2022 Riverbend Festival Preview

It will be scaled down as it returns from pandemic/ financial issues

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Riverbend Festival returns to the Riverfront this weekend for the first time in 3 years. And it will look a bit different. The annual music festival will be back at their Ross’s Landing site following a two year break caused by Covid. But this year’s event will be smaller. The footprint will be much smaller, with…

Georgia gas tax suspension extended to July 14

Catoosa County officials support executive order from Gov. Kemp

CATOOSA COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — Recently in some parts of California, gasoline now costs more than $8 a gallon. However, in Georgia, residents will get a little more relief at the pump for a little while longer. At the end of March, Governor Kemp suspended the state’s gas tax through the end of May. Now, he has extended that suspension…

Tim James Steps Down as East Ridge Football Coach

East Ridge, TN-(WDEF-TV) East Ridge coach Tim James is leaving his football home for a new opportunity. He’s stepping down as the Pioneers head coach to take over as the athletic director for the Hamilton County school system. Had to be a tough decision for James. His roots run deep at East Ridge. He played and coached there, and the…

College Enrollment Continues to Decline

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Overall college enrollment has fallen four point one percent since last year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Enrollment has declined the most among undergraduates, falling four point seven percent in the last year. “Some of what may be leading into that is certainly affordability concerns. That certainly is one area we’ve really focused on…

According to AAA: Memorial Day marked the beginning of the “100 deadliest days for teen drivers”

  CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Memorial day kicked off the unofficial start of summer, but it was also the start of the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. AAA compiled data from crash reports and found that more than 30% of deaths involving teen drivers occurred during between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Former Chattanooga Police Officer John Collins recently opened…

More To The Story: Blood Donations

Dave finds we don't give as much as we used to

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – J.B. Gaskins has spent decades in the industry of blood. He’s forgotten more about blood than we’ll ever know. Gaskins will tell you that during any crisis, any tragedy, people will respond by giving blood. For example, after this past weekend’s shootings in downtown Chattanooga, Blood Assurance asked for donors. The response was outstanding. It’s during the…

Trash Pandas Drop the Lookouts 5-1

(lookouts.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Ivan Johnson hit his first Double-A home run of the season but the Chattanooga Lookouts fell, 5-1, to the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Tuesday night from AT&T Field. Johnson crushed a ball 441 feet in the bottom of the eighth for the Lookouts’ lone run. James Free led the Chattanooga (24-22) charge finishing 3-for-4 and…

Local organization creating campaign for Silverdale inmates

Breaking the Silence campaign would give inmates free hour of phone service

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — For those inside Silverdale who want some extra time speaking to their loved ones over the phone, the Hamilton County Community Bail Fund is hoping to make it possible. The Breaking the Silence campaign is coming to Hamilton County on June 19. Manager Avery Fairburn says the campaign serves two purposes — to connect detainees…

Local Nonprofit Comments on Weekend Shooting

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — On Saturday night, six people were shot on Cherry Street. All six victims were under the age of 18. To understand the factors that lead to violence among teens, News 12 reached out to Toccora Johnson-Peterson, CEO of Girls Incorporated, a nonprofit for young women. Peterson said one risk factor is an unstable family structure. “Any entity…

Cleveland Police Department helps pilot new mental health co-responder program

The Cleveland Police Department has been chosen as a part of pilot program that has allowed them to hire their first mental-health co-responder The co-responder will assist officers responding to members of the community having any type of mental health crisis and provide de-escalation, assessment, and resources. Mark Gibson is the Chief of the CPD. He said this is a…

Wreck traps trucker, kill chickens and block interstate traffic

Also a motorhome has burned on I 24 in north Georgia

from Chattanooga Fire Dept. UPDATE: Truck driver has been extricated after 90 minutes and is headed to the hospital. __________ LOOKOUT VALLEY, Tennessee (WDEF) – I-24 has been snarled since after noon by a chicken truck wreck near Lookout Valley. Chattanooga firefighters report the 18 wheeler clipped a guardrail and flipped in the median. Witnesses called first responders and tried…

Fallen Soldiers Honored at Chattanooga National Cemetery

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “It means so much to the families and to the spirit of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Representative Chuck Fleischmann. Hundreds gathered Monday morning at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in recognition of Memorial Day, honoring the men and women who have died in military service. “We need to continue to celebrate their life, because their…

TECH BYTE: Are Phones Bad For Mental Health?

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you spend too much time on your phone, could it impact your mental health? Is digital technology good or bad for your wellbeing? Google is working with the University of Oregon to find out. They’re teaming up on a four-week-long study. It’s being lead by psychology professor Dr. Nicholas Allen, who’s the school’s director of…

Cherry Street’s shooting and its impact on downtown

Chattanooga, Tennessee (WDEF) – Two teenagers sustained life threatening gunshot injuries Saturday night at a downtown shooting where a total of six teenagers were shot. “I mean now I’m more scared than anything to come down here at night,” said Fleming. Gunshots were heard by Chattanooga Police Officers Saturday night, just before 11, as six teenagers were shot. The ages…

Update of Saturday Night downtown Chattanooga shooting resulting in six teens being shot; two sustaining life threatening injuries

UPDATE (WDEF)- New information is coming out about the victims of the shooting that occurred late Saturday Night in downtown Chattanooga. The six victims were all the age of 15, except for one victim which was 13. There were four males and two females that were shot and injured in the shooting. The shooting occurred as a result of two…

Blood Donors needed after Shooting in Downtown Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 29, 2022) –Blood Assurance needs the public’s help after a Saturday evening shooting left several people injured in Chattanooga. The nonprofit organization is asking blood donors to schedule appointments as soon as possible. In high demand are donors who have O-positive, O-negative and A-positive blood. “We are devastated to hear about the violence that happened Saturday night…

Negro League recognized by Lookouts

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Russell ‘Crazy Legs’ Patterson is one of the players being recognized by the Chattanooga Lookouts for his time in the Negro League. In my opinion I’m not through yet. I love this. I appreciate what they’re doing whether we get paid or not I don’t care. I got a 2000 Ford Ranger. I’ll go anywhere,” said Patterson. “…

Chattanooga Lookouts Take the Field as the Choo Choos and Beat Birmingham 4-1

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Choo-Choos defeated the Birmingham Black Barons, 4-1, on Negro League Appreciation Night at AT&T Field. Choo-Choos lefty starter Brandon Williamson was a key cog in the team’s third straight win. Williamson only allowed one run in six innings, giving him his fifth win of the season. With Williamson dealing, the Lookouts offense was able to give him…