Cleveland Middle School teacher arrested

Schroll is accused of putting a camera in the girls' locker room

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Tuesday, March 15, a Cleveland Middle School student found an electronic recording device discretely placed in the girls’ locker room. After being notified by the student, school administrators quickly contacted CPD, who promptly began an investigation. Within 24 hours, CMS eighth grade teacher Christopher Schroll, was identified and arrested. “That’s a place where the middle…

Chattanooga gets bad news on Lookouts Stadium project

Senate Bill 2890 receives "negative recommendation;" State won't fund $20.8 million to kickstart project

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Lookouts begin their season April 8th on the road in Knoxville to play the Smokies. But each day that passes is one more day a new stadium here is needed if Chattanooga wants to keep baseball here. And the city got some bad news Tuesday with a negative recommendation on Senate Bill 2890 – a bill…

Tyner Advances in State Tourney With 66-59 Win Over Bolivar Central

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Tyner Rams advanced to the state tournament semifinals on Tuesday after downing Bolivar Central 66-59 in Murfreesboro. The Rams came out on fire hitting 71-percent of their shots in the first quarter. Keelan Jackson was deadly from downtown for Tyner connecting on 4 of 6 three-pointers. He scored 17 points with 13 rebounds, while teammate Nehemiah Bloodsaw…

Brainerd Loses 40-39 Heart Breaker to Power Center

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Brainerd Panthers saw their season come to an end on Tuesday falling 40-39 to Power Center Academy in the quarterfinals of the state tournament in Murfreesboro. Brainerd was down that pesky point with five seconds left when they in-bounded the ball in front of their own bench. Dennis Lewis Junior got the ball and drove the baseline,…

Celeste Murphy confirmed as Chattanooga’s first female police chief

She plans to visit higher crime communities as her first order of business

The Chattanooga City Council made history this evening when they confirmed Celeste Murphy as the city’s new police chief. She is the first female, and Black female chief in the city’s history. History means nothing to Murphy if she can’t get the community to stop seeing police as the enemy. Celeste Murphy was confirmed 8-to-nothing by City Council. It’s a…

McCallie Tennis Team Ranked Number One in America

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The number one ranked high school tennis team in America resides in the Scenic City. McCallie was recently voted number one in the Universal Tennis Poll rankings. The Blue Tornado captured a state title last season, and now it seems their talent has captured the eyes of the country. Even though Jeff Clark is the head tennis coach at…

Golden Apple Award: Shannon Seigel, Stem School Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – When cutting edge technology is combined with hard work and kindness, learning is sure to follow. Those qualities merge seamlessly in Shannon Seigle’s classroom at Stem School Chattanooga. Tony Donen is the Principal. He says, “Ms. Seigel is a wonderful teacher. She is what we call ‘The Science Beast’. She is a science educator of the…

Petition created at Lee University in response to student accident

Lee student was hit by car while crossing the street in February

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — More than 1,500 Lee University students have signed an online petition for safer campus crosswalks. Last month, a freshman student at the school was hit at the Medlin Hall crosswalk on Ocoee Street by a driver who told Cleveland police that “she couldn’t see the road due to heavy rain.” Junior history student Ezekiel Coventry believes…

Residents still concerned for gas prices despite price drop

Oil nationally drops below $100 a barrel for first time in two weeks

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — On Monday, U.S. oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since March 1 — more than an 8% plunge in cost. Some of Broad Street’s gas stations dropped 20 cents in price per gallon at the pump, but average prices in the city remained unchanged over the past week. For Isaac Swert, an…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Harrison Elementary Black History Museum

HARRISON, TN (WDEF) – Black History Month came to life at Harrison Elementary School. Third graders became historic figures in a living wax museum. Students and visitors both learned a lot. Kyle Powers is in charge of Student Success at Harrison Elementary. He explains, “All through February, they do Black History projects and do some research, and then they get…

City residents hope new police chief meets community members

Celeste Murphy wants to build trust in the community; residents hope she follows through

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Tuesday, Chattanooga will see its first Black, female police chief. While that’s something to be celebrated, the people at College Hill Courts hope it’s not just more of the same as other police chiefs. Back in September, seven women were shot along Grove Street, two of them died, in a gang-related incident. It’s six months later,…

City Continues Work on 12th St. Homeless Encampment

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Friday, Mayor Tim Kelly stated his opposition to building sheds for Chattanooga’s growing homeless population. According to the City, such structures would be unsafe. “The solutions that we give these people need to be safe. They need to be something that… we’re not setting them up for more problems down the road,” said Sam Wolfe, Director…

Celebrating National Pi Day with STEM Activities from Local Learning Center

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): Today is National Pi Day! There are many ways to celebrate. You can eat pizza or pie, but the best way to celebrate is to challenge yourself mentally. Sylvan Learning in Chattanooga demonstrated Pi Day activities that the whole family can do. They emphasize the importance of STEM activities especially in young students. One demonstration is Circle…

TECH BYTE: Apple Announces Spring Products

CUPERTINO, Calif. (WDEF) — Apple is bringing tech fans some good luck ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. March means new products for the tech company, including a makeover for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. It’s already available in several colors, but Apple is adding a new green finish, just in time for St. Patty’s Day. “iPhone 13 looks…

Warrior Freedom Service Dog aided by veterans

FLINTSTONE, Georgia (WDEF)- Americans rely on the military to protect our freedoms. Then soldiers become veterans sometimes they need to rely on service animals so it’s important for those animals to have that training and a place to be trained. Warrior Freedom Service Dogs trains dogs to become service animals to help veterans in need. Power home remodeling is building…

Tennessee Valley locals enjoys snow day

Residents encourage others to get out and enjoy the winter weather

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Valley’s local communities woke up to the wintery white stuff to begin their Saturday. Sledding and snow angels both left their marks in the cold, and even igloos were raised as the snow day started. 21-year-old Matthew McGarvey was one of many helping put it together, along with his younger sister, Remi. “The rarity of…