Georgia Receiver Ladd McConkey Returns to Chatsworth Home For Autograph Session

Chatsworth, GA-(WDEF-TV) Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey was back in Chatsworth Saturday, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans  at J&W Sports Apparel.  McConkey was sporting his Georgia national championship ring. The North Murray high school graduate says it’s surreal being back in his hometown as a college football celebrity. Said McConkey:”Yeah it’s kind of weird to think about it first….

United Way celebrates 10th anniversary

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The United Way of greater Chattanooga is celebrating its birthday with 100 days 100 ways campaign. This birthday celebration campaign is meant to encourage simple acts of kindness throughout the community. This is all leading up to impact days where the community will volunteer all together on September 16th and 17th. The United Way of Greater Chattanooga…

Old Highland Park Church burns

11:25 UPDATE: Fire Dept. extends “shelter in place” to 5 blocks around church ______________ 11 PM UPDATE: from Chatt. Fire Dept. “Residents living within these blocks: 3rd Street to Highland Park Avenue, 3rd Street in between Glenwood Parkway and Highland Park Ave, extending South to East Main Street at Highland Park Ave and up to Dodds Avenue are asked to…

Does Chattanooga Have a Gang Problem?

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Do we have a gang problem in Chattanooga? “Yes,” said Public Defender Boyd Patterson. An affidavit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has confirmed the presence of three known gang members from two different gangs at the scene of the McCallie shooting. With this information, some are wondering if gangs are a significant problem in…

Mental health’s impact on shootings

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-After mass shootings, in Chattanooga, over back-to-back weekends, and other mass shootings across the country, the impact of mental health has become a focus. “We’re not being proactive. The whole city, we’re being reactive,” said Pursuit Of Happiness CEO, Michael Gordon. Last Sunday morning 3 people were killed with 14 people shot near McCallie ave. The weekend prior,…

More To The Story: Hospice home expanding in Chattanooga

Welcome Home of Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Welcome Home of Chattanooga was started in 2015. Providing shelter and support for those who need end-of-life care. The non-profit just moved into its new five acre facility in 2020. And now, phase two of expansion is complete. An additional three-bedroom home. Specifically for homeless cancer patients. Who need shelter to receive treatment. While the first home…

Police identify victims killed in McCallie Ave. shooting

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police are identifying the three people who were killed in the McCallie Avenue shooting over the weekend. 24 year old Darian Hixson was an athlete at Central High and Cleveland State, where she played on the basketball team. Friends and family held a candlelight vigil for Darian at Central High on Thursday evening.     35…

Call to action event held for Chattanooga’s youth

Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod wants Chattanooga's children and teenagers to feel safe

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “Have you had enough yet?” This was one of several questions addressed at tonight’s “Our Youth Matters” discussion just off MLK Boulevard. Tonight, plenty of concerned Chattanoogans spoke on the matter. But it was the kids’ voices that had the most emphasis. District 9 Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod says it’s imperative that the city support the “ideals and…

Deeper dive into Garrian King shows several arrests

King is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon in connection with the deadly shooting along McCallie Avenue this past Saturday

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – With the arrest, it leads to more questions about who Garrian King is. King has had some run-ins with law enforcement in the past. The latest one puts him on the scene of the deadly shooting last Saturday. The 28-year-old King only has a federal charge in connection with the shooting outside Mary’s Bar last Saturday: possession…

Chattanooga hold first public workshop for POP Plan

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Outdoor enthusiasts flocked to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center to provide their input on the future of Chattanooga’s parks. Tonight was just the first public workshop that revolve around the city’s new Parks and Outdoors Plan. The goal in mind is to provide top-quality park access to all Chattanoogans, regardless of background and zip code. From industrial…

Volkswagen opens new EV battery lab in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Volkswagen opened a new EV battery engineering lab in Chattanooga on Wednesday. The 32,000 square foot lab will be used to test and develop parts for all electric vehicles the company will make for the U.S. market. It is right next to the VW assembly plant. Top Volkswagen Group of America officials joined state lawmakers and local…

Ham Co school superintendent, County Commissioner say SROs are not enough to keep kids safe in schools

Dr. Justin Robertson says SROs are only a part of what is needed for safety in schools

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Safety in Hamilton County schools are continually being discussed by people in the community. This morning, it was the Hamilton County Commission’s turn to ask what is going to be enough. The mass shootings that happened in Chattanooga the last two weekends put all of the city and county’s leadership on high alert. Not just about what’s…

Juvenile Court Judges Weighs in on Youth Violence

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Last Friday, a 15 year old was arrested for the shooting that happened two weeks ago on Walnut Street. In the gang-related shooting that happened last weekend on McCallie Avenue, the youngest victim was 16. According to Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw, offences involving juveniles have increased recently. “The real alarming thing, the thing that concerns us…