What’s Right With Our Schools: Sequoyah Vocational Students Replace Damaged Grave Markers

SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – Headstones are supposed to serve as lasting reminders of those who came before us, but the elements and vandals can make them hard to read. Students at Sequoyah have come up with a solution. It’s a long-lasting example of what’s right with our schools.   David Massengale is a senior at Sequoyah Vocational High School. …

New changes coming to Chattanooga’s Southside

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Newly launched real estate development Mapleleaf Realco announced a new investment deal for Chattanooga’s Southside that’s starting to get underway. With Chattanooga continuing to grow in population at an expected 2.2% in the next 5 years and almost 5% in 10 years, places of residency and retail spaces are growing right along with the population growth.  The…

Mocs Drop Home Finale to Samford 36-13 After Giving Up Two Special Teams Touchdowns

(gomocs.com) — The 19th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs football team struggled from start to finish and endured a tough 36-13 loss to Samford during Southern Conference action inside Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After the home finale defeat, Chattanooga drops to 6-5 overall with one game remaining while finishing SoCon play 5-3. Samford improved to 4-6 overall this season and enhanced its…

Walker Farm hosts annual Pioneer Days

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – History is coming alive during a week-long, once in a lifetime opportunity at the Walker Farm Pioneer Days Festival.  Over 3000 individuals are expected to come together at Audubon Acres to fully immerse in the ways of life dating all the way back to the 1800s. Participants were able to experience sights, sounds, and smells of…

Officials disagree on presence of Venezuelan gang

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, David Rausch, made claims about the presence of a Venezuelan gang across all metropolitan areas in Tennessee. This he said, included Chattanooga. TBI director David Rausch says that the Tren de Aragua gang is active across the state. This gang originated in a Venezuelan prison and has since caught…

Hearing held on proposed water rate increase

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A hearing has been held Monday on a proposed water rate increase by the Tennessee-American Water Company. The hearing was held in Nashville by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission. While the company says rates on average would only rise by four percent, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly accused them of raising city resident’s rates by 25 percent at…

Marion County man arrested on sexual exploitation of a minor

MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A man out of Marion County has been arrested and charged for sexual exploitation of a minor. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) Internet Crimes Against Children’s unit along with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and other organizations assisted with this case. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip about…

Local law enforcement react to TBI Venezuelan Gang statement

  HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  After the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) spoke about the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua activity, local law enforcement are reacting to his statements. Hamilton County’s Sheriff, Austin Garrett, released a statement, saying: “Many of you have expressed concerns about recent information from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) regarding Venezuelan ganga activity in…

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy

Spirit Airlines said Monday that it’s filed for bankruptcy protection and will attempt to reboot as it struggles to recover from the pandemic-caused swoon in travel and failed attempts to sell itself to other carriers. Spirit, the biggest U.S. budget airline, has lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020 and faces looming debt payments totaling more than $1…

Dunlap man charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Dunlap man has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department arrested Michael Houston Williford. According to the TBI, ICAC agents received a tip via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in July…

Last suspect in Chickamauga Halloween murder turns himself in

UPDATE (11/20/2024):  The last remaining suspect in the Chickamauga Halloween murder has turned himself. According to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Brayden Whatley surrendered to authorities at the Walker County Jail early Wednesday morning. He is being charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Armed Robbery. Whatley and three other suspects were wanted in connection to the murder of Dakota Bottomlee…

Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – While the holiday season is beginning to kick into gear, people everywhere are trying to get their shopping done early. Chattanoogans had the opportunity to beat the Black Friday rush by attending the 3rd annual Christmas Village Holiday Market.  The market was held inside the Camp Jordan Arena this past weekend with over 140 vendors to shop…

UTC Star Party at Clarence T. Jones Observatory

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – UTC hosted its final Star Party of the year at the Clarence T. Jones Observatory this evening. All were invited for a night in space.  The evening was full of exciting events including an astronomy lecture on Space Volcanoes and amazing planetarium shows.  Because the night was clear enough, a unique opportunity to view space through the…

Northshore’s Merry Market

 CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Head out and begin your holiday season by visiting the NorthShore Merry Market for shopping and community spirit. The market in Northshore Chattanooga features a variety of local shops and restaurants offering one of a kind holiday gift as well as vendors selling unique gifts, local makers, and some locally made seasonal treats.  The event highlights include…

Memorial and Dedication Service for anniversary of Northshore crash

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Last November of 2023, 41-year-old Ana Posso Rodriguez, her husband, 40-year-old Octavio Devia, and her 22-month-old son Jonathan were walking on the sidewalk as a car driven by a Florida resident Randy Vega spun out of control and struck the family on Frazier Avenue.  Ana and her son were tragically killed following the event while her husband,…

Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City

 CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Come warm your hearts and journey down the all-new Christmas tree walk through Rock City starting today, November 15th, through January 4th. Rock City is continuing its Enchanted Garden of lights with a variety of fun activities for all ages to enjoy including cookie decorating and experiencing thousands of lights after dark. While making your way through…

SE Bulloch Beats Heritage 35-9

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Heritage could not find their offensive groove in the second half on Friday, as they lost to SE Bulloch 35-9 in their playoff opener. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: heritage, High School Football, SE Bulloch

Mocs Veteran DB Reuben Lowery Draws Inspiration From Song Heading Into Senior Day

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) It’s senior day for the Mocs Saturday, as they wrap up their home schedule against Samford. Defensive back Reuben Lowery is one of 15 seniors who will be honored. Said Lowery:”There’s a new song that came out. It’s by Brenda Lake. It’s called ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’. The premise is having something to fight for. having something to praise for….