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…

Collegedale residents speak out against land rezoning

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Collegedale Planning Commission is looking to potentially rezone land for a new development of a few hundred homes. Seemingly all of Collegedale appeared at City Hall tonight and sent a clear message — they’re not interested. The commission voted unanimously, 7-0, to defer the zoning request and PUD pending completion of a traffic study and…

Merchandise Sales Prove a Big Hit For Chattanooga Lookouts

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Merchandise sales are a staple for minor league baseball teams like the Chattanooga Lookouts, but it wasn’t always the case. Now it’s big business for the Lookouts, who will sell just about anything. Minor league baseball gift shops didn’t always look like this. Just ask Lookouts general manager Rich Mozingo. Said Mozingo:”My first job in minor league baseball was…

BA.5 COVID-19 variant is the new dominant strain in the local area

BA.5 represents 53.6% of new cases nationwide; 54% in Georgia and the Southeast region

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – There is a new dominant strain of the COVID-19 virus in town. It’s called the B-A-5 variant. The transmission level of the B-A-5 variant in Hamilton County is high, according to the C-D-C. It’s the only county in our viewing area with that designation. Remember when Omicron started? Its transmission was far beyond Delta. B-A-5 is that…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Battlefield Elementary Ben Carson Reading Room

FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Young scholars have a great place turn a few pages at Battlefield Elementary School. The Ben Carson Reading Room is now open. Candy Carson is a Co-Founder for the Carson Scholars Fund. She explains, “Actually we started back in 2000 with these reading rooms, because our board of Carson Scholars Fund decided they wanted to…

Man injured in Taco Bell Parking lot shootout

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Police say one man was shot after a fight at a Taco Bell on Rossville Boulevard. It happened early this afternoon. No word on why the fight started, but one officer told News 12 the fight was outside the restaurant and two men started shooting at each other. The person shot was reportedly transported to a local hospital…

More To The Story with Staley: 60 years of marriage

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tennessee (WDEF) – We’re up on Signal Mountain. In front of the town’s fire department. Sandra and Stacey Seals are flipping through some old pictures. Actually, a lifetime of photos. Six decades to be exact. Because you see, a little over a month ago, Sandra and Stacey celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. 60th. Not many couples can say that….

TECH BYTE: Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you’ve ever wanted to try out Amazon Prime, there’s no time like the present. Amazon Prime Days may not be until July 12 through 13, but Prime members can already take advantage of some pretty good deals. If you love listening to music while you’re getting ready in the morning, you might want to check…

Soddy Daisy Coach Kelsey Nunley-Moore Going Into University of Kentucky Hall of Fame

Soddy Daisy softball coach Kelsey Nunley Moore. She has been voted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame. She’ll be inducted this November. Nunley Moore still holds several Kentucky pitching career records including innings pitched, wins, saves, and ERA. In 2014, Nunley Moore helped Kentucky reach the College World Series. And in 2016, she was the SEC pitcher of…

Juan Galindrez Becomes Red Wolves All Time Leading Goal Scorer

East Ridge, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Red Wolves are midway through their season and already have a new club record holder. News 12’s Angela Moryan has the story. Angie: “What has he provided the club over the years that has been unmatched from any other player?” Jimmy Obleda: “Goals – plain and simple.” Juan Galindrez has earned his nickname GaliGol. He’s…

HamCo schools superintendent thanks teachers in a letter for two reasons

The second reason has to do with controversial statements made by a leading educator with Gov. Bill Lee in attendance, and Lee never stood up for teachers

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County’s teachers got a letter of support from the school superintendent today, but there were two reasons why Dr. Justin Robertson wrote that letter. At the end of every school year, most school superintendents write a letter of appreciation to their educators. Dr. Justin Robertson is no different in this case. Today’s letter had one more…

Mayor Kelly announces American Rescue Plan spending

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Mayor Tim Kelly has announced how he wants to spend federal American Rescue Plan funds. Chattanooga is getting $30 million. Mayor Kelly wants to use it to invest in 36 local initiatives that he ways should spur economic growth and close gaps in public health and education. Here is his breakdown: ● $5.8M to increase availability of…

More To The Story: Back To School Bash

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s “Summer Camp” time for the local non-profit “Reach One Teach One.” Third annual. Kids gathering at Calvary Church on Bonny Oaks Drive in Chattanooga. Learning some of the basic skills they’ll need to go through life. Reggie Yearby is in charge of it all. He founded this non-profit five years ago. It’s designed to help our…

Paying Tribute to Patrick Core’s Weather Career

He retires from WDEF TV after 32 years on the air

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chief Meteorologist Patrick Core is retiring after a 32+ year career at WDEF-TV. After working at the Weather Channel for a few years, Patrick started his local TV weatherman run in 1989, working mornings and weekends. He didn’t think it would be a lifetime choice, but Patrick would end up raising his family in the Chattanooga area,…

Preliminary hearing for suspected shooter in McCallie Avenue shooting bound for grand jury

Judge Lila Statom said in court "It's clear to me from watching that that this could be not seen as anything other than gangs"

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – One of the accused shooters in the shooting along McCallie Avenue a month ago was in court today. Alexis Lewis was the second of three people arrested in connection with the shooting along McCallie Avenue. Videos from the early morning of June 5th were played, and Judge Lila Statom was flabbergasted at what she saw. “It’s clear…

County Commission approves $2M in funding for Tivoli restoration

The Hamilton County Commission just approved 2 million dollars of public funding to go towards the upcoming Tivoli restoration. This project will close the landmarks doors for at least two years “When you’re dealing with historic buildings like this, the costs are really unique. They’re landmark treasures,” said Wilkinson. “It’s a pretty interesting set of circumstances you have to deal…

Chattanooga residents ready for sales tax holidays

Tennesseans could save up to 10 percent on some purchases

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Inflation continues to make budgets challenging for Americans all throughout the country. But here in Tennesee, residents of the Volunteer State will soon be enjoying a much-needed “holiday” to help a little at home. Residents are currently enjoying a sales tax holiday on gun safes and safety equipment that will run through the end of June 2023….

EPA to grant $4.9 million toward the cleanup of contaminated sites in Chattanooga

One of the priority areas for the money is the Wheland Foundry site, where the city plans to build the new stadium for the Lookouts

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Environmental Protection Agency announced almost five million dollars is coming to Chattanooga to help the city clean up contamination. Back in mid-March, News 12 did a story about the city looking for $21 million to help start the cleanup of the old Wheland Foundry site to build new green spaces for a new stadium for the…