Hamilton County Schools bus crashes on Signal Mountain

UPDATE: Hamilton County Superintendent Justin Robertson’s made a statement on Wednesday morning’s school bus accident: “Earlier today, a contractor-operated school bus carrying students to Signal Mountain Middle/High School was involved in an accident. Most importantly, we are thankful that everyone aboard the bus is safe. We are proud of the students on board the bus for remaining calm and for…

‘From Here to Career Academy’ dedicated to 2 school leaders

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Catoosa County Schools leaders came together for the building dedication of their Career Academy.  “Tuesday was an incredible day. It’s a day that we dedicate the Careers Building to two of our incredible leaders and who have meant so much to our community, and particularly to our school system,” said Catoosa County Public Schools Superintendent, Chance…

Golden Apple Award: Robin Campbell, Hopewell Elementary School

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – The best teachers genuinely care for their students. Kids can tell. That’s certainly the case in Robin Campbell’s 4th grade class at Hopewell Elementary School. For always giving 100%, we decided to give Ms. Campbell this week’s Golden Apple Award. Amber Winters is the Principal at Hopewell. She explains, “Miss Campbell is a fantastic teacher.  Miss…

Mayors agree new federal courthouse should not be on Hawk Hill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of the Chattanooga Federal Courthouse is slowly becoming clearer. The General Services Administration announced its two finalist sites. The old TVA offices in the central business district are one of those two options being presented by the GSA. However, the other site being presented, Hawk Hill, is drawing criticism from Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and…

Hamilton County offers new emergency alert service

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management is rolling out a new emergency alert system. Through a partnership with Regroup Mass Notification, the service will allow the Hamilton County 911 to issue alerts that are geo-located to your account. For example, if an emergency only affected Sale Creek, only system users in that area would receive the…

Mom to Mom – Mason Jar Solar Lights

Today on Mom to Mom, we are creating inexpensive mason jar solar lights for your garden. If you are on a budget, but you want some really cute solar lights for your garden, or just to line your walkway, I have a cute idea that has mason jars and some solar lights that you can get from that store where…

Silverdale and Boyd Buchanan Split Double Header

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Silverdale and Boyd Buchanan split a baseball double header on Monday at Boyd. Seahawks won the first game 5-1 to hand the Bucs just their second loss of the season. Boyd Buchanan bounced back to win game two 2-0. Bucs scored on a Brodie Johnston sac fly and a balk. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Boyd…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Tyner Commitment to Graduation Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Visualization can be a useful tool when you’re trying to reach a goal. Freshmen at Tyner Academy got to look three years into their futures at a recent commitment to graduation ceremony. It included caps and gowns and inspirational speeches. All that adds up to a far-reaching example of what’s right with our schools. Kohl Ward…

Chattanooga State Community College hosts Solar Eclipse watch party

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga State Community College’s Astronomy club hosted a solar eclipse watch party at the college’s Amphitheater today. The event included NASA-acclaimed astronomer Dr. Charles Law to educate students and citizens about the solar eclipse. The watch party also included a live band, free grilled cheeses and much more. “I think personally this is one of the…

Bible in the Schools hosts annual luncheon

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Bible in Schools hosted a luncheon at the Convention Center on Monday.  Bible in the Schools started in 1922.  Students are able to take a Bible course as an elective or college credit. Bible in the Schools serves more than 32 schools across Hamilton County at no cost to taxpayers.  “It’s really important that students have…

Neighbors say their battle against Ooltewah Subdivision is not finished

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Neighbors of a proposed Ooltewah subdivision say that the project should not move forward. We have covered a litany of new subdivisions being constructed in Ooltewah over the past few months, and the proposed Nature’s Cove subdivision on Bell Mill Road fits into that mold. A map showing the future neighborhood and how it relates to…

Tennessee Legislature to debate child rape death penalty bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee State Legislature will be discussing a new bill that would strengthen the punishment for those convicted of the rape of a child. Sponsored by Representative William Lambert of Portland, House Bill 1663 would authorize the death penalty for those convicted of child rape. Currently under Tennessee law, a convicted suspect would receive at minimum…

Hamilton County Schools announce staffing changes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Some staffing changes have been announced by Hamilton County Schools. Tyner Academy is changing principals as Dr. Tiffany Earvin has been promoted to an administrative role for the county. And Dalewood Middle School Principal Rashaad Williams will take her place as that school prepares to move into its new building. Alpine Crest Elementary Principal Shelly Jackson…

Ringgold Downs Ridgeland 12-1

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Ringgold raced out to an early lead against Ridgeland and never looked back on their way to a 12-1 region victory over the Panthers. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, High School Baseball, Ridgeland High School, Ringgold High School

Matt Hoppe Named New Boys Basketball Coach at Boyd Buchanan

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Boyd Buchanan introduced new boys basketball Matt Hoppe. He replaces Kenneth White. Hoppe hops over to Boyd after serving as the head coach at Clarksville Academy, where he went 47-17. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Brentwood Academy, where he went 70-12. While his roots are in the Nashville area, Hoppe couldn’t resist the lure of…

Mocs Introduce Deandra Schirmer or Coach ‘D’ as New Women’s Basketball Coach

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Mocs introduced new women’s basketball coach Deandra Schirmer on Friday. She comes to the Scenic City after a successful stint at Division two Valdosta State. News 12’s Brian Armstrong gets us acquainted with the 8th basketball coach in UTC women’s history, who prefers to go by Coach ‘D’. Said Schirmer: “We are primed and ready to win more championships…

Tech Byte – Solar Eclipse of the Heart

Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek explains solar phenomenon is nothing to worry about

CHATANOOGA, TN – In some ancient and even some modern cultures, solar eclipses were viewed as bad omens or attributed to supernatural intervention. The tracking of solar eclipses goes all the way back to astronomers in fourth century BC China.  With Todays Technology, we can now predict accurately when we’re going to see them hundreds of years from now. Today…

Baylor Edges Cleveland 8-7

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) After leading most of the game, Baylor needed a clutch hit in their last at-bat to beat Cleveland 8-7. The Red Raiders enjoyed leads of 5-1 and 6-2, but Cleveland kept fighting, eventually taking a 7-6 lead in the top of the 7th. But Baylor got two runs in the bottom of the frame to seal the victory. Categories:…

Mocs Name Valdosta State’s Deandra Schirmer as New Women’s Basketball Coach

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA—The Deandra Schirmer era of Chattanooga women’s basketball begins now. Schirmer becomes the eighth head coach of the Mocs, Vice Chancellor for Athletics Mark Wharton announced Thursday morning. “We’re very happy to welcome Deandra to Chattanooga,” he shared. “It was a quick yet thorough process. I was once again humbled and thrilled that such a high level of applicants…

UTC football team participates in bone marrow donations

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Mocs football team raised awareness for bone marrow cancer and disease on Thursday.   The Mocs partnered with Andy Talley Bone Marrow organization for their “Get in the Game” initiative. Students and faculty had the chance to sign up for the bone marrow registry list.  This initiative is about finding a lifesaving match.  “There are…