State of Georgia identifies two residents with Covid-19 Omicron

NORTH GEORGIA, (WDEF) – The State of Georgia has identified two residents that have tested positive for the omicron variant-both having recently traveled from South Africa.  Though Georgia has two residents with Omicron, only one is actually in the state. The other was the first resident to be identified but is New Jersey.  Both residents are self isolating. Experts say variants…

Weather in the Classroom Visits Bess T. Shepherd Elementary

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): Weather in the classroom was on the road again today to Bess T. Shepherd Elementary. During these visits, we present weather related experiments, talk to students about severe weather and the different weather phenomenons that we face in the Tennessee Valley. The kindergarten students have been learning about weather for a month now. They had lots of…

Mayes sentenced for Baldwin Street murder

Sentenced as a multiple offender

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Jamaal Mondrew Mayes was sentenced on Monday for a shooting near the Community Kitchen in 2017. He got 48 years for second degree murder as a multiple offender. He has past convictions for child rape, attempted murder and aggravated robbery. Four years ago, Mayes shot Willie Bacon on a Sunday night at the intersection of East 11th…

TECH BYTE: Handwritten Cards Go High Tech

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Holiday cards aren’t necessarily a thing of the past. They’re getting even more high tech, while still staying personal. “This year with COVID in particular, sending a holiday card that has actual ink on it really makes a tremendous impact,” said David Wachs, Handwrytten CEO. It may make a big impact, but when you have to…

Mocs ladies fight, but fall short to Alabama, 80-64

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (UTC Athletics) — Chattanooga’s Abbey Cornelius matched her career-high with a double-double Sunday afternoon at The McKenzie Arena in the Mocs 80-64 loss to Alabama in women’s basketball action. Cornelius dropped in a team-best 22 points and snared 10 rebounds for her second double-dip of the year. She added four assists in the game and had one block….

Bradley Central Bearettes Retire Rhyne Howard’s Jersey

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Bradley Central retired the jersey of one of the greatest in Bearettes history. Two-time SEC Player of the Year Rhyne Howard back in her hometown for the ceremony, which took place place during halftime of the Bradley-Cleveland boys game. Howard’s number 23 joins the wall of legendary Bearettes. She was met with a full house, standing ovation. Said…

Calhoun Beats Blessed Trinity to Advance to Class 5A State Title Game

Calhoun, GA-(WDEF-TV) Calhoun defeated Blessed Trinity 24-7 on Friday at Calhoun High School to advance to the Class 5A state title game next Saturday in Atlanta. Yellow Jackets scored on their opening possession as Emaree Watson hauled in a short touchdown pass from Christian Lewis to make it 7-0. Lewis added another touchdown pass early in the second quarter on…

South Pittsburg Rallies to Beat McKenzie For Class A State Title

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) South Pittsburg rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat McKenzie 24-21 for the Class A state title on Friday at Finley Stadium. Xavier Webber scored on a 48-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 Rebels. Right before the end of the first quarter, McKenzie recovered a fumble and later punched in another touchdown to make it 14-0. Pirates finally…

City of Red Bank hosts annual Christmas parade and festival

Holiday Traditions continue after a year long pause

RED BANK, Tenn (WDEF) – The City of Red Bank is celebrating the holidays with the return of the Red Bank Christmas Parade and Festival.  Local vendors were on site from 4 pm until 8 pm displaying and offering their unique crafts and gift selections.  After canceling the annual holiday event last year due to Covid concerns, the City was excited…

Managing Holiday Stress during Covid-19

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – With the holidays in full swing, the added pressure of planning, shopping, traveling, social obligations, and covid-19 restrictions can add even more stress to those who have an underlying mental health condition.  “ You don’t have to fight this alone. I think one of the biggest problems we have is that we get so self-conscious and that…

How CFD safely performs emergency extrications from electric and hybrid vehicles

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Electric and hybrid vehicles are viewed as the way of the future. However, with new technology comes potentially new challenges. Such as how does a vehicular extrication team cut into an electric car safely. “First and foremost we have to ensure that the vehicle is safe to work around. Depending on the manufacturer there are different ways that…

