Little Debbie Park opens to the public

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The city of Collegedale and McKee Foods came together this morning to unveil a new centerpiece of their community. The Little Debbie Park is the newest attraction in Collegedale. A project nearly four years in the making, it has been built on 10 acres acquired from Southern Adventist University. It was a partnership between the city…

From the Archives: Heat Wave of 1993

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Thirty years ago, was one hot summer. 100-degree days stacked up like cordwood. That made for a dangerous situation. We revisit the sweltering Summer of ’93 in this edition of Thursday Throwback. For the entire month of July that summer, we hit 90 degrees or higher. And on nine days of the month, we topped out over…

More to the Story with Staley: Library Gift

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — “Santa Claus” came early this week to the Chattanooga Public Library. That is, if one can call the state of Tennessee “Santa Claus!” Lots of important people gathered at the Chattanooga Public Library. City Mayor Tim Kelly standing alongside Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. State Senator Bo Watson is on the scene as well. Along with a…

Dalton Police arrest man charged with tossing kittens

Warning: video content is graphic.

UPDATE: Dalton Police arrested a man who they say is responsible for tossing kittens out of the back of a truck at the Northwest Georgia Humane Society. Terry B. Charles (From Dalton Police Dept.) The police department said they arrested 62-year-old Terry Charles after he turned himself in. His charges relate to the abuse and abandonment of animals. Charles turned…

One man dies in double shooting at midnight

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Two men were shot in a deadly confrontation last night in downtown Chattanooga. It happened in the 600 block of East 10th Street, a block over from MLK Boulevard just after midnight. Witnesses tell police that the two men got into a fight with another group of males. They say one of the men pulled a…

Fire Investigation in East Chattanooga

Photo provided by the Chattanooga Fire Department CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga firefighters are investigating the cause of an early morning house fire in East Chattanooga. Firefighters were dispatched to the 3900 Meadow Lane at 4:17 this morning. When crews arrived on the scene, smoke was visible. Firefighters used a deck gun and then a ladder was positioned for a…

TECH BYTE: Gadgets to Celebrate July 4

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Fourth of July holiday weekend is here! There’s a lot of cool tech that can help you make the most of the holiday – like a travel bundle power kit. You’ll never have a dead battery with it. “I personally have this bundle package,” said Laurie Starcher, AT&T. “It goes with me whenever I travel,…

CFC’s Markus Naglestad a Free Kick Assassin

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The shot making skills of soccer star David Beckham earned him the famous nod…’Bend it like Beckham. The CFC’s Markus Naglestad might need his own moniker as well, given his free kick precision. Maybe ‘Needle it like Naglestad’. He delivered another doozie over the weekend, and News 12’s Brian Armstrong captured the moment. Markus Naglestad rescued a point for…

The worst air quality since 2016

CHATTANOOGA Tenn, (WDEF) – Today a haze covered the skyline of Chattanooga Claudia Gillman-Acuna, Air Monitor manager, says that you don’t need to hide indoors but certain people should take precautions. She says that “right now the air quality which is a combination of ozone and particulate matter for the Chattanooga area, basically it’s above the 151 mark which makes…

Chattanooga Airport warns of new checked baggage deadline

You now need to check a bag at least 45 minutes before your flight

UPDATE: Hart says that so far there have been no delays at the Chattanooga Airport despite delays nationwide. He encourages passengers to check with their airlines that their flights are staying on time. He added on the 45-minute luggage rule that, “If you arrive after that 45-minute window, they’re not going to be able to check your bag. So, we…

Seniors Concerned About Losing Eastgate Senior Center

A group of seniors doing a Zumba dancing class at Eastgate Senior Center. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A group of senior citizens are raising concerns about potentially losing their community center. Inside of the Eastgate Town Center, the Eastgate Senior Center has long served as a gathering place for senior citizens in our community. However, those who frequent that center say…

Organizations donate cars to support Chattanooga State’s TCAT program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Volkswagen Group of America and the Collision Repair Education Foundation are celebrating their partnership with Chattanooga State by donating 12 cars to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) program. (From Chattanooga State) The TCAT program is a “leading provider of hands-on, high-demand, skills training programs designed to prepare you for the job market,” according to…

Chattanooga faces Code Red air quality alert

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga is currently under a Code Red air quality alert due to wildfire smoke from Canada. Downtown Chattanooga (6/29/23) The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau released the alert on Thursday. This is the first time Chattanooga has been in a red quality alert since the Gatlinburg fires of 2016. Air quality in Chattanooga is at…

Tunes on the Track returns

COLLEDGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – You don’t have to go to Nashville to hear live music. It’s in our backyard. A couple local artists came out to perform for Tunes on the Track. Christina Clark, with Collegedale parks and recreation, said, “we are just trying to figure out ways that we can highlight those that are trying to make a name…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Smart Factory Institute Offers Cyber Security Tips

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — As more companies do their business online, cyber security is more important than ever. That’s why the Smart Factory Institute in Bradley County recently brought in cyber experts from across the country. They’re sharing ways to prevent criminal use of new tech like AI. It’s another way the Institute is driving our economy forward. “Today’s been…

Rip currents causing deadly vacations along Gulf Coast

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — With an uptick of vacationers in Panama City Beach, safety procedures have been further examined. Double red flag warnings were signaled due to severe weather conditions over the past week. In less than two weeks, at least seven people have died due to dangerous currents among the Gulf Coast.  “It’s unfortunate and our lifeguards are doing…

The mystery of Chickamauga Lake fish deaths continues

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few months ago we brought you a story about the apparent mass die-off of fish in Lake Chickamauga. Back in May, we heard from several fishermen along Lake Chickamauga they were seeing thousands of dead fish, particularly catfish, in the lake. The TWRA said back then they didn’t see any evidence of toxins or a chemical…

Chattanooga Police searching for missing, endangered teen

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) is searching for a teenager who they believe is in danger. According to CPD, 15-year-old Azaria Smith left her home around 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27. She left without her required medicine, they added. The police department says Smith is a white female, who is 5’4″ and 105 pounds. She…