American Cruise Lines celebrate summer cruise in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- City officials gathered today to welcome passengers on the new American Cruise Lines, American Splendor Riverboat.  This was also a celebration of ACL’s first summer season of business in Chattanooga. “This is important because this is the inaugural season on the Tennessee River for American cruise lines. Chattanooga is one of the great stops on that. It…

Gov. Ron DeSantis involved in Chattanooga wreck Tuesday morning

UPDATE: Florida Governor, and GOP Presidential candidate, Ron DeSantis was involved in a car accident Tuesday morning in Chattanooga. DeSantis was in town for a fundraiser held by local republicans. The crash happened a little after 8 a.m. on I-75 south, just below East Brainerd Road. “The original accident occurred because there was an animal in the street. So, they…

‘Every Student Reads’ conference held for Hamilton County educators

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — With the school year fast approaching, Hamilton County Schools held a conference at UTC Tuesday morning to encourage teachers about the importance of early childhood literacy. “Our community needs what you provide. Because when our kids are better, and they’re literate, and they can read, and think, and make decisions… Our community gets better,” Chief of…

Sheriff reverses call for decertification of Daniel Wilkey

Now that prosecutors have dropped the charges against him, his former employers will not press to make sure he cannot find another law enforcement job

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is no longer pressing the P.O.S.T. Commission to decertify former deputy Daniel Wilkey. Sheriff Garrett has written a letter to the Commission withdrawing their request to decertify. Decertification blocks him from getting future law enforcement jobs. Wilkey was fired after a series of complaints that started with the “forced” baptism of…

What’s Right With Our Schools – Fund 4 Dunavin

Getting to travel overseas and learn new ideas for teaching students is some teachers’ dream come true. One Hamilton County educator recently got to do just that. Keely Dunavin, 2nd Grade Teacher, Thrasher Elementary School, “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I went through a really good program at UTK. And one of my favorite things to study was,…

Mom to Mom – Pop It Fro-Yo

Today, on Mom to Mom. We’re going to help you get your toddler to eat healthy snacks. Now, it’s been a while since I’ve had a little toddler running around, but some of my best friends have little ones who get bored with their food fairly quickly. These pops that the kids absolutely love come in handy for many things….

Austin Crisp Set to Lead New Era of Ringgold Football

When Ringgold hits the field this fall, they’ll be without the winningest coach in Tigers history. Robert Akins stepped down after last year, and now Austin Crisp takes the Ringgold reigns. The Tigers roar into our 30-in-30 spotlight. Austin Crisp may be Ringgold’s new head coach, but he has been on the Tigers staff for six seasons, so it feels…

Local Natives Logan Workman and Cole Wilcox Set to Pitch Against the Chattanooga Lookouts

When the Chattanooga Lookouts strike up their six game series Tuesday with the Montgomery Biscuits at AT&T Field, we might see a lot of fans rooting against Chattanooga. That’s because Montgomery features some local flavor. Former Soddy Daisy pitcher Logan Workman and former Heritage pitcher Cole Wilcox. They’re both starting pitchers for the Biscuits, the double-a affiliate for the Tampa…

Meigs County Drainage Issue Causing Dispute

Flooding last Thursday in Ten Mile caused by a faulty drainage. (Courtesy: Zach England) TEN MILE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last week’s heavy rains caused flooding in parts of the Tennessee Valley. However for one Meigs County town, they say this has been an ongoing problem. The community of Ten Mile sits along Watts Bar Lake on Highway 304. The area has…

Hamilton County Health Department offering back to school shots

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Health Department is encouraging back to school immunizations.  This is to ensure children are up-to-date with their shots.  “Remember children are going to be together on the bus, the playground, and in the classrooms. It is a chance or an opportunity to spread different infectious diseases.  These vaccinations will help protect them against that.”…

Apple watch helps 911 operator rescue victim

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)– Good intentions can lead to mixed results. Smart watches are making headlines due to both false emergency calls, and life-saving results. In recent years, Apple has included technology on iPhones and Apple watches that can detect when a user falls or is involved in an auto crash. It’s meant to call 911 when the owner of the…

Glow in the dark sharks hatching at the Tennessee Aquarium

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Shark week returns, and in celebration, the Tennessee Aquarium announced new shark species that are hatching. These sharks ‘glow’ in the deep and can be seen with black light. Senior Aquarists view the animals with yellow tinted glasses. “With shark week, mostly the big scary sharks get all the press. But these little guys, they’re really…

Watermelons destroyed in truck fire

DADE COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A truck hauling watermelons caught on fire Sunday night, according to Haletown Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department responded to the truck fire just after 10:30 p.m. The truck had caught on fire on I-24 Westbound at mile marker 167. Multiple agencies also assisted in extinguishing the fire. No one was injured. However, the truck…

Injured hiker rescued on Dayton Mountain

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — A female hiker got lost in the “Pocket” state park area of Dayton Mountain and was rescued, according to the Dunlap Fire Department. She called for help Sunday night around 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central Time). The fire department said she was lost and injured in the park while hiking. Multiple agencies responded to assist via…

Ninth annual American Heroes Dinner held to support veterans

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Convention Center recently held the ninth annual dinner to honor American Heroes.  General John F. Kelly, USMC (Ret.) was the keynote speaker, benefitting the Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation. “The advice I’d give all Americans is that we should never ever ever forget what their military service members, veterans have done for them and for…

‘Adventure Days at the Zoo’ kicks off in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four times a year, children 18 years and younger will be able to get into the Chattanooga Zoo for free with their library card. The Chattanooga Public Library provides outreach activities for four hours during the scheduled events. On Sunday morning, the first day of “Adventure Days at the Zoo” was held from 9 a.m. to…

‘Count it all Joy’ conference held for church families

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hillside Baptist Church held their fifth annual special needs/care family conference on Saturday. Pastor Steve Cape has spent 25 years at the church and has reached many families with special needs because of his daughter, Heather.  Heather Cape has suffered for 29 years with only one-half of her brain. The family uses her story as a…

Eighth annual ‘Shoes for School’ event held at Miller Park

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Students are getting ready to go back to school and are starting to check off their supply lists. With rising costs for students, it can be hard to provide. Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC) hosted its eighth annual Shoes for School initiative on Saturday morning.  They partnered with local organizations to host the event at…