Tips to avoid a house fire during the winter months

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As temperatures go down outside, you likely will turn up your temperature inside. However, this seesaw can end in disaster if safety steps are not taken. According to statistics from FEMA, over half of all house fires caused by heating devices occur between December to February. With the outcome of this disaster being the complete loss of…

The Salvation Army’s holiday campaigns kick off on Thursday

Major Douglas McClure joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the holiday season kicks off in Chattanooga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The season of giving is here and The Salvation Army will be hosting a Christmas Kickoff this Thursday, Nov. 6th at Hamilton Place Mall! Both the Angel Tree Program and Red Kettle Campaign starts on Thursday which benefits children and…

Mocs Beat Union 92-39 For 500th Career Victory at McKenzie Arena

(gomocs.com) – After celebrating last season’s historic NIT championship run with a pre-game ceremony, the Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team opened its new campaign with a convincing 92-39 victory over NAIA-member Union Commonwealth (Ky.) on Monday evening inside McKenzie Arena. The win marked the 500th all-time for the Chattanooga program inside the famed Roundhouse. The Mocs are playing in its 44th season…

Regional Health Council addresses community health and wellness

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Health Department hosted its monthly Regional Health Council meeting today. Each month, community leaders gather to discuss local health and safety priorities that impact residents across the county. This month’s agenda focused on violence prevention, results from the Picture of Our Health survey, and updates to the Community Health Improvement Plan, also known…

Early detection and prevention for Alzheimer’s disease

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Both June and November are recognized for Alzheimer’s Awareness, symbolizing the changing solstices and the light families continue to seek through the disease. News 12 spoke with a local neurologist who says newer treatments are now using tests we’ve had for years, advancing the way doctors approach this condition. Dr. Berneet Kaur, MD, with Erlanger Neurology,…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Woodworking Academy

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – With A-I disrupting a wide range of businesses, the trades are becoming more attractive to young people. The Chattanooga Woodworking Academy lets students progress at their own pace, starting with basic carpentry. That’s a skillful example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” Bill Carney is the Director of the Chattanooga Woodworking Academy. He explains, “We are…

Hamilton County Residents Attend LIHEAP Drive-Thru at City Hall Midtown

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Hamilton County residents stopped by City Hall Midtown this week for a drive-thru event hosted by the Office of Family Empowerment. The event aimed to help residents learn how to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. LIHEAP provides financial assistance to low-income families struggling with rising home energy costs. This year, the program’s…

Hamilton County to not participate in Northgate Mall TIF District after city fails to inform them of proposal

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County will not participate in the Northgate Mall tax increment financing proposal. The proposal would dedicate a portion of city sales tax revenue generated by new businesses at the Hixson mall to replace its aging sewer infrastructure. There were plans to include the county’s portion of sales tax revenue into that plan, which would have been…

Hamilton County debuts state’s first Overdose Prevention Team

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Hamilton County EMS, and Hamilton County Health & Social Services today announced the official rollout of the Overdose Prevention Team (OPT)—the first initiative of its kind in Tennessee— is now fully staffed and ready to respond countywide. OPT represents a coordinated effort to combat the opioid crisis by delivering life-saving…

Pet of the Week: Letti Spaghetti

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week: Letti Spaghetti! Letti Spaghetti is 7 months old with a big heart. She is cuddly and friendly. She would do best in a cat-free home. If you or anyone you know is interested in adopting Letti Spaghetti, please contact the HES. Categories: Hamilton County, Local News Tags: Humane Educational…

Grateful Gobbler 5K returns for its 26th year

Stan and Betsy McCright join News 12’s Amelia Greer  to talk about the 26th annual Grateful Gobbler 5K.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Grateful Gobbler Walk celebrates 26 years of Thanksgiving tradition! Build up an appetite on Thanksgiving by participating in the Grateful Gobbler 5K which kicks off at Coolidge Park at 8 A.M. All proceeds of the event goes…

Final Disc Throws at AT&T Field

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Lookouts gave fans one last chance to take a shot at AT&T Field, but not with a bat and ball. Instead, players teed off with discs during the “Aces Around the Bases” disc golf event. The one-day event featured a 9-hole course built right into the ballpark, with tee times running from 9 a.m….

Helping Adults Finish College Faster

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new 2025 National Student Clearinghouse report shows more than 43 million Americans have attended college but left before earning a degree or credential.  Many cite financial strain, work schedules, or family obligations as reasons for stepping away. Now, higher education institutions are expanding programs that make it easier for adults to return without starting over. …

13th annual Celebrity Spelling Bee in Dalton

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) – Community leaders are sharpening their pencils for a good cause in Dalton. The Whitfield Education Foundation is hosting its 13th annual Celebrity Spelling Bee at the Dalton Convention Center. The event brings together local business owners, educators, and public figures to compete on stage while raising money for student programs and classroom grants across Whitfield County…

Banner Built Homes launches new East Brainerd community

EAST BRAINERD, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new housing community is coming to East Brainerd. Tennessee-based homebuilder Banner Built Homes has announced the launch of Davidson Meadows, its first Chattanooga neighborhood. The development will feature 95 cottage-style homes designed for first-time buyers and families looking to downsize. Davidson Meadows will be built in four stages through 2028 and will be fully…

Small apartment fire at Borough 33 Apartments

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Firefighters responded to the Borough 33 Apartments Saturday morning after reports of a fire inside one of the units. Chattanooga Fire Captain Daniel Atkins says the small fire started from a burning candle, but the building’s sprinkler system quickly put out the flames. “Started with a candle, set some stuff on fire, very small fire. It…

Refindery on McCallie celebrates 10 years in Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) – This weekend, the Refindery on McCallie is celebrating 10 years in Chattanooga. The popular marketplace marked the milestone with a special event featuring food trucks and new pop-ups offering a variety of fashion styles. Since opening its doors, the Refindery has become a local favorite, especially among antique lovers and those with a passion for unique…

Merry Grinchmas takes over the Colonnade in Ringgold

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Merry Christmas! It’s that time of year again when Santa, the Grinch, and a little holiday magic take over the Colonnade in Ringgold. Shannon Wright, owner and founder of Touch the Sky Events, says the inspiration behind Merry Grinchmas came from one of the season’s most beloved stories. “So a Merry Grinchmas came about because, you…

Mocs Falls Short in 35-28 Loss to Western Carolina

GoMocs-Despite a late fourth-quarter rally, the Chattanooga Mocs football team fell just short as a late interception in the endzone sealed at 35-28 defeat to Western Carolina in a Southern Conference battle inside Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Quick Records & Series Chattanooga: 4-5, 3-2 SoCon Western Carolina: 6-3, 5-0 SoCon Series: Chattanooga still leads the all-time series 30-21 after today’s…

UTC Hosts “Audacious Asks” Chat

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga brought inspiration to campus on Friday with a powerful event celebrating courage and leadership. UTC hosted “Audacious Asks,” a conversation and book launch with alumna and best-selling author Marty McDonald, the founder of Boss Women Media and Elle Olivia. The event was held Friday, October 31, in the Roth Reading…

Time Capsule buried at Mary Walker Tower

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Mary Walker Tower buried a Time Capsule today. The last time capsule they had wasn’t preserved well. When they opened it in 2020 the contents were damaged. This year they are focusing on preservation and plan to open the capsule in 2045. Mary Walker was an inspiration to many in Chattanooga. She was Chattanooga’s Ambassador…