Tyre Nichols
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga to host Town Hall Meeting discussing police reform

National Panhellenic Council of Chattanooga to present meeting, Police Chief Celeste Murphy to serve as guest speaker
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — In light of Tyre Nichols’ shocking death, one of Chattanooga’s leading public officials is ready to sit down and talk about what transpired with the community. The Chattanooga Police Department posted on social media Tuesday that Police Chief Celeste Murphy will be the guest speaker for a public Town Hall Meeting on Monday, February 6. Members of…

Vols
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UT Vols

Vols Guard Zakai Zeigler on Top of His Game After Benching Earlier This Season

Rick Nyman,

After Tennessee’s loss to Colorado in November, head coach Rick Barnes benched guard Zachai Zeigler. No soup for you. You’re not starting. Zeigler got the message. Now coach Barnes can’t stop raving about his point guard, who is the reigning SEC player of the week. How good has Zakai Zeigler been lately? Simply the best according to head coach Rick…

Golden Apple Award
Chattanooga, Education, Golden Apple Award, Local News

Golden Apple Award: Boyd Buchanan’s Bonnie Ray

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – The best teachers are interested in their students’ lives outside the classroom. Boyds Buchanan’s Bonnie Ray has been known to show up at her kids’ sporting events and recitals. It’s all part of her holistic approach to teaching. That earned Ms. Ray the Golden Apple Award. Stacy Ridley is the Lower School Division Head at Boyd…

Wamps
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Wamps Unveil Trash Pickup Program

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and District Attorney Coty Wamp came together to announce a new initiative to help clean up Hamilton County roads. The Wamps along with County Commissioner Jeff Eversole held a press conference this afternoon to announce that they plan to double the amount of community service assignments and miles of trash picked…

Tennessee Titans Logo Primary
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - TN Titans

Titans Switching to Artificial Turf at Nissan Stadium

Rick Nyman,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are tearing up the grass field at Nissan Stadium and replacing it with a synthetic surface before the 2023 season. The Titans announced the change Tuesday. The team, which already has started work, is making the change after reviewing injury rates and knowing how difficult it is to grow grass at Nissan Stadium since it…

William Gilberto Gaspar Mateo
Crime, Dalton, Featured, Local News, Whitfield County

Dalton man guilty of child rape

He was convicted of raping a six-year-old
WDEF News,

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Whitfield County jury has found a Dalton man guilty of raping a six-year-old child. William Gilberto Gaspar-Mateo, 37, showed no remorse according to Judge Wilbanks. He believes the man was a risk to the community’s children. Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks sentenced Gaspar-Mateo to serve the remainder of his life in prison. Whitfield County…

Notre Dame Rallies To Beat Csas 62 59
Sports - Local Sports News

Notre Dame Rallies to Beat CSAS 62-59

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Notre Dame rallied from a 10 point halftime deficit to beat CSAS 62-59 on Monday night. Cole McCormick paced the Irish with a game high 29 points. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Beats, CSAS, game. local sports, High School Basketball, local sports news, Notre Dame, Sports

Cleveland Introduces Chandler Tygard As New Football Coach
Sports - Local Sports News

Cleveland Welcomes Chandler Tygard as New Head Football Coach

Rick Nyman,

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Cleveland introduced new head football coach Chandler Tygard on Monday. He was the head coach at Blackman in Murfreesboro the last two seasons. Tygard believes the Blue Raiders have what it takes to be a championship program. What a welcome to Cleveland for Chandler Tygard. He’s definitely not in Murfreesboro anymore. Said Tygard:”I walked into Panera just for…
Featured, Local News, Walker County

Three dead in Walker County following fentanyl overdose

Sheriff Steve Wilson advises community to take caution; report drug seller
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Monday afternoon, the Walker County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that three people in the Kensington community passed away from a fentanyl overdose. Sheriff Steve Wilson then addressed his community promoting safety, saying that too many lives have already been lost to the drug. Wilson identified the deceased as Carla Joann Quillen, Donald Ray Wallin and Kevin Leroy Walker. While…

Back To Back Teen Carjackings Get Community's Attention
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Back-to-back teen carjackings get community’s attention

