CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – La Paz, a local food pantry in Chattanooga, is receiving major support to help neighbors who may be struggling to put meals on the table. The pantry is part of the Food Lion Feeds Annual Great Pantry Makeover initiative and is one of 33 food pantries across the country being upgraded this month. The effort comes…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamilton County Coalition partnered with Access Pharmacy for a drug take-back event. The program was designed to allow neighbors to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. The goal is to prevent medications from ending up in the wrong hands or being thrown into water sources,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – WTCI PBS is hosting its first-ever Ale tRail Off the Track Beer Festival as a fundraiser to support local programming. The event is set for Saturday, September 27th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens. Guests can enjoy a wide range of craft beers from local and regional breweries, along with…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The TVA says they are in the process of upgrading Chickamauga Dam. The six floor Chickamauga Dam plant can generate up to 142 megawatts of electricity with its generators. The portions of the dam include the main generating floor with those four generators, and the turbines underneath them that transport water from the river up to them….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The next phase of the One Westside project received its first approval. This is the effort to modernize the public housing units in that neighborhood. Many of the projects, including College Hill Courts, are 85 years old and lack many modern amenities. The One Westside plans to replace those with brand new housing units that would…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As fall settles in, allergy season reaches one of its most intense peaks of the year. Ragweed pollen, mold from damp leaves, and shifting weather patterns combine to create widespread symptoms for millions of Americans. Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and fatigue are among the most common complaints, with September ranking as one of the most challenging…
FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Corey Lingerfelt always wanted to be a teacher. His latest stop is at Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School. He’s worked hard to become a role model for young men. Through his career as a teacher and a coach, he never stopped helping people. That kind of dedication earned Mr. Lingerfelt this week’s Golden Apple Award….
(gomocs.com) Day one is in the books for the Chattanooga Mocs in the Invitational at the Honors Course. The Mocs shot 21-over 597 over the 36 holes and are situated between Marquette/Duke (+18) and College of Charleston (+29) on the leaderboard. Coaches Corner “It wasn’t what we had envisioned, but the guys fought really hard. There’s a lot golf ahead….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Family Justice Center is continuing its mission to raise awareness and fight against domestic violence. On October 24, the center will host its 10th annual Domestic Violence Awareness Conference. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Justice Center in Chattanooga. This year’s conference will focus on several important…
ROCK SPRING, Ga. (WDEF) – The Walker Rocks Park expansion at the Walker County Civic Center is now officially open to the public. This project was designed to make the playground more inclusive and engaging for children of all abilities. Joe Legge, Director of Communications and Community Development, said the upgrades are part of a broader effort to invest in…
Cecily White’s English laced bobbin pillow she says is essentially impossible to purchase domestically. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For some passions, the lengths to gather those supplies can be time and cost consuming. Things are getting more complicated for those in the bobbin lace fiber arms community. An English laced bobbin pillow is one of Cecily White’s most treasured possessions. It…
Kickoff for the World of Bluegrass Festival. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga’s newest music festival has kicked off. The International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass Festival is this week in Chattanooga. A mix of performances, industry discussions, and an awards show headline the activities across the city. The festival was announced last year as the festival was previously held in…
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – Cleveland City Schools is extra proud of their latest TCAP testing results Students across the district reached five-year highs in math, science, English language arts and more. That kind of achievement is a solid example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Cleveland City Schools is doing a great job that, as we look at our T-cap…
DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Dunlap man was arrested after violating the restrictions of his sex offender registry. On September 13, 2025, a festival was being held at Harris Park. During the festival, a citizen made officers with the Dunlap Police Department (DPD) aware of the presence of a known registered sex offender, Joseph Jeremiah Walley. Officers were able to…
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Walker County man received a life in prison after being convicted of aggravated child molestation. On August 4, 2024, the Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a report that Josiah Matthew Backus confessed to sexually abusing children. According to the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office, the WCSO launched an investigation and interviewed the victims….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Here in Chattanooga, community members gathered at the Riverfront to mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk, a man who lost his life while sharing what he believed was his absolute truth. Nick Bitzer, the organizer of the vigil, said the news of Kirk’s death left him stunned. “My mom called me that morning to tell me…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tonight, another vigil was held in Chattanooga to honor the life of Charlie Kirk. The gathering was organized by young conservative Nick Bitzer, who said his goal was to celebrate Kirk’s life and the legacy he leaves behind. As Bitzer spoke, he reflected on a personal encounter with Kirk that left a lasting impression. “I got…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga River Market was bustling with vendors this weekend along the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza. From homemade crafts to baked goods and unique finds, local entrepreneurs lined the riverfront to share their work with the community. For many, the market is more than just a gathering place, it’s a livelihood. “It’s amazing. I’ve been doing Chattanooga…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families filled the park this past weekend for the City of Chattanooga’s Early Learning Department Fun Fair Festival. The event featured live music, food trucks, and activities for kids of all ages. Visitors also had the chance to explore community resources and meet leaders from the health department, AmeriCorps, and the Community Health Access and Navigation…
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- The Collegedale Christian Athletic Association kicked off its youth soccer season Sunday morning with a colorful parade of teams, followed by games at the Redoubt Soccer Fields on Bonny Oaks. What began in 2024 as a small effort to create a faith-centered sports option quickly grew beyond expectations. The league hoped for 200 players in its first…
CHICKAMAUGA, GA. (WDEF) – Tonight, local community members gathered in a powerful display of remembrance honoring the life of Charlie Kirk, the conservative advocate who was assassinated for sharing his beliefs and values. Erika Kirk, wife of Charlie Kirk, addressed the nation Friday evening through Turning Point’s live feed. “To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built…
FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Fans of vintage base ball will step back in time this weekend as the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball (TAVBB) hosts its annual Sulphur Dell Cup tournament in Fort Oglethorpe. Games will be played September 13–14 on the polo fields at Barnhardt Circle, a site with ties to the Civil War era and just…
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping us safe. When danger strikes, these heroes are the first to respond. Now, it is our turn to put them…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga hosted the 11th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, and 3.43 Mile Walk this morning at AT&T Field, located at 201 Power Alley. The event is part of a series of memorial climbs organized across the United States to recognize the firefighters and first responders who died during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Participants in…
