Dalton Tight End Jeffson Locke Commits to Army

Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) Dalton high school’s Jeffson Locke made an impression on the military academies, and will be playing football at Army. Not only is this a way for him to prepare for the future, it also allows him to honor his uncle who died in battle. News 12’s Brian Armstrong has his story. Jeffson Locke committed to Army to play…

Alzheimer’s Association celebrates new FDA approved drug

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Alzheimer’s Association is celebrating today! The Food and Drug Administration has fully approved a new Alzheimer’s drug.  “Leqembi is the name of the drug and we have been waiting and anticipating for it to be traditionally approved by the FDA,” said Senior Marketing Director Leslie Holland of the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association. “That approval came late Thursday evening…

Hamilton County man arrested with over $800,000 worth of narcotics

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County deputies arrested a man with over $870,000 worth of illegal narcotics and 12 firearms. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested 26-year-old Joshua Aaron Mills on Thursday, July 6. Joshua Mills (Courtesy: HCSO) HCSO deputies served a search warrant at 9740 West Ridge Trail Road in Soddy Daisy. Mills was at the…

Lake Winnie 911 call released after July 4 injury

ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — We continue to learn more about the tragedy that happened at the Lake Winnie SOAKya waterpark on July 4. Now authorities have released the 911 call between Lake Winnie management, EMS and 911 dispatchers. The call confirms the child did fall about 20 feet from the top of a waterslide. It also says the child fell…

TECH BYTE: Save on Tech on Amazon Prime Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Amazon Prime Day is coming up! It’s a great time to save on the company’s tech brands, and plenty of other products. Amazon Prime Day might be July 11 through 12, but you can already take advantage of plenty of deals now. Keep in mind, you do have to be a Prime member to participate in…

CFC Players May Give Joey Chestnut a Run For His Eating Chops

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The CFC are doing their Joey Chestnut imitation this season with the way they’re eating up the competition. Chattanooga is unbeaten in league play. And it sounds like the boys in blue have a few players who could serve as Joey Chestnut’s eating stunt double, especially around a Fourth of July party. News 12’s Brian Armstrong went on the…

National fried chicken day at Champy’s

CHATTANOOGA Tenn. (WDEF) – Thursday is national fried chicken day, and what better way to celebrate than with some fried chicken. “Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken” was just the place to go. Katie Raabe, manager at Champy’s, said “this store opened in 2009 and it was just our two owners and they ran this whole thing. They focused on fresh,…

CMA Fest Spotlight: Adam Doleac

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Country music artist Adam Doleac is staying busy this summer, cranking out lots of new music. News 12 caught up with him at CMA Fest, right after he released his latest song about his wife, “Biggest Fan.” “She’s always telling me – it’s kind of a joke between us – that she’s my biggest fan,” Doleac…

TWRA enforcing updated BUI Laws

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Many people enjoyed their holiday weekend on our local waterways. However, a relaxing day on the water can become a disaster in the matter of minutes. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says they are keeping close watch of Tennessee waterways. An updated BUI law, which just went into effect July 1, has two main changes….

CPD celebrates successful July 4, cracks down on DUI enforcement

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — With the Fourth of July holiday being over, officials with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) say they’re buckling down on DUI enforcement. Nearly one-third of deadly traffic accidents nationwide involve a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That adds up to about 11,000 deaths a year. Chattanooga police have come up with a proactive…

Animal Hero Summer Camp making return at HES

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families looking for one more summer activity have an option in Chattanooga. The Humane Educational Society (HES) is holding their second straight summer camp starting July 17. The camp gives kids a chance to learn all things about our four-legged friends. A cat up for adoption at the Humane Educational Society. They will get the chance…

Update: Lake Winnie reopens waterslide after child injury

UPDATE: Lake Winnie stated their Twist-N-Shout waterslide has reopened. Here is Lake Winnie’s most recent comment on the issue: “The State of Georgia today reinspected the Twist-N-Shout water ride in operation, including the rider tubes, the ride foundation, and signage and reopened it. Lake Winnepesaukah is a family amusement park that prides itself on a safe, welcome atmosphere.” EARLIER: ROSSVILLE,…

New Bible themed exhibit to be featured in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Cleveland Tennessee has a new tourist attraction on the horizon. It is an emerging children’s museum called Trek Thru Truth. “I think this is a major step forward for kids, it’s a legacy project, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Executive Director DeWayne Hamby said.  Trek Thru Truth will bring 52 stories of…

Bradley County Sheriff’s Office employees receive higher pay

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Starting Monday, employees of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office are receiving higher pay. According to the sheriff’s office, the starting salary for correctional officers is now $41,000 and $43,000 for patrol deputies. Current employees get a raise as well. “The plan also outlines step increases for an employee’s years of service with the agency,” they…

Judge rules Rheubin Taylor to remain Hamilton County Attorney

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Hamilton County judge ruled in favor of Rheubin Taylor in his case against Mayor Weston Wamp. When Mayor Wamp took office, he attempted to fire Taylor as County Attorney. The dispute has been ongoing since October 2022. But now, the Chancellor Jeffrey Atherton ruled that Taylor’s contract is still valid. His current four-year contract…

Goodwill celebrates 100 years in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Goodwill is celebrating 100 years of local service. They currently have 15 locations in the Chattanooga area.   “We started 100 years ago in the Chattanooga area and throughout these 100 years, we have been making sure people have what they need to be successful, survive, thrive,” said Emily McHenry, Chief Mission Integration Officer for Goodwill. “We…

Sheriff’s office identifies body found near West Fairmount Road

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) identified a body found last week near West Fairmount Road. Deputies found the body near the 2100 block of West Fairmount Road around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. They began investigating, and revealed the identity of the body on Wednesday. HCSO identified the body as Hamilton County resident Nathan Miles…

Hamilton County Fair gets a new look

MORE: The Hamilton County Fair has had its struggles over the past of couple of years. However, county leaders want to jumpstart a new era for the festivities. The past three Hamilton County Fairs have faced cancellations due to Covid-19 and weather. From 2019 and before, the fair was held at Chester Frost Park in Hixson. But now leaders believe…