Wreaths Across Chattanooga opening celebration held in Hixson

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — Wreaths Across Chattanooga recognizes fallen service members. An opening celebration was held at the Hixson Walmart for the local veteran effort. Mayor Tim Kelly delivered remarks at the ceremony of the opening celebration of Wreaths Across Chattanooga. A Presentation of Colors was made by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 203 color guard. Last year, Chattanooga…

Witch and warlock paddle takes over Tennessee River

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Witches and warlocks floated down the Tennessee River Saturday for the second annual ‘Witch and Warlock Paddle’ by River City Company. People of all ages gathered downtown to embark on their spooky journey across the river. The annual paddle started off at Rivermont Park and finished under the Market Street Bridge. River City Company partnered with…

Austin Hatcher Foundation wins first place at Green Prix

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Drivers started their batteries and hit the track for the Green Prix. Rick Bowers, Executive Director of Green Spaces said, “Many of you know about Green Spaces. We have lots of exciting programs we do. This is one of my favorite and everyone’s favorite is the Green Prix that we do every year.” The Green Prix…

Future of Downtown Chattanooga Discussed Amid Recent Events

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The past few weeks have been difficult as leaders and citizens how to make downtown Chattanooga safer. In the wake of Chris Wright’s murder late last month and subsequent public safety actions by the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, many are wondering what’s the next steps for the future of downtown Chattanooga. This was a focal…

Pride of the Southland Marches into Chattanooga

The Pride of the Southland Marching Band performing the Circle Drill halftime show, a tradition dating back decades. They traditionally perform the show every time the Vols play Alabama. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Third Saturday in October weekend wouldn’t be complete without a visit from a marching band here in Chattanooga. Friday, the University of Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland…

Zarzour’s Cafe closes after 106 years of business

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –The well-known family business, Zarzour’s Cafe, saw an overwhelming number of longtime customers for lunch Friday on Rossville Avenue. The iconic cafe was packed as hungry customers got their last Zarzour’s meal. With only ten tables inside the restaurant, owner Joe ‘Dixie’ Fuller managed customers from as early as 9 a.m. “It’s been busy today. We opened…

TECH BYTE: Football Helmet Goes High Tech

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — AT&T is teaming up with one university to make one of their football helmets more high tech. This isn’t your traditional helmet. “This helmet is a result of about two years’ worth of collaboration with Gallaudet University,” said Andrew Bennett, AT&T. Bennett says it has 5G connectivity inside. “The coach has a tablet on the sideline…

Adairsville Downs Gordon Lee 40-7

Chickamauga, GA-(WDEF-TV) Adairsville built a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 40-7 region win over Gordon Lee on Thursday night. The victory kept the Tigers unbeaten in region play. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Adairsville, Gordon Lee, High School Football

Throwback Thursday: Korean Air Lines Flight 007

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Forty years ago, another international incident created major controversy here in the Tennessee Valley. Russia shot down a Korean jetliner that had strayed into their airspace. Of the 269 people killed on the plane, one was North Georgia Congressman Larry McDonald. He was one of the most conservative politicans of his time. This week in 1983,…

Hope Included awarded grant for new inclusive playground

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Local Nonprofit “Hope Included” has been awarded $500,000 in grant money to redevelop Riverview Park. Hope Included gives members of the community access to everything that makes them love where they live and do what they love. Hope Included is one of seven organizations across Tennessee that received this funding.  “This is gonna be, sort of,…

Red Bank Commission talks new school at White Oak Elementary

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) – Red Bank officials discussed the joint proposal facilities plans at Tuesday night’s commission meeting.  They shared their thoughts for a new elementary school in District 6.  The new elementary school would be built by consolidating Alpine Crest and Rivermont Elementary schools.   A new school would be on the property of White Oak Elementary.   “The school…

Trooper bodycam shows immediate aftermath of DeSantis crash

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Back on July 25 of this year, Florida Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis was visiting Chattanooga when his motorcade got into a crash on I-75. Now, after working with our sister station WKMG in Orlando, we have obtained body cameras of several of the Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers who worked that incident through a…

Former McCallie QB William Riddle Expected to Start For ETSU Against Chattanooga

When the Mocs line up against ETSU Saturday at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga fans will see a familiar face at quarterback for the Bucs. Former McCallie stand-out William Riddle is expected to make his first collegiate start. Riddle has seen action in two games for ETSU this month, where he has accumulated 177-yards passing. Ironically Riddle’s last high school start came…

Whitfield Co. Health Department offers free annual breast exams

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — The Whitfield County Health Department held their free annual ‘Breast Cancer Awareness’ clinic Thursday for women aged 19 and older. The Women’s Clinic has hosted this clinic for several years now. They hope to raise awareness of breast and cervical cancer resources for women everyday, but especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “We don’t just do…

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…