YMCA kicks off new fundraising event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The YMCA is kicking off a massive fundraiser today. They are inviting the community to participate in a series of health and wellness events. The events include multiple bike-a-thons and a swim-a-thons, as well as a military fitness competition, graded by local soldiers and YMCA staff. All of the proceeds from each event will go back…

Additional arrest made in connection to Sale Creek SWAT standoff

BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A second arrest has been made in connection to the SWAT standoff in Sale Creek Friday. Robert Bowen Kenneth Lee Kizzar was arrested by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Criminal Warrants Unit at a residence on Pitts Gap Road in Bledsoe County on Monday February 24, 2025. An arrest warrant had been issued for…

Grundy County man arrested after stealing ATV in Dunlap

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Grundy County man has been arrested after stealing a four wheeler in Dunlap. On February 20, 2025 around 11:40 a.m., a subject stole a red Honda TRX four wheeler from a carport of a Dunlap residence. Several businesses and residences in the area were able to capture the incident on surveillance video. According to the…

Driver crashes into building off Hixson Pike

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — Emergency crews responded to a vehicle crash involving a car that collided with a building on Hixson Pike Sunday afternoon. At approximately 2:11 PM on February 23, 2025, Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the 5000 block of Hixson Pike after reports of a vehicle striking a structure. Upon arrival, firefighters requested additional support to further…

Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer with an intimate style, dies at 88

NEW YORK (AP) — Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose intimate vocal and musical style on “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and other hits made her one of the top recordings artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after, died Monday. She was 88. She died at…

Pet cat and home lost in weekend fire on Fredonia Mountain

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Dunlap Fire Department (DFD) and several other organizations responded to a house fire over the weekend. At 10:23 a.m. Sunday, February 23, 2025, crews responded to reports of a house fire on Fredonia Mountain. Upon arrival, crews found the found residence engulfed in flames. According to DFD, the fire started on the porch, possibly from…

Chattanooga Antiques Show Marks 51st

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s premier Antiques Show & Sale is back for its 51st year, bringing history, artistry, and one-of-a-kind treasures to The Signal Ballroom at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. For more than five decades, the Chattanooga Antiques Show & Sale has been a must-visit event for collectors and history buffs alike.  This year, organizers pulled out all the…

ConNooga Brings Multi-Fandom Magic to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – ConNooga is back at the Chattanooga Convention Center this weekend, offering nearly 500 hours of entertainment for fans of all kinds. This multi-fandom convention is a purely fan-driven event, promising something for everyone—from comic book lovers to cosplayers and pop culture enthusiasts. Junior board member Zachary Newbill emphasized the inclusive and welcoming nature of the convention….

Men’s Basketball Survives The Citadel 76-75; Extends Winning Streak to Nine

GoMocs-The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team earned its ninth-straight victory after coming away with a game-ending defensive stop to ultimately survive The Citadel 76-75 in crucial late season Southern Conference action inside McKenzie Arena on Saturday. Entering the day with Division I’s sixth-longest winning streak (W8), Chattanooga (21-8, 13-3 SoCon) just couldn’t seem to pull away from an always-tough Citadel (5-22, 0-16…

Liner could face death penalty if convicted of Cleveland realtor and ex-wife’s murder

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Back on January 27th, Karen Liner, a beloved Cleveland realtor was murdered at her Arthur Lane home. Her ex-husband, Craig Liner, is charged with first degree murder in her killing. It was early on that January morning as Ring surveillance video showed a vehicle pulling into Karen Liner’s driveway. What was shown next has shaken an entire…

Sale Creek man taken into custody after 8 hour SWAT standoff

SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Sale Creek man has been taken into custody after a lengthy SWAT standoff. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), along with other law enforcement agencies were serving a high risk warrant this morning at the 15000 block of Highway 27. At some point after authorities arrived on scene, the suspect barricaded himself inside the…

Cleveland pastor pleads guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Cleveland pastor has plead guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor after investigators uncovered child sexual abuse material on his laptop. In the summer of 2023, the Cleveland Police Department (CLPD) received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip was in regards to a user in Cleveland, who…

Collegedale father indicted, mother charged after infant daughter’s death

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Collegedale father has been indicted after the tragic death of his infant daughter last summer. On August 12, 2024, officers with the Collegedale Police Department (CDPD) were working an active school zone when they encountered Timothy Paul Blackdeer, and his unresponsive daughter, Violet Blackdeer. According to CDPD, despite all efforts to revive the child, she…

Vascular Institute Shows how New Procedure Helps with Old Surgery

CHATTANOOGA, TN – In 1964 President Lyndon Johnson designated February to be National Heart Month.  At the time, cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death in the United States so he wanted people to focus on their health and heart issues in the month that would align with Valentine’s Day. Dr. William Harris invited us into his operating room…

Girl Scout Cookie season is here!

Dr. Sabrina Sammons with the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians joins News 12 This Morning to talk about girl scout cookie season and to judge the annual cookie eating contest. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s that time of year again where green sashes are near every grocery store, Girl Scout cookie season. The Girl Scout cookie program is the largest…

ConNooga takes over the Chattanooga Convention Center

Alexis Hughes and Wren Rhoader join News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the exciting events and fandom-welcoming environment coming to the Chattanooga Convention Center for ConNooga this weekend! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Release your inner geek with entertainment, guest stars, and cosplay contests at ConNooga this weekend! This year, just about anything and everything is happening at ConNooga with…

School Board Debates Classroom Phone Ban

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The debate over electronic devices in classrooms is intensifying as a state senator has introduced legislation to ban such devices statewide.  The Hamilton County School Board met this evening to discuss a proposal to prohibit cell phones in local classrooms. State Senator Todd Gardenhire and State Representative Dan Howell have co-authored a bill aiming to eliminate…