Bethlehem Center Celebrates Black History, Raises Money for Youth

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – February is Black history Month, and Chattanooga’s Bethlehem Center celebrated the month today by partnering with Lil’ Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagie restaurant. “We’re so excited to be here, today, as we honor Black history month, as we honor the contributions that have been made. Lil’ Mama’s being so generous with their support of the Bethlehem Center, the…

Travel increases as COVID cases decrease

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-“Very safe. Everyone’s masked up, everyone’s complaint just about we’re on Royal Caribbean and we feel safer there than we do at home. People around here don’t wear a mask when you go out,” said soon to be traveler Pam Booth. As COVID cases decrease and COVID restrictions are being lessened or removed people are looking to get…

From The Archives: 2002 Tri-State Crematory scandal

Twenty years ago, authorities recovered more than 300, unburied bodies in north Georgia

NOBLE, Georgia (WDEF) –  We are marking the 20th anniversary this week of one of the most bizarre stories ever in our area. This week, authorities had just begun to find bodies that had never been cremated at the Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Georgia. The recovery process took weeks. Eventually, they found 339 bodies. Many were never identified. The scandal…

Matt Adams joins race for Hamilton County Mayor

Adams is the only Democrat in the race so far

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The list of candidates in the race for the upcoming Hamilton County Mayor election grew to four today. Hamilton County Mayoral candidate Matt Adams filed his petition at the election commission, this afternoon. Currently residing in District 6, Adams is the only registered Democrat running in the election. “I look at the Mayor’s office as a way…

Kane Brown Concert Kicks of Wave of Events at Finley Stadium

For two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down business at Finley Stadium. But that’s about to change. “We have 177 contracted events for 2022 for Finley Stadium,” said Lauren Cavitt, Assistant Director of Chattanooga Market. As COVID cases decline and vendors renew interest, Finley is ramping up use of the facility in a big way, hosting a concert for…

McKamey Animal Center takes in three-legged dog

Dog was shot in Georgia over weekend; leg was amputated

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The McKamey Animal Center recently took in a dog that is now missing a leg after being shot over the weekend. The shelter does not know who shot the dog, but they do know it was shot in Georgia. McKamey’s Executive Director Inga Fricke said that “Good Samaritans” found the terrier mix in the woods on Sunday….

CFD encourages residents to check smoke detectors

Call to action results from morning house fire where family was saved by alarm

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Fire Department was called at 5:47 a.m. Wednesday morning and rushed to the 2000 block of Hickory Valley Road in response to a local house fire. Fortunately, no one in the family was harmed. Flames engulfed the home’s interior, as well as underneath the structure. Fortunately, the family inside escaped with their lives, avoiding death…

More To The Story: Chickamauga Robotics Class

CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia (WDEF) – It’s after school hours in Chickamauga. But this classroom is buzzing with youngsters. You see, these fourth and fifth graders have work to do! ISAAC BLESCH, 10 YEARS OLD; “The robots pick up four balls. And then they go for the long shot. First, they shoot two balls. Then they go back and get four balls. Then…

Smoke detectors wake residents to fire in their home this morning

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga firefighters say that smoke detectors just may have saved a family On Hickory Valley Road before dawn. The fire broke out around 5:45 AM in the 2000 block. The smoke detectors woke up the residents who evacuated the home. Firefighters quickly dealt with the flames they could see, but found more fire underneath the home. They…

Northwest Whitfield Downs Ridgeland 76-51 in Region Tournament

Tunnel Hill, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Northwest Whitfield boys basketball team built a 42-17 halftime lead over Ridgeland before cruising to a 76-51 victory on Tuesday evening at NW Whtifield high school. The two local teams clashed in their region tournament. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, High School Basketball, Northwest Whitfield High School, Ridgeland High School

McMinn County School District rocked by high school sex scandal

38-year-old Melissa Blair of Englewood indicted on 18 counts of statutory rape

For the second time in five days, the McMinn County School District becomes the center of the news universe again. This time due to a scandal that has rocked the district. McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy announced this afternoon that 38-year-old Melissa Blair of Englewood has been indicted on several counts of the statutory rape of nine students at McMinn…

Longtime Cleveland resident receives free roof

Local roofing company, Facebook community behind the gift

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Clevelanders helping Clevelanders could be seen as one of the city’s local companies came to the aid of one of its longest-tenured residents. Rivco Owner Alex Rivera and his men got to work early installing a brand-new roof on the home of 90-year-old Margaret Leamon — a member of the Cleveland community for more than 70…

Recent Spike in Chattanooga Overdose Deaths Alarms Police and Local Rehabs

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Overdose deaths are on the rise all over the country and the startling trend is hitting Chattanooga hard. “Chattanooga is no different, we’ve seen quite a spike the last week and a half,” says Sergeant Jeremy Eames with the Chattanooga Police Department. The Chattanooga Police Department says there have been ten overdose deaths since the first of…

McMinn Central’s Karina Bystry Inspires the Chargerettes

Englewood, TN-(WDEF-TV) The McMinn Central girls basketball team has already secured the district title. The Chargerettes have had an inspired season, but they have an even more inspiring story on their roster. News 12’s Angela Moryan has this special Chargerettes story. Said teammate Molly Masingale: “I think it’s amazing what she does. I mean, she helps our team so much,…

20 Years Ago Today: Tri-State Crematory Scandal

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — On the afternoon of February 15, 2002, the Walker County Sheriff’s Department was called to Tri-State Cemetery in Noble, Georgia. What they found was shocking. “Throughout the next six weeks, approximately 339 bodies were located and discovered there on the property of the Tri-State Crematory,” said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson. The bodies found on the…

Woman indicted for having sex with students at McMinn Central High

Sheriff says there were nine male victims at the school

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Officials in McMinn County are announcing indictments in a sex offense investigation involving students at McMinn Central High School. The victims, so far, are nine male teenagers from the schools. Seven are under 18 years of age. A grand jury has indicted 38 year old Melissa Blair for having sex with them. The 18 counts include…

Police warn of a string of overdose deaths in Chattanooga

They believe fentanyl is the culprit for the rise in ODs this month

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police are issuing a warning about a rash of overdose deaths in our area that they blame on fentanyl. They say the city has seen 10 overdose deaths since the first of the month. Police say: “If you are struggling with a substance abuse problem, please reach out to the Hamilton County Coalition / M. L….

Benjamin Brown gets ‘big win;’ is eligible for immediate probation despite conviction

Criminally negligent homicide is a Class E felony, with a sentencing range of 1-2 years with probation immediately available

The case that’s captured the Tennessee Valley’s attention since 2018: a two-year-old girl dead; her babysitter’s boyfriend charged with killing her. On Monday, a jury found Benjamin Brown of Soddy-Daisy guilty, but not for the felony murder charge prosecutors wanted. Brown was convicted of lesser charges: criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. Those lesser charges could have a major impact…