Fire officials share cooking safety tips ahead of Thanksgiving

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday. When you start cooking that turkey, be careful in the kitchen.  “It really bodes well for fire safety messaging, so that we can avoid some of those fires tomorrow,” said Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Advocacy at National Fire Protection Association.  In 2022, State Farm paid over $196 million for more…

Burn bans still in effect after Tuesday’s rain

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – With Chattanooga officially receiving over two inches of rain this week, it may feel like our long drought is coming to an end. But fire officials are warning this is far from the case. Jeff Stewart, the interim fire chief at Bradley County Fire and Rescue, said, “We are averaging 8 to 10 brush fires a…

East Ridge holds first Thanksgiving dinner

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – East Ridge began what they believe will become an annual holiday tradition Wednesday. The first annual East Ridge Thanksgiving was held at their community center. Nearly 300 guests gathered to eat food provided by restaurants, churches, and individuals. A line of guests waiting on their food at the first annual East Ridge Thanksgiving Dinner. The…

Bradley County SPCA in need of cat food

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Bradley County SPCA is in need of wet cat food after their biweekly shipment was delayed until next week. With over 35 cats at the animal shelter, they don’t have enough wet food to feed all of them. “We need as many donations as possible so the cats can get the proper nourishment,” says…

Golden Apple Award: Christine Loveridge, Rivermont Elementary School

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students learn best when they feel safe and seen. That’s certainly the case in Christine Loveridge’s class at Rivermont Elementary. She meets students where they are, and you can’t argue with the results. Rivermont Principal Jill Evans says,” Ms. Loveridge is amazing. She makes connections with her students right off the bat and she makes them…

Nokian Tyres receives honor from TDEC in Dayton

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Environmentally friendly manufacturing took another step forward Tuesday in Dayton. “We are in a true partnership where we can grow and develop together and continue to sharpen the saw in support,” said David Korda, Nokian Tyres Director.  Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation welcomes Nokian Tyres as their newest member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership. …

Class action lawsuit filed against Publix

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A class action lawsuit has been filed against the supermarket chain Publix. Approximately 18 former managers at Publix have joined together to allege that they were not paid for overtime. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Florida where the chain is headquartered by attorneys Gregg Shavitz and Ryan Morgan of Florida. The plaintiffs…

Country Artist Ian Munsick Featured on CBS Mornings, Playing Chattanooga Show

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Country music artist and Wyoming native Ian Munsick will be performing at The Signal this Saturday night. News 12 already spoke to his opener, Chancey Williams, about the show. Munsick is known for the hit songs “Long Live Cowgirls” and “White Buffalo,” which is also the name of his second album. He recently spoke to CBS…

Firefighters gaining upper hand against Whitwell fire

WHITWELL, Tenn. (WDEF) – As rain moves through the Tennessee Valley, firefighters hope it helps them contain wildfires in Marion County. As of Tuesday morning, the fire on Whitwell Mountain that forced the evacuation of Bolt Farm Treehouse Sunday evening was 70% contained, according to the State Forestry Office. Additionally, according to Marion County EMA Director Steve Lamb, a separate…

Mom to Mom – Healthy Snack

Today on Mom to Mom we’ve got a healthy snack for that sweet tooth. Today we are making a healthy Snickers. Once I hit a certain age, I wanted to find some things that was low in calories and in sugar content. And my friend actually gave me this idea and it really just involves bananas, peanut butter, zero sugar…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Dalewood Career Clusters

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Two years ago, Dalewood received a great that paved the way for Career Clusters. One of those clusters in Audio Visual Innovation. Students love it. It’s 21st century example of what’s right with our schools. Rashaad Williams is the Principal at Dalewood. He says, “Two years ago, we applied for a district grant. It was called…

Gratefull Thanksgiving luncheon takes place Monday in Dalton

DALTON, Ga (WDEF) – Hundreds of families and friends gathered at Burr Park in Dalton on Monday to have a Gratefull Thanksgiving.  “We are just excited to have our community all together at one table having a free Thanksgiving meal,” said Stephani Womack, Director of Education and Workforce Development. Gratefull community lunch in Dalton Gratefull started in Chattanooga in 2014. …

Resort owner recounts fire escape as Whitwell fire fight continues

"The moon had an orange glow and the sky had a pink hue."

WHITWELL, Tenn. (WDEF) – Smoke has been filling the air over the Marion County town of Whitwell. Rain can’t approach fast enough for the Whitwell Mountain community as a wildfire has been spreading since Sunday afternoon. The fire itself has come close to a popular resort whose normal view of the Sequatchie Valley went up in smoke.  A Tennessee National…

Walker County deputies investigating car theft and break-ins

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Someone stole a car, and someone entered several other cars in Walker County early Monday morning. An unknown person stole a gray 2022 Jeep Wagoneer at around 1 a.m., according to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office. It has Georgia tag CUL5956. In addition, the sheriff’s office says someone broke into or entered multiple cars in…

Local church packs annual Operation Christmas Child boxes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Covenant Presbyterian is packing their annual Operation Christmas Child boxes. Each box that is donated has supplies that help children in need around the world. Church Relations Coordinator of Scenic City, Judy Foster said, “These boxes go around the world to about 120 different countries, 170 countries overall. This last year, it was our 30th year…

East Ridge hosts annual Christmas parade

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The city of East Ridge hosted a Christmas parade Saturday night down Ringgold Road. There were over 100 entries in the event. Multiple organizations were featured in the event… from students to local businesses. The parade has been a popular event for many in the East Ridge community. Kim Trotter with Jack’s Bait and Tackle…

Sale Creek residents lose homes in severe residential fires

SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) — Sale Creek residents awoke to black smoke Sunday morning which led to residential fires in the area. Firefighters responded to two nearby house fires that both lead to severe damages. When a neighbor noticed black smoke coming toward her property, she immediately called 911 to report a house fire at 2135 Leggett Road. At 10:30…