Prisoner escapee in Franklin County found in Coffee County

UPDATE:  (11/22/2024):  The escapee from Franklin County has been captured. Tony Jameson Sweeton / Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Tony Jameson Sweeton was caught in Coffee County. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department says he will remain in their custody to face his original and new charges.   FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A prisoner has escaped while being transported from Franklin…

Registration is still open for the Grateful Gobbler 5K

Stan and Betsy McCright join News 12’s Amelia Greer to encourage people to join the Thanksgiving Grateful Gobbler. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s not too late to start a new Thanksgiving family tradition by signing up for the Grateful Gobbler 5K. Celebrating 25 years of the Chattanooga tradition, the Grateful Gobbler 5K marathon returns this year on Thanksgiving Day, November…

Celebrate the gift of giving with Holiday at Hamill

Charlotte Grace Events organizer Tiffany Miller joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the upcoming Holiday on Hamill vendor market. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Holiday on Hamill celebrates the gift of giving with holiday themed vendors while accepting donations to provide a good Christmas to people in need. The Holiday on Hamill returns for its 4th year in a row…

UTC Too Strong For Division II King Winning 75-34

(gomocs.com) The Chattanooga women’s basketball put on a dominant display on Wednesday night in McKenzie Arena, barreling through Division II opponent King University with a 75-34 blowout victory over the Tornado. The Mocs put together a very solid performance on the night, with UTC hanging its hat on a season-low 12 turnovers paired with shooting the ball at a 26-for-51…

Mix of Football and Engineering Studies Earn Mocs OL Bryce Goodner ‘Presidential’ Status

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) When you’re a college football player with a heavy class load, sometimes you need a little lift. That’s the case for Mocs offensive lineman Bryce Goodner. The McMinn Co native literally gets a little lift once a week, to accommodate his studies and football commitments. Balancing football and engineering. It ain’t easy brother. Said Goodner:”I’m an electrical engineer. Innately….

Driving Our Economy Forward: Baroness Erlanger

It’s a hospital that’s been in the Chattanooga area for more than 120 years. Tonight, we look at the history and how Erlanger Medical Center has continued to Drive Our Economy Forward with the latest treatments for injury and disease. Jill Steelman, Sr Dir Organizational and Workforce Development, Erlanger Hospital says, “Erlanger was founded in the late 1800s when a…

Son granted emergency conservatorship in Life Care Centers case

The emergency conservatorship hearing in Bradley County Chancery Court over Forrest Preston. CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A hearing regarding who has control of essential documents and decisions at Life Care Centers of America was held in Cleveland Wednesday. Aubrey Preston’s motion to obtain emergency conservatorship over his father, Forrest Preston’s affairs, were approved by a judge in Bradley County. Forrest Preston…

Solar panels added to Development Resource Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Development Resource Center in downtown Chattanooga got some environmentally friendly upgrades. Solar panels were installed on the roof of the center recently as a way to save an estimated twenty five percent of energy bills. The installment will provide for greater resilience in the case of power outages at critical infrastructure locations. This change will…

AAA expects record high travel for Thanksgiving

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- AAA is expecting another record high as folks gear up to hit the road for Thanksgiving.  “Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and we are expecting A record number of Tennesseans to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period, the most ever and most ever for total travel and really all modes of transportation,’ said…

Man convicted of murder in death of Laken Riley, Georgia nursing student killed on jogging trail

A judge has convicted the man on trial for the killing of Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia whose death in February shook the college town where she studied, as well as the country. Jose Ibarra, 26, was found guilty Wednesday morning of murder and other charges related to Riley’s death. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of…

Collegedale election ends in tie, runoff possible

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Hamilton County Election Commission confirms a local race two weeks ago ended in a tie. Collegedale voters were picking their city commission. Laura Howse and Tim Johnson won outright. But Debbie Baker and Billy Burnette tied for the final spot. Each candidate got 2,282 votes. Now the Collegedale Commission must decide whether they want to…

The Creative Discovery Museum turns into a Winter Playland

Mackenzie Steele joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview upcoming winter events at the Creative Discovery Museum. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Creative Discovery Museum keeps the fun in learning going and keeps the kids busy with their December events. The Creative Discovery Museum is bringing back their Winter Playland which features “un-brr-lievable” activities in addition to their winter decorations….

