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Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Firefighters, volunteers come together to combat growing wildfire

Over 11,000 homes have been evacuated in Sevier County
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Wildfires are blazing through Tennessee, with some of the largest being outside Pigeon Forge in Sevier County. Needing backup, Chattanooga has been just one of many departments to provide relief in wake of the disaster. “From our department, we did send one engine company and one tanker company,” said CFD Operations Chief Rick Boatwright. “Several departments around…

Mocs Pro Day
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Cole Strange Draws in the NFL Scouts For Mocs Pro Day

Rick Nyman,

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA—The workout did not match the weather at Scrappy Moore Field Thursday morning. On a cool, overcast spring morning, 10 Chattanooga Mocs alums went through numbers tests and drills for the approximate 25 NFL scouts and coaches at the annual pro day work. The 10… Defensive Back (4): Brandon Dowdell, Rashun Freeman, Jordan Jones, Jerrell Lawson Linebacker/Defensive Line (1):…

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DeKalb County, Entertainment, Featured, From The Archives, Local News

From The Archives: 1982 Alabama Homecoming Concert

The Rainesville show was their first back in their old neighborhood since making it big at the CMA Awards
Collins Parker,

RAINSVILLE, Alabama (WDEF) – Rainsville, Alabama isn’t really their hometown, but it was close enough in 1982. County music fans in our area should be able to tell you that “the boys from Alabama” came from Fort Payne. But when they played up on the mountain early that year, it was still a homecoming show. Alabama was just hitting it…

Guitars For The Homeless
Bradley County, Cleveland, Local News

Giving Guitars Tour

Brian Armstrong,

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF)-A formerly homeless country musician is making it a point to spread the importance of music. Country musician Steven Cade is donating guitars to inspire those in needs and offer a means of musical escape. His ‘Giving Guitars Tour’ visits homeless shelters and agencies across the country to interact with those in need, donate guitars, and hold liver…

Kelly Snip
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Mayor Kelly Announces 100 Million Dollar Affordable Housing Initiative

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “Chattanooga faces a crossroads. If we don’t do something about housing in our city, something bold and decisive, there are going to be serious and irreversible consequences,” said Mayor Tim Kelly, Thursday afternoon. Thursday, Mayor Tim Kelly announced a new initiative to build affordable housing in Chattanooga. “My administration is making a major investment that will create…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

50 years for Chattanooga Food Bank

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- “I think what’s amazing about this food bank, as we work with so many amazing partners across our community, that we don’t have to imagine a world where our neighbors are going hungry because we’re here,” said Blevins. For five decades, the Food Bank has provided food for those in need in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. “We’ve…

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Bradley County, Education, Local News

Education Commissioner makes stop in Bradley County

Brian Armstrong,

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF)-The Tennessee Commissioner of Education had a stop at Bradley County’s PIE Innovation Center. Bradley county schools, PIE innovation Center, helps kids learn in the classroom at the same time  gain real life work experience. Commissioner of education, Penny Schwinn, says she has heard so many great things about this project and wanted to see how it aids…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga to relocate homeless residents from railroad properties

Railroad company and city committed to keeping encampments safe
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The city of Chattanooga and Norfolk Southern are working together to relocate some at-risk homeless encampments by May 31 after some residents were found walking on the company’s tracks and climbing aboard their trains. “There a few events that happened very recently that elevated their safety concerns about the property,” said Sam Wolfe, Chattanooga’s director of homelessness…

Garth Interview 033022
Entertainment, Local News, Regional News

Garth Brooks Adds Second Nashville Stadium Show

WDEF News,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Country music star Garth Brooks is adding another show to his Nashville stop on his stadium tour. It’ll be Friday night, April 15, in addition to his rescheduled show at Nissan Stadium the next night. More than 70,000 fans had to leave last year’s concert early because of bad weather. Garth told News 12 he wanted…

Kemp Snip
Education, Featured, Health, Local News, Walker County

Mask Mandates Banned in Georgia Schools

WDEF News,

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – Yesterday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 514, which prohibits mask mandates in primary and secondary schools. “No local board of education, governing board, superintendent, or personnel at any public school system or state chartered school can unilaterally impose a mask mandate on students without providing parents the choice to opt their child out,” said…

Kendma
Business, Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Kendama toy

Dave meets the guys who are making an ancient toy from Japan
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – This is Chad Covington. Chad lives here in Chattanooga. But that toy in his hand is how he makes his living. It’s called Kendama. A traditional Japanese skill toy. It’s been around since the 17th century. 8 years ago, when Chad was 18, he and his brother, this young man, Shelton, started their own company, Sol Kendamas. They…

Silverdale Beats Boyd 8 5
Sports - Local Sports News

Silverdale Stays Unbeaten With 8-5 Over Boyd Buchanan

Rick Nyman,

  Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Silverdale baseball team knocked off Boyd Buchanan 8-5 on Monday night at Silverdale Academy in a district match-up. After falling behind 1-0 in the second, the Seahawks exploded for six runs in the bottom of the second highlighted by a 3 run homer from Brody Lamb. Silverdale improves to 9-0 on the season. They’ll meet up with…
Bradley County, Featured, Local News

Former Bradley Co. Commissioner stunned at lack of audit response

Resident finds it suspicious that issue has yet to be addressed with elections quickly approaching
WDEF News,

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Commissioner Erica Davis is seeking re-election in District 6 of Bradley County. At the same time, she’s in ties with the state’s Comptroller’s Office. Former County Commissioner Dan Rawls addressed the Bradley Co. Commission at their Monday night meeting, amazed that there has yet to be an audit committee meeting regarding Davis. He said that…

Pinkston Vs Wamp
Chattanooga, Elections, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton County District Attorney Debate Set for Tuesday 3/29/22

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – We are little more than a month away from the Republican Primary in the Hamilton County District Attorney’s race, but we are just one day away from a debate between the incumbent, Neal Pinkston and challenger Coty Wamp. The East Brainerd Kiwanis Club will host that debate, tomorrow (3/29/22) night at 7 at the Brainerd Baptist…

Rossville Banner
Featured, Local News, Walker County

From aesthetics to economics: Rossville puts banners up to start city makeover

Banners are a way to promote the city to get businesses to relocate or start in the city
WDEF News,

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – The city of Rossville wants to restore its former glory. The question isn’t how, but when. It’s beginning with an aesthetic change, and with a new look comes a new attitude, and businesses might like what they see. Back in the ’50’s and ’60’s, Rossville was considered the ‘crown jewel of Walker County.’ The best of…

Empact Snip
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Enterprise Center Provides IT Skills Training to Chattanoogans

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “When these students finish in this nine weeks, they’re going to be cream of the crop,” said Charlotte Brand, Economic Mobility Program Coordinator for the Enterprise Center. This morning, the enterprise center kicked off the second cohort in its EMPACT IT skills training program. The nine week program will award graduates with a Google IT certification, which…

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Chattanooga, Education, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Remembering Aretha Franklin at Howard

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Did you know that Aretha Franklin sang at Howard High School 67 years ago? We’ll she did. A touching tribute to that performance is coming up soon. Ricardo Morris is the Theater Arts Teacher at Howard. He says, “It was Monday, April the 4th 1955 when her dad was on an evangelistic tour of the country. …

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: The Westside Easter Egg hunt

Dave Staley shares the story behind the annual hunt for kids
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s almost time for Easter! This year, it’s on April 17th. And that means it’s time for another Westside Easter Egg Hunt. It’s all organized and sponsored by a Chattanooga native, who simply wants to give back to our community. His name is William Jones Odom. But most know him by his stage name: Coogi Doogi. Coogi…