UPDATE: GBI identifies man killed in Rossville officer involved shooting

UPDATE (Oct. 10): The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has released more information on the officer involved shooting in Rossville. The GBI identified the man killed as 58-year-old Rossville-native, James Kenneth Cook. Cook had an outstanding felony warrant for sexual exploitation of a child, according to the GBI. When deputies arrived at the home on Bragg Circle, the homeowner allowed them…

Mom to Mom – Ghost Throw Pillow

Today on Mom to Mom, we are creating cute little DIY ghost throw pillows. Let’s create our very own DIY ghost pillow. You know how you go to the stores, and you always see those cute little Halloween pillows? They can be a tad expensive. Well, this is fairly inexpensive, and you did it yourself. And the best part, there’s…

Anoka man grows pumpkin weighing 2,749 pounds, sets world record for biggest gourd

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (CBS) — A Minnesota horticulture teacher set a new world record in California on Monday for the heaviest pumpkin after growing a giant jack-o’-lantern gourd weighing 2,749 pounds. Travis Gienger, of Anoka, Minnesota, won the 50th World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco, with an enormous, lumpy, orange pumpkin that could…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Dalewood Middle Level 5 Status

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Part of Dalewood’s vision statement is to be a model middle school that fosters academic excellence and model citizenship.  According to the Tennessee Board of Education, that’s just what they’re doing. Their level 5 status proves it. Rashaad Williams is the Principal at Dalewood Middle. He explains, “Dalewood is a level 5 five in literacy. We…

Alabama issues fire alert as drought worsens

  SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (WDEF) – The Alabama Forestry Commission is warning about increasing danger from wildfires.  All of the News 12 area is under some level of drought. Wildfires in Tennessee that occurred in 1986. Due to the drought combined with dry and windy conditions, Alabama is under a Fire Alert. It is not an outright ban on burns, but…

One dead in Soddy-Daisy mobile home fire

SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A trailer home caught fire in Soddy-Daisy on Monday morning and resulted in one death, according to the Soddy-Daisy Fire Department. Authorities have not yet identified the person who died from the fire. The fire happened in the 9600 block of Barbee Road, according to firefighters. Soddy-Daisy firefighters said the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is…

Chattanooga Pride Week ends with celebrations on Sunday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Rainbows took over Downtown Chattanooga as Pride weekend was celebrated from October 7-8. People of all ages participated in a parade earlier on Sunday followed by more festivities at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Community liaison with the Chattanooga Pride Board, Arnold Ruelas previewed the event by saying, “We’re just honestly are expecting to just create a…

‘Vintage Market Days’ hosted in heart of downtown Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Convention Center was filled with many events over the weekend. Vintage Market Days invited a variety of vendors and guests in support of small businesses. 80 vendors were present at Vintage Market Days: selling true antiques, handmade gifts, and boutique fashions. Organizers partnered with the Chattanooga Tourism council who helped make the event accessible…

35th annual Tennessee River Rescue cleanup held on Oct. 7

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The 35th annual Tennessee River Rescue cleanup was held on the first Saturday of October. Volunteers helped clean up nearly 30 different sites in the Chattanooga area, spanning around six counties. The annual one day event involved communities around the area coming out to help cleanup the Tennessee River Watershed. “We have folks within our network…

‘Little Amal’ journeys through Chattanooga

12-foot-tall puppet of 10-year-old Syrian refugee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Something a little out of the ordinary joined the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival on the Riverfront. The 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, Little Amal, made her way to Chattanooga. “Little Amal is a special, artistic representation that’s goal is to really humanize the idea of displaced refugee children. We wanted to use art…

CPD respond to uptick in pedestrian fatalities

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Police responded to the uptick in pedestrian fatalities this year. There have been 15 reported deaths as of October 2023, compared to only three reported last year. Major Danny Jones provided precautions for pedestrians when crossing intersections. “Walk in the crosswalks. Please use the crosswalks. It helps you be visible before entering the intersection. Make…

Mocs fall in a 52-50 heartbreaker

The Chattanooga Mocs dropped a heart-breaking 52-50 shootout to Western Carolina Saturday afternoon at Finley Stadium…Mocs are now 4-2, 3-1 in the Southern Conference…the Catamounts are 5-1, 3-0 in SoCon play. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Chattanooga Mocs, College Football, NCAA, Southern Conference, Western Carolina Catamounts

October declared as ‘Domestic Violence Awareness Month’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County along with the city of Chattanooga and partnering organizations issued a proclamation Friday afternoon making the month of October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A ceremony was held at the courts building to pay tribute to domestic violence victims and survivors while also promoting awareness of available resources. “Domestic violence knows no gender, race, ethnicity,…

Georgia to Match High School Seniors with Colleges

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) – High school seniors in Georgia will receive a very special letter soon. The Georgia Match program was announced earlier this week by Governor Brian Kemp. The program matches high school seniors with colleges they are eligible for. They are matched based off their Hope G.P.A. One of the schools participating in the program is Dalton State…

Throwback Thursday: Songbirds Museum Opening

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Songbirds Guitar Museum has had quite a ride in its short history in Chattanooga. It opened almost nine years ago with a world class collection of instruments. We’ve seen stars perform and tout the museum, and even a documentary. And then there was the shutdown after the pandemic. For our Thursday Throwback, let’s take you back…

Cause of July Chattanooga plane crash revealed

UPDATE (October 6): The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed what caused the plane crash in Chattanooga from July 2023. News 12 obtained the aviation investigation report that explained the details of the crash. The report was released on October 5, 2023. The airplane was climbing, with a pilot and flight instructor inside, when the cabin door opened. The…

TECH BYTE: Prime Big Deal Days

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It may only be October, but it’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays. We’re talking Christmas, not Halloween. Amazon is helping you get a head start on your holiday shopping with Prime Big Deal Days. You’ll be able to save big on those gifts on October 10 and 11. With deals dropping as…

NW Whitfield Downs SE Whitfield 37-0

Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) Isaiah Foster returned the opening kick for a touchdown for Northwest Whitfield, and the Bruins never looked back as they beat SE Whitfield 37-0. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: High School Football, Northwest Whitfield High School, Southeast Whitfield

Sheriff provides update on criminal homicide in Sequatchie County

SEQUATCHIE CO., Tenn. (WDEF) — The Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Smith Mountain where a husband was charged with killing his wife. Sheriff Bill Phillips provided more about this ongoing investigation and what details are available at this time. Around 4:30 p.m. on October 3, deputies were dispatched to 47 Windridge Drive, on the top of…