Petition created at Lee University in response to student accident

Lee student was hit by car while crossing the street in February

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — More than 1,500 Lee University students have signed an online petition for safer campus crosswalks. Last month, a freshman student at the school was hit at the Medlin Hall crosswalk on Ocoee Street by a driver who told Cleveland police that “she couldn’t see the road due to heavy rain.” Junior history student Ezekiel Coventry believes…

Residents still concerned for gas prices despite price drop

Oil nationally drops below $100 a barrel for first time in two weeks

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — On Monday, U.S. oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since March 1 — more than an 8% plunge in cost. Some of Broad Street’s gas stations dropped 20 cents in price per gallon at the pump, but average prices in the city remained unchanged over the past week. For Isaac Swert, an…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Harrison Elementary Black History Museum

HARRISON, TN (WDEF) – Black History Month came to life at Harrison Elementary School. Third graders became historic figures in a living wax museum. Students and visitors both learned a lot. Kyle Powers is in charge of Student Success at Harrison Elementary. He explains, “All through February, they do Black History projects and do some research, and then they get…

City residents hope new police chief meets community members

Celeste Murphy wants to build trust in the community; residents hope she follows through

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Tuesday, Chattanooga will see its first Black, female police chief. While that’s something to be celebrated, the people at College Hill Courts hope it’s not just more of the same as other police chiefs. Back in September, seven women were shot along Grove Street, two of them died, in a gang-related incident. It’s six months later,…

City Continues Work on 12th St. Homeless Encampment

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Friday, Mayor Tim Kelly stated his opposition to building sheds for Chattanooga’s growing homeless population. According to the City, such structures would be unsafe. “The solutions that we give these people need to be safe. They need to be something that… we’re not setting them up for more problems down the road,” said Sam Wolfe, Director…

Celebrating National Pi Day with STEM Activities from Local Learning Center

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): Today is National Pi Day! There are many ways to celebrate. You can eat pizza or pie, but the best way to celebrate is to challenge yourself mentally. Sylvan Learning in Chattanooga demonstrated Pi Day activities that the whole family can do. They emphasize the importance of STEM activities especially in young students. One demonstration is Circle…

TECH BYTE: Apple Announces Spring Products

CUPERTINO, Calif. (WDEF) — Apple is bringing tech fans some good luck ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. March means new products for the tech company, including a makeover for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. It’s already available in several colors, but Apple is adding a new green finish, just in time for St. Patty’s Day. “iPhone 13 looks…

Warrior Freedom Service Dog aided by veterans

FLINTSTONE, Georgia (WDEF)- Americans rely on the military to protect our freedoms. Then soldiers become veterans sometimes they need to rely on service animals so it’s important for those animals to have that training and a place to be trained. Warrior Freedom Service Dogs trains dogs to become service animals to help veterans in need. Power home remodeling is building…

Tennessee Valley locals enjoys snow day

Residents encourage others to get out and enjoy the winter weather

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Valley’s local communities woke up to the wintery white stuff to begin their Saturday. Sledding and snow angels both left their marks in the cold, and even igloos were raised as the snow day started. 21-year-old Matthew McGarvey was one of many helping put it together, along with his younger sister, Remi. “The rarity of…

Local church raising donations for Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainian Gospel Church accepting clothing, baby items, financial donations

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — As soon as the invasion began, so did the Ukrainian Gospel Church’s mission to collect donations for refugees. Everything from clothing, blankets, baby supplies and more will be delivered overseas to provide much-needed relief. Vitaly Skotsen, the church’s missions coordinator, said those who fled are in dire need of help. “You have just thousands of people flooding…

ESPN’s Tom Hart Relives His Call of David Jean Baptiste’s Buzzer Beater For the Mocs

Tampa, FL-(WDEF-TV) ESPN’s Tom Hart is calling games in the SEC basketball tournament. He was also on the mike for David Jean Baptiste’s buzzer beater Monday night that gave the Chattanooga Mocs the SoCon title. Said Hart: “The shot was right in front of our broadcast location. I didn’t think it was going in. It wasn’t a straight up jump…

UTC students concerned for future due to rising inflation

Rising costs in gas, food leave some Mocs anxious for entering the workforce

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Graduating college is a massive accomplishment and is often met with optimism about the future. However, with rampant inflation, some students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are concerned about what’s next once their time at school is done. “It’s crazy,” said junior political science student DaVeon Hall. “Two years ago, gas was $1.89 and now…

Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling Talks Tennessee Hoops Going into SEC Tourney

Tampa, FL-(WDEF-TV) Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling spoke with News 12’s Angela Moryan in Tampa on the SEC Tournament. Kesling discussed what makes the Vols a dangerous number two seed, and why the Vols could possibly end their SEC Championship drought. Tennessee hasn’t won the SEC Tournament since 1979. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UT Vols…

From The Archives: 1982 World’s Fair

We go back 40 years to construction for the upcoming Worlds Fair in Knoxville

  KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – If you visit Knoxville these days, pay a visit to World’s Fair Park. It’s a greenway and public performance area downtown. The park is built around the only two remaining pieces from the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Ampitheatre. But 40 years ago, the fair was a big deal for all of Tennessee….