Rossville
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley, Walker County

More To The Story: The Boulevard Project

Dave meets the people who have a plan to improve Rossville and Rossville Boulevard
Dave Staley,

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) –  The Boulevard Project is a grassroots organization. It’s goal is to improve the Rossville Boulevard corridor. How to accomplish that? Improve food access, improve safety, increase transportation and add businesses to the area. This long street has been somewhat of a desert for quite some time. The Boulevard Project, along with the Rossville Downtown Development Authority,…

Shooting Mcalie
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga Police Chief addresses city council over latest shooting

Several residents additionally express gun violence concerns to council members
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy first expressed her condolences to the families of the incident tonight when addressing all in attendance at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. While she says there still isn’t enough evidence to prosecute anyone yet, she wanted to reassure that CPD is doing all it can to find who’s responsible. In response to…

Chattanooga Lookouts Byrd Tenerowicz Became A Fan Favorite
Sports - Local Sports News

Chattanooga Lookouts Byrd Tenerowicz Became a Fan Favorite

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga Lookouts fan favorite Byrd Tenerowicz has flown the coop. Byrd was called up to the Reds Triple-A team in Louisville Tuesday. His hot bat earned the promotion, and his style of play earned the adulation of Lookouts fans. So how did Robbie Tenerowicz become Byrd Tenerowicz. Well it involves and a buddy and beverages. Said Tenerowicz:”He started calling…

Chatt State Groundbreaking
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga State breaks ground on Tennessee College of Applied Technology facility

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga State Community College broke ground today on a building that has been two years in the making. School officials thanked many of the politicians in attendance for helping make the new Tennessee College of Applied Technology facility become a reality. The building costs almost 22 million dollars, and will be the workforce training facility that helps…

E. 26th St. shooting
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Today’s developments in Chattanooga shootings

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The city continues to get a grasp on the gun violence plaguing Chattanooga over the last few weekends. On Tuesday, officials confirm to us that Chattanooga Police now consider the McCallie Avenue shooting to be “gang-related.” But they do NOT think it was “gang-motivated.” What’s the difference? Gang members shooting other people for more personal reasons. Chief…
Featured, Local News, Ooltewah

Accelerating Tennessee Bus Tour arrives in Ooltewah

Tour promotes recently passed TISA Act signed by Gov. Bill Lee
WDEF News,

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — TISA, or the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act, was signed by Gov. Bill Lee just over a month ago. The Accelerating Tennessee Bus Tour made a pit stop in Ooltewah to discuss the new state legislation that will invest a recurring one billion dollars into K-12 public education. Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn believes TISA funds…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Use Tech to Keep Teen Drivers Safe

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Memorial Day recently kicked off the unofficial start of summer, and the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. Crash report data from AAA found that more than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers nationwide happened between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If that doesn’t get your attention, 16-to 17-year-olds are also three times more likely…

Snip
Business, Chattanooga, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Local News

EMPACT Program Awards IT Certifications to Nine Graduates

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “There is one word that comes to mind, for me, when I think about the Google IT certification program and this class, and that word is transformation,” said Dr. Rebecca Ashford, President of Chattanooga State Community College. Monday, nine people graduated from the City of Chattanooga’s EMPACT Google IT program, which provides successful students with a credential…

South Pittsburg Candlelight Vigil
Featured, Local News, Marion County

Community response to South Pittsburg crash that killed 4 football players

grief counseling, fundraisers for the families
Collins Parker,

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tennessee (WDEF) – The healing is only beginning in the South Pittsburg community after four young men died in a crash over the weekend. All five victims in the vehicle were football players, between the ages of 16-22. Four were killed and the fifth is in critical condition. The community is coping the best they can: — South…

Whats Right 1280x720 1
Education, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Middle Valley Elementary E-Lab

Andrew Harrison,

Hixson, TN (WDEF) – A strong background in Computer Science is essential as our world becomes more tech driven. Hamilton County is a global leader in training the coders of tomorrow. Are you not sure what coding is? Students at Middle Valley Elementary can explain. Allyson DeYounng is the Principal at Middle Valley. She explains, “This is a part of…
Sports, Sports - Local Sports News

