Boyd Buchanan punches ticket to Spring Fling

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Boyd Buchanan baseball team punched their ticket to Spring Fling with a 7-2 victory over Friendship Christian on Thursday. Brodie Johnston and Cooper Jones had back-to-back homers in the third inning to ignite the Bucs offense. Johnston belted a grand slam. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Boyd Buchanan

Thursday Throwback: Entertainment of 1984

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Forty years ago, there was no social media, no smartphones in pockets and only four channels on TV. So, how did our parents’ generation entertain themselves? We’re going to find out in this edition of our Thursday Throwback. We check out a solar eclipse, antiques, belly dancing and the river raft race, all from 1984. Categories: From…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Woodcraft

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s not your father’s hardware store. We are taking you to the Woodcraft store in Brainerd Village. The shop has any woodworking tool you could ever need. They have summer camps, date nights and classes to help with projects. Learn how this family-owned business has been driving our economy forward for 10 years. Categories: Driving Our…

Chattanooga Airport celebrates first nonstop flight to Las Vegas

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanoogans can now get to the city that may set their soul on fire, as Elvis Presley once said, a little bit faster.  Thursday was the inaugural flight to Las Vegas via Allegiant Airlines.  Dozens of passengers embarked on the historic flight on Thursday afternoon as several Allegiant and airport staff members dressed up like the…

Water rescue training held on Chickamauga Lake

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A large-scale training event was held on the Tennessee River Thursday morning.  Water training exercises were held by multiple agencies, including the Chattanooga Fire Department. The goal of this exercise is to prepare our first responders for water rescues. They also received help from the Nashville Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team and their helicopter. Chattanooga firefighters…

Boyd Buchanan Splits With Friendship Christian

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV)  The Boyd Buchanan baseball team will have to wait one more day to try and punch their ticket to spring fling. They split the first two games with Friendship Christian on Wednesday. Boyd Buchanan won game one 7-2, and the Commanders won the second game 8-6 on a walk off homer in the bottom of the seventh. Categories: Sports…

Pickleball courts open at Gilbert-Stephenson Park in Fort Oglethorpe

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Pickleball is becoming one of the fastest growing sports and all the new craze these days and the people of Fort Oglethorpe are going all in. On Wednesday, the community celebrated the grand opening of the Michael L Housley court complex.   Eager pickleball players gathered around to see the new state of the art facility that will…

The 14th annual VA2K Walk and Roll

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 14th annual VA2K Walk and Roll at the new Veterans Affairs Clinic wasn’t just in Chattanooga, but all over the state. The event was completely free, but it gave those who participated a chance to hear the stories from the veterans during Walk and Roll. “We are here to raise awareness for mental health, to…

Future of former Hamilton County Jail discussed by commissioners

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Commissioners held a monthly committee session on Building and Economic Development this morning. In the course of that meeting, they discussed ideas for some long underused properties including the former site of the Hamilton County Jail right behind me. Currently, the Hamilton County Jail, formerly known as Silverdale, is the only detention facility that currently houses…

Alternatives for school funding discussed in committee session

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of school funding was also discussed during the committee session. Commissioners discussed how school construction is increasing the tax burden on the county. They say this tied up with increasing maintenance costs is placing an ever larger burden on the county. One potential solution raised is creating a dedicated revenue stream for school construction instead…

Commission approves six million for road safety projects

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission did approve six million dollars for road improvements across the county. This will go towards safety improvements at 11 different intersections. Many of these intersections are in the Ooltewah and Middle Valley areas along Hunter and Middle Valley Roads. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp proposed these improvements as increased attention to these…

UTC Softball Prepares For Another Journey to the NCAA Tournament

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The UTC softball team is headed back to the NCAA tournament this week for the 16th time in school history. News 12’s Brian Armstrong previews the Mocs as they prepare for the Big Dance. Chattanooga Mocs softball heard its name called on Sunday to take on Florida State in Tallahassee on Friday. Said head coach Frank Reed:”I was there…

Father of braindead 22-year-old Hamilton County Jail inmate speaks out

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Monday, we brought you the story of a 22-year-old man who is braindead after being in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, his family said.  Christopher Ayala had been arrested on April 27 for a misdemeanor improper usage of a 911 call charge. A few hours later, he mysteriously ended up in the hospital braindead. A…

Mom to Mom – Bee Bath

Today on Mom to Mom, we are creating a bee bath for your garden. We have a fun activity for your kiddos to do and it’s educational at the same time. I wanted to create a bee bath for your garden. There’s lots of bees this time of year, and it’s very important that they get water and they don’t…

Remembrance day for the Holocaust

During the years of 1933 and 1945 were some of the worst times in history for Jewish people. Six million Jewish lives were lost during the holocaust and today, the Jewish community remembers and honors those who have died. Free to the public, the Jewish cultural center held a Holocaust commemoration for people to come and listen and learn about…

New Field Among Changes For Soddy Daisy Football

Soddy Daisy, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Soddy Daisy football team won only three games last year, and they endured three shut-outs. So plenty of work to be done this spring, especially with a new head coach. News 12’s Brian Armstrong has more on the Trojans spring drills. Said quarterback Coulter Johnson:”It helps us get prepared, um, work as a team.” Soddy Daisy…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Heritage Middle Teacher Appreciation Week

CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) – It’s always a good idea to let teachers know just how much you appreciate them. The good folks at Heritage Middle School have put a new spin on the time-honored tradition of teacher appreciation week. Melissa Travillian is the Principal at Heritage Middle. She says, ” Our academic coach came up with a wonderful idea…

Family wants answers after 22 year old man suffers brain death in Hamilton County Jail custody

A photo of Christopher Ayala, who his family says is brain dead after being in custody at the Hamilton County Jail. (Courtesy: Ayala Family) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A family is asking for answers after they say their 22 year old son died while in the custody of the Hamilton County Jail.  22 year old Christopher Ayala according to Hamilton County…