Chattanooga based National Guard Unit Comes Home

Members of 181st Field Artillery arrive in Smyrna this afternoon

SMYRNA, Tennessee (WDEF) – More than 190 soldiers returned to Tennessee on Thursday after a ten month deployment in the Middle East. They are members of the Tennessee National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment. They are based in Chattanooga with a unit from Dayton. The soldiers were greeted by friends and family at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site where…

Hamilton County Surpasses 1,000 COVID Deaths

Nearly two years after the first COVID case was identified in Chattanooga, more than one thousand people have died of coronavirus-related illness in Hamilton County. “Omicron is just, is doing terrible damage in that population, not just here, but — you’ve probably seen the statistics — nationwide, our death rate during this surge has been pretty high,” said Dr. Mark…

Chattanooga Boat Show launched this weekend

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The expanded Chattanooga Boat Show launched earlier today for the start of a four day venture at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Over 25 boat brands were on display for people to check out and potential buy. This show gives new and seasoned voters a chance to see what’s new as well as potential save some money. Director…

Used car prices hit record high, again!

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) -With the supply chain, computer chip shortage continues to impact access to goods. Used Car prices have hit another all time high with the average price on a used car in Chattanooga costing over $25,000. “I’ve been telling people to wait on buying a car they can and if you can continue to wait that’s still probably…

Baylor Plucks South Carolina Gamecocks Staff for New Head Coach Erik Kimrey

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A new era of Baylor football has begun. The Red Raiders officially welcomed former South Carolina tight ends coach Erik Kimrey as their new head coach. HE’S OFFICIALLY HERE! Welcome to Chattanooga, @ErikKimrey!!! pic.twitter.com/eb5Ca4nk5o — Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) February 3, 2022 Kimrey says Baylor has been a dream job for him since before working on Shane…

Several students charged in school fight at Cleveland High

Students could face suspension or expulsion

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – School officials say several students have been arrested following a fight at Cleveland High School on Wednesday. They say it happened in the Commons area. Witnesses who shot video of the fight on their phone say some officials were even punched in the fracas (we have blurred the video to avoid identifying any students). School officials…

Firefighters have a new training complex in Catoosa County

RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) – Firefighters in Catoosa County now have a new facility to train in. The Catoosa County Fire Department has opened a new training facility on Mack Smith Road. Located at fire station 10, the five-story tower will provide firefighters with simulations of challenges they may face in the field. Fire Chief Randy Kemp says “Being able top…

McKamey Animal Center asking for help in abused animal case

Dog had mouth taped shut and neck wrapped in twine, but is currently in foster care

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — As anyone may well imagine, there is a zero-tolerance animal abuse policy at the McKamey Animal Center. This can be seen in the case of one of the shelter’s most recent residents. On January 31, the animal shelter received a phone call concerning an abused dog that had wandered onto a local’s porch. The dog’s muzzle was…

Local High School Football Kids Enjoy National Signing Day

Several local high school football players put pen to paper on Wednesday on National Signing Day. McCallie had six players sign with quarterback William Riddle going to ETSU. East Hamilton also had six players sign with receiver Jeremiah Flemmons going to Austin Peay. Calhoun had a record seven players sign on Wednesday, highlighted by receiver Cole Speer going to Georgia….

Affordable dental care in Chattanooga is closer than many think

70% of adult Tennesseans say cost is a reason they haven't seen a dentist in over a year

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A recent report from the Tennessee Justice Center suggests that when it comes to oral health and its outcomes, this state ranks near the bottom nationally. Low-income families, people of color and those living in rural areas are at a higher risk due to a lack of insurance or costly procedures. Chattanooga has a few places for…

D.A. Candidate Coty Wamp Calls Witness Tampering Accusations Bogus

Judge dismisses charges against suspect in Soddy Daisy case that spawned complaint against her

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A Soddy Daisy man was arrested in January for shooting at a man and his pregnant girlfriend. Coty Wamp serves as the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Lead Counsel. She says she learned Soddy Daisy Police may have arrested the wrong man. She claims she felt ethically bound to speak with the victims herself. “I had a feeling…

Mocs Football Adds 14 Newcomers on National Signing Day

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA—It started in December and continued today. The Chattanooga Mocs added to nearly every position group with 14 newcomers currently joining the 2022 roster during the 2021-22 signing period. “You can’t sustain a successful program without recruiting the best possible people,” Coach Rusty Wright began. “We do a lot of work putting together a class that not only wins…

Murray Co Girls Knock Off Ringgold 63-55

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Murray Co won a district showdown with Ringgold on Tuesday 63-55. The Lady Indians were up seven at halftime. The Tigers cut it to three with just over four minutes to play, but Murray Co withstood the rally to get the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, High School Basketball, Murray County High, Ringgold High…

The new plan to expand Chattanooga’s Airport

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A twenty-eight million dollar terminal expansion has been planned for the Chattanooga Airport. If the plan moves forward, its first phase would add twenty-six thousand square feet. Three new gates, a new concourse restaurant, and updated restrooms are all included in the plan. Airport Authority President Terry Hart explains why it’s a good investment for Chattanooga. “We…

Investigators arrest juveniles for stealing a truck in Catoosa County

They say the owner left it running to warm up, when thieves struck

RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) – A Chevy Silverado truck was stolen in Catoosa County over the weekend. The owner was warming up his vehicle when it was stolen by a group of juveniles. After stealing the truck, the kids took pictures of themselves with the victim’s phone. The photos then uploaded to the victim’s Google Drive. Captain Jeremy Keener with the…

New Tennessee license plates to provide greater security

Decals will be printed with license plate number, will be harder to remove

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — For the first time since 2006, Tennessee has new license plates. The new blue plates were voted in by the public and feature a little bit of everything, from the option to have “In God We Trust” displayed over the state’s three-star insignia to improved decals that offer better security. Monica Brown, the assistant chief deputy for…

Golden Apple Award: Joshua Edens, Orchard Knob Middle School

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – From The Ohio State University to Orchard Knob Middle School, Joshua Edens is an exceptional educator, and he’s not a bad coach, either. Students, players and parents all agree that Mr. Edens goes above and beyond. Travis Miller is the acting principal at Orchard Knob Middle. Miller says, “He (Edens) goes above and beyond both in…