Thursday Throwback: 1984 Knock Off Dolls

Last week, we took you back to the Cabbage Patch Doll frenzy of the 1980s in our Thursday Throwback. This week, we’re looking at the dark side of hot toys. We found some Cabbage Patch look-a-like dolls… but they didn’t quite match up to the real thing. Categories: Featured, From The Archives Tags: From The Archives, Thursday Throwback

News 12 competes in Battle of the Bells

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Christmas is in the air and News 12 is ringing in the Holiday season with the annual Battle of The Bells.   “Today is the kickoff from our battles of L competition between our three favorite TV stations, and of course, Channel 12 being my favorite double digit station, but we are out here in front of Hamilton…

One arrested after assault incident at Tyner Middle School

TYNER, Tenn. (WDEF) —  One person has been arrested after an assault incident at Tyner Middle School. The School Resource Deputy (SRD) responded to the front of the school at approximately 2:10 p.m. regarding a reported fight. Upon arrival, the SRD found two adult males fighting, and called for additional sources. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department (HCSO) stated it was…

Ocoee Middle School becomes a Unified Champion School

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) A Cleveland middle school is making strides in inclusion and unity as they are awarded a prestigious honor marking them as the first school in all of Bradley County to do so. Ocoee Middle School has officially been recognized as a Unified Champion School. This designation, given by Special Olympics, is awarded to schools that actively promote…

Structural updates for Cleveland and Meigs County

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) The city of Cleveland and Meigs County have been awarded one million dollars in grant funding to restore and preserve its historic buildings. This significant funding will help breathe new life into some of Cleveland’s most treasured landmarks, ensuring that their rich history is kept for future generations.  In Cleveland, the funds will focus on restoring key…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Lawson Electric Co.

Lawson Electric is celebrating 100 years in business.  From a major solar generator to electrical work at your home this company continues to produce success.  We learn why students should consider a trade in Driving Our Economy Forward. “Lawon Electric is a full service electrical contractor.  We are licensed in 17 states both as electrical contractors and engineers.  We do…

Taylor, commissioners speak on Hamilton County Attorney future

Janie Parks Varnell, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s nominee for Hamilton County Attorney, speaking to the Hamilton County Commission Wednesday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Commissioners discussed the future of the county attorney position Wednesday. This comes after years of back and forth between Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and county attorney Rheubin Taylor. At the heart of the discussion…

Erlanger celebrates Life Force years of service on Wednesday

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF)- Erlanger celebrated the Life Force Flight Program of the Year Award and 35 Years of Service with a ceremony Wednesday.  “To be recognized from across the country, some really outstanding programs to see life force and Erlanger at the top of that list is very exciting,” said Robbie Tester, Vice President of Patient Logistics at Erlanger  Erlanger’s Life…

Lookout Mountain wildfire determined to be naturally cause

Lookout Mountain Wildfire / Chattanooga Fire Department LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) —  We’re learning more about what caused the wildfire on Lookout Mountain Saturday morning. According to the National Park Service, the wildfire occurred because of a rockslide. A large rock slide occurred at 5:30 a.m. December 7, 2024. This was likely due to “freeze/thaw action”. Large boulders struck many…

Hamilton County launches first Veteran Treatment Court

  HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A new Veteran Treatment Court will soon be active in the Hamilton County Justice System. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp along with judges Gary Starnes and Boyd Patterson made this announcement December 11, 2024. This new program is aimed at addressing the unique needs of local veterans who are involved in the criminal justice…

Public Relations Society of America leaders gather for proclamation day

Dr. Joe Trahan and Joseph Abreu join News 12’s Chip Chapman as they celebrate an honor for the Lookout Chapter of PRSA. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Lookout Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America gathers on Wednesday to celebrate a proclamation and accomplishments the organization has achieved. Joseph Abreu, the national chair for PRSA, traveled to Chattanooga for…

Brainerd Beats CSAS 57-46

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) In a physical district matchup on Tuesday, Brainerd rallied to beat CSAS 57-46. The Panthers were down four at halftime after scoring only 17 points in the first half. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Phillipe LaForge and David Gabriel Georges of Baylor Win Mr. Football Awards

(tssaa.org) Tennessee’s best high school football players for 2024 were recognized at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards luncheon hosted by the Tennessee Titans. More than 400 people, including the honorees, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, attended the 2024 luncheon at Nissan Stadium. “This is such an outstanding honor…

Chattanooga Lock Project Reaches New Milestone

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The ongoing project to replace the Chickamauga Lock has reached a significant milestone, with the delivery of the miter gate parts needed for the lock. “These gates are hydraulic steel structures designed to handle high water pressure, control water levels, and allow recreational and commercial vessels to pass safely through lock chambers,” according to the U.S….

