Lauren Alaina and Brandon Davis perform at Hamilton County Fair

SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) — Two country music artists returned to their hometown Saturday evening for a concert at the Hamilton County Fair. Brandon Davis from Hamilton County and Lauren Alaina from Rossville, Ga., took on the Dr. Pepper stage at the McDonald Farm on November 11. Davis dedicated his song, “21 Guns” in honor of veterans on the national…

Veterans Day ceremony held at Chattanooga National Guard Armory

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Veterans across the country are honored on November 11 for their service and sacrifice. Local Chattanooga veterans were commemorated on Saturday at the Chattanooga National Guard Armory. State and city officials attended the event in observance of the holiday. Chattanooga historian Linda Moss Mines received the rank of Colonel from Governor Bill Lee for her work…

Collegedale honors veterans with annual ceremony and new tank

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Collegedale veterans were honored Friday afternoon at the Veterans Memorial Park in observance of Veterans Day on Saturday. This celebration has been going on for over 20 years. The park has added different military structures throughout the years, with the newest addition being unveiled on Friday– a military grade tank. A local military sergeant explained the significance…

The Salvation Army Christmas kickoff

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Salvation Army Kicked off their Christmas season on Thursday night. Major Douglas McClure the Area Commander for The Salvation Army said, “Today is the kickoff for all of our Salvation Army programs here for Christmas time. A chance for us to tell us about our Angel tree program, about the lives of all the children…

Approximately 175 Employees Laid Off Without Notice in LaFayette

The front of the former Unique Fabricating plant in LaFayette, which shut down on Wednesday. LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF)- Former employees and labor officials say they were blindsided by a Walker County plant’s decision to suddenly close on Wednesday. Unique Fabricating employees like Terry Heard were hard at work on Wednesday in LaFayette when they received a stunning order. Heard said,…

Hamilton County plans to add new license plate reader cameras

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is working to implement new license plate reader cameras around the county. Sheriff Austin Garrett says these cameras will help identify vehicles that have been involved in a crime. Garrett says they plan to add 121 new cameras. Sheriff Garrett also says the cameras will be running 24/7. But they haven’t…

Collegedale police get new K-9 named Maxim

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — There is a new furry addition to the Collegedale Police Department, an 81-pound Belgian Malinois from Hungary. His name is Maxim, and he turns two years old in January. The police K-9’s partner is Officer Shawn Lewis. Maxim, badge number 335, is certified in narcotics detection and tracking. The Malinois is historically a herding dog and protector…

TDEC provides nearly $2 million grant to repair Mountain Creek

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Nearly $2 million will be put into repairing Mountain Creek in Hamilton County. Erosion is causing pollution there. Pipes and wires are becoming visible along the bank. They’re not supposed to be visible, and this causes a risk to property owners. The soil runoff is causing the creek to become polluted. This cloudy creek is one of…

Catoosa Chamber hosts Business Expo in Ringgold

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – The Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Catoosa Business Expo on Thursday morning.  For several decades, the business expo has taken place every fall.  More than 80 businesses were represented this year.  The Catoosa Chamber believes events like this are great for networking.  “It is so important to our businesses and nonprofits to…

City pauses CARTA building plans after neighbor input

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Earlier on Thursday, the Mayor’s Office announced a change in application for the 12th Street CARTA building, which the city is examining as a potential site for an emergency shelter. The city met with neighbors of the 12th street CARTA building recently to get their input on what should be the future of the building. They…

Irish Hoops Player Cole McCormick One of Three Notre Dame Athletes to Sign on National Signing Day

(press release) CHATTANOOGA, TN-  On Wednesday, November 8, three Notre Dame High School student-athletes made commitments to continue their athletic careers in college.  The fall college signing day event was held immediately after school so that most of the student body and faculty could attend.  Cole McCormick will play basketball for John Shulman at the University of Alabama at Huntsville next season.  Coach Shulman…

Baylor Has 13 Athletes Sign College Scholarships on National Signing Day

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor had 13 athletes sign college scholarships on Wednesday on National Signing Day. Jada Cooper, soccer, East Tennessee State University Theo Desroches, golf, Lynn University Matt Hart, wrestling, Indiana University Drew Hitchcock, swimming, The University of Georgia Holly Merritt, softball, Miami University (Ohio) Sophia Mize, soccer, UTC Riley Oleksik, softball, Eastern Kentucky University Avery Shamblin, softball, The University of…

Extra help is coming to North Georgian farmers suffering drought

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Catoosa county is one of four counties under an extreme drought. The effect the drought has had on farmers is high. Sandy Brown the Co-Owner of Brown’s Produce said, “It has an effect on us because some things we can not irrigate and some things we can. But like the turnip greens and stuff out…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Chattanooga Leather Works

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — From wallets to knife covers – Chattanooga Leather Works has everything your average executive and outdoorsman could possibly want. Let’s see how Chattanooga Leather Works is driving our economy forward. “I was looking to move back from Texas to Chattanooga. This is home. And reached out to some old family friends who owned a knife company….

Mother of Covenant Victim Calls for Change on Lookout Mountain

Katy Dieckhaus, the mother of Covenant School Shooting victim Evelyn Dieckhaus, speaking about gun safety at The Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- It has been over seven months since six people, including three children, were murdered in a mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville. The mother of one of the shooting’s…

First Baptist Cares provides mental health services in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – First Baptist Church on East 8th Street has a non-profit organization for mental health care in Chattanooga.  “First Baptist cares called this press conference Wednesday for two reasons. One, to report on the preliminary data for our mental health outreach initiative,” said Rev. Dr. William Ladd III, pastor of First Baptist Church. “Number two, to issue…

Mocs Football Features a Harvard Graduate in Linebacker Kobe Joseph

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Mocs football team has attracted an Ivy League graduate. Linebacker Kobe Joseph transferred from Harvard to UTC during the off-season, bringing a veteran presence and plenty of football savviness. Reporter:”Describe football at Harvard?” Said Joseph:”Um. It’s a similar competition to here, but school definitely comes first.” Harvard is the oldest college in America..founded in 1636, well before the…

AAA raises awareness for drowsy driving in November

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The first week of November is set aside to raise awareness for drowsy driving.  “National Sleep Foundation has a national drowsy driving awareness week, and this is to raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving,” said Megan Cooper, Public Relations for AAA.  One in 25 drivers have admitted to falling asleep while driving.  Young adults,…

Girl Scouts Honor Local Historian at Annual Luncheon

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians honored one of their very own Tuesday. Chattanooga and Hamilton County historian Linda Moss Mines was selected to be the honoree of the Trefoil Society’s annual luncheon at the Waterhouse Pavilion in downtown Chattanooga. Mines has been heavily involved in Girl Scouts for decades, serving as a troop leader herself…