CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission has seen a series of controversial votes pass through their chambers this year. This has prompted many citizens to show up to voice their opinions on these topics, a process they say made cumbersome by when these meetings were held. For decades, the Hamilton County Commission here at the courthouse have been held…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An ex-Hamilton County Deputy will not get his legal bill covered by the county. Daniel Wilkey had been accused of misconduct in several traffic stops while in uniform. However, he had been exonerated of 44 charges related to these stops, and was found not liable last year of misconduct in the 2019 traffic stop of James Mitchell….
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)- A pair of Hamilton County towns will be receiving a pair of park upgrades. The towns of Red Bank and Signal Mountain received approval from the Hamilton County Commission for $250,000 each. Signal Mountain is upgrading their city park to make the playground more inclusive. The unused lot next to Red Bank City Hall that will…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Public Library and the Daughters of the American Revolution invited the community to join in celebrating the 70th anniversary of Constitution Week with a day of events at the downtown branch. Constitution Week was established in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and this year’s observance featured activities connected to the American Revolution Experience,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This morning, the Chattanooga Police Department escorted K9 Diesel to the Animal Hospital of Signal Mountain, where he was humanely euthanized. Diesel, three years old, was injured in the line of duty on September 15, 2025. He was stabilized on scene by a Tactical Paramedic with K9 training and transported to the Veterinary Care and Specialty…
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Madisonville Police Department (MPD) are searching for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run earlier this week. On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. a pedestrian was struck on Oak Grove Road near Lincoln Drive. According to the MPD, the pedestrian unfortunately died from their injuries. At this time, no information is…
LaFayette has always fielded solid softball teams. But they’ve always been stuck in a region with either Gordon Lee or Heritage, who keep winning state titles. This year the Ramblers are going full-on Ric Flair. To be the man, you gotta beat the man. Our man Brian Armstrong reports. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Georgia community members will have a chance to hear directly from their state lawmakers for free tomorrow night. Americans for Prosperity Georgia is hosting a panel discussion with Representatives Mike Cameron, Steve Tarvin, and Mitchell Horner. The event will focus on Georgia’s economic future, reviewing what was accomplished in the 2025 legislative session and what lies…
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…