Cleveland Posts a 65-29 Season Opening Win Over Baylor

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Cleveland beat Baylor 65-29 to open their high school basketball season on Tuesday. Lady Raiders star player Lauren Hurst did not play in the game one day after signing to play college basketball and volleyball at Tennessee. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, Baylor School, Cleveland High School, Lady Raiders

Mocs Still Clinging to Playoff Hopes Heading Into Regular Season Finale

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga’s playoff chances may be on life support after their loss to Samford. UTC is now 6-5 overall, but they hope to maintain a playoff pulse with a victory over Austin Peay in their regular season finale. Said defensive back Jordan Walker:”There ain’t no doubt in my mind this squad is a playoff team.” Jordan Walker believes Chattanooga should…

Small plane crashes on Shallowford Road near CHA

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  We’re learning more about the plane crash that occurred this evening on Shallowford Road near the Chattanooga Airport. The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) reported this was a small, single engine plane. Two occupants where aboard the aircraft when the crash took place, both are still alive. CFD reported one occupant was already out of the plane…

Conservatorship battle over Life Care owner set for Wednesday

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)-  A significant legal battle is looming on Wednesday in Cleveland involving America’s largest private nursing home company. The future of Life Care Centers of America, headquartered  in Cleveland, will be determined in an emergency petition hearing here in Bradley County on Wednesday. The dispute is over who should be handling important documents for Forrest Preston, the company’s…

Attorney of East Ridge student arrested in 2022 viral video asks for DA to be removed from case

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The case of a viral arrest inside of East Ridge High School over two years ago still has not been resolved. The controversial arrest of Tauris Sledge inside of the East Ridge High School gym in September 2022 sparked much controversy in the community. His case remains in limbo over two years later, as his defense…

Golden Apple Award: Demetrius Leonard, Ridgeland High School

ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) – Encouragement is always part of the lesson plan in Demetrius Leonard’s classroom. He makes sure his students at Ridgeland High stay on the path to graduation and more success after that. Dr. Leonard’s determination earned him this week’s Golden Apple Award. James Morrison is the Principal at Ridgeland High. He says, ” Number one, (he) always…

Health Experts urge kitchen safety on Thanksgiving

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thanksgiving is next week, and Doctors are making sure folks are cooking wisely in the Kitchen.  “If I was going to give some advice to patients and their family members regarding working in the kitchen around the holidays, my number one piece of advice would be fire hazard, and that’s frequently mentioned at the holidays, but make…

Wellpoint hosts free 500 turkey giveaway for those in need

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the season of giving is approaching quickly around the area, individuals all over are doing their part to help those in need. Wellpoint, alongside community volunteers, are planning to distribute turkeys to individuals and families in need. The event will take place at the James A. Henry Community YMCA.  Wellpoint, alongside community volunteers, are planning…

Chattanooga hosts the Future of Freight Festival

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With Chattanooga being the heart of Freight Alley, the Chattanooga Convention Center was the perfect place to hold the Future of Freight Festival (F3). Business professionals from across the country are coming together for a 3-day event hosted by the Chattanooga native company FreightWaves and its CEO Craig Fuller. The event brought together individuals to discuss…

Mom to Mom – Stuff the Turkey

Today on Mom to Mom, we have a simple Thanksgiving-themed activity for your toddler! If you’ve got a busy toddler, they’re absolutely going to love this! It’s a game called “Stuff the Turkey,” and it gets their fine motor skills working as well. What you’ll need for this DIY is a small plastic bottle, some feathers from the craft store,…

See the most anticipated films of the season at the Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX

Alison Pryor with the Tennessee Aquarium joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the upcoming films at the IMAX theater. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The IMAX theater at the Tennessee Aquarium is busy this season with many highly anticipated films hitting their massive silver screen. The holiday movie season kicks off at the Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX theater with a visit…