Benches clear in Lookouts late loss to Trash Pandas

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Lookouts were swept in a chippy doubleheader with the Rocket City Trash Pandas Saturday. Benches cleared in a sixth inning shouting match after pitcher Coleman Crow struck out Lookouts’ Francisco Urbaez to end the inning. Chattanooga led the game until that sixth inning. The Trash Pandas scored four unanswered runs in the last two…

Lookouts Hold Rocket City To Two Hits In Winning 10 1
Sports - Local Sports News

Lookouts Hold Rocket City to Two Hits in Winning 10-1

Rick Nyman,

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Lookouts scored eight runs after the sixth inning in their 10-1 win over the First Place Rocket City Trash Pandas. Along with their strong offensive showing later in the game the Lookouts pitching staff delivered a dominant performance. Led by starting pitcher Brandon Williamson, the Lookouts only allowed one run on two hits. Williamson’s only blemish of…

Dale Pruitt Steps Down At Marion County
Sports - Local Sports News

Dale Pruitt Steps Down as Marion Co Football Coach

Rick Nyman,

There will be a changing of the guard for Marion County football. Veteran coach Dale Pruittis leaving the Warriors in order to return to his high school alma mater at Plainview high in Alabama. Pruitt coached Marion County the last two years, posting a 16-6 record. It was his second stint as the Warriors head coach. Pruitt of course is…

Chad Barger Named East Ridge Head Football Coach
Sports - Local Sports News

Chad Barger Named East Ridge Head Football Coach

Rick Nyman,

East Ridge did not have to go far to find their new head football coach. They named assistant Chad Barger as their new sideline boss. He replaces Tim James, who announced he was leaving this week. Barger was the Pioneers offensive coordinator the last three years. He was previously a head coach at four different schools, including Coahulla Creek and…

Tennessee Shows Off Sketches Of Lindsey Nelson Stadium Renovations
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UT Vols

Tennessee Shows What Future Renovations Will Look Like at Lindsey Nelson Stadium

Rick Nyman,

With Tennessee is hosting the NCAA baseball regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, and the University decided to release sketches of what the upcoming renovations will look like at the Vols home park. More seating and more suites are on the way along with plenty of other amenities. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UT Vols Tags: Baseball, College…

Riverbend Photo
Chattanooga, Entertainment, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Riverbend rocks Chattanooga on opening night

39th Riverbend Festival is the first held by city since 2019
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — After a two-year hiatus, Riverbend finally returned to downtown Chattanooga. The festivities began early when Hollywood icon Leslie Jordan was welcomed home as the festival’s honorary host. “I’m so honored and I want to thank each and every one of you for this,” Jordan said. “It’s just wonderful. Thank you.” Due to the recent trend of mass…

Battle Of The Badges
Catoosa County, Cleveland, Local News, Walker County

Annual Battle of the Badges blood drive

Erlanger LIFE FORCE drive Saturday in Cleveland
Collins Parker,

LAFAYETTE/RINNGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) – For years, law enforcement in north Georgia have shown some good-natured, bad blood. The Sheriff’s Offices in neighboring Walker and Catoosa Counties have squared off in an annual Battle of the Badges. They see which community can donate the most to Blood Assurance. Summer is often a slow time for blood donations, even though the demand…

Img 1949
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Future teachers receive scholarships as potential teacher shortage looms

Brian Armstrong,

HIXSON, Tennessee (WDEF)- As students leave the classroom for summer vacation, some teachers may follow but won’t be returning next fall.  A future teacher shortage is possible but some future and former educators feel that teaching is a rewarding calling. Seven scholarships were given out by the Chattanooga Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association to students who intend on becoming teachers…
Catoosa County, Hamilton County, Local News

Catalytic converter theft on the rise

Brian Armstrong,

CATOOSA COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF)- Catalytic converters continue to be an item stolen off of vehicles in the area. East Ridge Police and Catoosa County Law Enforcement have warned the public about an increase number of catalytic converter thefts. Catoosa County Sheriff, Gary Sisk, says they recently made an arrest in several converters being stolen. He says they are often stolen…

More To The Story: Donuts & The Salvation Army
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: Donuts

Did you know the history of donuts and the Salvation Army?
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Tony McInnis is the founder and owner of a very popular Chattanooga donut shop. Tasty Donuts. Tony’s a Louisiana native. He knows a good donut. In fact, all of the donuts come from his own recipes. So, asking Tony what his favorite donut is……is, well, a little tricky!! “Oh, that’s a very hard question. I guess it depends…