Riverbend returns with a lineup of roots music acts from multiple genres

Jason Isbell, Cage the Elephant & Brothers Osborne headline

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Riverbend Festival is returning this year with a mix of country, Americana, and jam band acts. Friends of the Festival announced the lineup this morning. The headliners are Jason Isbell, Cage the Elephant and Brothers Osborne, topping a lineup of 20 performers. The festival will now be three days long. They are only selling 15,000 wristbands…

Hamilton Heights Beats East Hamilton 61-53

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Hamilton Heights won a thrilling game over East Hamilton 61-53 on Wednesday night at East Hamilton. The two teams lit it up from 3-point land in the first half combining for 14 three-pointers. Game was tied at 27 at halftime.  Hurricanes went up 8 early in the fourth quarter, but the Hawks forced a few turnovers down the stretch…

Titans Running Back Derrick Henry Says Foot Feels Fine

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Derrick Henry, the man who literally ran the Tennessee Titans to the AFC championship game two years ago, is ready to play again. The 2020 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year says his surgically repaired right foot, fixed with a steel plate, feels no different than his left, and he’s happy to be back on a football field. Just…

CHI Memorial names street in honor of MaryEllen Locher

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Officials with C-H-I Memorial helped officially rename a Chattanooga Street earlier today. Formerly known as Healthy Street, the road was renamed MaryEllen Locher Way. It was renamed after a beloved member of the community who passed away from breast cancer seventeen years ago. Janelle Reilly | CEO, CHI Memorial “She was a huge advocate for folks, for…

Chattanooga State will add a new building to campus

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The State Building Commission has approved the construction of a new building at Chattanooga State Community College. It’s expected to be roughly 49-thousand square feet, and cost 21-point-9 million dollars. With the new building, Chattanooga State expects to expand existing programs and introduce new ones. Dr. Jim Barrott | Executive Vice President, Chattanooga State: “The first floor…

Cleveland City Schools Close Due to Illness among Staff

Cleveland, TN – Cleveland City Schools were closed Wednesday due to a large number of sick employees. “The majority of those absences were related to illnesses,” said Kelly Kiser, Director of Human Resources at Cleveland City Schools. “Teachers have children, and so, you know, some of it could have been related to those types of issues. But, by and large,…

Uber Statement and Neighbor’s Account of Alleged Attack on Driver

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Zachery Richard Johnson was booked Saturday night on charges of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery and carjacking following his alleged attack on an Uber driver after leaving a Chili’s restaurant on Gunbarrel Road. The alleged attack took place at the end of Pebble Creek Road. Following the rerouting of her 9-1-1 call from…

Howard Rolls Past Rhea Co 78-43

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Howard rolled to a big 78-43 victory over Rhea Co on Tuesday night at the Howard School. The Hustlin’ Tigers defense forced several turnovers, which led to layups on the other end as they cruised to the 35 point win. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, High School Basketball, Howard School, Rhea County High School

Notre Dame Defeats CSAS 62-54 in Overtime

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Notre Dame beat CSAS in overtime 62-54 on Tuesday at CSAS. Game was tied at 52 in the closing seconds. Patriots held for the final shot, but they couldn’t convert. Irish then outscored CSAS 10-2 in overtime for the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, High School Basketball, Notre…

Affidavit: Uber driver calls her brutal sexual assault “agony”

A late night ride this past Saturday had one Uber driver facing the unthinkable: being sexually assaulted while driving a passenger out to Ooltewah. Poilce charged 36-year-old Zachery Richard Johnson of Ooltewah with five felonies, including aggravated rape, kidnapping, sexual assault and battery after the ride called “agony” by the victim in the case. It began at a restaurant along…

Chattanooga Care Center Continues COVID Precautions

CHATTANOOGA – Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against vaccine mandates for private businesses, large Medicare and Medicaid certified providers are still required to vaccinate their employees. For providers with fewer than one hundred employees, however, protective measures are largely in their hands. In Chattanooga, Sharon’s Adult Day Center is in that off category of Medicare-certified providers that are too small…

Golden Apple Award: Sam Sherrill, Boyd Buchanan

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A strong understanding in Science can set the foundation for a lifetime of logical thinking. Sam Sherrill makes sure his 7th graders at Boyd Buchanan understand the world around them, and they love him for it. Jordan Bischell is the Middle School Division Head at Boyd Buchanan Middle School. He explains, “One of the things that…

Betty White Challenge Brings Large Donations to Local Animal Shelters

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF): Betty White, often referred to as America’s Grandmother, was not only an exceptional actress, but also an avid animal advocate. In honor of Betty and her love for animals, the Betty White challenge went viral. The challenge started after the late actress passed away and asked fans of hers to donate $5 dollars to a local animal shelter….

Tennessee sets new record for gun confiscations at airports

Chattanooga violations also take a big jump in 2021

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – As air travel rebounded in 2021, so did gun confiscations. In fact, the TSA reports we broke records for the number of weapons they found in carry-on luggage last year. Nashville’s airport lead the way by setting a new all-time mark of 163 guns found. That beat the number found in all of Tennessee’s airports last…

Mom To Mom – Snowman Milk Jugs

The holidays may be over, but there’s still plenty of time for the snowmen. We are making a snowman milk jug craft, and basically you probably have all this stuff in your house, but if not, all you’re going to need is some pipe cleaners, some felt, some construction paper and glue, a pin and some lights. Now let’s assemble…

Malachi Smith Enjoying Outstanding Season For Chattanooga Mocs

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga sits on top of the SoCon standings thanks in large part to the play of guard Malachi Smith. His twitter handle is Maliworld, and Malachi has certainly been all world for the Mocs this season. Said Mocs head coach Lamont Paris:”I always say it. I’ll say it again. I’m just glad he’s on our team.” No kidding. Malachi…

More To The Story: Local teen wins contest to try out a high-end new mobility device

The Zeen does things a normal wheelchair can't

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – 15 year old Joel Westbrook has spina bifida. Every day, he and his Mom, Wendy, strap on the braces. So Joel can get around. He’ll use his wheelchair as well. One night, Wendy was on the internet. And saw a contest sponsored by ZEEN. It’s the latest invention in mobility devices. Much more than just your…

Remembering the life of MLK

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- After a week of virtual events honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, the community gathers in person at Miller Park to remember the life of one of the one of the most important people in U.S. history. “He was a prophet that foretold exactly what we’re living through these days. He brought to the forefront…