you and already knows sit and is working on “place”. She is very athletic and agile, but is also happy just being petted in your lap or right next to you on the…

Brush fire stopped near propane tank

On Sunday April 12, 2026, Haletown Fire and Rescue responded to a brush fire at 570 Hale’s Bar Road. Upon arrival, they found tires and playground equipment adjacent to a home on fire, which was next to a propane tank, according to the Haletown Volunteer Fire Department. They say crews extinguished the flames and saturated the ground and propane tank…

Tennessee Riverwalk, W 26th Street Trailhead now open

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —  The Tennessee Riverwalk and the W. 26th St. Riverwalk Trailhead outside Erlanger Park and within the Foundries District are now open to the public, according to the City of Chattanooga Public Works. They say the Riverwalk, which serves as the ‘front door’ to Erlanger Park, has been enhanced with new lighting and landscaping that incorporates native trees…

Fugitive arrested following vehicle pursuit

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A wanted fugitive has been arrested following a vehicle pursuit in Cherokee County, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). They say on Saturday, April 11, 2026, a Narcotics Agent initiated a vehicle pursuit on Johnsonville Road. The vehicle was operated by Patrick James Sizemore, with Colby Brett Phillips as a passenger. According to the CCSO,…

Lee Students help with storm recovery

COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Lee University is proud of their students who have helped out with natural disaster recovery this spring. Students from their Disaster and Healthcare Mission Management (DHMM) program partnered with Samaritan’s Purse over spring break. Six students headed to New Albany, Mississippi to help with cleanup from Winter Storm Fern. They cleared tree limbs and debris. The…

Birds nest causes brush fire near utility pole

A birds nest caused a brush fire on the 3000 block of Shellmound Road on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. According to the Haletown Volunteer Fire Department, a smoldering slow moving fire had developed under a utility pole and it was determined that a large bird nest had shorted against a hot wire. The debris from the nest started the fire…

Pet of the Week: Billy Joe!

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Meet this week’s Pet of the Week: Billy Joe! I’m a 1-year-old, 63-pound bundle of goofy, lovable energy just waiting to find my forever home. If you’re looking for a best friend who can keep you laughing and snuggle up with you at the end of the day, I might just be your guy. I’ve got that…

House under renovations catches fire in Birchwood

A house that was under renovations caught fire on the 9700 block of Birchwood Pike on April 1, 2026. Just before 6 p.m., a neighbor called 911 reporting a residential fire, according to the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. They say one team of firefighters entered the home, reported fire in the kitchen and extinguished the…

Three dogs receiving care after being abandoned, emaciated

Three dogs are receiving care after being abandoned in Walker County. According to the Walker County Animal Shelter (WCAS), a concerned citizen called and reported three abandoned dogs were left at a cemetery on Sunday evening. Once on scene at the McWilliams Cemetery, officers found two emaciated dogs, scared and hungry, running loose through the cemetery, WCAS said. While animal…

Pet of the Week: Dougie!

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tune in to Prime News at 7 to meet this week’s Pet of the Week: Dougie! Dougie is a 10-month-old mixed breed pup looking for a family to call his own. He’s a little shy when you first meet him, but this timid guy turns into a snuggly lap dog once he feels safe and trusts you!…

Dunlap home destroyed in fire

DUNLAP, Tenn. — A Dunlap home is a total loss following a fire on Saturday, March 28, 2026. They say the Dunlap Fire Department was given a mutual aid assignment to Southend VFD on Saturday morning at 9:55 a.m. CST for a residential structure fire. Dunlap Fire responded with 2 engines, a tanker and a light-duty rescue and 10 firefighters….

Vehicle total loss following fire in Dunlap

DUNLAP, Tenn. — A vehicle is a total loss following a fire on March 28, 2026. The fire was located in the parking area at the Wedding Venue in the Ridge, located off Dogwood Lane. According to the Dunlap Fire Department, the suspected cause is electrical, as the occupant was attending a wedding and reception. There were no injuries. Categories:…

CFD rescues man after shed crumbles on top of him

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Sunday afternoon around 12:28p.m., the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the reports of entrapment on the 3300 block of Adkins Road. According to CFD, a Lookout Valley man was critically injured due to the collapse of an outbuilding behind the residence. When on scene, they found that the male patient had been taking apart a…

Man arrested at school for threats

A man has been arrested after allegedly making threats toward a local business and the Monroe County Justice Center. On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Sweetwater Police Department (SPD) responded to information regarding a subject who had allegedly made threats. They say that while officers were actively searching for the individual, a Brown Intermediate School SRO and an off-duty SPD…