East Chattanooga home damaged in serious car crash

UPDATE: We have just been informed that a babysitter and three small children were in the house at the time of this incident. They were not injured. Firefighters shored up one area to stabilize the structure, secured the house as much as possible and then turned it over the homeowners. The driver has been described as elderly. We have no…

Park Creek Elementary School Takes a Step Toward Sustainability with Controlled Burn to Restore Local Ecosystem

Park Creek Elementary School in Dalton recently took an important step toward sustainability. The school conducted a controlled burn in part of its pollinator garden, marking a significant part of its ongoing efforts to restore the local ecosystem. What we’re doing is burning some of the wood and brush in the area to allow native grasses and flowers to come…

Experts raise awareness on Winter preparation

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- With Cold Weather coming into the Tennessee Valley, experts are urging folks to prepare for the winter.  “We have two storms back to back the first taking shape this weekend, possibly a second storm towards the later part of next week. So of course, winter precipitation is going to be a big threat as well. So certainly,…

How Tech Influences and Aids Gambling in the Big Games

CHATTANOOGA, TN – With some Big Games upcoming in the new year for both collegiate and professional levels, gambling is a popular way for some people to enjoy their sports and make a profit.  Today I invited my friend, Gambling Aficionado and Sports Anchor Brian Armstong in to tell us how Tech is influencing the games and gambling. “Well, let’s…

Residents want change after repeated Moore Road crashes damage homes

An example of one of the several crashes resulting in property damage along a curve in Moore Road in Brainerd. (Courtesy: Alexus Nicholson) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Residents along a busy road in Brainerd are raising alarm bells after a series of crashes that have caused property damage. They say these have occurred in the curve just beyond Brainerd High School….

Incendiary device attack sparks SWAT standoff in Lakesite

  LAKESITE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Authorities in Lakesite responded to a tense situation  after an improvised incendiary device attack. On January 2, 2025, a incendiary device was thrown at a vehicle in the 2200 block of Geneva Trail. The incident, which occurred around 1:45 p.m., also caused a fire on the front porch of an apartment while residents were inside….

Thursday Throwback: Credit Card Debt

Forget the change of presidents, the stock market or inflation.  The biggest impact on your January budget is probably going to be your holiday spending. And that hasn’t changed much over the years. For our Thursday Throwback, we take you back to the nineties, where credit card debt was a looming January headache. Categories: From The Archives Tags: From The…

Local elected officials react to New Orleans attack

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- As many folks celebrated the New Year across the world, The New Year brought scare and concern to the City of New Orleans.  Fellow Georgians are reacting to the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.  “I was, I was probably about four blocks, three to four blocks away from where it happened at…

North Chattanooga family home lost after being consumed by house fire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A family in North Chattanooga lost everything in a house fire Thursday morning. North Chattanooga home consumed in flames of house fire / Chattanooga Fire Department Crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) were dispatched at 7:24 a.m. to the 300 block of Druid Lane for a residential fire. According to CFD, the resident was awoken…

Alton Park family loses home on New Year’s Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – One Chattanooga family lost their house to a fire on New Year’s Day. The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to reports of a residential fire of a Alton Park home located at the 5200 block of Usher Drive just after 10:30 P.M. Upon arriving at the scene, flames were through the front door and back door. A…

Ruby Falls Celebrates 96 Years of Being Discovered

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Being one of Chattanooga’s most iconic sights to see, Ruby Falls recently celebrated 96 years of being discovered this past Monday. Located deep within Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is a breathtaking 145-foot underground waterfall discovered in 1928 by explorer Leo Lambert. What began as a hidden gem has become a must-visit destination for millions from around…

Tennessee adult verification law temporarily blocked by judge

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WDEF)-  A federal judge has blocked a new Tennessee law that would have gone into effect on New Year’s Day. The ruling concerns the Protect Tennessee Minors Act. This would have required users of adult websites to present valid identification in order to access them. The bill, sponsored by outgoing Representative Patsy Hazelwood, was designed to prevent children…

Multi agency Georgia pursuit ends in Monroe County TN

MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A pursuit that began in Georgia crossed over state lines and ended in Monroe County. At 11:30 p.m. December 20, 2024, Monroe County E-911 alerts Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies of a pursuit. The E-911 alert mentioned the pursuit had began in Georgia and had now entered Tennessee. According to MCSO, the pursuit was…

Suspect dead after deputy-involved shooting on New Year’s Eve

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Deputy-Involved Shooting occurred shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve in a Publix parking lot. The preliminary information reveals deputies were conducting a traffic stop on a subject on a motorcycle at 7326 McCutcheon Road. The suspect was identified to having outstanding warrants. The suspect refused to follow commands while deputies were attempting to…

Fatal motorcycle involved accident on Hixson Pike

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)  –  One person is dead after a fatal motorcycle accident on Hixson Pike. Around 1:30 a.m., December 31, 2024, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle on the 11000 block of Hixson Pike. Upon arrival, the driver of the motorcycle was deceased. The name of the person is not…

Lighting up Chattanooga One Train Ride at a Time

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Holiday Christmas Light Train is back, bringing joy, sparkle, and nostalgia to families across the region. Every year, the Tennessee Valley Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland, with trains decked out in sparkling snowflakes, festive decorations, and a majestic holiday light display.   The train ride lasts sixty-five minutes and travels across bridges and through…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Christmas at the Courthouse, Orange Grove

The 2024 Christmas at the Courthouse concluded with a crowd favorite. For years the Orange Grove School has entertained listeners in this performance slot. They are a crowd favorite downtown at the Hamilton County Courthouse.  Categories: Featured, Local News, What’s Right With Our Schools Tags: Orange Grove, What’s Right With Our Schools

President Carter remembered across the Tennessee Valley

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing reaction here in the Tennessee Valley to the death of President Jimmy Carter. As Georgia’s Governor before becoming the 39th President of the United States in 1977, President Carter had an impact on the Tennessee Valley. President Carter served as governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975, and was very involved in the Peach…

Health Department urge Flu vaccinations during Winter

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Health Department aims to increase flu vaccination rates in Hamilton County during the winter season.  “It is going to be another tough year for the flu. And the good thing is, the strains that we prepared for this year, at least two of them are very much covered by the flu shots that you can…