Habitat of Humanity of Cleveland Builds Handicap Accessible Home for Single Mother

Cleveland, TN (WDEF): Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland held a Home Dedication Ceremony today, their last one of the year. Today’s ceremony was in honor of new Habitat homeowner, Kayla Jackson and her four children. The home is handicap accessible for her daughter who is in a wheelchair. Jackson says this new home is a blessing. Meta McGuire with Habitat…

Free Breakfast For Vets

North Georgia Restaurants

CHATTANOOGA, TN – (WDEF) – It’s a day when we honor our veterans.  Those who are still with us, and those who aren’t. One restaurant chain in North Georgia is doing all it can to honor our “nation’s finest.” Seven North Georgia Hardee’s restaurants, to include the one on Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe, offered a free breakfast meal to all…

More To The Story: Evie West’s career path could be a movie

From street life in L.A. to police life in Cleveland

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s certainly not easy to make a radical change in one’s life. It takes a lot of effort. And a lot of faith. One police officer in Cleveland, Tennessee did just that. And now, she continues her mission of helping people. And trying to save lives. News 12’s Dave Staley has the story of Sergeant Evie West,…

County Commissioner discuss resolution for 11 school board members and partisan elections

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) -During Wednesday’s county commission meeting, commissioners discussed a resolution that would increase the school board from nine to eleven members, as a result of redistricting. Early Wednesday morning some members of the school board released a statement opposing that resolution.  “We have requested that the Hamilton County Commission defer any redistricting of the Hamilton County Board…

School Board objects to Hamilton County Commission action on redistricting

"We call that the resolution be amended back to the resolution of Nov. 3 and that the School Board be given the respect to explore options at our disposal."

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chairman of the Hamilton County School Board is objecting to a redistricting plan. The County Commission discussed a resolution that would increase the school board from nine to eleven members because of redistricting. They stripped out language dealing with the new state law about partisan election of school boards. They won’t vote on it until next…

Woman dies in Soddy Daisy fire

SODDY DAISY, Tennessee (WDEF) – The Soddy Daisy Police department and TBI are investigating a fatal fire that happened around 6 o’clock this morning. According to Deputy Chief Dusty Morgan, an elderly female died in the fire in a duplex on Swafford Road. The building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Efforts to revive the victim were not successful. No…

UTC Women Can’t Overcome Large Halftime Deficit in Falling to Belmont 88-70

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team rallied in the second half but couldn’t get past Belmont, falling 88-70 in the season-opener for both teams Tuesday night at the McKenzie Arena. The Mocs (0-1) had a pair of 7-2 runs in the third quarter and spanned the third and fourth with an 11-0 run…

Chip’s Good Word: Police food and toy drives this season

Chip shares details on several drives this weekend and coming up

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A couple of area police departments are helping restock shelves this weekend with local food drives. East Ridge Police are asking help to Fill The Cruiser Saturday at Southern Honda Powersports on Ringgold Road from 10-2. Drop off some non-perishables and officers will be there to help you load them. The proceeds will restock the East Ridge…

Mocs Take Talented Team Out West For Season Opener With Loyola Marymount

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) – The Chattanooga Mocs won their season opener out west Tuesday night. UTC took on Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. L.A. is famous for stars, and UTC should fit right in because it appears they have a star-studded team. Chattanooga has been picked to win the Southern Conference title. There are many reasons why UTC was picked to win…

Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Murray, DuPont Elementary

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A child’s first teacher plays a vital role in establishing a lifelong love of learning. It’s a job that requires plenty of patience, and if you don’t love it, kids can sense it. Dupont Elementary’s Jennifer Murray checks all those boxes and many more. Kelly Weiss is the in Principal at DuPont. She explains,  “Miss Murray…

Used car prices still on the rise

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The whole world turned upside down. Typically when you drive a car off the lot and the price depreciates. Today the price appreciates. Driving is something we rely on but, as car prices continue to surge and gas prices go up it can be tough to afford it. “Especially in an environment where there’s very limited inventory…

Hamilton County School Board Narrows Down Superintendent Search to Four, Begins Interviews

HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) – School board members gathered Monday night in a special session to hear the findings from a firm they hired to help find the next superintendent. The firm is called Buffkin Baker. The firm shared their process of interviewing the candidates with the board. “Do they have the big picture experience? Do they have the communication ability?…

Chip’s Good Word: Wildlife Photo contest

You can vote this week to see which pictures make it into the Tennessee Wildlife Magazine next year

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – This is your last week to vote for the best wildlife photos of the year in Tennessee. And we’ve got quite a bunch of great photos to pick from. These are just some of the finalists for the 20-22 Tennessee Wildlife Magazine calendar. They’re taking votes on which one should make next year’s calendar. You can only…

Chattanooga Fire Department 150 years

They are celebrating with a new book on their history

CHATTANOOGA , Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Fire Department is celebrating its 150 years of putting out fires and helping keep Chattanooga safe. The CFD officially went into service on November 14, 1871 as a volunteer fire department composed of 105 citizens who pledged themselves to help fight fires. Over the years it has grown and into a full profession and…

Can you identify this murder suspect from the video?

Police believe he shot D'Marquis Bell outside of Bayberry Apartments

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police are issuing video of a murder suspect from a couple of weeks ago. On October 24, D’Marquis Bell was shot outside of Bayberry Apartments in the 1100 block of Arlington Avenue. Investigators believe they have photos and video of the suspect from the murder. They say he appears to be a black male and investigators…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Catoosa Academy Groundbreaking

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Catoosa Academy will soon have a brick and mortar facility to help young people lay a solid foundation for their future. Ground was recently broken on the building that should be finished by early 2023. Catoosa County Public Schools Superintendent Denia Reese explains, “College and Career Academies in Georgia are specialized charter high schools that prepare…