Crabtree Farms celebrates 25th birthday on Saturday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A local farm in the middle of urban Chattanooga celebrated its 25th birthday on Saturday. Crabtree Farms has been open since 1998 and has welcomed many people throughout the years. This celebration was held in honor of 25 years of farming, learning, and cultivating community. The rustic farm hosted games and activities for families and friends…

Whitwell native honored at Tennessee Tech for local nonprofits

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Whitwell native, Cigi England, was honored alongside her husband Michael as Grand Marshals for the 2023 homecoming parade at Tennessee Tech University. She graduated from the university in 2006 and has developed various local businesses in Cookeville since then. Cigi and Michael England honored at Tennessee Tech as 2023 Homecoming Grand Marshals. Photo taken by Nick…

HCEMS Fully Staffed, Unveils New Ambulance

Officials standing in front of Medic 17 at the HCEMS station at Enterprise South. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-Hamilton County EMS unveiled the newest ambulance in its fleet Friday morning. They say this fleet is a critical piece of equipment at a time when call volume is higher than ever. Hamilton County EMS has only been operating since 1988 and services all…

Study Finds Correlation Between Air Pollution and Parkinson’s Disease

Air quality index updates. Picture taken in Point Park on Lookout Mtn. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new study is suggesting there is a correlation between bad air quality and Parkinson’s Disease. The Barrow Neurological Institute says they have found that areas that have higher rates of air pollution have a 56 percent higher chance to develop Parkinson’s Disease. For Chattanooga…

Catoosa Co. launches Stocking Full of Love

  RINGGOLD, Ga (WDEF) – Catoosa County’s Stocking Full of Love Program has now begun.  The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office has been doing this for three decades.  This toy drive will support children in need with toys during the Christmas season. Last year, more than 1,000 children received a present.  “During the pandemic and just coming out of it and…

La Pinta docked in Chattanooga until November 19

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A historical replica has made its way to Chattanooga. La Pinta will be docked at Ross’s Landing until November 19. It was the first ship to discover land during Christopher Columbus’ famous voyage on October 12, 1492. The ship stopped in Chattanooga overnight a couple of weeks ago on her journey to Knoxville. Folks are invited…

Consumer reports examine 2023 Black Friday spending

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — According to fiscal reports, consumer spending hit a record last year on Black Friday. If this is due to inflation or just overall spending, is the question. The majority of Black Friday sales, in recent years, were attributed to online shopping. CNN Business shared that online shoppers approximated over 9 billion dollars on Black Friday last…

TECH BYTE: Schools Navigate Using AI in Education

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — President Biden recently signed an executive order, to ensure artificial intelligence doesn’t pose new risks to Americans. Now some universities are also responding to AI. Schools are no longer just worried about students using the AI program, ChatGPT, to cheat. Artificial intelligence continues to evolve all the time. Now school leaders are trying to make the…

Ringgold Has Unique Playoff Tiebreaker Riding on Game Against Gordon Lee

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Final week of the regular season for Georgia high school football teams. Ringgold, Gordon Lee, and Coahulla Creek are all fighting for two playoff spots out of their region. So somebody won’t make it. For Ringgold, their playoff tiebreaker predicament is rather unique. Coaches are good at running the football, but running the numbers to figure out a…

Country Singer Dalton Dover Returns to Chattanooga Next April

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — North Georgia’s Dalton Dover is coming back to Chattanooga for another show next year. His team just announced he’ll be playing at the Barrelhouse Ballroom on Friday night, April 12. He’ll be in Knoxville the next night. Dover more recently opened for Parker McCollum at Memorial Auditorium back in August. The Never Giving Up on That Tour…

TVFCU hosts job and career fair in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union hosted a job and career fair on Thursday.   This is the fourth job fair of the year.  Attendees were able to interview for various openings.  Starting pay at 16 dollars per hour.  Those openings included personal video teller and agent positions.  “This is a way that we like to get out…

Dade County wildfires now contained

UPDATE (Nov. 3): All wildfires in Dade County are now contained, according to Dade County EMA. There were three total wildfires. Those were on Murphy Hollow Road, Back Valley Road and Egypt Hollow. UPDATE (Nov. 2): The newest fire that officials are contending with is in Murphy’s Hollow, a narrow valley in far northern Dade County. Just to the west…

Soddy Daisy Dismisses Football Coach Carter Cardwell

Soddy Daisy has decided not to bring back head football coach Carter Cardwell. Cardwell won five games in his two seasons at the helm. He served as an assistant on the Trojans staff prior to taking over head coaching duties. Cardwell said on Facebook that he will continue to teach history at the school. The Trojans are in a playoff…

CFC Open Playoffs Sunday Against Flower City Union

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The CFC enjoyed a spectacular regular season, losing only twice in 24 league games. But it’s back to zero this weekend, as the boys in blue jump into post-season action. News 12’s Brian Armstrong has the playoff preview. Chattanooga FC finished this year as regular season champions. Said head coach Rod Underwood: “You know, at my age, you appreciate…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Chattanooga State Community College

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga State started out as a technical school. Now it’s a full-on community college, with lots of opportunities for students in the Tennessee Valley. On Wednesday, News 12 looked at their nursing program, other classes they teach, and how they work with area businesses. It’s one way Chatt State is driving our economy forward. “We have…

One Westside TIF Passes County Commission

Some of the plans laid out by developers for the future of the Chattanooga Westside. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Tuesday, the Chattanooga City Council passed the One Westside Tax Increment Financing District. Groundbreaking will begin on the One Westside project after the Hamilton County Commission approved its economic impact plan by a unanimous vote on Wednesday. However, some residents on…

Two African American lawyers honored with portraits in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Neighbors gathered at the Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Chattanooga for the unveiling portraits of Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins.  Parden and Hutchins were two African American lawyers from Chattanooga.  They obtained a stay of execution in 1906 for African American criminal defendant, Ed Johnson.  Parden and Hutchins were honored for their courageous defense. …

Hamilton County kindergarteners to receive free Creative Discovery Museum passes

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — All kindergarten students in Hamilton County will soon be receiving free season passes to the Creative Discovery Museum. Courtesy: Creative Discovery Museum Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp made this announcement on Wednesday at the Creative Discovery Museum. “The future of our county will be defined by how well we serve our youngest citizens today, and…