South Carolina Coach Shane Beamer Stops in Chattanooga

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer was in Chattanooga, speaking at the Friends of Scouting luncheon. Gamecocks are no friendly push-over in the SEC anymore with wins over Tennessee and Clemson last year, and they return talented quarterback Spencer Rattler. Said Beamer:”Anytime you have a quarterback I don’t care what level. High school. College. NFL. You’ve got a chance. We’ve got…

Chattanooga Likely to Bring Back Animal Control Board

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A long vacant board on the Chattanooga City Council might soon make its comeback. Chattanooga’s Animal Control Board has been defunct since 2018. Advocates say it is a necessary body that needs to be reestablished to help facilitate animal ordinances and permits within the city. Chris Anderson, a Senior Advisor for Legislative Issues for the Mayor, said,…

Cornbread Festival This Weekend in South Pittsburg

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. (WDEF)- The National Cornbread Festival returns to South Pittsburg this weekend. It is the 26th edition of Marion County’s signature event as it debuted in 1996. Attendees can watch performers such as Dillon Carmichael and the Kentucky Headhunters, hop on festival rides, and of course eat a lot of cornbread. Amy Rodgers, the Marketing Coordinator for the…

Man arrested for blocking school bus from continuing route

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) — Catoosa County police arrested a man for illegally stopping a school bus on Monday. Officials charged Roger O’Neal Barrett with disruption or interference with operation of public schools. The sheriff’s office said that Barrett originally called them around 4:30 p.m., as he was asking for assistance with traffic. According to officers, Barrett was in the area…

Baylor Wins Region Title With 11-0 Win Over McCallie

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Baylor baseball team claimed a region title on Monday night after beating rival McCallie 11-0 in five innings. Tomas Valincius went the distance for the Red Raiders allowing just one hit. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: 11-0 win, Baylor School, game. local sports, local sports news, over McCallie, Region Title, wins

Erlanger holds remembrance ceremony for organ donors

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Erlanger held a Donor Remembrance Ceremony this morning. The guest speakers explained how organ donation can saves lives. Danyelle Stone was seven years old when her dad died and became an organ donor. Then, her 4-year-old son Grayson died in the 2020 Easter tornado. So, she chose to make him a real superhero and save the…

Lee Signs Foster Care Bill, Talks Special Session in Chattanooga

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee talking to media in Chattanooga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Governor Lee is calling Tennessee lawmakers back to Nashville for a special session. That announcement came late last week. We caught up with him today in Chattanooga. The Governor hopes to pass legislation that he says will “strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights.” Lee hopes to…

What’s Right With Our School: Ridgeland Robotics Team

ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) – The Ridgeland High School Robotics Team might be a relatively new thing, but it’s already making noise on the world stage.  It’s a timely example of what’s right with our schools. Mandi Dean is the team’s coach and advisor. She says, “We just started our program last year. We had to kind of wait till after…

27 Years of Cold Murder

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — April 24th, a day of sad emotion for the Wellington family. Today marks 27 years since Lester Wellington was murdered. Lester was a 29-year-old hair stylist in the late ’90s, who had big hopes and dreams that would eventually be cut short. Janice Hammonds Wellington is Lester’s sister. She said, “He was gifted through his hands…

Fugitive arrested in Brainerd with drugs and illegal gun

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Narcotics officers, the Fugitive Unit and eventually the SWAT team took part in an arrest last week near Brainerd. Hamilton County Sheriff’s officers served a warrant for Marquelle Rhodes at a home on Connor Street near Eastgate on Thursday. He was wanted for numerous felony charges, including failure to appear in court. Narcotics detectives along with the…

Gang member charged in fentanyl bust in East Lake

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County Sheriff’s officers are reporting details on a fentanyl bust last week. The searched a home on 5th Avenue in East Lake on Thursday. The office says they found 6 grams of Fentanyl, 27 grams of Xanax and 127 grams of marijuana and cash. They arrested Rollin 20’s Blood Gang Member Dartangan Rollins in the case. Categories:…

423 Day Festival Celebrates Chattanooga

Guests enjoying the 423 Day Festival at Miller Park Sunday afternoon. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Today is April 23rd, or 423 Day. 423 as most know is the area phone code for most of our Tennessee viewing area, and has served that purpose since 19-95. The area code also serves portions of Northeastern Tennessee around the Tri-Cities. 423 is not just…

Signal Mountain drug disposal Take Back Day

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Signal Mountain Police Department will be hosting its annual Drug Enforcement Agency Take Back Day event this Saturday. The event started back in 2015 to bring greater awareness to the community. Police want folks to properly dispose of their prescription drugs with ease. “If you have a lot of medicine, sometimes children can get…