Hamilton County announces plans to fight opioid crisis

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The State of Tennessee is providing Hamilton County with millions of dollars of funding as part of Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds. On Thursday, Hamilton County officials announced their plans on how to use these funds. The county said they will receive the funding over the next 18 years. They also plan to apply for additional…

Tourism Company unveils findings of study on Convention Center future

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Tourism Company presented findings on how to best promote the growth of the Chattanooga Convention Center. Among many findings, they found that the Center does not have the amount of space to consistently attract big conventions. Concept art of potential ballrooms. Not an official design. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Tourism Company) They say interested promoters who…

$500 reward for identifying armed robbers in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two men who committed an armed robbery in Cleveland. They are also offering a $500 reward to anyone who gives information that leads to their identification and arrest. Two men, armed with a handgun, robbed the Tobacco King at 2245 Spring Place Road on Tuesday, August 29. The…

Plan in place for damaged Dalton gravestones to be repaired

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — In 2022, a drunk driver crashed into West Hill Cemetery in Dalton and damaged many gravesites. Almost a year later, families of the deceased may now be able to get reimbursed to make needed repairs. Early in the morning on October 2, 2022, a driver lost control of his vehicle and ran off of Emery Street…

Alpine Crest could be combining into a mega school

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Alpine Crest is one of three schools that could be combining. Dr. Justin Robertson the Hamilton County School Superintendent said, “We’re recommending combining three of four schools, not all four schools. So three of four and it mentions Alpine Crest, Dupont, Rivermont, and Hixson.” A meeting in Redbank allowed parents, teachers, and others to share…

Ringgold man arrested for January 6 Capitol breach

William Beals II. Courtesy: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) — Federal agents have arrested a Georgia man for his actions related to the U.S. Capitol incident on January 6, 2021. They arrested William Frederick Beals, II. He is a 52-year-old resident of Ringgold, Georgia. “His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S….

Georgia crackdown on child exploitation leads to one local arrest

GBI announces 3 month operation against child pornography

ATLANTA, Ga. (WDEF) – The GBI announced charges against 26 men in a statewide operation against child exploitation. Two of the suspects are from northwest Georgia. 51-year-old Jeffery Lynn of Rossville was one of those charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. And so was 35-year-old Bennie House of East Ellijay. Over a three-month period, investigators targeted suspects who were…

Mayor Wamp responds to legal fee issue in battle with county attorney

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has issued a statement about the legal fees that arose from his dispute over the county attorney’s job. The Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday approved more funds to pay for the legal battle. The mayor previously tried to replace Attorney Rheubin Taylor. In the end, both sides dropped their legal cases…

Lee Reflects on Special Session

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Special Session on Public Safety was adjourned Wednesday in Nashville. The session was called by Governor Bill Lee after the Covenant School Shooting in March. After a tense two weeks in Nashville, the Special Session ended with some legislators saying there was progress, and others saying it was failure. Despite dozens of bills being presented, only…

Driving Our Economy Forward: PIE Innovation Center

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — What do you want to be when you grow up? The PIE Innovation Center in Cleveland is working with local businesses to train students for future careers. Let’s see how the center is driving our economy forward. “The PIE Innovation Center is built to really address all students’ needs,” said Kyle Page, Property Manager. “We, like…

Governor Lee Visits Chattanooga State

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee meeting with Chattanooga State faculty inside of the Wacker Institute. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee was in Chattanooga today touring the Chattanooga State campus. He went through the Wacker Institute and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology buildings on the campus. This was one of two community colleges he visited today along with Pellissippi State…

Chattanooga home catches fire, displaces three residents

Courtesy of Chattanooga Fire Department CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Two people received injuries from a house fire in Chattanooga on Wednesday, firefighters said. According to the Chattanooga Fire Department, a duplex caught fire in the 1400 block of Roanoke Avenue, near Wilcox Boulevard. Firefighters responded just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The duplex had one apartment in the front and…

Schools to receive A-F grade in November

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Schools will now be receiving an A through F score as well as the students. Chelsea Crawford, the Department of Education Chief of Staff said, “One of the pieces of legislation we are implementing for the first time this year is that letter grade system for schools. It’s a rating system of A, B, C, D,…

Tennessee Volunteers Assisting Idalia Recovery Efforts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Relief in response to Hurricane Idalia is going to Florida and neighboring states, including from right here in the Volunteer State. The American Red Cross has 41 volunteers from Tennessee on the ground in hurricane-stricken areas of Florida. Some of these volunteers recently responded to the Hawaiian wildfires as well. They will be assisting local emergency…

Police investigating a fatal shooting on Maryland Street

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police received a call of a person shot on Maryland Street near Spears Avenue late Tuesday night. Officers found a 48-year-old man bleeding and unresponsive of the porch of a residence. Life-saving measures were given until medics arrived. The victim was taken to the hospital where he passed away Wednesday morning. Police say they found…

Mocs Prepare For Season Opener in the Lions Den at North Alabama

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Mocs crank up a new season Saturday as they visit North Alabama. While head coach Rusty Wright hasn’t announced his starting quarterback for the opener, he will still carry a talented team into the Lions den, featuring two players chasing UTC history. Said head coach Rusty Wright:”Get one opportunity to open up a season. Start a season….

Sam Pickett Mr Football For Marion Co

Jasper, TN-(WDEF-TV) Marion County’s offense runs through players like Sam Pickett. The do-it-all player says he has always loved the game of football, and it was a love started by his Dad. Said Pickett:”I mean, I don’t know. I just played a game. I love it.” Sam Pickett’s love of football started with his dad. I’ve always played it. Said…

Chickamauga Man Disputing High Water Bill

The water meter on Al Creamer’s property in Chickamauga. CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF)- With recent inflation, many of our recurring bills have gone up. However, one Chickamauga man says the rise in one of his bills is highly unusual. Al Creamer says he is a retiree who lives on a fixed income at his Chickamauga home. Last month, his water bill…

$35,000 worth of items stolen from Bethel Bible Village

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — A thief stole thousands of dollars’ worth of items from Bethel Bible Village in Hixson. The theft happened early Tuesday morning, sometime between midnight and 1 a.m., the organization said. According to Bethel Bible, a person in a red truck stole two industrial-sized Kubota mowers. They also said the truck came through the main entrance on…