More To The Story: The Tipping Point

Dave meets the artist curating the art displays at the Chattanooga Airport

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Local artist Carrie Pendergrass is at it again! With another edition of her art exhibits at the Chattanooga Airport. This one is located in the ticketing area. The exhibit is called “Tipping Point.” What does that mean? Well, in a nutshell, it’s art that is open to your interpretation of a critical moment. “It’s basically the idea of…

Phil Massey Takes Over CCS Team That Features One of the Area’s Top Players

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Our 30-in-30 high school football preview series tackles Chattanooga Christian. While there’s some big changes for CCS, they will still feature one of the top players in our area. The CCS Chargers are getting re-charged this fall. Said lineman Devoris Havis:”We got new players. New quarterback. We are excited to see what we are going to do this year.”…

Is Hamilton County prepared for Monkeypox?

We ask a local health officer about our supply of treatment and vaccines

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Although Monkeypox has been around since around 1958, it’s only recently been labeled as an outbreak. Hamilton County Health Officer Dr. Stephen Miller says if Monkeypox makes it way into the County, he’s confident there’s enough treatment and vaccinations available. “We do have an effective vaccination for it. And even in Tennessee, we have an appropriate amount…

From The Archives: The Dancing Cowboy

We go back 10 years for a profile of the fan who danced at Lookouts games with his giant cowboy hat

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s the job of Louie The Lookout to entertain fans at the ballpark. But ten years ago, a guy in the stands helped him out. Longtime Lookouts fans may remember him. Brian Shubert whooped it up between innings, dancing for fans and waiving a giant blue cowboy hat. Eventually, kids would join him for his dances and…

One person killed in wreck near Ringgold

UPDATE: The Georgia State Patrol identifies the victim as 21 year old Damien Crum. Investigators say he was driving the car that crossed the centerline and hit a Dodge Ram 2500 head on. A 20 year old woman, a three year old boy and a six month old child were in the car with him. A mother and son were…

Westside Neighborhood to be Redeveloped

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — A major redevelopment of Chattanooga’s Westside Neighborhood is being planned by the Chattanooga Housing Authority. Hamilton County is poised to approve a two million dollar contribution to the project, whose investments may total nearly a billion dollars. “It’s basically an eight to ten year plan that contemplates to revitalize one hundred and thirty acres in downtown Chattanooga,”…

Hamilton Co. District Attorney candidates address upcoming state abortion law

New state law would ban all abortions in Tennessee unless otherwise necessary to save mother

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee’s “Human Life Protection Act” is expected to become law in August — a month that will feature a slew of local elections. The new state law would ban all abortions in Tennessee, except those necessary to save the life of the mother. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has left both Coty Wamp and…

Chamber of Commerce backs the Wheland Project for Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce is endorsing the plan to build a new stadium in the South Broad District. Chamber C-E-O Christy Gillenwater referred to the potential new stadium as a “gleaming gateway into Chattanooga. She said she is elated about the economic benefits the project could bring to the South Broad District and Chattanooga as a…

County Commission Discusses South Broad Stadium Funding

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “Am I for development? Absolutely. Am I for taking a risk with taxpayers’ dollars? Absolutely not,” said County Commissioner Tim Boyd. Boyd is expressing concern about the South Broad Lookouts Stadium Project. Boyd says he believes unknown factors could leave taxpayers on the hook for the project’s bonds at some point during the thirty year financing plan….

Uncle Nearest 100 Cities in 100 Days Whiskey Tour ends in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – This afternoon the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Whiskey visited Chattanooga’s Common House as her last stop on her 100 cities tour, The Nearest Green Distillery opened in Shelbyville, Tennessee just a few years ago. The distillery produces Uncle Nearest whiskey and is one of the only distilleries in the country owned and operated by a…

Volkswagen “What Fuels You” road trip series closes in Chattanooga, promoting EV travel

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) –  There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the Volkswagen’s new ID.4. To promote the ease and environmental sustainability of driving an EV, filmmaker Erika Goldsorf hit the road in the vehicle for a road trip series. Erika Goldsorf is a known film maker, with a passion for showcasing companies and individuals’ efforts towards sustainability. She has teamed…

More To The Story with Staley: Love’s Arm

Dave meets the woman who founded the organization dedicated to survivors of human trafficking

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – The organization “Love’s Arm” has helped people since its inception back in 2005. It does all it can to meet the needs of survivors of human trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Offering all types of services. It was founded by Mimi Nikkel, herself a survivor of human trafficking. Nikkel says she’s somewhat amazed, and certainly gratified, as…

Hixson Weightlifter Olivia Reeves Enjoys Dominating Performance at U.S. Junior Nationals

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Hixson weightlifter Olivia Reeves is back home after a dominating performance at the U-S Junior Nationals two weeks ago. The 19-year-old blew away the competition making her a legitimate contender for the Olympics in two years. When Olivia Reeves arrived at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas, just her presence alone, carried a lot of weight. Said her coach Steve…

Chattanooga City Council hears presentation on Southside development proposal

Project developer has history with Atlanta's Ponce City Market, other landmarks

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The announcement behind the development of the former U.S. Pipe site and Wheland Foundry has sparked both excitement and controversy here in the Scenic City. Tonight, that very topic was discussed in front of Chattanooga’s City Council. The task of development on the Southside project has been handed to Jim Irwin of New City Properties. He, alongside…

Crowder to Perform at the Caverns

PELHAM, Tenn. (WDEF) — GRAMMY award nominated Christian music artist Crowder is returning to the Caverns later this month. He’ll be performing at the venue’s outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, July 23. Crowder talked to News 12 about his upcoming show. This is his third time playing at the scenic venue. His first show in 2019 was inside of the cave….

Commissioner Tim Boyd Proposes Alternative Financing Plan for South Broad Stadium

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Many Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials are confident in their plan to finance the South Broad Lookouts Stadium project, which would require bond payments of one point five million dollars from the county and the city. “We feel confident that we have prepared a pretty conservative outlook of the amount of investment that would be required in…

Rafa Mentzingen lives up to the name ‘Quad-Father’

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- “But I’ve seen two Christmas hams that big,” said Jimmy Obleda. Rafa Mentzingen massive quads have taken over social media He puts a picture of his quads and he gets 1 million likes. Rafa’s thigh game extends into the pitch as well. “It makes you more explosive like acceleration, speed, stuff like that. It definitely helps,” said…

Man in sinking kayak rescued from Tennessee River

( “This was our first rescue using our newly acquired fireboats. The two boats are to protect citizens and visitors on the water and today, the boat that was used in the response was a life-saving asset.”) CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A kayaker was rescued from the Tennessee river this afternoon. And he can probably thank a driver on the Chickamauga…

Weston Wamp issues poll on Stadium Funding

Mayor Coppinger calls poll a "desperate attempt"

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Weston Wamp campaign has released a poll suggesting that the majority of Hamilton County voters are opposed to using taxpayer money to fund a new Lookouts Stadium on South Broad. The poll was conducted by Spry Strategies, and surveyed four hundred and six Hamilton county residents. Thirty four point seven percent of respondents say they strongly…