Golden Apple Award: Betsy Barton, Thrasher Elementary School

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN (WDEF) – A good education is very important, but learning can also be fun.  That’s a lesson that Elizabeth Barton passes on to her students every day at Thrasher Elementary School.  And that earned her this week’s Golden Apple Award. Raquel Newton is the Dean of Students at Thrasher Elementary School. She says, “Well, I can tell…

Family horrified by water quality test results on Whitfield County property

The Fletcher children playing in the creek on their property, now known to contain an unsafe amount of the PFAS chemical. (Courtesy: Amber Fletcher) DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- For months, famed activist Erin Brockovich and environmental group PFAS Georgia have been sounding the alarms about the presence of forever chemicals in Northwest Georgia. Now, water quality tests illustrate the dire situation….

Incline Railway fire leaves many heartbroken

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The historic Lookout Mountain Incline Railway suffered significant damage from the fire this past weekend, leaving the community searching for answers. A massive brush fire on Lookout Mountain has left the iconic Incline Railway heavily damaged and out of service. The blaze, which scorched roughly 10 acres, reached the railway on Saturday, igniting the tracks and…

High School Students Build 30 Park Benches for Chattanooga Zoo and Public Spaces

  High school juniors and seniors at the Construction Career Center have constructed 30 park benches for the Chattanooga Zoo and public spaces across Chattanooga. With mentorship from Building Leaders of Construction, these students are learning the fundamentals of construction while leaving a lasting impact on their community. “It’s really important, and I’m not sure the kids fully understand yet,…

Out of control fire takes over local grocery store

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – While most of us were sound asleep, firefights worked tirelessly to try to put out a local fire this morning. Two different structures were affected by this fire including a Grocery store.  Just after 1 AM, a 911 call was made reporting a building on fire. Firefighters quickly responded and discovered a fire in a grocery…

Fatal Crash Connected to Fake Bomb Threat at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Home

New details have emerged about the fatal crash that occurred on Monday, which is connected to a fake bomb threat targeting Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s home. Yesterday, Greene, who resides in Rome, Georgia, shared video footage showing a bomb squad investigating a suspicious package left in her mailbox. The package was later determined to be a hoax. However, during the…

Legislators discuss possible future Soddy-Daisy/Harrison bridge

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Two Hamilton County state representatives floated the idea of building a new bridge between Soddy-Daisy and Harrison Tuesday morning. Representatives Greg Vital and Greg Martin discussed the topic at the Legislative Kickoff program. Currently, there is no bridge between the Thrasher Bridge over the Chickamauga Dam to the Tri-County Veterans Bridge along Highway 60 in Meigs County….

Wreaths Across Chattanooga honors Fallen Five on Tuesday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-Wreaths Across Chattanooga is taking time during the Holidays to remember the Fallen five at the Wreath of Honor.  “Each year before we place the wreaths at Chattanooga National Cemetery, we place these five wreaths so that we never forget the Fallen five, four US, marine to us, navy, sailor that died well before their time of passing,”…

Two arrested in connection to shooting on Highway 58

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga Police (CPD) have arrested two males in connection to a shooting on Highway 58 Monday. At 9:30 p.m., December 9, 2024, CPD responded to a person shot call in the 4400 block of Highway 58. Upon arrival, officers discovered evidence that a person was shot, and secured the scene. According to CPD, the victim was…

Rome officer involved in accident en route to bomb squad call

ROME, Ga. (WDEF) —  A traffic accident involving a Rome Police Officer claimed the life of one motorist Monday. According to CNN, the officer was responding to a bomb threat at the residence of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Rome Police Department posted a statement on Facebook about the accident, telling motorists to be cautious and avoid the area if…