Local Power Company Using Drones to Assist Maintenance

WHITWELL, Tenn. (WDEF) – One local power company is taking a new approach to diagnosing issues with their power grid. The Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) serves Marion, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, and Grundy counties. A lot of this area has rough terrain, with a rolling valley sandwiched in between the Cumberland Plateau and Walden’s Ridge. This can present challenges for SVEC,…

Historic Neighborhoods Get Funding for Guideline Updates

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Four historic Chattanooga neighborhoods will see funding for a new planning project. These are Fort Wood, Saint Elmo, Battery Place, and Ferger Place. The Tennessee Historic Planning Commission has given the city of Chattanooga $70,000 to help update their historic neighborhood guidelines. These updates are designed to keep building exteriors consistent in an area, which applies to…

Commission Debates Lookout Mountain Funding

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Commission debated the spending of county funds on municipal facilities Wednesday morning. The debate was sparked by a resolution to spend over 62 thousand dollars on lighting repair at athletic fields owned by the city of Lookout Mountain. Some commissioners argued that it is the role of county government to pay for repairs…

Man dies in single-vehicle Bradley County crash

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A man died in a single-vehicle crash in Bradley County on Wednesday. It happened just before 9 a.m. on the 400 block of Upper River Road. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office said 45-year-old Harold Melton was driving a 1999 red Camaro when he lost control in a curve and struck a tree. The Calhoun, Tennessee…

Chattanooga man arrested after infant daughter dies from overheating

Nicholas Merrill. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man is in custody after his 11-month-old daughter died of hyperthermia, or overheating. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Nicholas Peter Merrill on Wednesday, September 6. He faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child neglect, online reports show. The medical examiner’s report says Merrill carried his…

More to the Story with Staley: Welcome Home Chattanooga Expansion

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Welcome Home Chattanooga is in its seventh year of operation. It’s a place for those who are facing a serious illness or death and need a safe shelter. It’s a quiet little slice of our area. But not as quiet right now, though, because construction is underway. They are building and remodeling. For example, the new cancer…

Hamilton County deputies arrest juvenile who reported false shooter threat

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A high school student reported a false active shooter threat at Soddy Daisy High School on Wednesday morning. Deputies have now arrested the juvenile responsible. The school resource deputy took the teen into custody and transported them to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center. Authorities are charging the teen with misuse of 911 and filing a…

Portion of I-75 southbound shut down after serious wreck

UPDATE: Haleigh Gentry McCord. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office In an update from authorities, a woman accused of shoplifting had caused the crash on I-75 on Tuesday. Chattanooga police have charged 29-year-old Haleigh Gentry-McCord for the chase that caused the interstate pile-up. They said an officer had spotted her vehicle from a store robbery which occurred earlier in the day. But…

Suspect pleads guilty to a Bradley County woman’s death

Carissa Hamby's body was discovered in a field more than 2 years ago

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – A suspect has pleaded guilty to the murder of a woman in Bradley County two years ago. The body of Carissa Hamby was found in a field on Lower River Road in August of 2021. The Bradley County Sheriff’s investigation found she died from blunt force trauma to the head. A grand jury indicted Billy Blassingim…

GPS Soccer Downs Silverdale 5-1

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The GPS soccer team defeated Silverdale 5-1 on Tuesday evening at the Girls Preparatory School. Ellison Ball netted a goal in the first half as the Bruisers led 1-0 at halftime. They added four more goals in the second half. All five of the Bruisers goals on the night were scored by a different player. Categories: Sports – Local…

Game Plans For Mocs Football Coaches Are Like the Weather…Subject to Change

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Just like every college football team in the country, the Mocs are game planning for a new opponent this week. Mocs head coach Rusty Wright says UTC has a physical game plan each week, but often times, those plans go sideways. Take Chattanooga’s opener last week against North Alabama, as UTC fell behind early 21-0. Said Wright:”Everybody has got…

Federal Student Loan Repayments Restarting in October

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Federal student loan payments are soon to resume for millions across the country. Back in June, the Supreme Court ruled the President’s plans to strike down $10,000 to 20,000 worth of student loan debt as unconstitutional. As payments resume next month, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan has been offered up as a source of…

Capt. Larry Taylor visits D.C. for Medal of Honor ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDEF) — Captain Larry Taylor, a Chattanooga native, visited the White House on Tuesday for a Medal of Honor ceremony. The ceremony began at 3:30 p.m. on September 5, 2023. President Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to Taylor, a Vietnam War veteran and former Army helicopter pilot. You can watch the live stream here: Categories: Featured, Local…

Man arrested after Labor Day high-speed police chase

Brandon Buckner. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A police chase on Labor Day resulted in one man being arrested on several driving related charges. Soddy Daisy police were in a pursuit of 35-year-old Brandon Buckner around 5:50 p.m. on Monday when Hamilton County deputies became aware. The pursuit was on Highway 27 south, near the Tennessee…

Labor Day at the Post

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) – Labor Day at the post ran from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Molly Huhn the City Manager for Fort Oglethorpe said “We’re glad everyone came out. We hope it’s been a fun day, I guess it is safe to say that we look forward to doing it next year.” This is the first time back…

Mom to Mom – Nerf Game

If your kids are complaining that they’re bored, we have some simple games that you can throw together in five minutes. If your kids are complaining that they’re bored, they’re tired of all their toys, we’ve got some cute little games that you can throw together in five minutes. Now, my kids love Nerf guns. They just shoot them all…

Chattanooga Police searching for suspect who stole Sugar’s Ribs’ safe

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Someone broke into the Sugar’s Ribs restaurant in Chattanooga and stole their safe, according to police. Officers responded to the restaurant on 15th Avenue at 8 a.m. on Monday. The burglary happened sometime overnight, police said. It was between the hours of 11 p.m. Sunday, when the last employee left, and 5 a.m. Monday, when the…

Man arrested in Georgia for Masonic Center vandalism, arson

UPDATE: Kadum Harwood. Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Authorities in Catoosa County, Georgia arrested a suspect in the arson and vandalism case of the Chattanooga Masonic Center. On Monday evening, police arrested 29-year-old Kadum Harwood. The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) says authorities in Catoosa County will extradite him to Hamilton County. He is facing charges of arson, vandalism, burglary and reckless…

What’s Right With Our Schools: PIE Center Serves Up Opportunity

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Helping students hone the skills they need to land a good job is a vital part of a solid education. From welding to robotics, firefighting to nursing, the PIE Center in Bradley County has a variety of programs that employers are looking for. That’s a brick-and-mortar example what’s right with our schools. Brittany Canon is…

Hundreds turn out for 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Next Monday marks 22 years since the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil. Since that tragic day, Americans of all backgrounds have come together to memorialize those we have lost. One of those traditions has been going strong for nine years here in Chattanooga. Over 350 participants, representing at least 15 different agencies, came out to…

6th annual butterfly festival held to honor Katie Beth Carter

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) — A butterfly festival was held on Saturday in Ringgold to celebrate the life of Katie Beth Carter and to support local ministries.  Life was forever changed for the Carter family in 2016 when they lost their daughter in a tragic accident following Labor Day weekend.  “September 5, 2016, we lost our daughter Katie Beth in a…