Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Local organizations receive Governor’s Awards of Excellence

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

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….
Chattanooga, Local News

Road Closures on the Way as South Broad is Redeveloped

WDEF News,

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…

Gary Wilkerson
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs, UTC

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
WDEF News,

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…
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UT Vols

Vols Ready to Kick Season Thursday Against Ball State

Rick Nyman,

(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…

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Chattanooga, Education, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

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

Andrew Harrison,

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…

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Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story With Staley: Forensic odontologist

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

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…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, US & World News

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
WDEF News,

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…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Avondale church hosts a block party

Orchard Knob Seventh-Day Adventist hosts a community fun day
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Nice weather made it a great time to have a block party. The Orchard Knob Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Avondale did just that. Several vendors were on hand to show local residents resources available to them. But, there was a LOT of other things available too… Parishioners and people who weren’t part of the church were able…

No Smoke Sunday
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

The final “No Smoke Sunday” has kids at Miller Park having fun

The idea of the event is to keep kids engaged and out of trouble over the summer
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The final “No Smoke Sunday” took place at Miller Park this afternoon. The event targets young people, with the idea that they can be engaged and active in a safe environment. News 12 saw close to two hundred kids taking part in the activities. Some played video games through a mobile unit, while others played flag football….

Troopers Treasures
Collegedale, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Volunteers & dog lovers help to “Raise the Woof” for a fundraiser

Trooper's Treasures held an event to help raise $10,000 for volunteer work and dog health maintenance
WDEF News,

COLLEGEDALE (WDEF) – Several dog owners and lovers went to The Commons to help raise funds for a dog rescue called Trooper’s Treasures. The event featured dog demonstrations, a silent auction, an adopter parade and a lot more. The pandemic made many dog rescues scale back on taking pets in or care for them, so this fundraiser had a lot…

Matt Blansett
Featured, Local News, Marion County

South Pittsburg, several law enforcement agencies mourn the loss of Marion County detective

Matt Blansett was laid to rest in somber ceremony at his old high school; a neighbor says his death means "Everybody's going to miss a friend. A best friend."
WDEF News,

SOUTH PITTSBURG (WDEF) – A somber day in South Pittsburg as the town and several agencies mourned Matt Blansett, a detective for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and a county commissioner. Blansett was one of two law enforcement officers killed in the helicopter crash earlier in the week. Several officers from across the state came to the local high school…

Howard Brainerd
Sports - Local Sports News

Brainerd beats Howard in penalty filled game

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Brainerd traveled to Howard in a Chattanooga rivalry and left the field 14-6 winners. Brainerd never trailed and lead most of the contest. The only thing more common than Brainerd leading was seeing yellow flags on the field as countless flags stalled or extended drives for both teams. Brainerd had two scores taken off the board due to…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

UTC restructures student veterans mentoring program

Program to assist student veterans, dependents, military spouses in school needs, transitions
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — UTC welcomed its students back earlier this week. But for one branch of its student body, the school is really stepping up to help them feel at home. UTC recently introduced its new Veteran and Military Affairs Student Ambassador Program, which is meant to serve as a “bridge” for veterans beginning life anew on campus. The program…
Chattanooga, Elections, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

Early Voting Begins for District 8 Runoff

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Beginning today, residents of District are invited to return to the polls to decide who will represent them on Chattanooga’s City Council. The election went to a runoff after none of the three candidates earned the fifty percent plus one majority required to win, confusing some members of the community. But now the race is between Marvene…

Eli Denton Big Leader For Walker Valley
Sports - Local Sports News

Eli Denton a Driving Force Behind Walker Valley’s Defense

Rick Nyman,

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) It doesn’t take long to recogn ize special, and Walker Valley’s Eli Denton is special on the defensive side of the ball. An All state linebacker last year he had over 100 tackles despite missing two game due to an injury. But in his senior year the defensive stand out has new responsibilities and already achieved new accomplishments….

Celeste Murphy
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

“Walk With Integrity”: Community leaders show support for Chattanooga’s police chief

The submission of 15 officers to the U.S. Attorney for "misrepresentation of facts" caused friction with the police union, and a "lack of confidence" vote
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The last week for Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy has been a trying one. After submitting the names of 15 officers to the U.S. Attorney for misrepresenting facts, the police union decried her actions, giving her a “lack of confidence” vote. Today, several leaders in the community came together on the steps of City Hall to say…

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Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley, Ooltewah

More To The Story: New Miss Tennessee Agriculture USA Queen is from Ooltewah

Dave Staley,

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) – “I’ve always been around agriculture. I grew up on a farm. And we had an orchard. And I love to ride horses too.” Right around a month ago, Ooltewah’s Christal Majestic found out the good news. She had looked on-line, and decided to enter the Miss Agriculture USA state competition. She won. She has the crown…

Mcminn County
Crime, Local News, McMinn County

Private school staff charged with solicitation of teen

One also charged with sexual assault by an authority figure
WDEF News,

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Authorities in McMinn County say two staff members of a private school near Athens have been arrested on sexual assault charges. 46-year-old Jason Kennedy is facing two counts of Sexual Assault by an Authority Figure and one count of Solicitation of a Minor. 28-year-old Brittany Branham is charged with one count of Solicitation of a Minor….
Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

Local economists analyze new student loan forgiveness plan

Chattanooga-based financial experts see both positives, negatives in Biden Administration's actions
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Many Americans are still celebrating Wednesday’s student debt cancellation announcement by President Biden. But not everyone is optimistic. Regarding the economy, one financial expert believes the consequences of debt forgiveness won’t be inflammatory, another does, but both believe that somehow — something needs to be done. UTC’s Dr. Bento Lobo says nearly 1-in-6 American adults carry some…
Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Health, Local News

Pro-choice rally held in Miller Park

Protests held in response to Tennessee enactment of Human Life Protection Act
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act went into effect Thursday, banning abortion across the state. This prompted a pro-choice rally Thursday night at Chattanooga’s Miller Park. One activist believes most people don’t understand how serious the new laws are and that these new laws could come at the cost of Tennesseans’ lives. “I think a lot of people…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

City Resolves to Evaluate Reassignment of 15 Officers over Alleged Untruthfulness

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Mayor Tim Kelly’s Office has reached a resolution with the Chattanooga Police Department to review the assignments of all policed officers alleged to have been less than truthful on the job. An internal committee of sworn officers will be brought together to evaluate violations allegedly committed by fifteen members of law enforcement. “This was a collaborative approach…