Schools closing due to sickness

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Many schools are closing around the Chattanooga area, and it’s not for winter break. There has been an uptick in sickly kids and adults as covid, flu, and an unknown virus is spreading around. Urgent care centers are taking on heavy volumes of people in the last few weeks. “We’re seeing about sixty percent kids and…

Newly sold home burns down in Harrison

UPDATE: HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Waconda Point Road house fire ended up being worked by several agencies due to severity of the fire. Hamilton County fire officials said that crews faced high winds and a lack of fire hydrants. Chattanooga Fire crews and Dallas Bay VFD crews attacked the fire from fire boats on the water. The Hamilton…

Coahulla Creek student wins $40,000 scholarship

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – One Whitfield County high schooler made some unexpected cash for her future Monday morning.  Coahulla Creek High School student Alana Lopez was surprised with a $40,000 scholarship by the College Board through their Big Future program. Every student across the country who uses their Big Future service, which provides various information about the college application…

Ballet Esprit hosts ‘Alter-Nut’ fundraiser on Dec. 17

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A local ballet company celebrated the holiday season with a unique twist on The Nutcracker as performances of the ballet are approaching on Saturday, Dec. 23rd in Chattanooga. Ballet Esprit hosted their annual fundraiser event on Sunday with their own interpretive experience. The event called, “Alter-Nut” is the largest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit….

Kitchen Incubator hosts inaugural Christmas market and parade

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Kitchen Incubator held their inaugural Christmas market and parade which included over 20 different food trucks. “This is part of the community helping the entrepreneurs here in the city so its big because we are all about supporting local entrepreneurs and helping them get their business off the ground, so we just wanted to do…

Mayor Kelly delivers UTC keynote commencement address

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — UTC celebrated its 262nd overall commencement for the university on Saturday with two graduation ceremonies. Mayor of Chattanooga, Tim Kelly, gave the keynote address at the 1 o’clock commencement ceremony. “I often say, as you’ve heard up here earlier, there are no great cities without great universities. So it warms my heart to see UTC continue…

McCallie rides strong 4th quarter to win over MBA

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- McCallie trailed 39-38 entering the 4th quarter but a strong final period saw McCallie get the W 50- 44 over MBA. Kaleb Gallman paced the Blue Tornado (10-1) with 14 points. Parker Robison added 10, Ryan Wingard 8 and Bryce Kennebrew 7. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: boys basketball, High School Basketball, MBA, McCallie

Bradley Central’s Boo Carter and Marcus Goree Jr Enrolling Early With Tennessee Vols

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Bradley Central’s Boo Carter and Marcus Goree Jr are getting a jump start on their college football careers. They’ll both be practicing with Tennessee this weekend, as early enrollees. Even though the two defensive backs will go through the Vols bowl practice sessions, they will not be able to play in the Citrus Bowl. Bradley Central had a…

TECH BYTE: Cane Goes High-Tech

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — We often think about getting kids gifts for the holidays, but we can’t forget our seniors. Some of them can benefit from a new high-tech cane. The CAN Go Smart Cane is similar to a smartphone, but for older adults. “It comes preconnected and it actually has a number so it could be used as a…

Brainerd Picks Up 57-43 Win Over Sequatchie Co

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Brainerd got a district home win over Sequatchie County on Thursday evening, as the Panthers defeated the Indians 57-43. It was Brainerd’s second win of the season. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: boys basketball, Brainerd, High School Basketball, Sequatchie County High School, Win

Cleveland Wrestling Team Has Insane Winning Streak of 128 Consecutive Dual Matches

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Cleveland high school wrestling team has put together one of the most insane winning streaks you’ve ever heard of. They’ve won 128 consecutive dual matches. That’s the longest winning streak of any sport in Tennessee high school history. News 12s Brian Armstrong has the story. Cleveland High School Wrestling has won an unprecedented 128 straight duel matches…

Thursday Throwback: 1983 Popular Dolls

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Barbie may be the doll of 2023, but 40 years ago she took a back seat to some homelier looking critters from the Georgia Mountains. For our Thursday Throwback, we look at the doll market for Christmas of 1983. We found that our own Luther was the only one who managed to get a Cabbage Patch Kid…

Signal Mountain Names Mark Mariakis New Head Football Coach

Signal Mountain, TN-(WDEF-TV) Signal Mountain didn’t have to go far to find their new head football coach. They just went down the hall and got Mark Mariakis. Even though Mariakis was a defensive assistant at Boyd for half the year last season, he was also teaching at Signal Mountain. Mariakis has previous head coaching experience at Ridgeland and Chattanooga Christian….

Veterans learn about new resources available through PACT Act

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A resource fair was held Thursday afternoon for veterans to learn more about their updated benefits with a recent act passed in Congress. The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. The Veterans Benefit Administration also offered resources…

SCORE 2024 report released at Construction Career Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The State of Education in Tennessee held a networking reception and conference for school and community leaders Thursday morning at the Construction Career Center. In this meeting, SCORE released the 2024 report. This report has been released every year since 2009. The objective was to focus on student career readiness from Pre-K to college. President &…

Silverdale Basketball Enjoying Best Start in School History

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Silverdale basketball team is off to the best start in school history. The Seahawks carry an impressive 12-0 record into mid-December. One reason Silverdale is undefeated so far this season. They be big. Said guard Houston Holland:”Our starting lineup. Our shortest guy is only 6-foot. It’s fun to beat. Not beat up on the other team, but we…

Middle and high school students participate at Inventanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – STEM School Chattanooga and UTC hosted the second annual Inventanooga.  Inventanooga is a pitch competition where middle through 12 students will pitch their inventions and business plans.  They addressed real-world problems in front of a panel of entrepreneurial judges.  At the end of the competition students were able to receive prizes.  “A lot of times kids…