Our Town: Murray County

MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Murray County: the first thing you’ll notice when you arrive is the breathtaking views. But the county is also full of talented people. “As far as our God-given tourism spots, Fort Mountain … the mountains are beautiful here. It’s our backdrop to Chatsworth and Murray,” said Barry Gentry, President and CEO of the Murray County…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Antioch at Howard

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Howard Schools is not resting on its Level 5 status. The faculty and administrators are always looking for new ideas to incorporate into their curriculum. The lines of communication are now open between Howard and a school in the middle our state. That free flow of information is good example of what’s right with our…

Rhonda Thurman steps down from school board after term ends

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County School Board member Rhonda Thurman will be stepping down from her role.  Thurman served on the board for almost two decades.  When her current term expires in March, she will not run for re-election. Close friends say Thurman is hardworking and prepared.  “She does her homework; she does her research. She is a…

UTC Planning for AI Integration

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Artificial Intelligence has taken the world by storm. It has risen in profile to the point that President Biden on Monday had to issue an executive order on the topic. You may remember we did a report on the rise of ChatGPT back in February, and what the implications potentially were for education. Concerns were being raised…

Company Lab Partners to Launch First Reverse Pitch Program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga startup incubator, the Company Lab (Co-Lab), is launching the first of its kind program. Co-Lab is partnering with a state incubator, TennSMART, to hold the inaugural Sustainable Mobility Reverse Pitch program. A reverse pitch according to Co-Lab flips the concept of an entrepreneur pitching an idea to investors on its head. Instead, companies will present…

Walker County Sheriff warns citizens of scam phone calls

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Walker County citizens have recently been receiving scam phone calls, according to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Steve Wilson said residents are receiving calls in which the caller pretends to be a deputy sheriff. He said the caller tells the victim they have a warrant for their arrest. The caller has been telling people they can…

Senator Bo Watson hosts ‘All-American Bash’ in Collegedale

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Senator Bo Watson held a Republican bash for the upcoming election and is looking to make a big splash in Hamilton County and the state of Tennessee. Many politicians attended the event and are excited about what is to come in the 2024 election. “This is an opportunity to bring all the Republicans of Hamilton County…

Dunlap Lions Club hosts ‘Chili Cook-off’ in Harris Park

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Dunlap Lions Club held a ‘Chili Cook-off’ fundraiser at Harris Park on October 28. Local organizations could sign up to enter the chili cook-off or even bring items for a silent auction. Multiple local organizations participated in the event on Saturday. District Governor for District 12-O of the Lions Club, Keith Cartwright, said that they…

Dunlap celebrates Halloweekend with annual ‘Spook Stroll’

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — This ‘Halloweekend’ many towns participated in spooky events that gathered the community. In the small town of Dunlap, hundreds of kids and families came out to the ‘Spook Stroll’ hosted at Griffith Elementary School. Ashley Lane Hall created the event a couple of years ago for children to enjoy family-friendly Halloween festivities. She was inspired by…

Hamilton County jury finds Justin Whaley guilty of 7 charges

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — After a long-awaited, four-day trial, a jury finally came to a verdict in the Justin Whaley case. On Friday, October 27, the jury found former EMT Justin Whaley guilty of vehicular manslaughter by intoxication. Whaley had eight counts against him, and the jury found him guilty of seven of those counts. Trial began on Tuesday,…

Whitfield Co. EMS hosts “Touch-A-Truck” event this weekend

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – Whitfield County EMS will host their second annual Touch-A-Truck event this Saturday.  More than 1,000 people came out to the event last year. Touch-A-Truck is a great way for children to meet first responders and learn about what they do.  They can also take pictures in their vehicles. Plus, there will be candy.  “This is…

Expect ‘Weird Things’ in LFO-Ringgold Rivalry

Said Ringgold head coach Austin Crisp: “True blue blooded folks of this community really can’t stand LFO. I think this is Said LFO head coach Mac Bryan: “just a good old fashioned neighborhood rivalry. Ringgold versus LFO is a rivalry built on history. Said  Crisp: You’re not going to see many games that are blowout games. It’s going to be…

See the fall colors in Asheville, NC this week

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WDEF) – The fall colors are making it into our area these days. But the folks in the North Carolina are trying to lure us up into the mountains this weekend for some spectacular colors. They are sharing drone video shot by Reggie Tidwell from Explore Asheville. The scenes include downtown Asheville, Tanbark Ridge on the Blue…

TECH BYTE: Keep Your Information Safe Online

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. And even though October is coming to a close, it’s smart to be cyber secure year-round. It’s no secret that scammers are getting smarter. So why not try to outsmart them? Even people of all ages are being targeted nowadays – not just the elderly. According to Vox, Gen Z is three…

Jury Begins Deliberation as Defense Presents Case at Whaley Trial

Hamilton County Assistant District Attorney and lead prosecutor on this case, Parker Garrett, giving his closing argument rebuttal, with Justin Whaley’s defense attorney, Lee Davis, watching on. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The jury in the Justin Whaley trial began their deliberations Thursday night as the defense presented their evidence throughout Thursday. Before testimony, the defense attempted to get the vehicular manslaughter…

56 dogs from HES Ooltewah rescue available for adoption

Chattanooga Humane Educational Society rescues 56 dogs from abandoned home in Ooltewah

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Humane Educational Society (HES) recently rescued 56 dogs from an abandoned home in Ooltewah. Those dogs are now getting ready to be adopted as they have their updated health exams. HES is in desperate need of volunteers, foster parents, donations, and ultimately adopters. HES rescued 56 dogs from an abandoned home in Ooltewah. Photos…

Judge says Georgia’s congressional and legislative districts are discriminatory and must be redrawn

By JEFF AMY

Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge ruled Thursday that some of Georgia’s congressional, state Senate and state House districts were drawn in a racially discriminatory manner, ordering the state to draw an additional Black-majority congressional district. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones, in a 516-page order, also ordered the state to draw two new Black-majority districts in Georgia’s 56-member…