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Dade County, Featured, Local News

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
WDEF News,

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…

Capture
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Residents Sign Petition Against North Hickory Creek Development

WDEF News,

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…

Suck Creek Flood00000000
Chattanooga, From The Archives, Hamilton County, Local News

From The Archives: 1982 Flooding

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

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…

Us Attorney General Merrick Garland
Featured, Government & Politics, US & World News

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

Collins Parker,

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
Bradley County, Cleveland, Education, Featured

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

WDEF News,

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…

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Dade County, Featured, Local News

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

Collins Parker,

(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…

Flash Flooding
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Weather Overtime

Severe storms lead to flooded roads in Chattanooga

Hamilton Co. EMS official offers flash flood driving advice to community
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Reports of roads being closed due to the inclement rain spread all throughout the Tennessee Valley from Alton Park to East Ridge. W. 33rd Street in Chattanooga was just one of several roads that became submerged on Wednesday. While some drivers braced themselves and crossed, others simply turned away. In such conditions, Amy Maxwell of Hamilton County…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Back to School: The Public Education Foundation places future teachers in disadvantaged schools

WDEF News,

The Public Education Foundation (PEF) in Chattanooga is placing future teachers in our economically disadvantaged schools.  On this first day back to school, the program ‘Project Inspire’ is placing future teachers in our schools that typically have a low teacher retention rate. The program offers individuals who already have a Bachelor’s Degree an alternative way of getting teaching credentials.  Erica…

Erlanger
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Health, Local News

Erlanger Privatization to be Complete in 2024

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Hamilton County is moving ahead with the plan to transition Erlanger Medical Center from a public entity to a private non-profit. The move has been in the works for Several Months, and, according to Mayor Jim Coppinger, is intended to make Erlanger a more competitive hospital. “Erlanger Hospital is about a two billion dollar economy in Hamilton…

Vision Of Mercy Photo
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: Vision of Mercy

Dave learns the story behind the Vision of Mercy organization
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga native Diane Moore founded “Vision of Mercy” back in May of last year. With a goal of providing non-perishable food bags and other services to the homeless. The organization provides some 100 food bags at least once a month. At different locations. The food bags contain canned meats and canned vegetables. According to Moore, that’s what…

Food Truck Fridays
Chattanooga, Local News

Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga Hosts Food Truck Fridays

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Non-profit “LAUNCH” has teamed up with the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union to host Food Truck Fridays at the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga. The Kitchen Incubator is a startup facility in Eastlake that helps caterers, bakers, and other food service entrepreneurs by providing them with access to affordable spaces and quality equipment. Anyone is welcome to attend…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga City Council approves South Broad development

Site will serve as home of new Lookouts stadium projected to open in 2025
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — If you build it, they will come. After decades of discussion, the Chattanooga City Council voted Tuesday night on a resolution to approve both the proposed South Broad development and the new Chattanooga Lookouts ballpark. Chattanooga’s South Broad District, which has been called an “eyesore” by numerous residents and local politicians, is set to become the next…

Stair Climbing00000000
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Stair Climbing

Dave shows us the sport of stair climbing or "Tower Running"
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “Climbing stairs is you versus the clock. It’s you versus you……” And Troy Alston can run the stairs alright. Better than just about anybody in the world. Because you see, Troy is a professional stair runner. Yes, it is a sport. Not an Olympic sport. But a sport. Officially called Tower Running. Contestants race up the stairs…

Videocapture 20220809 183641
Education, Featured, Local News, Marion County

Marion Co. parents call on school board to address racial harassment

WDEF News,

Two Marion County mothers are going public with the lack of support they have received from the school district after their black children have been continuously harassed at Jasper Middle School.  “It’s getting to our Jasper, middle school is going to be an all white school, because they’re not protecting our children,” said Samantha Robinson. Robinson has a daughter at…

Mom To Mom Paint Drip Flower Pots
Mom To Mom

Mom to Mom – Paint Drip Flower Pots

WDEF News,

We are making paint drip flower pots, which is a super fun activity for your kids to do over the summer. And they make really cool gifts as well. So if you have a birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents Day, these are awesome. All you need are these flower pots, which you can get at any store, or you…

Chattanooga Swim School ‘survival Week’
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga Swim School ‘Survival Week’

WDEF News,

A new swim school in Chattanooga is teaching kids how to survive unexpected plunges into deep waters for their “Survival Week” training.The British Swim School encourages students to wear additional clothing on top of their swim suits so that they can become familiar with how to deal with a water emergency. Brooke Bernhardt is the school’s aquatics instructor. She said…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County

Hamilton County short nearly 40 teachers ahead of School beginning this week.

WDEF News,

School is back in session this week, but how prepared is Hamilton County despite a nationwide teacher shortage? Well, Penny Murray the Hamilton County Department of Education’s Chief Talent Officer, said Hamilton County is doing better than most of the state. In Tennessee we currently have around 1,000 teacher openings to fill before classes resume, according to the Professional Educators…