Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Sheriff reverses call for decertification of Daniel Wilkey

Now that prosecutors have dropped the charges against him, his former employers will not press to make sure he cannot find another law enforcement job
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is no longer pressing the P.O.S.T. Commission to decertify former deputy Daniel Wilkey. Sheriff Garrett has written a letter to the Commission withdrawing their request to decertify. Decertification blocks him from getting future law enforcement jobs. Wilkey was fired after a series of complaints that started with the “forced” baptism of…

What's Right With Our Schools Fund 4 Dunavin
Education, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools – Fund 4 Dunavin

WDEF News,

Getting to travel overseas and learn new ideas for teaching students is some teachers’ dream come true. One Hamilton County educator recently got to do just that. Keely Dunavin, 2nd Grade Teacher, Thrasher Elementary School, “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I went through a really good program at UTK. And one of my favorite things to study was,…

Mom To Mom Pop It Fro Yo
Mom To Mom

Mom to Mom – Pop It Fro-Yo

WDEF News,

Today, on Mom to Mom. We’re going to help you get your toddler to eat healthy snacks. Now, it’s been a while since I’ve had a little toddler running around, but some of my best friends have little ones who get bored with their food fairly quickly. These pops that the kids absolutely love come in handy for many things….

Austin Crisp Takes Over Ringgold Football Team
Sports - Local Sports News

Austin Crisp Set to Lead New Era of Ringgold Football

Rick Nyman,

When Ringgold hits the field this fall, they’ll be without the winningest coach in Tigers history. Robert Akins stepped down after last year, and now Austin Crisp takes the Ringgold reigns. The Tigers roar into our 30-in-30 spotlight. Austin Crisp may be Ringgold’s new head coach, but he has been on the Tigers staff for six seasons, so it feels…

Local Pitchers Scheduled To Face The Chattanooga Lookouts
Sports - Local Sports News

Local Natives Logan Workman and Cole Wilcox Set to Pitch Against the Chattanooga Lookouts

Rick Nyman,

When the Chattanooga Lookouts strike up their six game series Tuesday with the Montgomery Biscuits at AT&T Field, we might see a lot of fans rooting against Chattanooga. That’s because Montgomery features some local flavor. Former Soddy Daisy pitcher Logan Workman and former Heritage pitcher Cole Wilcox. They’re both starting pitchers for the Biscuits, the double-a affiliate for the Tampa…

Photo Jul 20 2023 4 03 49 Pm
Featured, Local News, Meigs County

Meigs County Drainage Issue Causing Dispute

Nick Hill,

Flooding last Thursday in Ten Mile caused by a faulty drainage. (Courtesy: Zach England) TEN MILE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last week’s heavy rains caused flooding in parts of the Tennessee Valley. However for one Meigs County town, they say this has been an ongoing problem. The community of Ten Mile sits along Watts Bar Lake on Highway 304. The area has…
Featured, Health, Local News

Hamilton County Health Department offering back to school shots

Caleb Figgures,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Health Department is encouraging back to school immunizations.  This is to ensure children are up-to-date with their shots.  “Remember children are going to be together on the bus, the playground, and in the classrooms. It is a chance or an opportunity to spread different infectious diseases.  These vaccinations will help protect them against that.”…

Hamilton County 911 District
Featured, Local News

Apple watch helps 911 operator rescue victim

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)– Good intentions can lead to mixed results. Smart watches are making headlines due to both false emergency calls, and life-saving results. In recent years, Apple has included technology on iPhones and Apple watches that can detect when a user falls or is involved in an auto crash. It’s meant to call 911 when the owner of the…

Glow in the dark sharks
Featured, Local News

Glow in the dark sharks hatching at the Tennessee Aquarium

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Shark week returns, and in celebration, the Tennessee Aquarium announced new shark species that are hatching. These sharks ‘glow’ in the deep and can be seen with black light. Senior Aquarists view the animals with yellow tinted glasses. “With shark week, mostly the big scary sharks get all the press. But these little guys, they’re really…

Truck Fire
Dade County, Featured, Local News

Watermelons destroyed in truck fire

WDEF News,

DADE COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A truck hauling watermelons caught on fire Sunday night, according to Haletown Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department responded to the truck fire just after 10:30 p.m. The truck had caught on fire on I-24 Westbound at mile marker 167. Multiple agencies also assisted in extinguishing the fire. No one was injured. However, the truck…

Dunlap Rescue 8
Featured, Local News, Sequatchie County

Injured hiker rescued on Dayton Mountain

WDEF News,

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — A female hiker got lost in the “Pocket” state park area of Dayton Mountain and was rescued, according to the Dunlap Fire Department. She called for help Sunday night around 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central Time). The fire department said she was lost and injured in the park while hiking. Multiple agencies responded to assist via…

american flag
Featured, Local News

Ninth annual American Heroes Dinner held to support veterans

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Convention Center recently held the ninth annual dinner to honor American Heroes.  General John F. Kelly, USMC (Ret.) was the keynote speaker, benefitting the Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation. “The advice I’d give all Americans is that we should never ever ever forget what their military service members, veterans have done for them and for…

Chattanooga Public Library and Chattanooga Zoo
Featured, Local News

‘Adventure Days at the Zoo’ kicks off in Chattanooga

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four times a year, children 18 years and younger will be able to get into the Chattanooga Zoo for free with their library card. The Chattanooga Public Library provides outreach activities for four hours during the scheduled events. On Sunday morning, the first day of “Adventure Days at the Zoo” was held from 9 a.m. to…

Hillside Baptist Church
Featured, Local News

‘Count it all Joy’ conference held for church families

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hillside Baptist Church held their fifth annual special needs/care family conference on Saturday. Pastor Steve Cape has spent 25 years at the church and has reached many families with special needs because of his daughter, Heather.  Heather Cape has suffered for 29 years with only one-half of her brain. The family uses her story as a…

Shoes For School
Featured, Local News

Eighth annual ‘Shoes for School’ event held at Miller Park

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Students are getting ready to go back to school and are starting to check off their supply lists. With rising costs for students, it can be hard to provide. Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC) hosted its eighth annual Shoes for School initiative on Saturday morning.  They partnered with local organizations to host the event at…

Chattanooga Football Club Announces New Ceo
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News, Sports

Chattanooga Football Club announces new CEO

Caleb Figgures,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Football Club (CFC) has announced Alton Byrd as its new CEO. Byrd has been in the sports and branding market for over 30 years. He has experience in European basketball, head coaching and entrepreneurship. His focus is to grow the club and invest more resources in the community. “I think first you start with people….

Heavy Rains May Have An Impact On Power Bills
Featured, Local News

Heavy Rains May Lower Power Bills

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The recent heavy rains could have an impact on your power bill. Areas of the Tennessee Valley have seen up to 3 to 4 inches of rain since Thursday morning on top of previous storm systems. All of this water that goes into local creeks and streams eventually ends up in the Tennessee River. A higher…