UPDATE (5/30/2025): The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touched down in Monroe County Friday morning. Around 8:36 a.m. May 30, 2025, an EF-0 tornado touched down near the Loudon/Monroe County line. The NWS Morristown stated in their preliminary report that the tornado was on the ground for two miles, and sustained maximum winds of 85 miles per hour….
RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four men have been arrested in Rhea County after leading authorities on a pursuit. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) was assisting the Graysville Police Department (GPD) in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The pursuit began within Graysville city limits and continued through Dayton. According to RCSO, while going…
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Meigs County school bus was involved in a traffic accident Friday morning. Meigs County Emergency Services (MCES) responded to the 6800 block of Highway 68 on May 23, 2025. The driver of the bus, and children inside were unharmed. According to MCES, the driver of the silver vehicle was airlifted to UT Knoxville for…
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WDEF) — A fire that destroyed the interior of the Memphis Clayborn Temple has been ruled intentional, fire officials say. The Memphis Fire Department (MFD) said a person of interest is being sought out by investigators. The fire was set on April 28, 2025, and the inside of the church was ruled a “total loss”. MFD also…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Authorities are investigating a house fire that occurred in Catoosa County Monday afternoon. Catoosa County E-911 received reports of smoke coming from a home on Lillian Drive shortly before 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, the Catoosa County Fire Department (CCFD) found fire and smoke coming from the front of the residence. CCFD said the fire was…
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) — A fire broke out in the laundry area of the McMinn County Jail Monday evening. The incident began around 8:30 p.m. when an inmate doing laundry noticed a flash inside a dryer. The flames spread underneath the machines inside the unit. The Athens Fire Department (AFD) responded to the scene within minutes. Crews worked to extinguish…
Meet News 12 Pet’s of the week, Quirkle & PippityPop! Quirkle Quirkle is an adorable little lady who loves playtime and exploring. She loves spending time outside and find a stick to chew on. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says she also loves a good game of tug of war. She’s smart and treat motivated, which can be useful for…
ROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) arrested 19-year-old Roberto Carlos Meja-Chakate and 23-year-old Jerry Juarez-Bernabe in relation to the Rossville Boulevard homicide that occurred on May 17. On May 17, 2025, at 11:14 p.m., CPD responded to a shooting in the 2900 block of Rossville Boulevard. When the officers arrived at the scene they found three shooting…
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is investigating the disappearance of a mother and her two daughters. The three were last seen on Friday, May 9, 2025. According to BCSO, 35-year-old Jhovana Short, along with her daughters, Madison Scoggins (15) and Greigh Short (8), were reported missing after family members were contacted by the…
DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) — Authorities in Dekalb County are investigating an incident that led to multiple suspects firing shots into homes and a vehicle on Monday evening. Around 6:20 p.m. on May 12, 2025, deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) responded to a shots fired call on County Road 1001 in Valley Head. Upon arrival, deputies…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A senior at Skyuka Hall has made school history by becoming the first to receive a university athletic scholarship. Logan Smith has committed to Carson-Newman University, where he will join the track and field team as a pole vaulter this fall. His performance caught the attention of Carson-Newman coach Sam Cleek after Smith set a…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A GoFundMe has been started for a family who was involved in the I-75 fatal crash Sunday. Lane, Baleigh, Brynlee, and Sawyer were on their way home from a dance competition when the accident occurred. Unfortunately, Lane did not survive the crash. The GoFundMe said Baleigh, Brynlee, and Sawyer were all critically injured. Baleigh and Sawyer…
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — Traffic charges against Ximena Arias-Cristobal have been dismissed after dash cam footage revealed she was mistakenly pulled over during a traffic stop earlier this month. The incident occurred on May 5, 2025, when Arias-Cristobal was stopped by a Dalton officer who believed she had made an illegal right turn at the intersection of Walnut Avenue…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today around 5:20 in the afternoon, East Ridge Police and Fire responded to a call on Northbound I-75 regarding a multiple vehicle crash. Officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel responded quickly and began immediate lifesaving efforts. The incident involved six passenger vehicles and tractor trailer. Two vehicles were actively on fire. Emergency personnel prioritized lifesaving and performed…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Saturday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., first responders responded to a single-vehicle accident involving extrication between a building and a retaining wall in the 200 block of Woodland Avenue. Firefighters helped remove two passengers from the car. One was transported to the hospital by HCEMS. Categories: Featured, Local News Tags: accident, CFD, Chattanooga Fire Department, firefighters,…
UPDATE: The victim, an adult male, was found in a back bedroom. Firefighters had to knock flames down as they made their way through the home to get to the victim and then bring him out. He is in critical condition, suffering from smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents from the duplex fire. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)…
SPARTA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A weekend cave expedition in Middle Tennessee turned dangerous for a Nashville man, prompting a successful multi-agency rescue mission. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue Service joined forces with the Sparta-White County Rescue Squad and White County Emergency Management to assist a Vanderbilt University student who became trapped deep inside Blue Spring Cave in Sparta. Officials say the…
HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF) — An elderly couple lost their home in a devastating fire this morning in the Harrison area. At 9:53 a.m., the homeowner called 911 to report a fire at their residence located at 8733 Bethany Lane. Fortunately, the family was able to evacuate safely with no injuries. By 9:58 a.m., deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office…
UPDATE (5/2/2025): The loose peacock has been located and safely returned to the Chattanooga Zoo. The zoo posted on their social media platforms regarding the birds disappearance on the afternoon of May 2, 2025. A resident nearby named Eric Spear sent the zoo a direct message via Instagram saying he could see the peacock. Zoo staff quickly drove to the…
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A woman in Cumberland County has pled guilty to an animal cruelty charge. On January 17, 2024, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a civil matter at a home on Breckenridge Drive. With the help of Cumberland County Animal Control, deputies conducted a welfare check on the animals after hearing distressing sounds from…
LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – A House-hunting trip in Walker County has ended with five arrests for animal cruelty. It started when a couple viewing the home alerted authorities to multiple animals in distress. James Delbert Fields, Miriam Fields, Britni Fields, Marion Lopez and Melodie Lopez all face cruelty to animal charges. The couple saw dogs and cats living in atrocious…
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A joint undercover operation targeting human trafficking in Soddy Daisy has resulted in the arrest of five individuals. The effort, led by TBI’s Human Trafficking Unit and the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, took place on April 26, 2025. According to the TBI, agents posted decoy advertisements on websites known for commercial sex activity,…
ST. ELMO, Tenn. (WDEF) – Sunday morning around 11:54, firefighters responded to the 1700 block of W 39th Street after multiple callers to 911 reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the structure. Responding units spotted smoke as they were headed to the scene. Firefighters saw smoke as they made their way to the scene and quickly jumped into action…
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) — A routine traffic stop in Scottsboro led to the arrest of a Georgia man on multiple drug-related charges. At 10:11 p.m., April 23, 2025, Scottsboro Police Department officers conducted a stop in the 2100 block of Veterans Drive. The driver and only person inside the vehicle, James Psihogios, of Acworth, Georgia, was arrested at the scene….
