Chip’s Good Word: Soap Box Derby stories

2 champs from Athens, TN tell their stories on Saturday.

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – If you have ever considered getting your kids in on the Soap Box Derby racing circuit, we’ve got a good entry point for your on Saturday. Two champions from last year’s race in Athens will share their stories at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum Saturday at 11 AM. Zeke Hembree and Juliet Couch will be…

Early Childhood Education survey

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The local coalition Early Matters launched a new survey yesterday for people in Hamilton County. The topic? Early childhood education. The survey takes about nine minutes to complete. It’s intended to find out what young families feel their children need during their earliest years. Jennifer Andrews tells us “This survey is a more board stroke for the whole…

CCS Football Coach Mark Mariakis Steps Down

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) After seven seasons as the head football coach at CCS, Mark Mariakis has announced his resignation. Mariakis took the Chargers to the post season six times during his tenure. He said he decided to leave for family reasons. Said Mariakis:”My wife and I took my mom in when my dad passed five years ago. So becoming primary care-givers. Just…

Critics Perceive Lack of Diversity Among Riverbend Headliners

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Riverbend Festival organizers say the lineup selection process is complex but involves community input. “We sent out a survey to around 30,000 people and just ask them straight up, who would you want to see,” says Mitchell Hall, Director of Operations for Friends of the Festival. Hall says spreadsheets are used to narrow that list of artists…

Omicron Surge Continues in Hamilton County

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – With 670 new cases reported in Hamilton County today, Chattanooga continues to face yet another surge of COVID-19. Driven by the Omicron variant, this new wave comes with a high positivity rate. “We have high transmission. Positivity rate is over forty-six percent. That means half of those tests that we get reports on, that are reported, are…

Hooked On Science – Musical Straw

SCIENCE SAFETY PLEASE follow these safety precautions when doing any science experiment. • ALWAYS have an adult present. • ALWAYS wear the correct safety gear while doing any experiment. • NEVER eat or drink anything while doing any experiment. • REMEMBER experiments may require marbles, small balls, balloons, and other small parts. Those objects could become a CHOKING HAZARD. Adults…

East Hamilton 6’10 Forward Cade Pendleton Packs Deadly Shot Behind the Arc

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) According to East Hamilton basketball coach Andy Webb, Cade Pendleton had 23 rebounds in a game for the Hurricanes this season. Not too surprising for a 6’10 guy. What you don’t expect from someone Pendleton’s size is his three point shooting. Pendleton can really dial it up from downtown. Who knows…someday he may get 23… three’s in a game….

UTC Women Down Western Carolina 55-48 For Program’s 900th Career Victory

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattanooga battled back from a nine-point halftime deficit for its third straight win, beating Western Carolina 55-48 at The McKenzie Arena Thursday night in Southern Conference women’s basketball action. The win was the 900th in program history for the Mocs, 39th best in NCAA Division I history. The Mocs improve to 5-14 overall and 3-1 in…

Governor Visits Watts Bar Nuclear Plant

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is making his appearances throughout the state, taking time on Thursday to visit the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Spring Hill. His first time at the plant became less of a photo opportunity and more of a State of the State address. While the governor was able to see all the…

Nine Hamilton County Schools go Virtual

UPDATE: Hamilton County added 5 new schools to the virtual learning list late Thursday:   School Dates Battle Academy 1/21-1/25 Chattanooga School for Liberal Arts 1/21-1/25 East Brainerd Elementary School 1/21-1/25 Lookout Valley Middle High School 1/21-1/25 Wolftever Creek Elementary School 1/21-1/25 All after-school and extracurricular activities, including athletics, are canceled. ____________________ CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Following widespread illness among staff,…

More Information on Teenage Trail Runner Rescue

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “It’s kind of like a bowl of spaghetti. It just keeps going. It gets tangled up. It’s really easy to get turned around.” That’s how local experienced trail runner Garrison Wheeler describes the miles of trails, with cliffs and waterfalls, that two Chattanooga teenagers got lost on Wednesday night after separating from another group of runners. “The…

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…