Growing the economy through agriculture industry
With new technologies and local support, Georgia is advancing in helping the agriculture industry.
Salvation Army asks for help in ‘Beat the Heat’ program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — As temperatures reach summer highs, many are turning to The Salvation Army for relief from the heat. Through the ‘Beat the Heat’ program, Salvation Army has partnered with local organizations to give out free resources to help those in need. Box fans, cooling towels, and ice packs are just some of the items they are in…
More to the Story with Staley: New Wheeler Ballfield
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It was a ball field many years ago. Then it became just a field. But now, thanks to a lot of hard work by a lot of good folks, it’s a ball field again. The Emma Wheeler Homes in South Chattanooga have a baseball field! After years of having only an empty pasture. The baseball vibe…
Roper Corporation celebrates 50-year anniversary with $118 million investment
LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) – Roper Corporation is celebrating their 50-year anniversary of producing cooking products. GE Appliances recently invested $118 million toward the plant’s newest manufacturing technology. “We have invested more in the last six years than any other appliance company,” said Luther Ingram, President and Executive Director of Roper. “More than $2 billion in new products, technology, manufacturing and…
Local Church Holding Special Needs Conference Saturday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Hixson church is looking to raise awareness with a special needs conference this weekend. Pastor Steve Cape and his wife Wanda have led Hillside Baptist Church on Dayton Boulevard for 25 years. For that entire time, their daughter Heather has been battling a cascade of serious medical issues. Mrs. Cape said, “When Heather was nine years…
Report: Lake Winnie not at fault in waterslide injury
ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — The state of Georgia completed their investigation into the child injury at Lake Winnepesaukah on July 4. The report explains that Lake Winnie was not at fault. The 5-year-old was riding the double tube on the Twist N Shout slide with his father when he fell off the tube, out of the flume and onto the…
Chattanooga Among Five Proposed Tech Hubs Across State
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A group of area businesses and startup ventures will be receiving outside help. LaunchTN announced they are endorsing five tech hub proposals across the state through the United States Economic Development Administration’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program. These programs are designed to encourage the growth of the state’s tech sector. One of the five hubs is…
Gov. Lee visits Chattanooga to sign transportation bill
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Governor Bill Lee was in Chattanooga Tuesday to sign the Tennessee Transportation Modernization Act. It’s a piece of legislation centered around roads, which take you where you need to go. The signing happened at the Apison Pike reconstruction project. “Transportation is one of those government services that virtually every person in Tennessee takes advantage of and…
Central Moving Veteran Quarterback Ronye Watson to Receiver
Central has made the playoffs the last two years. And to try and keep the post-season train going, the Purple Pounders made a position change for one of their best players. The central question for Central. How do you replace stud receiver Donovan Smith? Answer is simple. Slide athletic quarterback Ronye Watson over to wideout. Said Watson:”Felt like it was…
New Renderings and Update Given on South Broad Stadium
A rendering of the new South Broad Stadium. (Courtesy: South Broad Project) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The master developer for the South Broad Stadium unveiled new renderings today. In front of a packed Chattanooga City Council planning meeting, Jim Irwin presented the new renderings of the South Broad Stadium. The renderings show what the stadium would look like as the existing…
Soddy-Daisy Teen Saves Family After Tree Falls on Them
The remains of the tents crushed by a tree in Soddy-Daisy on July 1. (Courtesy: Harvey Family) SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A young man in Soddy-Daisy is being hailed as a hero. Colton Harris, who is about to begin high school, was camping with his family on July first on Soddy Lake. That afternoon, a severe thunderstorm rolled into the area,…
Chattanooga air quality index reaches code red again
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Tuesday morning, the air quality index reached a code red alert for fine particles. The index was considered to be in the unhealthy range. The Chattanooga-Hamilton Co. Air Pollution Control Bureau updates air quality reports daily. “The way that we are sitting in between the hills and the mountains, it’s said for trapping the hot…
HCOEM recognized as ‘Weather Ready Nation Ambassador’
