Menlo man sentenced to 17 years in prison after mobile home shooting

SUMMERVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Menlo man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after a mobile home shooting almost three years ago. On December 22, 2022, deputies with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a residence on Reece Street on reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, deputies located the victims involved in the incident, who identified…

Color Wheel opens class registration for the fall

Local artist, Harlan Lovestone joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as registration opens for his Fall 2025 ‘Remote Art and STEM/STEAM’ classes. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Developed through ArtsBuild’s Periscope Program, Color Wheel Learning is offering classes that combines art with STEM/STEAM. Students can start signing up now and receive a discount if they sign up before September 15. Classes will…

Rhea County investigating racist social media posts about Red Bank

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Rhea County Schools say there is an active investigation into a series of racially charged social media posts. The posts came from an Instagram account called @rheaco_barstool that has since been taken down.  One of the posts on the now deleted @rheaco_barstool Instagram account. There were several other posts that were racist in nature directed at…

Hamilton County launches new public records portal

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Hamilton County now has a new public records request system. Hamilton County Attorney Janie Varnell says her office has entered into an agreement with the Next Request Portal system to speed up public records requests. Varnell took over the County Attorney role last month from long-time attorney Rheubin Taylor. She says that previously before implementing this new…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Bethlehem Center STEAM Camp

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Best Buy is famous for its Geek Squad. Those same big brains recently visited Bethlehem Center to teach students how to solve tech problems, and that’s a timely example of “What’s Right With Our Schools”. “So today we’re happy to have a wonderful partnership with a few local organizations and a large national one, but we have…

Mother facing child abuse charges after hitting child with car at CGLA

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A mother is facing aggravated child abuse charges after hitting her child with a vehicle at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA). On Tuesday morning, August 19, CGLA’s School Resource Deputy (SRD) responded to reports of a student being struck in the parking lot by their mother’s car. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said the…

Polk County woman charged with murder after shooting boyfriend

POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Polk County woman is behind bars after allegedly shooting and killing her boyfriend. On Friday, August 22, 2025, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to 266 Grassy Creek Road in response to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies and EMS found 39-year-old Buell Cody Thomason deceased with an apparent gunshot wound to…

Madisonville woman dies after being struck by freight train in Dayton

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) —   A Madisonville woman is dead after being struck by a freight train over the weekend in Dayton. On Saturday, August 23, 2025, officers with the Dayton Police Department (DPD) responded to the 1300 block of Railroad Street for reports of a pedestrian struck by a freight train, Upon arrival, officers located the deceased female next to…

International Bacon Day is sizzling up August 30, giving food lovers everywhere another reason to celebrate

Chattanooga, TN-  (WDEF)- Celebrity Chef Marcel Cocit is sharing creative ways to enjoy the savory holiday, including bacon bouquets, edible straws, and even bacon-wrapped watermelon rinds. Chef Marcel says the goal is to make food fun, flavorful, and a little unexpected. “I’m always thinking of different ideas of what you can do with bacon,” Cocit said. “You can add it…

Traffic stop leads to drug and gun seizure in East Ridge

  EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) seized a sizeable amount of drugs and firearms following a traffic stop. ERPD stopped a white BMW near the Bachman Tunnels for a minor traffic violation. After further investigation, ERPD determined the two occupants of the vehicle were in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. Both Shawn Unruh…

Car Show Fills Chattanooga Pavilion

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Engines, chrome, and community spirit came together in Chattanooga today as the King of Chatt Car Show II filled the First Horizon Pavilion with cars, bikes, and family fun. The event, which ran from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., drew crowds from across the region and out of state.  Organizers featured more than 25 categories of…

Crash Survivor Chooses to Give Back

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Years after a devastating crash nearly claimed his life, Jeremy Ray Kell is turning his pain into purpose.  In May of 1996, at age 20, Kell was critically injured when his car left Highway 56 near the DeKalb-Warren County line, flipping several times before coming to rest.  He was airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga…

Behind the Curtain – Clumpies Ice Cream Co.

News 12’s Amelia Greer goes Behind the Curtain with Ashley Bottoms at Clumpies to learn how the popular local ice cream staple makes their delicious treats. For this collab, the duo got to make an exclusive News 12 This Morning pint inspired by breakfast items (featuring maple bacon)! *This batch will not be available in stores.  If you’re looking for some…

UTC Students Face Lockdown Scare

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga endured a frightening afternoon after receiving an emergency alert of a possible active shooter on campus.  The message, sent at 12:42 p.m., warned of a threat inside the University Center or the campus library and urged students to “Run, Hide, Fight.” Many students immediately locked doors and sheltered…

James Dobson, founder of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, dies at 89

Dr. James Dobson, a child psychologist who founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was a politically influential campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, died on Thursday. He was 89. His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. Dobson started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents and founded Focus on…