UTC Women Grab Sole Possession of First Place After Beating Furman 70-63

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattanooga broke out the pink Thursday night in its Breast Cancer Awareness game and came away with a 70-63 win over Furman and sole possession of first place in the Southern Conference women’s basketball standings. The Mocs hit first and hard getting out to a 10-1 lead to start the game and led wire-to-wire. UTC kept…

School board members discuss state student retention law

Hamilton County board members understand accountability behind student performance, yet view law as strict

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County school board members voted Thursday night on a resolution that would have impacted the retention of local students based on their reading abilities. Five school board members voted in favor, and three opposed, to a non-binding resolution asking the Tennessee legislature to return decisions on the retention of its students back to the…

Puppies abandoned in Bledsoe County

PIKEVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four puppies were abandoned on the side of a road in Bledsoe County. Volunteers with Maringa Animal Sanctuary picked them up, but only one pups survived. “My first reaction is not again,” said Judy LaGrone, President of Maringa Animal Sanctuary. She says she sees animal abuse cases far too often. LaGrone went on, “We need help….

School board member posts rape joke

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Hamilton County school board member is under fire, and this isn’t her first time. Rhonda Thurman is known as someone who is heavily opinionated and not afraid to let her friends on Facebook know. Recently Thurman posted a Facebook status indicating that she was not a fan of our current President, stating “Joe Biden…

Probable Cause Found to Continue Murder Case Against Jason Chen

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Another hearing was held today for the man charged with criminal homicide in the November death of Jasmine Pace. Hamilton County Judge Larry Ables had to decide today whether or not there was enough probable cause in the case of Jason Chen to proceed forward towards a grand jury. Chen is charged with criminal homicide in…

Corrections officers stabbed while intervening in inmate attack

WARNING: Images may be graphic to viewers. HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — An inmate at the Silverdale Detention Center stabbed two corrections officers. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said the officers were trying to stop an inmate-on-inmate assault. The stabbing happened Thursday morning shortly before 3:30 a.m. HCSO said a corrections officer opened a cell door to deliver medication to…

TN National Guard identifies two killed in helicopter crash

Daniel Wadham and Danny Randolph were killed in the accident

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WDEF) — The Tennessee National Guard identified the two pilots killed in Wednesday’s helicopter crash. They said the accident happened during a training flight near Highway 53 in Madison County. Those killed in the crash were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wadham and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Danny Randolph. Wadham was from Joelton and Randolph was from Murfreesboro….

Suspect arrested in Sweetwater shooting

Liu Huerta. Courtesy: Sheriff Tommy Jones SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WDEF) — Wednesday night, Monroe County police arrested a suspect in the shooting of five people. Sheriff Tommy Jones released information regarding Huerta’s arrest. Liu Huerta faces three counts of attempted first degree murder, attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and the use of a firearm during a dangerous felony. Tommy…

From The Archives: 2013 Singles Awareness Day

The anti-Valentine holiday arrives in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — More than 20 years ago, high school student Dustin Barnes decided that those who didn’t have a Valentine should get a special day too. So, he created Singles Awareness Day at his school. Then he took it to Mississippi State. Now, it is an unofficial holiday all over the world. For our Thursday Throwback, we take…

Report findings show strong antisemitism in American South

Local, national Jewish community leaders encourage residents to speak out against Jew-centered hate

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — According to a report from the American Jewish Committee, antisemitism throughout the country has been found to be the strongest here in the South. The AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America report is meant to survey the nation’s stances on antisemitism, both from Jewish and non-Jewish Americans. According to the AJC’s report, “more Jews in the South…

No survivors in Huntsville helicopter crash

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WDEF) — A Black Hawk Helicopter crashed Wednesday afternoon near Huntsville, Alabama. CBS News reports that it belonged to the Tennessee National Guard. They said there were no survivors in the crash. CBS said the crash happened around 3 p.m. central time. It happened just off Highway 53 in Madison County. This was about 10 miles northwest of…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Cocoa Asante

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Valentine’s Day may be over, but we don’t need an excuse to have some good chocolate. Especially if it’s made by a Chattanooga company like Cocoa Asante. Let’s look at how they’re driving our economy forward. “Cocoa Asante is an artisan chocolate company where we handcraft chocolate bars in bonbons that are literally almost too pretty…

Affidavit reveals circumstances behind Valentine’s Day Murder

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A suspect is in custody after being charged with criminal homicide in Chattanooga on Valentine’s Day. Police responded to the Cypress Hill Courts yesterday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. to a report of shots fired. This has left a man dead. According to the police affidavit, the incident began far before yesterday afternoon. Chattanooga Police say 33-year-old…

Chattanooga Police Unveil New Training Simulator

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – At their press conference today, Chattanooga Police unveiled a new police driving training simulator. This is being housed inside of their headquarters on Amnicola Highway. The simulator allows trainees to simulate driving in emergency conditions in a variety of scenarios. It also can simulate the various types of police vehicles such as sedans, SUVs and motorcycles….

More to the Story with Staley: Rugby Inspiration

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Under the lights at Montague Park here in Chattanooga. That’s where these women gather. Twice a week. For at least two hours a session. Practicing with an egg shaped ball. The sport of rugby. It’s the ‘Nooga Queens. A club team, in only its second year of operation. And the momentum is growing! “Normally, getting a women’s…

New multi-sensory exhibit at TN Aquarium

The Ridges to Rivers exhibit features species from Southern Appalachian streams

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Aquarium will be opening a new exhibit on March 1. This new addition will allow visitors to see, hear and touch many species native to Southern Appalachia. The gallery is called Ridges to Rivers. It is replacing the Discovery Hall exhibits that date back to 2002. The featured aquatic life is native to the…

Mennonite family injured in buggy crash

from DeKalb County Daily News POWELL, Alabama (WDEF) – Four family members were injured in a buggy crash on Sand Mountain on Monday. Police say a car hit a horse drawn carriage driven by a Mennonite family in the Powell community. The DeKalb County Daily News reports the adults were seriously injured, but the children are in better shape. The horse…

Josh Owensby Resigns as Hixson Head Football Coach

Hixson head football caoch Josh Owensby is stepping down in order to take a job on the Soddy Daisy staff. Owensby coached the Wildcats for three seasons…getting Hixson to the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016. Owensby is also a former head coach at Bledsoe County. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Head Football Coach, Hixon High…

CARTA receives new board members through 2028

Eight new members appointed by Mayor Tim Kelly look to advance public transportation among city growth

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority is looking to “drive” its city transit forward. Some of CARTA’s newest board members received a round of applause after having their appointments confirmed by the city council Tuesday. In a press release, Mayor Kelly said that “these new appointments come at a pivotal time” as Chattanooga grows on and says…

Senior Callie White Provides Leadership and Spark For Northwest Whitfield

Tunnel Hill, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Northwest Whitfield girls basketball team went 8-2 in region play this season with just one senior on the team. Point guard Callie White. White helped the Bruins come up big, even though she’s usually the smallest player on the court. If you miss Callie White on the court, it might be understandable. Reporter:”How tall are you?”…

Damar Hamlin and American Heart Association challenge people to learn CPR

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Damar Hamlin and the American Heart Association are teaming up to challenge people to learn CPR. CPR saved Hamlin’s life after he experienced cardiac arrest during an NFL game on January 2nd. Now, he’s challenging people to learn the skill so they might be able to save someone’s life, too. it’s often up to a bystander…