Homeless Encampment
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Mayor Tim Kelly, City Council, address Airport Inn renovation plan

Remodeled inn would create more than 70 new permanent housing units for homeless residents
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — As Chattanooga’s homelessness rates continue to increase, the city is taking its next step to house those in need. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly asked the council Tuesday afternoon to support the revitalization of the, quote, “dilapidated” Airport Inn Motel off Lee Highway. This will all be done in an effort to turn a problematic facility into new homes…

Chris Ramsey Council Logo1 1
Chattanooga, Local News

Brainerd Community Center renamed for Chris Ramsey

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Brainerd Community Center now has a new name. It’s in honor of community leader, Chris Ramsey, Senior, who died from COVID in January of last year. He’s admired for his contributions to addressing health care disparities among Chattanooga’s minority community. Ramsey played a major role in creating the annual minority health fair. Community Development Administrator Tony…

TN Gov. Bill Lee announces coronavirus task force.
Featured, Local News

Governor Lee Announces $100 Million Crime Intervention Fund

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “Crime is the number one issue, by far, in America, and in Tennessee,” said State Senator Todd Gardenhire. Governor Bill Lee has launched a one hundred million dollar violent crime intervention fund. Law enforcement agencies are invited to apply for grants by proposing evidence-based applications of the funding. “One of the reasons for using grant funds like…

Golden Apple Award
Education, Golden Apple Award, Local News, Walker County

Golden Apple Award: Annaliese Cope, Chattanooga Valley Elementary

Andrew Harrison,

FLINTSTONE, GA (WDEF) – Students at Chattanooga Valley describe Annaliese Cope as pure sunshine. She routinely goes above and beyond to make her classroom a fun and loving place for students to grow. We shine a well-deserved light on Ms. Cope with this week’s Golden Apple Award. Heather Culberson is the Principal at Chattanooga Valley. When asked about Ms. Cope…

Internet troll sending mean comment to picture on an imaginary social media website with smartphone. Cyber bullying and bad behavior online concept.
Featured, Local News

HCHD recognizes October as National Bullying Prevention Month

WDEF News,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – October is National Bullying Prevention Month. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, nearly 50 percent of children ages 9 to 12 have been bulliedThousands of kids and teens experience bullying on a daily basis, and with a variety of social media platforms to access cyber bullying has never been more prevalent. The Hamilton County Health…

Walker County
Featured, Local News, Walker County

Walker County Town Hall promotes two upcoming developments

Chairman Shannon Whitfield, Sen. Jeff Mullis believe county residents will benefit in coming years
WDEF News,

WALKER COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — The Walker Co. Government hosted a town hall meeting tonight to discuss updates on two major community developments. Local politicians believe county residents will only benefit from them. County Chairman Shannon Whitfield says he’s heard from some in the community saying they still use dial-up modems for their internet. For that reason and more, Kinetic…

Chattanooga City Seal
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga begins week of youth-centered events

Events geared to create "safe spaces" and reduce violence during Fall Break
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Monday night kicks off a week of events geared toward Chattanooga youth during Hamilton County Schools’ Fall Break. The city’s interim director of community safety, Chris Sands, says an uptick in crime usually happens during the scheduled time off. He says Chattanooga wants to provide “safe spaces” for kids to combat the yearly trend. The city, itself,…

Capture
Featured, Local News, Murray County

RV Explodes in Murray County

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — An RV exploded this morning at 411 River Rest Campground in Murray County. According to the campground manager, two people were injured — both of whom were owners of the RV. “They were up and trying to start their breakfast, and the story we get from them was, you know they’re… something happened. He was trying to…

Gatlinburg Fire
Regional News

Body found a day later in rubble of Gatlinburg fire

Building holding several shops was damaged on Gatlinburg Parkway
Collins Parker,

GATLINBURG, Tennessee (WDEF) – Officials now say a Sunday fire in Gatlinburg was deadly. It broke out Sunday early morning at a building on Gatlinburg Parkway that housed several shops, including Puckers Sports Bar, China Bazaar, Cafe 420, and Gifts of Gatlinburg. The blaze shut down part of the Parkway for awhile and you could see the smoke for miles….