Sen. Gardenhire wants to equal out school board pay

His bill would make sure they get the same pay as county commissioners in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A local state lawmaker is tacking the issue of school board pay. Senator Todd Gardenhire is filing a bill to require that school board members get paid the same as county commissioners. The only guidance now in Tennessee is they must be paid at least $3 per meeting. Local officials set their actual pay. He says while…

Lighting of Giant Ice Menorah at Ice on the Landing

Celebrating Hanukkah

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – On Thursday, Chattanooga residents gathered to celebrate Hanukkah in an effort to prompt holiday awareness. To help kick off the event – a parade of menorah lit exotic cars drove through downtown to the Chattanooga Choo Choo for the lighting of a giant ice menorah. Rabbi “Hanukkah carries the universal message of freedom of religion and freedom…

Chip’s Good Word: Woman thanks unnamed good Samaritan who returned her bag

She lost it with all her valuables at the Lighted Boat Parade

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – We’ve got a great story about a local woman who needs some help to thank an anonymous Good Samaritan. Megan Sandilands and her daughter went to the lighted boat parade on Friday night. But while she was enjoying the festive lights, she somehow lost her sling bag. It held her wallet, spare key to both the house…

Songbirds Christmas Ornaments

The guitar ornaments will support music programs in our area

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – One Chattanooga staple is helping give back to our community by hosting an ornament drive. Starting now, Songbirds is selling customizable guitar ornaments to museum and concert patrons as part of its “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” charitable campaign. Each ornament costs $100 and will buy a guitar and 10 free lessons for one student in the…

From The Archives: 1991 Oh, Calcutta controversy

1991 debate: Should musical with nudity be allowed at the Tivoli?

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Tivoli Foundation is at a crossroads these days. They are still trying to survive the pandemic, while pushing a major expansion to the Tivoli Center complex. But 30 years ago, they were in the middle of a different kind of storm. Should the musical Oh, Calcutta be allowed at the Chattanooga theater. The play featured rampant…

96 Angels still need picked from the Angel tree

CHATTANOOGA Tennessee (WDEF)- 96 Angels still need to be adopted in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. There are only a few days left to adopt an angel. Even though there is not as high of a need as last year during the pandemic, Major Mark Smith says the Salvation Army and the Hamilton County community have still served thousands this…

Small Businesses likely will be impacted by Supply Chain issues in 2022

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-“Supply chain issues aren’t necessarily going to disappear even in the near term or potentially in 2022,” said Robinson. Supply chain backups are affecting every industry which is making it particularly tough for small businesses this holiday season. Mamenta Clay Robinson said containers are ridiculously pensive, shipping logistics are just a mess. He said small businesses now have…

Governor Lee offers clemency for Grundy County man

Adam Braseel served 12 years for a murder in 2006 before being freed in 2019

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – Governor Bill Lee announced executive clemency for 17 offenders across Tennessee, including one man from Grundy County. Adam Braseel served 12 years for murder, but always said he was innocent. He was convicted of first degree murder for the death of Malcolm Burrows in 2006. Burrows, who was a known drug dealer, was beaten to death on…

More events added for this year’s Main X 24

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’ll be a busy weekend here in Chattanooga. Not only will the high school football state championship games be played Saturday at Finley Stadium, but there’ll be a huge “Block Party” on Main Street! After taking a year off because of the pandemic, the “Main-Times-24” parade and street festival will take place Saturday, beginning at 8 o’clock in…

McCallie Excited to Play For State Title in Their Own Back Yard

Chattanooga, TN-(WDEF-TV) McCallie will chase their third consecutive state title in their own back yard. Finley Stadium is less than five miles from the McCallie campus. The Blue Tornado could almost walk over to Finley to battle MBA for the state crown Thursday evening. McCallie has a chance to be the first Chattanooga school to win the championship in the…