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Education, Featured, Government & Politics, Local News, McMinn County

Citizen protest doesn’t move McMinn County School Board to reverse ‘Maus’ action

Concerned citizens believe book removal shows district is not interested in furthering children's education
WDEF News,

ATHENS (WDEF) – One month ago, the McMinn County School Board made a decision that put it squarely in the international public eye. The McMinn County School Board says it will not review its decision to remove the graphic novel ‘Maus,’ a book about the Holocaust, from the district’s eighth grade curriculum. It’s been 31 days since the McMinn County…

Burn Awareness Week
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Health, Local News

Burn Awareness Week

Fire officials and Erlanger warn about the dangers of burns in the kitchen
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Fire Department and Erlanger Health System are working together to put a spotlight on National Burn Awareness Week. The theme is “Burning Issues in the Kitchen!”. That was selected to help prevent scald burns and distracted cooking because Nearly half of all home fires are caused by cooking. The fire department wants people to know…

Road Rage Shooting
Catoosa County, Featured, Local News

Grand Jury declines to indict shooting suspect who claimed self-defense

The matter involved a fatal shooting in a road rage case last fall in Catoosa County
Collins Parker,

RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) – A grand jury declined to indict a man in a road rage incident last fall that ended in a fatal shooting. The shooting happened last September on Elm Avenue next to the Catoosa County sports complex off of I-75. Jack Chandler Pedigo was found shot in his vehicle. Deputies took a man into custody but did…
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

UTC to receive new building for School of Nursing

School director hoping enrollment will increase with new facility
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A new Health Science Building is coming to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The 92,000 square-foot building will include new classrooms, lab spaces and offices. But perhaps the biggest new addition that the building will bring … is more nurses. UTC School of Nursing Director, Dr. Christine Smith, certainly hopes that’s the case. As we were…
Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

NAACP Takes Stance Against City Council Vote

WDEF News,

After serving District 8 for five years, Anthony Byrd is stepping down from the City Council to become the City Court Clerk. The City Council voted on Tuesday to vacate his seat and appoint a replacement upon acceptance of his resignation. But the NAACP has expressed concern over the the council’s decision not to advise his appointed successor against running…
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga Police Say Low Bond Fee Puts Public At Risk

Senator Pushes Regulation
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “We’re not concerned about our job being easier, we’re concerned about people we put in jail who are a danger to the community staying in jail,” says Chattanooga Police Public Information Officer Sergeant Jeremy Eames. Chattanooga Police have strong words about a bond system they say can put the public in danger. Zachary Smith was arrested on…

Denia Reece Retirement
Catoosa County, Education, Featured, Local News

Longtime Catoosa County Superintendent to retire

Denia Reese to leave after March, held position for 17 years
WDEF News,

CATOOSA COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — One of Catoosa County’s own is stepping down after decades of service to countless students. Superintendent Denia Reese was honored with a luncheon this afternoon at The Colonnade in Ringgold and will retire at the end of next month. She’s also proud to be “a product” of Catoosa County, having graduated from Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High…

1992 Valentines Day00000005
From The Archives, Hamilton County, Local News

From the Archives: 1992 Valentine’s Day

We look back at how we celebrated the holiday 30 years ago
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Our Valentine’s Day traditions haven’t changed all that much over the years. For our Thursday Throwback, we’re going back 30 years to celebrate in 1992. The technology for reserving flowers or taking video has changed since then. But the sentiment behind the holiday remains the same. Categories: From The Archives, Hamilton County, Local News Tags: Valentine’s Day

Business, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Local News

Gas prices impacting spending at the pump and the store

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-  According to AAA, gas prices in Tennessee are up $0.13 from last week and almost a dollar more than this time last year. “It’s just something that we have to roll with the punches and hopefully gas prices will drop at some point but I don’t think that’s gonna be any time soon,” said Mason Frierson. “I’m paying…

Cole Strange Invited To Nfl Combine
Sports - Football, Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Offensive Lineman Cole Strange Invited to NFL Combine

Rick Nyman,

Mocs offensive lineman Cole Strange got to showcase his talents for NFL coaches last weekend at the Senior Bowl. Now he gets another chance to impress NFL scouts. Strange has been invited to the famous NFL combine in Indianapolis. A total of 324 draft prospects have been invited. The combine starts March first. Categories: Sports – Football, Sports – Local…

Mocs Get Defensive In Win Over Western Carolina
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Defense Clamps Down on Western Carolina in 65-47 Victory

Rick Nyman,

(gomocs.com)HATTANOOGA (February 9) — The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team avenged its loss to Western Carolina earlier this season with a stout defensive effort and earned its third-straight victory behind a 65-47 tally on Wednesday night in Southern Conference action inside McKenzie Arena. Following the win, Chattanooga improves to 21-5 overall and remains atop the SoCon standings at 11-2. Western…

Nooga Q Trailer Stolen
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Early morning theft of catering trailer has Nooga-Q owner fighting mad

Surveillance video caught the theft; owner drove by 30 minutes later
WDEF News,

Chris Rock once said “Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.” It was 6 a.m. Wednesday morning when a catering trailer behind Nooga-Q near Signal Mountain was taken from a parking spot behind the business. A surveillance camera nearby caught it all. A red Ford F-150 drives on to the lot, backs into the trailer, hitches it and leaves. From beginning…

Shaken Baby Trial
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Trial begins in Shaken Baby case

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A jury trial begins for the man accused of a 2018 murder of a little girl. Benjamin Brown was charged with felony murder, following the death of two-year-old Annie Shell of Soddy Daisy. Brown was the boyfriend of Brandi Giannunzio, who babysitting the girl. Brandi was charged with making false reports, and accessory after the fact. Brandi…

Pritchett
Sports, Sports - Football, Sports - Local Sports News

Ridgeland’s new football coach Craig Pritchett settling in

WDEF News,

ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — Ridgeland might’ve hired its new football coach back in December, but Craig Pritchett is just now finally settling in — back in his hometown of Rossville. Pritchett was the defensive coordinator for the famed Panthers team that made it to the state championship in 2012. Now, 11 years later, he returns, ready to bring the Panthers…

Unifirst
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley, Walker County

More To The Story: Uniform Business

Collins Parker,

CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia (WDEF) – The UniFirst Corporation deals with a LOT of uniforms. Selling and washing uniforms. Mostly specialized garments. Such as workwear. And protective clothing. Also dealing in floor care products. Mats, rugs. Some 14-thousand company employees nationwide. But for the first time ever, the Chattanooga area has an Aldo Croatti award winner.It’s this man: Chickamauga’s Jason Groce. He’s…

East Hamilton's Jeremiah Flemmons Profile
Sports - Local Sports News

East Hamilton’s Jeremiah Flemmons Excited to Sign With Austin Peay

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Six East Hamilton Hurricanes signed to play college football last week. At top billing was receiver Jeremiah Flemmons, who heads to Austin Peay. News 12’s Angela Moryan tells us just how special Flemmons has been for the Canes. East Ham’s Jeremiah Flemmons has done it all for the Hurricanes. Receiver, quarterback, defensive back — you name it, he’s played…