What’s Right With Our Schools: Dalton Academy Named AP Capstone School

DALTON, GA (WDEF) –  In the hyper-competitive world of College admissions, being able to say you took the most rigorous course load your high school had to offer is crucial. At Dalton Academy, that distinction will also earn you an A-P Capstone Diploma. Matthew Mederios is the Principal at Dalton Academy. He says, “Recently the college board recognized the Dalton…

Chattanooga has seventh most minority-owned businesses in the US, report finds

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — “It’s been awesome. This city’s amazing,” said Chanda Chambers, co-owner of Chambers Welding and Fabrication. According to a report from finance website Smartest Dollar, Chattanooga has the seventh most minority-owned businesses in the US. Some local business owners point to Chattanooga’s non-profit support systems as major reason why Chattanooga is a great place to work. “My experience…

Chemical leak on Highland Park Ave. leads to police investigation

Neighbor says 'foamy' chemical emitted an 'almond-like odor, but stronger'

UPDATE: The nineteen barrels were not initially in the dumpsters seen in the story. They were lined up in front of the residence’s garage to the street. The EPA put the drums in the dumpsters as part of the cleanup effort. News 12 reached out to Mitchell Underwood, the water quality specialist for the city of Chattanooga, for further comment…

More To The Story: Bagpipe Player

Dave Staley meets the man playing bagpipes under the trees

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – I hear music, and it’s coming from the old cemetery, right across the street from UTC. Chris Johnson is playing his bagpipes. Under a tree. All alone. Johnson is an adjunct teacher at the college. Several times a week, he spends his lunch break right here. Under the same oak tree. All by himself. Relaxing and practicing…

This little light of mine

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-This weekend’s events of remembering the life of Ed Johnson and the injustice of his death also was meant to show a light of hope.  Represented in a song nearly everyone knows.   This little light of mine, a song sang by many at one time or another. It was being sung at the Ed Johnson memorial to remember…

Ed Johnson lynching remembered

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- “Let’s continue to attempt to build bridges with those who will stand on the other side and plank by plank brick by brick with mallet and hand remove the bridges which already exist,” said Donivan Brown. March 19, 1906, Ed Johnson was murdered by a lynch mob on the Walnut Street Bridge for a crime he didn’t…

Local financial analysts respond to national interest rate hike

Rates will rise for the first time since 2018

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — America’s central bank will be raising national interest rates by 0.25%. It’s the first time the Fed has raised the rate since late 2018. Financial professional John Vandergriff says this is all being done to help offset inflated costs. “The reason they’re raising interest rates is so that it can help slow the economy down,” Vandergriff said….

Attorney questions why Police officer used a Taser on his client

Collegedale traffic stop now under two investigations

COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) – The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office is launching an investigation into a traffic stop that occurred in Collegedale earlier this month. On March 10, Delane “Delaney” Gordon was tazed by an officer after being pulled over for speeding. Gordon asked to speak to the Officer’s supervisor during the stop, after which the situation escalated. His attorney,…

Wamp Doubles Down on NAACP Stance

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — This morning, the NAACP filed a complaint against District Attorney candidate Coty Wamp for comments she made Tuesday night. “The NAACP has accomplished some great things in the last 100 years, but one of them is NOT the way they treat law enforcement,” said Wamp. Reverend Anne Jones Pierre of the local NAACP chapter responded, clarifying the…

More To The Story: The Painter’s Tour

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s a customized van. She named it “Millie.” SHE……is Christiane Palpant. Who lives in Atlanta. Christiane is a banker by trade. Well, she used to be. Now, she’s a painter. That’s because after two years of bedrest, due to open heart surgery, Palpant decided to take her painting to a new level. Accordingly, she will paint in…

Red Bank Names Assistant Ted Gatewood New Head Football Coach

(press release) Red Bank High School is excited to announce Ted Gatewood as their next head football coach.  Coach Gatewood, a Red Bank HS alumnus and the current offensive coordinator, has the extensive head coaching experience, passion and ability to build quality relationships we feel the program needs to build upon previous success. We sought input from the current coaching…

Local Missionaries Provide Aid at Ukraine Border

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Two weeks ago, missionaries Henry and Victoria Benach decided to go overseas to assist those fleeing Ukraine. “I’ve booked the tickets, got everything ready, and we’re going by faith,” said Henry. Now, Henry and his wife Victoria are in Poland, at the Ukrainian border. “I’m maybe a mile from the border, at this moment. We’ve been working…

Pictures of 30 girls caught on hidden camera in school locker room

New charge and details in the Cleveland Middle School case

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – Cleveland Police have filed a new charge against the Cleveland Middle School teacher charged over a hidden camera in a locker room. It is a second count of Attempted Aggravated Unlawful Photography of a minor. Investigators say they have learned the video recording happened over a two day period, which explains the second charge. On Thursday,…

Cleveland Middle School teacher arrested

Schroll is accused of putting a camera in the girls' locker room

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Tuesday, March 15, a Cleveland Middle School student found an electronic recording device discretely placed in the girls’ locker room. After being notified by the student, school administrators quickly contacted CPD, who promptly began an investigation. Within 24 hours, CMS eighth grade teacher Christopher Schroll, was identified and arrested. “That’s a place where the middle…

Chattanooga gets bad news on Lookouts Stadium project

Senate Bill 2890 receives "negative recommendation;" State won't fund $20.8 million to kickstart project

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Lookouts begin their season April 8th on the road in Knoxville to play the Smokies. But each day that passes is one more day a new stadium here is needed if Chattanooga wants to keep baseball here. And the city got some bad news Tuesday with a negative recommendation on Senate Bill 2890 – a bill…

Tyner Advances in State Tourney With 66-59 Win Over Bolivar Central

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Tyner Rams advanced to the state tournament semifinals on Tuesday after downing Bolivar Central 66-59 in Murfreesboro. The Rams came out on fire hitting 71-percent of their shots in the first quarter. Keelan Jackson was deadly from downtown for Tyner connecting on 4 of 6 three-pointers. He scored 17 points with 13 rebounds, while teammate Nehemiah Bloodsaw…

Brainerd Loses 40-39 Heart Breaker to Power Center

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Brainerd Panthers saw their season come to an end on Tuesday falling 40-39 to Power Center Academy in the quarterfinals of the state tournament in Murfreesboro. Brainerd was down that pesky point with five seconds left when they in-bounded the ball in front of their own bench. Dennis Lewis Junior got the ball and drove the baseline,…

Celeste Murphy confirmed as Chattanooga’s first female police chief

She plans to visit higher crime communities as her first order of business

The Chattanooga City Council made history this evening when they confirmed Celeste Murphy as the city’s new police chief. She is the first female, and Black female chief in the city’s history. History means nothing to Murphy if she can’t get the community to stop seeing police as the enemy. Celeste Murphy was confirmed 8-to-nothing by City Council. It’s a…

McCallie Tennis Team Ranked Number One in America

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The number one ranked high school tennis team in America resides in the Scenic City. McCallie was recently voted number one in the Universal Tennis Poll rankings. The Blue Tornado captured a state title last season, and now it seems their talent has captured the eyes of the country. Even though Jeff Clark is the head tennis coach at…

Golden Apple Award: Shannon Seigel, Stem School Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – When cutting edge technology is combined with hard work and kindness, learning is sure to follow. Those qualities merge seamlessly in Shannon Seigle’s classroom at Stem School Chattanooga. Tony Donen is the Principal. He says, “Ms. Seigel is a wonderful teacher. She is what we call ‘The Science Beast’. She is a science educator of the…