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The National Weather Service recognized the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (HCOEM) as a “Weather Ready Nation Ambassador.” Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors strengthen partnerships with local organizations and community in the face of increasing vulnerability during extreme weather and water events. HCOEM created several ways to notify the public in case of…
Humane Educational Society hosts 2nd animal summer camp
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Recently children got to spend quality time with four legged friends at Animal Hero Camp. The Humane Educational Society’s (HES) Animal Hero Summer Camp started Monday, July 17 and runs through July 28. Southern Adventist University is sponsoring the camp. Kids can learn all things animals, such as how to take care of them if they…
Mom to Mom – Squirt Gun Painting
Today, on Mom to Mom, we’re going to help your kiddos out with that summertime boredom. If your kids are already bored this summer, we’ve got the perfect activity for them… squirt gun painting! So, all you’re going to need for this is an easel, some watercolor paper, some watercolor paints, and some squirt guns. So, all you have to…
Baylor Working Hard to Defend State Title
Baylor won the state title last year in Erik Kimrey’s first season as head coach. It’s never easy to repeat, but it certainly helps the cause when you have two potential SEC players returning on offense. News 12’s Brian Armstrong shines the 30-in-30 spotlight on the Baylor Red Raiders. Second year Baylor head coach Eric Kimrey has a tough act…
New Hope Firefighters Resign and Say Mayor is Undermining them
NEW HOPE, Tenn. (WDEF) – A group of firefighters in Marion County have had enough of what they say is mismanagement by their town’s mayor. New Hope is a community of under a thousand people just across the Tennessee River from South Pittsburg. Like many other small communities in our area, they have relied on a volunteer fire department for…
Coolidge Park fountains closed this week for repairs
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –This week, you will have to find somewhere else to cool off. Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors says the Coolidge Park fountains will be closed for repairs during the week. Contractors and electricians are on-site to install new electric panels and rewire the system. These repairs are in response to a recent water pump failure, as well as…
Local law enforcement prepares for ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Operation slow down focuses on informing the public of safe driving techniques and enforcing speed limits. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Georgia State Patrol are working to enforce safety in the region. “We’re asking the drivers in this state, and in this region, to do one thing. Think about others when you drive. That the very…
More to the Story with Staley: Soccer Boom
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Is soccer growing in America you ask? Check this out from Sunday night. Lionel Messi was introduced to the MLS fans in Miami. One of the greatest to ever play the game is taking his skills to South Florida. And just like that, Messi’s pink #10 jersey will be the hottest item on the sports market…
United Way of Chattanooga currently recruiting for tutoring program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The United Way of Chattanooga’s tutoring program is currently looking for tutors. Tutors will provide literacy and math assistant to students in Hamilton County. This is to help students accelerate in their learning. This program offers educational support to students from 1st through 8th grade. Adults and students are eligible to apply to be tutors. “We…
Phase 2 of I-24/I-75 split underway in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has started Phase 2 of construction near the I-24 and I-75 split. Ramps to Moore Road and Belvoir Avenue were the first things to close. That can make getting where you’re going in East Ridge and Brainerd a bit of a challenge. “So, in regard to the noise, we are…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Fund for Teachers
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The best educators never stop learning. Fund for Teachers gives them a chance to focus on their subjects with leading experts around the globe. Dan D. Challener is the President of the Public Education Foundation. He explains, “Through a partnership with Fund for Teachers, the Public Education Foundation is able every year to offer summer learning…
Fuzzy invasion of domestic rabbits has a Florida suburb hopping into a hunt for new owners
By TERRY SPENCER; Associated Press
WILTON MANORS, Fla. (AP) — When Alicia Griggs steps outside her suburban Fort Lauderdale home, Florida’s latest invasive species comes a-hoppin’ down the street: lionhead rabbits. The bunnies, which sport an impressive flowing mane around their heads, want the food Griggs carries. But she also represents their best chance of survival and moving where this domesticated breed belongs: inside homes,…