Golden Apple Award: Kim Lockery, Nolan Elementary

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN (WDEF) – Recognizing each child’s unique strengths *and* challenges is crucial to helping them become the best students they can be. Kim Lockery does that every day, with a smile. He classroom might be the coziest place at Nolan Elementary. Ashley Aldridge Wilson is the Principal at Nolan. She says, “Ms. Lockery is a gift for children….

Hamilton County elementary teacher arrested for sexually abusing students

UPDATE: Sanders is now booked at the Hamilton County Jail on a $1.3 million bond. All information related to Sanders on Wallace A. Smith Elementary School’s website has been scrubbed. OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — Police have arrested a teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School for sexually abusing students. Duane Sanders was a first-grade teacher at the Hamilton County school,…

YMCA’s Y-CAP expands to Brainerd

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The YMCA has expanded their Community Action Program (Y-CAP) into Brainerd. The new Y-CAP location is at the Chris L. Ramsey Community Center on North Moore Road. The YMCA said this new expansion will help at-risk youth turn away from violence and substance abuse. It will allow them to embrace sustainable behavior and positive opportunities….

North Carolina doctor faces even more sexual misconduct charges

Grand Jury indicts Dr. Thomas Vann Clayton on 16 counts

MURPHY, NC (WDEF) – A Grandy Jury in the Murphy area has indicted a doctor on a variety of sexual misconduct charges. 66-year-old Dr. Thomas Vann Clayton faces 16 felonies in all. They involve Human Trafficking, Forcible Sexual Offense and nine instances of Sexual Contact or Penetration Under Pretext of Medical Treatment. The list of charges has grown since Cherokee…

Siskin Hospital raises money to help uninsured patients

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Siskin Hospital held their 20th annual Possibilities Luncheon today at the Convention Center. Victoria Arlen was the keynote speaker of the event. She shared her inspiring story of how she overcame a four-year vegetative state and regained the ability to speak, see, eat and walk. During the event, supporters could also donate to a fund that…

Two Story Bar Called ‘The Howl’ Highlights Upgrades at Red Wolves Stadium

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Red Wolves open another season on Saturday as they host the Colorado Hailstorm. If you head out to CHI Memorial Stadium, you might notice more upgrades at the Wolf Den. Said Red Wolves General Manager Sean McDaniel:”I’ve often described what we do as live dinner theater.” And like a good theater production, season four of the Red…

Update to Regions Bank robbery, shooting

UPDATE:  The Chattanooga Police Department issued a statement on why there is no imminent threat to the community: Some of you have asked why it has been stated there’s no threat to the community. In this instance, related to the bank robbery, we had no indications showing the gunman was still in the area or at large presenting an immediate…

Chemical reaction causes explosion in apartment building

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A person spraying chemicals with no ventilation resulted in a small explosion at an apartment building on Monday. The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to the incident at 10:45 a.m. They said someone was working on a vacant apartment at the Marina Pointe Apartments on Lake Resort Drive. CFD said that person was resurfacing a bathtub. Courtesy:…

Bradley County marks Bearettes Day

High School team wins state championship again over the weekend

  CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – This is Bearettes Day in Bradley County. The County Commission made it official this morning with a proclamation honoring the Bradley County women’s basketball team for winning another state title this weekend. They defeated Bartlett by nine points on Sunday. Bradley is no stranger to success. The Bearettes have more wins than any other school…

More to the Story with Staley: The Little Farmhouse

A look at the Creative Discovery Museum's newest exhibit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Creative Discovery Museum is one of the “Crown Jewels” of downtown Chattanooga. It’s been here for some 25 years, always coming up with something new. It’s the newest permanent addition to the Creative Discovery Museum. The name says it all: The Little Farmhouse. Specifically designed for kids, ages five and under. It just opened less…

Farmers Markets make a return to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s Farmers Market season in Chattanooga, and the River Market is in full swing this weekend! The markets grand opening of the year was March 11th and they will be open through October. Local vendors are glad to have these markets back and see their customers face-to-face. George Smith, “It’s really nice to get out in front…