Cherokee County woman arrested on various drug charges

  MURPHY, Nc. (WDEF) —  A Cherokee County woman has been arrested on various drug charges. Her arrest was the result of a four-month long investigation into local drug trafficking. As part of this investigation, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) executed a search warrant at the residence of Elizabeth N. Pulaski. During the search warrant, authorities seized the following:…

Man arrested after throwing various contraband over jail fence

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A man has been arrested after getting caught throwing contraband over the fence of the Hamilton County Jail. The arrest came from an incident that occurred in November of 2024. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Edward Wynn was identified throwing a package over the perimeter fence that surrounds the Hamilton County Jail…

Prep Public Schools names new administrative team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Prep Public Schools has appointed Troy Kemp as Chief Executive Officer and Chad Everett as Vice President of Schools. The Board of Directors introduced both leaders to the communities at Chattanooga Prep and Knoxville Prep. Kemp brings 34 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, coach, administrator, and nonprofit leader. He spent 27…

Pet of the Week: Brooklyn

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Brooklyn! Brooklyn is a well rounded pup who would make a wonderful addition to a family. The Humane Educational Society says she’s good with other dogs and has the best manners. Brooklyn is crate and house trained. She is easily trusted outside of a crate when necessary. Brooklyn is a perfect snuggle buddy…

Two Murray County suspects arrested on child exploitation charges

  MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection to a recent investigation involving child exploitation. On March 12, 2025, personnel with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received intel from the Floyd County Police Department (FCPD) about two individuals attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual purposes. According to MCSO, the information…

Callers report a fire under a wood storage shed

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – At 2:09pm Saturday, Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a fire at Dixie BBQ on Boy Scout Rd. Callers reported a fire under the wood storage shed. Firefighters arrived on scene confirming a fire involving a propane tank and cooking wood endangering the business. Crews were able to quickly stop the spread of the…

TVA workers rescued from Raccoon Mountain’s pump storage facility

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Two TVA workers had to be rescued from Raccoon Mountain’s pump storage facility. On Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) were dispatched to the pump storage facility. According to CFD crews were doing necessary maintenance when their man basket malfunctioned 150 feet down and wouldn’t come back up. Firefighters…

Tulip Picking Begins at Lorenzen Farm and Smith-Perry Berries

CHATTANOOGA,TN (WDEF) Spring is in full bloom at Lorenzen Farm and Smith-Perry Berries, as both farms open their doors to the public for a season of tulip picking and family fun. Visitors are invited to explore the vibrant fields, handpick colorful tulips, and create lasting memories in the fresh spring air. Kristen, owner of Lorenzen Farm, is excited for the…

Two people in Walker County charged with aggravated animal cruelty

  WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  Two people are facing animal cruelty charges in Walker County. Authorities responded to The Animal Medical Center of Fort Oglethorpe (AMCFO) after receiving an alert from staff about a potential cruelty case. Anthony Griggs and Crystal Branch brought their dog in to be euthanized on Monday, March 17, 2025. Staff reported to authorities that…

Pet of the Week: Leah

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Leah! Leah is a very sweet and devoted mother of 5. The Humane Educational Society says, when she’s not caring for her babies, she loves to hangout with her people, no matter what you’re doing! Leah loves a sunny window to bird watch, and lots of good food. Above all, her favorite thing…

Lightning strike sparks house fire in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to reports of a possible house fire at 7 Rock Crest Drive. Severe thunderstorms swept through Hamilton County this morning, bringing intense lightning. At 10:56 a.m., the Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to reports of a possible house fire at 7 Rock Crest Drive. Upon arrival, the first engine…

Two arrested after joint human trafficking operation

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Two suspects in Collegedale have been arrested as a result of a collaborative human trafficking operation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Collegedale Police Department (CDPD) conducted a targeted human trafficking operation aimed at identifying and apprehending suspects engaged in the purchase of commercial sex acts with minors. Two male suspects were arrested and…

Pet of the Week: Remix

Tune into Prime News at 7 and meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Remix! Remix is a handsome, energetic, playful, friendly, social butterfly. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says Remix is looking for a family with playmates such as dogs, kids, or simply someone to take him on lots of adventures. He’s very sweet, outgoing, affectionate, and available for…

Volunteer firefighters battled Hixson house fire

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) responded to a structure fire located at 8637 Freeling Varner Road. At 11:00 pm Thursday night, a neighbor heard a popping noise, went to investigate and found a house on fire. The VFD responded to a structure fire located at 8637 Freeling Varner Road. First engine arrived on the scene…

Additional charges filed in connection to Sale Creek SWAT standoff

SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Authorities have filed additional charges in connection to the February SWAT standoff in Sale Creek. Kenneth Lee Kizzar and Julia Ann Kizzar have both been charged with 11 felonies related to the investigation and search warrant following the Sale Creek SWAT standoff that occurred February 21. Kenneth was originally charged with Accessory After the Fact…

Multiple agencies respond to Collegedale brush fire

  COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Several agencies responded to a large brush fire in Collegedale Monday afternoon. At 12:45 p.m., March 3, 2025, a homeowner reported a large brush near a residence at 4618 Howardsville Road. The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department (TCVFD) requested a large mutual aid response due to other TCVFD personnel working another fire. According to the Hamilton…

Chattanooga firefighters respond to Elena Drive house fire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga firefighters were on the scene of a house fire this morning in a neighborhood between Amnicola Highway and Riverside Drive. Crews responded to the 2100 block of Elena Drive after receiving reports from a neighbor who spotted flames coming from the house. Upon arrival, crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) found smoke coming from…

Tennessee & Georgia fire crews assisting in house, woods fire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) and the Catoosa County Fire Department (CCFD) are working together to contain a house fire that spread into nearby woods along the Tennessee-Georgia state line. CFD responded to the 600 block of Graysville Road at around 2:30 p.m., where they found a mobile home fully engulfed in flames. The fire quickly…

Semi-truck overturns, spills tomato sauce off I-40 in Roane County

ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Drivers on I-40 East had a pasta-tively rough morning after a tractor-trailer overturned, causing a spill. According to TDOT, the truck was hauling tomato sauce. The accident caused crews to block the left shoulder and left lane while they clean up the mess and recover the vehicle. Motorists should expect delays and possibly some unexpected…

Four dogs rescued, one perishes in north Chattanooga house fire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four dogs were rescued, but only three survived after a kitchen fire in a North Chattanooga home Tuesday evening. At 5:45 p.m., February 25, 2025, crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to the 300 block of Pine Ridge Road. Upon arrival, crews quickly extinguished a fire that started in the kitchen of the residence. Four…