Woman charged with murder over setting LaFayette Fire

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – A LaFayette woman is now behind bars after police say she intentionally set a fire at her apartment complex that killed a 19-year-old girl. 29-year-old Shennia Chambers is charged with first degree arson and murder in the death of 19-year-old Sierra Johnson. The fire happened Saturday night around 11 PM. Officials commended responders. They believe their efforts…

Juvenile laws favoring juveniles? County Mayor-elect believes so…

Weston Wamp says Saturday's altercation at Finley Stadium that led to the tasing of a 16-year-old alleged repeat offender is one example of that

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A source within the Chattanooga Police Department tells News 12 the teenager arrested for Saturday’s fight at Finley Stadium, was also involved in the shooting at Hamilton Place Mall last year. The 16-year-old in question reportedly pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Hamilton Place Mall one year ago this past Friday. He could have…

North Hickory Creek Development Raises Questions about Gas Pipeline, Traffic

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — On Wednesday, the Hamilton County Commission will vote on a rezoning request that will clear the way for several hundred new apartments being built off of Highway 58 and North Hickory Valley Road. But the request has garnered enormous resistance from residents in the area, over one thousand of whom have signed a petition in opposition to…

More To The Story with Staley: Reach One Teach One

Dave looks at the school supply fundraiser for students

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – They came together as they do every year. This year at Washington Hills Recreation Center. The annual “Reach One Teach One” school supply fundraiser. Supplying all types of school supplies to those in need in our underserved communities. Everything from pencils and notebooks, to back packs and school uniforms. Only this year, the organization partnered with several groups,…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Tango Flight at Cleveland High

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – What’s the neatest project you ever worked on in high school? Did you take apart a carburetor?Maybe snap together a bird house? Well, students at Cleveland High are building an airplane. Project Tango is a high flying example of what’s right with our schools. Dan Weyant is the Executive Director and Founder of Tango Flight. He…

TECH BYTE: Samsung Unveils New Phones, Earbuds

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Samsung is showing off two of its newest foldable smartphones in its fourth generation Galaxy Z series – the Flip4 and the Fold4. The tech company says the Flip4 has an upgraded camera experience, larger battery, and expanded customization, all while staying ultra compact. With FlexCam, the Flip4 lets you shoot hands-free video, and get group…

Lookouts fall Sunday 9-6

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Lookouts stark first thanks to a two run homer in the bottom of the second. That lead quickly vanished as the Lookouts couldn’t keep up with the Biscuits bats. The best chance for retaking the lead came in the bottom of the seventh when the bases were loaded with no outs, but the Lookouts only…

Cheerleader at Jamboree recounts her experience during chaos of tasing incident

A source at CPD says suspect in fight is a juvenile connected to the shooting at Hamilton Place Mall in August 2021

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Finley Stadium was the site of a lot of high school football the last three days, thanks to the Jamboree. The end of what should have been a great time for parents and students alike was marred by an altercation that led to police tasing a 16-year-old boy. News 12 spoke with one student who was on…

Night two of 2022 Jamboree

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Cleveland working on reps in shotgun. McCallie looking impressive marching the ball down the field for not just one but two short rushing touchdowns. Soddy Daisy and Brainerd getting some 4th down and short in game experience Soddy coming up victorious in this match up. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Football, High School Football

The Inflation Reduction Act passes, and Dalton’s Qcells is ready to see “green” energy

Qcells, a solar panel company based in Dalton, projects job and economic growth now that the bill passes both the Senate and House chambers

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Inflation Reduction Act is supposed to help drive down the costs of products you and I buy everyday. News 12 learned a provision inside the bill is going to help northwest Georgia even more. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi struck the gavel to officially adopt the Inflation Reduction Act Friday afternoon. Cheers were heard in…

Buses Carrying Migrants Frequenting Lookout Valley

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — This morning, police received numerous calls about two buses that were parked next to the comfort inn and suites in Lookout Valley. The buses were similar to those that stopped in Rising Fawn, Georgia, on Thursday while carrying migrants from Texas. “It’s my understanding that the state of Texas is sending these individuals to, you know, to…

City announces money for new Wilcox Boulevard Bridge

Current 70 year old bridge cannot support emergency vehicles or heavy transportation

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga officials say they have landed one of the largest transportation investments in the city’s history. The Federal Government will send $25 million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure program to replace the aging Wilcox Boulevard Bridge over the railyards. The 70 year old bridge can no longer support emergency or large transportation vehicles. It only supports passenger…

More To The Story with Staley: Electric Truck

Dave sees the Electric Truck at Covenant Logistics

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Matt McLelland is the Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation for Covenant Logistics. He’s showing us what he believes to be the first 100 percent Class-8 Battery Electric Truck in Chattanooga. It’s all part of the company’s decarbonization efforts. The drive to go all electric. All green. As McLelland says, make no mistake. It’s not just the wave…

Dalton looking to build and rekindle rivalries

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF)-  It’s really the truest essence of the high school game. It’s community versus community and that’s what this game is all about. These kids aren’t paid to play in so it’s really all about pride. High School football is built in rivalry and with the Georgia school realignments this off season Dalton gets to play teams closer…

First night of 2022 Jamboree

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Teams such as east ridge were in action , Jalen Ellis gets the ball gets outside and lays down the boom, he even had the teams watching yell in excitement. Silverdale vs South Pittsburg squared off with both teams getting on the scoreboard first it was Cameron Bowen with the reception for the TD. Then south pitt…

Immigrant buses make pit stops in Dade County

County Sheriff says passengers are headed for Washington D.C., some tried getting off in Rising Fawn

DADE COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — The Dade County Sheriff’s Office took to social media this afternoon saying they had received a call that tour buses were dropping off immigrants at a pair of local gas stations. Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross says the passengers are from Venezuela and have been traveling from Texas to Washington D.C. Dade County is supposedly…

Residents Sign Petition Against North Hickory Creek Development

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Property Developer R.M. Investments LLC is asking Hamilton County to rezone 53.9 acres on North Hickory Valley Road from rural residential to multi-family residential. Next Wednesday, the County Commission is expected to vote on the rezoning request, which would allowing 13 units of housing per acre. But the request has garnered criticism from residents, some of whom…

From The Archives: 1982 Flooding

The flood took out the Suck Creek Bridge, cutting off Tennessee River residents

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) – We usually think of summertime as hot and dry in our area. But this year is an outlier. It has been hot, but we’ve also seen more than our share of rain in East Tennessee this summer. However, that’s not unheard of. 40 years ago was a wet year in the Tennessee. In August, we…

Unseal warrant for Mar-a-Lago search, AG Garland asks

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department has asked a court to unseal the federal warrant the FBI used to search the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump. Announcing the action Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland cited the “substantial public interest in this matter.” Garland also said that he personally approved the search warrant, which was part of an ongoing…

The Partnerships in Industry and Education Innovation Center in Cleveland opened for first event

The Partnerships in Industry and Education Innovation (PIE) Center in Cleveland hosted its first event Thursday afternoon. The Smart Solutions for Smart Factories Expo held by the PIE Center gave a look into the type of innovative tech that PIE center students may be learning.  The center is a planned workforce development center that will allow juniors and seniors enrolled…

Sheriff says immigrants bound for D.C. are getting dropped off here

(NOTE: This story has been changed to remove the term “illegal” immigrants.  There is no evidence at this point that the people involved crossed the boarder illegally or are undocumented.  They are seeking asylum in the United States. They were not under guard when Texas officials sent them north.) RISING FAWN, Georgia (WDEF) – You’ve seen the national reports of…