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…

Red Bank city officials respond to Mayor Wamp’s criticism

Red Bank Mayor Hollie Berry (left), City Manager Martin Granum (right) RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) — The City of Red Bank has issued a response to Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s comments on the state of the city. Mayor Wamp criticized Red Bank on Monday during a Pachyderm meeting, calling it an “unmitigated disaster.” Now, Red Bank officials have responded….

Settlement reached for Ooltewah mobile home park

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — A three-year issue has just received a settlement from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. Auburn Hills Mobile Home Park has faced claims since 2020 after the severe tornado impacted its residents. Following three years after the severe tornado, a settlement has been reached with Auburn Hills Mobile Park, its management, owners and operators, and related entities…

Trapped Cumberland Trail hikers rescued from rising creek waters

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Monday thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall and caused creeks to rise. Because of this, the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department rescued several hikers who became trapped. Mowbray VFD said the hikers were at the Pocket Wilderness and were trapped on the opposite side of the creek in the Cumberland Trail. “The heavy rains turned the creek into…

Mom to Mom – Homemade Detergent

Today, on Mom to Mom, homemade laundry soap is easier than you think. If you’re like me, you’re tired of having to always go to the store for laundry detergent, plus it’s really expensive. So today we have a homemade recipe of laundry detergent that’ll last you twice as long and half the cost. So, what you’re going to need…

Lauren Alaina, Brandon Davis to perform at Hamilton County Fair

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — With the Hamilton County Fair upcoming this fall, county officials made an announcement this morning regarding the musical acts for the fair. Hamilton County native Brandon Davis will be the opening act for the 2023 fair at McDonald Farm. Plus, country music star and Rossville, Georgia native, Lauren Alaina will be headlining the fair. Lauren…

Lightning strikes Chattanooga home, attic catches fire

UPDATE: Late Monday night, the Chattanooga Fire Department said two firefighters were injured while fighting this house fire. Around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, CFD said the two firefighters had been treated and released from the hospital. ORIGINAL POST: Courtesy: CFD CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Lightning struck a home in Chattanooga and caused a fire on Monday. This happened when storms…

Whitfield County chooses the roll-back

WHITFIELD COUNTY, GA. (WDEF) – Whitfield county voted to roll back their millage rate again this year. Jevin Jensen, Commission chairman, said, “Our goal, number one, was to rollback the property tax so it would be less impact on the working class families, the middle class families, but all of our families and businesses across Whitfield county.” Jensen is excited…

Catoosa survey asks for input about future of Hutcheson building

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) — It has gone by several different names from Tri-County Hospital to CHI Memorial… But most people remember it as the Hutcheson Medical Center. This historical landmark has plans to get a new look. Catoosa County residents have been encouraged to fill out a survey to decide what to do about the well-known property. The historical…

Mayor Wamp Criticizes Sharpe, Red Bank; Sharpe Responds

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressed fellow Republicans at today’s Pachyderm Club meeting. He spoke about many of his administration’s accomplishments in his first full year of office. However, he had some criticism for a handful of local officials. Mayor Wamp did not hold back his thoughts about the Red Bank municipal government during his speech…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Project Inspire

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Diverse classrooms call for diverse teachers. Project Inspire is working to meet that need with some pretty impressive results. Dr. Dan Challener is with the Public Education Foundation. He says, ” The research recently has shown that students who have a black teacher, a black student who has a black teacher is much more likely…

COVID-19 and Influenza concerns in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nobody likes being sick. When school is back in session, viruses can quickly spread through a classroom. And students can bring that illness home. “There are a couple of reasons why it is spreading right now. First of all, it has been really hot outside so people are spending more time indoors,” said Dr. Dawn…

Our Town: Polk County

POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Polk County is known for its vast number of outdoor activities, with the Cherokee National Forest sitting right in the middle. It was even home to the Summer Olympics’ Whitewater events in 1996. But that’s just one of many reasons why Polk County is a top outdoors travel destination. “On a daily basis, I’ll talk…

More to the Story with Staley: Food Desert

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The cost of living continues to increase, and it’s affecting everybody. It’s no surprise that 67% of Americans are worried about it. Food prices are near the “top of the charts.” The cost of living refers to all the expenses a person must pay out in order to survive. Housing, clothing, transportation, and at the top…

Cleveland police respond to fatal motorcycle crash

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Sunday, at 9:47 p.m., Cleveland Police located a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Westside Dr. and Norman Chapel Rd. Officers observed a motorcycle laying on Norman Chapel Rd. on the sidewalk. The driver had already been transported by BCEMS. Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the motorcycle was headed north on Westside Dr….

Haletown VFD respond to overnight fire in Whiteside

WHITESIDE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Haletown Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) responded to a structure fire on Saturday night in Whiteside, Tenn. A little after 11:00 p.m. HVFD was dispatched out to a structure fire on the 4200 block of Highway 134. Haletown Engines 1 and 2 along with Rescue 1 responded to the scene. Jasper Fire was called in for mutual…

Speaker Sexton discusses first week of special session

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Following the special session held in Nashville this week, some concerns were raised by Tennesseans. No-sign rules were imposed which were the subject of protest and court battles throughout the week. Moms made headlines when they were kicked out of committee meetings for holding up signs which violated the new legislative policy.  One judge issued a…

Regal at Hamilton Place celebrates National Cinema Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Sunday, Aug. 27 is national cinema day, and Regal Cinemas at Hamilton Place Mall celebrated the occasion with discounted ticket and concession prices.  The holiday was a celebration for why movies are ‘meant for the big screen.’ National Cinema Day discounts offered a cool break from a hot weekend.  “It is very hot outside so it’s…

Mocs visit Chattanooga Market for ‘Team Spirit Day’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Market hosted a ‘Meet the Mocs’ Team Spirit Day that included various teams from UTC. Student athletes met at the market Sunday afternoon to sign autographs and preview their respective seasons. Coming off the first official week of school at UTC, Mocs can look forward to the upcoming sports seasons. “It’s a great community…

Chattanoogan’s beat the heat with ‘Chatt Town Cool Down’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors along with Outdoor Chattanooga hosted a weekend full of family-friendly fun. The inaugural ‘Chatt Town Cool Down’ helped the community beat the heat with water-related activities.  The event ran from Friday, Aug. 25 to Saturday Aug. 26 at Ross’s Landing and Coolidge Park. “We are thrilled with the turnout from our community….