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Separate groups of teens committed unrelated carjackings this weekend almost back-to-back. But organizations like the Bethlehem Center are fighting back – or rather, fighting for. The Bethlehem Center says this is their mission: “Inspired by the gospel, we build lasting relationships with Chattanooga’s youth and families by encouraging spiritual growth, education, and leadership development.” The Bethlehem…

Whats Right 1280x720 1
Chattanooga, Education, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right with Our Schools: Lana’s Love Foundation at Boyd Buchanan

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lana’s Love Foundation is a on mission to help families fighting cancer, one cup of lemonade at a time. Lana was a student at Boyd Buchanan, now her schoolmates are honoring her life through an inspiring example of what’s right with our schools. Sarah Wright teaches 4th grade at Boyd Buchanan. She says, “So, we’ve been…

Ooltewah
Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Ooltewah

Ooltewah shooting leaves two in critical condition

WDEF News,

UPDATE: Ooltewah-Georgetown Road has reopened. OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — Two women are in critical condition after being shot in Ooltewah on Monday, according to police. Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett said the suspect is not in custody at this time. Police are still searching for the suspect. The shooting occurred at 6405 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road. The location is close to I-75…

605 Merriam St
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga woman’s death being investigated as homicide

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A woman was found dead inside a home last Thursday, according to police. They are currently ruling the death as a homicide. The Chattanooga Police Department said they received a call that a woman was unconscious at 605 Merriam St. near Northshore. Police found Angela Young, 48, with gunshot wounds. CPD said she was unresponsive when…

Ball With A Vol
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UT Vols

Ball with a Vol

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Tennessee Basketball Player Josiah-Jordan James made the trip from Knoxville to Chattanooga to participate in Ball with a Vol. James played Basketball Knockout with kids then were able to talk and get autograph and a photo with him. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UT Vols Tags: college men’s basketball, community, local sports news, Sports,…

Robertmillsfire
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

House Destroyed in Fire in Falling Water

Nick Hill,

A home at 825 Robert Mills Road on fire Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy: Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department) HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF)- Dallas Bay Firefighters responded to a house fire Saturday afternoon. The fire was at 825 Roberts Mill Road in the Falling Water community. Firefighters say they responded to the home shortly after 4:30 p.m. Saturday and found the home completely…

Triongasleak
Chattooga County, Local News

Gas Leak Resolved in Trion

Nick Hill,

Trion firefighters responding to a gas leak. (Courtesy: Trion Fire Department) TRION, Ga. (WDEF)- The Trion Fire Department in Chattooga County had to respond to a gas leak Sunday afternoon. Firefighters say a four inch supply gas line was leaking at the intersection of India Drive and Jason Drive. That area had to be shut down for repairs, but has…

East Lake
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

East Lake Community Center Reopens After Renovations

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – East Lake Community Center celebrated it’s grand re-opening after it had been closed for over three years. Mayor Tim Kelly and City Councilwoman Roquetta Dotley cut the ribbon. This renovation is the investment people have been waiting for. Dotley said the people are “ready to see their community be brought into the forefront.” Edward Curtis said…

Georgia Auburn Football
Sports - Georgia Bulldogs, Sports - Local Sports News

Georgia’s Bennett arrested in Texas for public intoxication

Brian Armstrong,

DALLAS (AP) — Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to their second straight national championship, was arrested early Sunday after police said he was intoxicated and banging on doors. Bennett, 25, was charged with public intoxication and taken to the city detention center, Dallas police said. Police said that at about 6:10 a.m., officers responded to reports of…

Fatal Crash
Featured, Local News, McMinn County

Driver dies in McMinn County Crash

Nick Hill,

NIOTA, Tenn. (WDEF)- One person is dead after a crash that occurred in McMinn County on Friday. A crash report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol says that a tractor trailer was traveling westbound on Highway 68 shortly before 6 Friday evening. The report says a another vehicle pulled out in front of the truck at the intersection of Highway 68…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Brickuniverse Comes to Chattanooga

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Thousands of LEGO lovers gather at the Chattanooga Convention Center to see awe-inspiring creations. Brickuniverse USA is putting on the two-day event, displaying professional and amateur builds. On this tour, they have five featured artists from all over North America. Brickuniverse is calling this tour the “Inspire Tour.” “I hope it’s inspirational for people, you know?…