Ooltewah man arrested for starting house fire with family inside

Video courtesy: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County deputies responded to an arson in which an Ooltewah man, while intoxicated, intentionally set his home on fire. Deputies said his family was inside the home as well. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) released body camera footage of the original deputy response. HCSO deputy body camera footage…

Boyd Buchanan Coach Gary Rankin Provides Some Insight on His Successful Coaching Journey

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Gary Rankin’s coaching resume is so phenomenal, you almost think it’s a misprint. The second year Boyd Buchanan coach has won 17 state titles. That’s more than all other Hamilton county teams have won combined since the playoff format started in 1969. Rankin sat down with us and gave us a little sample of his successful coaching journey. Hard…

Chattanooga children receive meals, Halloween costumes through Dunkin donation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga food bank’s newest donation helps put food on the table. Melissa Blevins is President and CEO of the Chattanooga Food Bank. She said, “So snack packs are designed for children who are at risk of being hungry on the weekends. Many of our hardworking families’ kids are going to school and they’re being fed…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Chatt State and Valmont Industries

JASPER, Tenn. (WDEF) — Last month, Valmont Industries welcomed 24 students into its trade program in Jasper. Some of them will pair on the job training with classroom instruction at Chattanooga State. All that should add up to a good job waiting for them after graduation. Let’s see how Valmont Industries and Chatt State are Driving our Economy Forward. “Valmont…

Hamilton County commissioners debate appropriate crime response

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Crime in downtown Chattanooga continues to be a hot topic in the wake of recent incidents. On Wednesday, the Hamilton County Commission took their swing at the issue. Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett told the Commission, “I took action. I don’t have the funding in my overtime budget to cover this long term, but I’ll find…

Commission approves funding for Finley Stadium upgrades

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Finley Stadium will soon be getting a facelift. The Hamilton County Commission approved $600,000 to be utilized in improvements to the multi-use stadium.  The primary improvements will be to the elevators and installation of a brand-new LED lighting system.  The only concern brought up by commissioners is if the city will also be helping pay…

Valleybrook Golf Course to undergo renovations

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Valleybrook Golf Course and Country Club will soon be getting a facelift and more open access to the public. Jimmy White, the President of Urban Story Ventures, who recently purchased the property, announced these upgrades at this month’s Friends of Hixson meeting Wednesday morning. White said that upgrades to the clubhouse’s restaurant would be coming,…

Chattanooga Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on 300th home

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Habitat for Humanity of Chattanooga recently broke ground on their 300th home. Leaders held this groundbreaking on October 5, 2023. Tangela Walker (from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga) The Habitat is helping to build this home for Tangela Walker and her family. She applied for Habitat’s housing program after having a year full of hardships….

Collegedale sees zoning changes for apartment housing

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Collegedale Zoning Ordinance held a meeting for what people wanted to see in their growing city. Keeping the character of the city was the main talking point. Some other concerns of the stakeholders and community members were protecting the natural resource, a boost in infrastructure and controlling density. Those in attendance were also interested in…

Leave fallen leaves to protect the natural ecosystem

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s the time of year for rakes, trash bags and curbs lined with endless piles of leaves. But leaving the leaves alone can fertilize your yard, protect certain insects and more. Lucy Ellis, a natural resource project coordinator for Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors, says the public shouldn’t rush to get rid of those fallen leaves. “Leaves…

Future of Montague Park discussed at Chattanooga City Council

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Planners of the future Montague Park took their vision to Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday. At the City Council meeting, Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors and architect Chattanooga Design Studio looked to assuage certain concerns on Montague including its environmental status. Plans for Montague Park (City of Chattanooga) The property was made into a landfill in the…

Golden Apple Award: Glenda Broom, Fairyland Elementary

LOOKOUT MOUTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) – Think back about your favorite elementary school teacher. Odds are, she (or he) was caring, helpful and fun. Glenda Broom has all those qualities and many more. We pay a visit to Fairyland Elementary for this week’s Golden Apple Award. Troy Green is the Assistant Principal at Fairyland. He says, “Oh, Miss Broom is a…

Mom to Mom – Halloween Smore Pies

Today on Mom to Mom, we are making Halloween Smore Pies. In our house, we love Smores! I always try to find cute and creative ideas especially around the holiday season to kind of bring these guys to life, especially if you can’t sit around a campfire when you want to. You can sit in the comfort of your own…

‘Is there life beyond’ survey coming to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chris Harris believes, but do you? Chris Harris is a Hollywood Publicist. He said, “Well I want to know if you believe there’s life beyond earth, and I think a lot of people believe.” He will be in Chattanooga on October 18 to conduct a survey. Harris said, “This was my choice to start it there….

What’s Right With Our Schools: Howard’s Level 5 Status

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Our tour of local schools that have achieved Level 5 Status concludes with a stop at the home of the Hustlin’ Tigers. Great things are going on at the Howard School. We caught up with a very proud Executive Principal Dr. Leandra Ware. Dr. Ware said the following about the new status: “All across Hamilton County…

Isaiah 117 House opens in Hamilton County

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new Isaiah 117 House opened on Monday at the Chambliss Center in Hamilton County.   This is the 20th Isaiah 117 House to be built in Tennessee.  New Isaiah 117 House at Chambliss Center “We cut the ribbon and opened our doors to the children and teens of Hamilton County, to serve those who have just…

Video shows moments leading up to Chris Wright’s murder

Content Warning: Some of the footage discussed in this story is disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The suspect in a homicide late last month was in court this morning for his preliminary hearing.  Bryan Houston says he was with Darryl Roberts the night of September 28 when Chattanooga Police say he shot and killed Chris Wright next to Patten Towers….

Chattanooga Oktoberfest brings many downtown to celebrate

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Oktoberfest festivities took over the First Horizon Pavilion from October 14-15. Eventgoers rocked their dirndl and lederhosen while sipping on various brands of beer. One Chattanooga couple said they looked forward to dressing up and partaking in the event. “Dressing up is always so fun and we have our matching outfits here. So that’s what…

Isaiah 117 House expansion meeting held in Dayton

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) — An Isaiah 117 House campaign was held Sunday for individuals to learn about an expansion that will be coming to Bledsoe and Rhea counties. Isaiah 117 is a Tennessee-based organization that cares for children awaiting foster placement. A kickoff event was hosted at First Baptist Church of Dayton to raise awareness of foster care and the…

No. 20 Football Uses Strong Defensive and Kicking Effort in 22-10 Road Victory at Mercer

(MOCS)MACON, Ga. — The 20th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs football team forced three turnovers, allowed zero rushing yards, and used a school-record five field goals from Clayton Crile to help secure a 22-10 victory at Mercer inside Five Star Stadium in Macon, Ga., during crucial Southern Conference play on Saturday evening.  Chattanooga improves to 5-2 overall and 4-1 inside SoCon action after the victory….

Firearm trailer offers free demonstrations from female instructors

Changing Lives One Shot at a Time

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Shooters of all experience levels were invited to stop by the Shoot Like A Girl trailer in front of Bass Pro Shops this weekend to learn about safe and responsible gun ownership. The initiative informs users of the benefits of firearms from certified female instructors who are eager to share their passion for shooting sports, the…