LaFayette residents celebrate library with pie war

Local officials stress importance, relevance of community library

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) — From apple to rhubarb, pumpkin to peanut butter — Americans love their pie. On Wednesday night in LaFayette, nine neighbors ditched the forks and ate some face first for their local library. Nine local celebrities competed through the summer to see who could raise the most money for the Lafayette-Walker County Public Library. The winner’s prize…

County Mayor Jim Coppinger’s Final Term Comes to an End

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — At noon, the current Hamilton County Board of Commissioners adjourned for the last time. Beginning tomorrow, four commissioners will be replaced and two additional commissioners will be added to represent new Districts 10 and 11. Mayor Jim Coppinger will be succeeded by Mayor-elect Weston Wamp, and the board will need to appoint a new Chairman to replace…

Woman seriously burned at Rustic Village Apartment fire

Police recognize man who saved many residents from the flames

from Chattanooga Fire Dept,. CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A morning fire at the Rustic Village North Apartments has left a woman in critical condition. Firefighters got the call around 7:30 AM to the apartment complex off of Highway 58. They evacuated building 12 as soon as they arrived and saw the flames. They praised the efforts of Jimmy Franklin. He called…

National Overdose Awareness Day: Hamilton Co. Coalition is here to offer help

CHATTANOOGA, Tn (WDEF) – It is National Overdose Awareness Day, and the Hamilton County Coalition is making an effort to recognize and remember those effected on a local level. There have been more than 38-hundred overdoses reported to the Tennessee Department of Health so far this year. There were 114 recorded O-D’s in Chattanooga last year. Debra Clark is the…

Kane Brown Adds U.S. Shows to Upcoming Tour

Kane Brown performs at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga on May 7, 2022. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you missed him in Chattanooga in May, Tennessee Valley native and country music star Kane Brown has added some new dates to his Drunk or Dreaming tour. The first leg of it is overseas, and kicks off next month in Australia. The newly…

Chattanooga Mocs Diving Right Into New Season With SoCon Opponent

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga Mocs are diving right into the 2022 season this weekend. They’re opening with a conference opponent in Wofford. Luckily UTC will bring plenty of talent and experience into the match-up. Mocs are favored to win the SoCon this year. Head coach Rusty Wright says his team has looked like champs in camp. Said Wright: “I’m more excited to…

Local officials provide safety tips following black bear sighting

TWRA responded Monday to call of black bear near Collegedale Greenway

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Black bears have been making their presence known in local communities recently, spurring responses from local police and wildlife agencies. On Monday, the Collegedale Police Department tweeted a bear sighting near the Collegedale Greenway, advising residents to steer clear of the area. In wake of the incident, local officials have offered plenty of safety tips. Cpl….

Governor Lee Announces Measures to protect Tennessee Schools

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — In the wake of the June’s mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed executive order 97, providing additional resources to help parents, teachers, and law enforcement protect students. Now, Lee is outlining the effects of that order, beginning with thousands of families now using the SafeTN app, which allows users to anonymously report safety…

Schools confirm that a 6 year old was dropped at wrong location

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Department of Education has confirmed an investigation into a bus stop that left a six year old girl stranded in an unfamiliar location. Spokesperson for HCDE Steve Doremus confirmed the student was let off the bus at the incorrect bus stop on August 12th and the transportation hotline received a call 5 days later….

Suspect arrested for Food City fire

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Investigators have charged a suspect with setting the fire at a Food City entrance just after midnight on Sunday. The fire was set in a garbage can and a shopping cart display outside the 23rd Street grocery. Police and fire investigators arrested 47 year old Christopher Anthony Floyd on Monday night. No one was hurt by the…

Hamilton County, Erlanger sign memo of understanding

Erlanger Health System continues transition to 501 c3 nonprofit

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Hamilton County continues to move forward with Erlanger Medical Center’s transition from public to private. On Monday, both county and Erlanger officials met to sign a memo of understanding, getting Erlanger that much closer to transitioning into a 501 c3 nonprofit. Officials noted the importance Erlanger has in the region and that its transition will only benefit…

North Murray QB Seth Griffin Enjoys Phenomenal Night in Win Over Pickens

Chatsworth, GA-(WDEF-TV) North Murray senior quarterback Seth Griffin had a game for the ages last Friday against Pickens. He threw for 395-yards, and he ran for 178 with seven touchdowns. The Mountaineers needed every ounce of Griffin’s performance because they won the game 54-50. Said Griffin: “I heard the stats after the game, and I was shocked a little bit.”…

Local organizations receive Governor’s Awards of Excellence

Faith-based nonprofits recognized for work, service in local communities

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Gov. Bill Lee recognized several local organizations tonight with Governor’s Awards of Excellence. The awards highlight the work done by local faith-based communities and nonprofits. Some of the organizations awarded were Clinica Medicos, Signal Mountain Social Services, and Shepherd’s Arms Rescue Mission Chattanooga, among others. They were recognized for working with seniors, healthcare, housing, children, and more….

Road Closures on the Way as South Broad is Redeveloped

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Multiple lanes of traffic were blocked on Broad Street on Monday for a median repair beneath I-24. Obstruction of traffic was minor, but residents can expect much larger scale projects redirecting traffic in the next couple of years. The South Broad Redevelopment is expected to bring much more traffic to the area. To accommodate that traffic, all…

UTC professor uses virtual reality to shine light on the reality of concussions

Gary Wilkerson says concussions may be a reason for more ankle and knee injuries

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – High school football started a couple of weeks ago. College’s Week 1 begins Thursday. The Vols take on Ball State September 1st, and the Mocs face Wofford on Saturday. Football brings out more ankle and knee injuries. One graduate professor at UTC says many of those might actually be due to concussions. Gary Wilkerson is a graduate…

Vols Ready to Kick Season Thursday Against Ball State

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Game week has arrived on Rocky Top as the Tennessee football team kicks off the 2022 campaign Thursday night in Neyland Stadium. After a month of fall camp and preseason training, the squad has begun implementing game preparations for the long-awaited season opener against Ball State. In his weekly Monday press conference, Josh Heupel updated the media on…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Barger Academy of Fine Arts

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Creativity is an essential part of the curriculum at Barger. Talented students can pursue their passions in dance, drama, music and visual mediums. Juana Wilson-Roberts is the Fine Arts Facilitator at Barger. She says, “Welcome to the Barger School of Fine Arts. Well, Barger is the only Fine Arts Elementary School in Hamilton County. We offer…

More To The Story With Staley: Forensic odontologist

He moved from dentistry to crime solving and is still doing it at 85

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – He’s an 85 year old gentleman. Sitting alone in his room. On his computer. He’s a retired doctor. But in a sense, he’s still working. He lives right here. At this assisted living facility in Chattanooga. But Dr. Mike Sobel is not your regular kind of doctor. You see, he is a forensic odontologist. He’s a dentist, who…

Local man drops everything to help train Ukrainian citizens to fight the war with Russia

Kraig French is part of the Tactical Aid Group, which trains citizens for military combat

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – August 24th marked the six-month mark of the war between Russia and Ukraine. It caused havoc in America with supply chain issues and a rapid increase in the price of gasoline. But, overseas, a lot more damage was done. According to the New York Times, here’s what the war has cost Ukraine and Russia… Nearly 56 hundred…