Catoosa survey asks for input about future of Hutcheson building

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) — It has gone by several different names from Tri-County Hospital to CHI Memorial… But most people remember it as the Hutcheson Medical Center. This historical landmark has plans to get a new look. Catoosa County residents have been encouraged to fill out a survey to decide what to do about the well-known property. The historical…

Mayor Wamp Criticizes Sharpe, Red Bank; Sharpe Responds

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressed fellow Republicans at today’s Pachyderm Club meeting. He spoke about many of his administration’s accomplishments in his first full year of office. However, he had some criticism for a handful of local officials. Mayor Wamp did not hold back his thoughts about the Red Bank municipal government during his speech…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Project Inspire

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Diverse classrooms call for diverse teachers. Project Inspire is working to meet that need with some pretty impressive results. Dr. Dan Challener is with the Public Education Foundation. He says, ” The research recently has shown that students who have a black teacher, a black student who has a black teacher is much more likely…

COVID-19 and Influenza concerns in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nobody likes being sick. When school is back in session, viruses can quickly spread through a classroom. And students can bring that illness home. “There are a couple of reasons why it is spreading right now. First of all, it has been really hot outside so people are spending more time indoors,” said Dr. Dawn…

Our Town: Polk County

POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Polk County is known for its vast number of outdoor activities, with the Cherokee National Forest sitting right in the middle. It was even home to the Summer Olympics’ Whitewater events in 1996. But that’s just one of many reasons why Polk County is a top outdoors travel destination. “On a daily basis, I’ll talk…

More to the Story with Staley: Food Desert

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The cost of living continues to increase, and it’s affecting everybody. It’s no surprise that 67% of Americans are worried about it. Food prices are near the “top of the charts.” The cost of living refers to all the expenses a person must pay out in order to survive. Housing, clothing, transportation, and at the top…

Cleveland police respond to fatal motorcycle crash

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Sunday, at 9:47 p.m., Cleveland Police located a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Westside Dr. and Norman Chapel Rd. Officers observed a motorcycle laying on Norman Chapel Rd. on the sidewalk. The driver had already been transported by BCEMS. Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the motorcycle was headed north on Westside Dr….

Haletown VFD respond to overnight fire in Whiteside

WHITESIDE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Haletown Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) responded to a structure fire on Saturday night in Whiteside, Tenn. A little after 11:00 p.m. HVFD was dispatched out to a structure fire on the 4200 block of Highway 134. Haletown Engines 1 and 2 along with Rescue 1 responded to the scene. Jasper Fire was called in for mutual…

Speaker Sexton discusses first week of special session

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Following the special session held in Nashville this week, some concerns were raised by Tennesseans. No-sign rules were imposed which were the subject of protest and court battles throughout the week. Moms made headlines when they were kicked out of committee meetings for holding up signs which violated the new legislative policy.  One judge issued a…

Regal at Hamilton Place celebrates National Cinema Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Sunday, Aug. 27 is national cinema day, and Regal Cinemas at Hamilton Place Mall celebrated the occasion with discounted ticket and concession prices.  The holiday was a celebration for why movies are ‘meant for the big screen.’ National Cinema Day discounts offered a cool break from a hot weekend.  “It is very hot outside so it’s…

Mocs visit Chattanooga Market for ‘Team Spirit Day’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Market hosted a ‘Meet the Mocs’ Team Spirit Day that included various teams from UTC. Student athletes met at the market Sunday afternoon to sign autographs and preview their respective seasons. Coming off the first official week of school at UTC, Mocs can look forward to the upcoming sports seasons. “It’s a great community…

Chattanoogan’s beat the heat with ‘Chatt Town Cool Down’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors along with Outdoor Chattanooga hosted a weekend full of family-friendly fun. The inaugural ‘Chatt Town Cool Down’ helped the community beat the heat with water-related activities.  The event ran from Friday, Aug. 25 to Saturday Aug. 26 at Ross’s Landing and Coolidge Park. “We are thrilled with the turnout from our community….

CPD respond to fatal shooting on Water Street

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Police responded to a fatal shooting on Water Street late Friday night. The call was dispatched to the 200 block of Water Street a little before 11:00 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old man outside a residence dead from a gunshot wound. According to CPD, his next of kin is being notified. No…

Area law enforcement take crisis training courses

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Police officers often face unpredictable situations while on patrol. Local agencies are hoping that a specialized course can help them navigate them better. Dozens of officers and other first responders from several local agencies finished a week-long training course from the Crisis Intervention Team Training School. A law enforcement officer receiving their certificate for completing a…

‘MORE THAN PINK Walk’ to be held in September

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The annual ‘MORE THAN PINK Walk’ is coming up in just a few weeks. Susan G. Komen raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research. The ‘MORE THAN PINK Walk’ spans across the country with Tennessee events taking place in Chattanooga and Nashville. Historically, the walk has been held on streets in downtown Chattanooga.  Due to…

Hazmat situation cleared at Chattanooga Walgreens

UPDATE:  The Chattanooga Fire Department explained that the hazmat situation was due to a container leaking hazardous material in the back of a FedEx truck. The truck was parked in front of the Walgreens. Firefighters said the leak was a corrosive liquid. CFD says this was just a minor hazmat incident because the leak was small. It did not cause…

Cleveland church business manager sentenced for embezzlement

Federal agents confiscated guns from his home during a raid, prosecutors say he used church money to buy many personal items

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A former church business manager has been sentenced in a federal wire fraud investigation. We first became aware of the case against David Apps when federal officers raided his home in Mountain Shadows. They confiscated guns from the home. Later, prosecutors said Apps took money from the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Cleveland and bought…

TVA Approves Rate Increase this Fall

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A board of directors at TVA have approved a rate increase starting in October. The rate increase will be 4.5% and begin on October 1. TVA explains, “To ensure the region has the energy it needs to meet growing demand and economic development, the TVA Board unanimously approved a 4.5% increase in the effective rate. That…

College and Career Academy officially opens in Catoosa County

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga (WDEF) – Neighbors in Catoosa County are celebrating!  The community unveiled its new school Thursday morning, The College and Career Academy.  “We have about 240 businesspeople that are here today to hear Superintendent Chance Nix talk about the school system, about the College and Career Academy, and the teachers as well as the students,” said Amy Jackson,…

TECH BYTE: Use Tech to Find Your Dream Home

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It can be a challenge finding a home right now, with high house prices and mortgage rates. Tech can make your search a little easier. AT&T’s Laurie Starcher says your smartphone can help you get started looking for your dream home. “There are lots of different apps that you can use,” Starcher said. “Zillow, Realtor.com is…