Raising awareness around rail crossings

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This week, September 17-23, marks National Rail Safety Week.  Every three hours, a car collides with a train at a railroad crossing. More than 60% of these collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights or gates. The Georgia Department of Transportation is asking drivers to exercise enhanced caution at these crossings by looking both ways before…

Secretary Hargett promotes Voter Registration Day in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Secretary of State Tre Hargett was in Chattanooga Tuesday morning to promote “Your Vote Matters” on national Voter Registration Day.  Secretary Hargett spoke on why it’s so important for those in our community to vote.  Local officials were in attendance at the Chamber of Commerce to help support voter registration.  They say every vote counts in…

Video shows high school band director shocked with stun gun, arrested after refusing to stop music

Video courtesy to CBS News BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police body camera video shows an Alabama high school band director being shocked with a stun gun and arrested by officers in front of screaming students, in a chaotic scuffle that broke out after he refused to immediately stop the band as it played in the bleachers following a football game….

Mocs Expect Tough Test Against Samford

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Easy wins are rare in college football. Mocs got one last weekend against the Citadel. But they know nothing will be easy this week, as they travel to Samford. When you win a game 48-3 like the Mocs did over Citadel, life is good. Said head coach Rusty Wright:”I thought the biggest thing coming out of Saturday was we…

Lee Visits Chattanooga to talk Economy, State Parks

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee walking a trail at Booker T. Washington State Park. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee was in the Scenic City today and made two stops. One stop he made was at the Booker T. Washington State Park. That park is 85 years old and was initially created as a segregated park for Chattanooga’s African-American community….

More Friends React to Sudden Passing of Kevin West

Kevin West, Chattanooga Police Department CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  More close friends of the late Kevin West are reacting to his sudden passing Monday. West died after suffering a medical emergency Monday morning. One of his close friends was Captain Mickey McCamish. Captain McCamish shared the bond of being a Naval captain with West, who served as a Naval Captain in…

Mom to Mom – Button Rewards

Today on Mom to Mom, we are making a button behavior jar. I don’t know about your kids, but my kids are always constantly changing and the way we punish them and reward them changes with every age. So, we like to find different ways to kind of get them involved and excited about earning things that they like in…

White Lightning Harley-Davidson holds 2023 Veteran’s Mission

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The 10th annual Veteran’s Mission was held at White Lightning Harley-Davidson this year. “Veterans around the community come out and support each other. A lot of the vendors and everything are donating money to homeless veterans,” said Sales Manager for White Lightning Harley Davidson, Craig Nabors. “Also, veterans’ organizations such as Veterans Mission, in order to…

Running Back Ailym Ford Leaving a Legacy at UTC

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) You can argue that Ailym Ford is now the best running back in Mocs history. He rushed for 126-yards in Chattanooga’s win over the Citadel to become the school’s top rushing running back. Brian Armstrong has more on Ford’s legacy. Said head coach Rusty Wright:”I thought he ran the ball hard with a better purpose tonight.” On Saturday Ailym…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Dade County Lessons in Finance

TRENTON, GA (WDEF) – High School is the perfect place to get young people ready for college or career, but even after you land a good job, properly managing your money makes all the difference. Dade County students are learning lessons that will really pay off. Al Barton is an advisor at Dade County High. He explains, ” Our main…

Chattanooga hosts Tennessee Governor’s Conference for 2023

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Governor’s Conference was held in Chattanooga this year. It’s a two-day conference, taking place on Monday and Tuesday this week. Hundreds of state and local leaders attended on Monday.  The event kicked off with a conversation with both Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp.  “We are here selling Southeast Tennessee,…

Small Brainerd Latin grocery targeted three times by thieves

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A small business in Brainerd is struggling with a series of break-ins. The Tiendra Martinez grocery store is a small business located near the intersection of Brainerd and Moore Roads. The store and building owner say that on September 7, September 11, and this morning, they have had three separate break-ins to their business. Their frustrations…

CHI Memorial to offer music therapy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – CHI Memorial has announced they are offering a new form of therapy. They have announced that neurologic music therapy will be offered to patients recovering from strokes, Parkinson’s and other trauma. Medical professionals say by using music and rhythm, patients can relearn lost cognition skills at a quicker rate by helping a damaged brain regain its…

More to the Story with Staley: Batman

GOTHAM CITY (WDEF) — This past Saturday was the third Saturday in September. That means we celebrated “Batman Day.” We’ve done so every year, dating back to 2014. Batman remains as popular a super-hero now as ever before. And a new gaming experience brings “Gotham City” to a whole different level. He was created in a comic book back in…

Mocs dominate in SoCon opener

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Chattanooga Mocs scored on five straight possessions including four straight touchdowns enroute to a 48-3 win over the Citadel Bulldogs. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Chattanooga Mocs, College Football, Football, NCAA, SoCon opener

Free annual dental clinic offers services in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Winn Smiles in Cleveland held a free dental clinic on Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pre-existing patients and newcomers could attend the clinic.  Patients could choose one free service — from cleanings to fillings.  Employees of the dentistry say that this event brings out many each year.  “To get those patients immediate pain relief…

Cleveland honors Olivia Weatherford with celebration of life

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Cleveland community has been sincerely touched by one little girl’s battle with cancer. Many have been impacted by her strength and resilience. Nine-and-a-half-year-old Olivia Weatherford fought a hard battle with cancer for four and a half years. She passed away on Tuesday, September 12.  Surrounding communities have continued to support her and her family.  People…

Grundy County sheriff appears before POST Commission

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Grundy County Sheriff Heath Gunter got a scolding in Nashville from a fellow sheriff. Sheriff Gunter appeared before the POST Commission again on Friday. His department has been called on the carpet since an inspection last fall found several deputies weren’t certified, and other paper-work issues. They are making progress on the paperwork. But POST…

More to the Story with Staley: Brazelton Exhibit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — An exhibit at Ruby Falls documents the talent and works of a very important man. A man that many people probably haven’t heard of. It’s been up and running for several weeks now. It highlights the photography of Horace Brazelton, one of Chattanooga’s first Black photographers. He was a trailblazer. For many years, he had a…