Davis Lundy 2
Collegedale, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Davis Lundy resigns as Mayor Wamp advisor after DUI arrest

Collins Parker,

COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) – A top advisor for County Mayor Weston Wamp has resigned after an arrest in Collegedale last week. Davis Lundy was charged with DUI, open container and marijuana possession. He was pulled over by a Collegedale officer Thursday night around 11PM. The officer said he followed Lundy’s Jeep from Little Debbie Parkway to Apison Pike. The officer…

Screenshot 20221010 164829 Gallery
Featured, Local News

New 178 I-24 East exit now open

WDEF News,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – If you do much driving in downtown Chattanooga, you are no stranger to roadwork and having to navigate around it. TDOT now wants to make motorists aware of a newly completed exit that will help maneuvering around the Scenic City be a little easier As part of the I 24 Interstate Improvements Project, a new traffic…
Chattanooga, Featured, Health, Local News

Doctor Recommends “Baseline” Breast Cancer Screening at 35

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — For thirty-seven years, October has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month, calling attention to a disease that will affect as many as one in eight women in their lifetime. According to Dr. Stephen Greer of the University of Tennessee Medical Association, early diagnosis is key to treating the disease. “Early detection makes such a key difference. We can…

Songbirds
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga launches city-wide Music Census

Surveys serve to make positive impact on those working in local music industry
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Scenic City is working to boost its music industry. Today, the Chattanooga Tourism Company, city leaders, and ArtsBuild organization announced the launch of the Chattanooga Music Census. Donna Harrison, Chattanooga’s cultural tourism director, says the census provides a voice for local musicians to be heard all throughout the city. The city has a deep chapter in…

Black Firefighters
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

More To The Story with Staley: Firefighters Gala

Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Bessie Smith Cultural Center on MLK Boulevard will be a “happening” place come November the 5th. As the Net Resource Foundation is partnering with the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters…..the IABPFF…..to host a fundraising event, featuring food and live music. The firefighters group itself was founded back in 1972. It now wants a stronger presence in…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Amazon Prime Early Access Sale

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s not too early to start your Christmas shopping. Amazon Prime Days are back! The website wants to keep you from putting off your holiday shopping this year. It’s launching a new Prime Early Access Sale on October 11 and 12. And yes, you do have to be a Prime member to participate. Amazon says this…

Bradley Central Over Ooltewah 45 0
Sports - Local Sports News

Bradley Central Blanks Ooltewah 45-0

Rick Nyman,

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Bradley Central had five different players score touchdowns…in the first half against Ooltewah. The Bears cruised to an easy 45-0 victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Bradley Central, local sports, Ooltewah, school, school sports, sports news

novonix
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

NOVONIX begins Future Ready Institute at Lookout Valley High School

Company President hopes student learning will help grow Chattanooga workforce
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Students at Lookout Valley High School are being presented with what local and state officials are calling an extraordinary opportunity — the chance to enter the workforce in an emerging field right from the comfort of their own campus. NOVONIX President Daniel Deas and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly expressed how excited they were tonight for students at…

Mocs Begin Basketball Practice
Sports - Local Sports News

New Mocs Coach Dan Earl Digging First Day of Practice

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Mocs basketball team held their first practice of the year Thursday. UTC features a new head coach in Dan Earl, who arrived from VMI. Joining Earl from VMI is 7-footer Jason Stephens. That’s called a nice addition to the team. For a new coach, gotta love starting practice earlier than the old days. Said Earl:”It has kind…

Herschel Walker Statement
Featured, Government & Politics, Regional News

Herschel Walker’s response to the abortion allegation

Senate candidate reads statement to the media at a campaign stop
Collins Parker,

WADLEY, Georgia (WDEF) – Senate Candidate Herschel Walker spoke to reporters for the first time today since allegations that the ani-abortion candidate actually paid a woman to get an abortion surfaced on Monday. He read a statement after an event in South Georgia on his “Unite Georgia Bus Tour.” The Daily Beast reported that Walker paid for an abortion for…

Cigna Building
Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Lower Grades at East Brainerd Elementary May Move to New Facility

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – 19 acres of property formerly owned by the Cigna corporation are being sold to Hamilton County for eight million dollars. There is a facility on the the property that will be used as a new school, taking 750 students from East Brainerd Elementary, which is currently overcrowded. “What you’re going to end up having happen in a…