Mocs derail No. 10 Bucs in Rail Rivalry

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (UTC Athletics) — “The Rail” is staying home. Devonnsha Maxwell recorded a school record 4.5 sacks while the running back duo of Tyrell Price and Ailym Ford accounted for 193 yards on the ground to lead the Chattanooga Mocs football team to a 21-16 win over the 10th-ranked ETSU Bucs on Saturday afternoon inside Finley Stadium. Chattanooga (3-3,…

Local Shoplifting and the Pandemic-Driven Economic Crisis

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “A lot of times, they’re stealing food simply to feed themselves, to feed their kids,” says Hamilton County Public Defender Boyd Patterson. A Publix in Chattanooga tells News 12 a man stole three steaks from their store Thursday. With a pandemic-driven recession and a supply chain crisis, food prices are sky-rocketing. “I’m not surprised that people who…

Gearing pleads guilty to murder of Asst. Police Chief’s brother

Gary McPherson was killed at his home in Ooltewah in 2018

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) – A suspect pleaded guilty on Friday in connection to a murder in Ooltewah from 2018. Gary McPherson was killed at his home on School Street on July 23, 2018. He was the brother of retired Assistant Police Chief Edwin McPherson. Police charged Rodney Antonio Gearing two months later. He pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder on…

2021 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival off to a roaring start

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Cars, auctions, and racing, oh my! The Chattanooga Motorcar Festival is officially back. “Just being around cars and car guys, it’s a great time.” After a brief pandemic-induced hiatus, tire aficinado Corky Corker says it’s back better than ever. “Raising money for CHI Memorial, Dr. Devlin and all of that crew. All of that’s a good…

Mayor Kelly Announces timeline for Chattanooga Police Chief Search

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Mayor Tim Kelly announces the timeline to select Chattanooga’s next police chief and started gathering community input as part of a process that will include a series of community meetings to drive accountability and transparency. The Mayor’s Office will host meetings with residents across the city to help identify the qualities needed in our next chief and…

The Phantom – a safety containment unit to put a stop to school shooting

Ooltewah and Nashville family team up to build invention

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) – Gun violence continues to rise throughout the country so in response, an Ooltewah and Nashville family are teaming up to resolve school and business shootings with a brand new invention they call The Phantom.  According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, there have already been 4 student arrests for bringing a gun onto school property– just…

Tennessee Wildfire Season is here

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- It’s fall and leaves are changing and falling. That means that you might have some yard work that needs to be done. Well, today’s the day, it’s the first day of the Tennessee Wildfire Season and even though we don’t see many wildfires here in East Tennessee, the Chattanooga Fire Department has some tips and warnings before…

21 dogs rescued from Dunlap property

Now being sheltered in Chattanooga and Dayton

DUNLAP, Tennessee (WDEF) – Animal control officers have taken 21 dogs from a property in Dunlap. Since Sequatchie County does not have any animal services, the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga, Rhea County Animal Control, Perry’s Promise and Marion Animal Resource Connection have all helped take the animals in. HES officials say the dogs appear to be chihuahua and spaniel…

Silverdale Beats Boyd Buchanan 2-0 For Soccer Region Title

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Silverdale beat rival Boyd Buchanan 2-0 for their region soccer championship on Thursday at the Boyd Buchanan School. The Seahawks built a 2-0 lead at halftime, and they made the score stand. Silverdale has only lost one match this season. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Boyd Buchanan, High School Soccer, Silverdale Baptist Academy, Soccer

East Hamilton Volleyball Advances to the State Tournament

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The East Hamilton volleyball team advanced to the state tournament after defeating Livingston Academy 3-1 in the state sectionals on Thursday at East Hamilton High School. It’s the fifth year in-a-row the Hurricanes have qualified for the state tournament in Murfreesboro. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: East Hamilton High School, high school volleyball, Volleyball

Profanity and Politics in School Books Angers and Emboldens Hamilton County Parents

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A local parents group is raising the alarm about public school books on their children’s reading lists. “Some of the language in these books is so vulgar and inappropriate that when I emailed the school board and used some quotes from the book, the email was bounced back to me and marked as undeliverable due to banned…

Chattanooga home sales continue to climb

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga real estate market is still piping hot. “A combination of the pandemic recovery, low interest rates, and the demand for area is really kind of created our new market place in Chattanooga.” Robert Backer, President of the Greater Chattanooga Realtors, says it’s not stopping anytime soon. “Literally 24 to 48 hours that house is…

Get Vaccinated Chattanooga continues vaccine push in some less vaccinated communities

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- More than 54 percent of Hamilton County is partially vaccinated. But, some zip codes in Chattanooga are struggling more than others. From block parties to $100 give aways, the Get Vaccinated Chattanooga team has been working hard to get people in the city to get the shot. Specifically, areas like East Lake that only have 13% of…

TDOT breaks ground on SR-60 project in Bradley County

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) – TDOT and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning to signify the beginning of a long-awaited project in Bradley County. State Route 60, better known as Georgetown Road is one of the most frequently traveled roads in Bradley County– but it’s in need of major improvements. Starting this month,  the busy road will finally get…

More To The Story: Isaiah 117 home

Dave Staley shows us why the home that will open on Sunday was built

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – In tonight’s installment of More To The Story, Dave Staley shows us more about a house ribbon cutting coming up this weekend. It’s a new house. Top to bottom. But oh, it’s not just an ordinary new house. You see, come next week, it’ll be the 5th “Isaiah 117” home in Tennessee. That’ll make it six…

Startup Week begins Monday, Oct. 18th in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s almost startup week in Chattanooga! The community celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation, hosted by CO-LAB – runs next week starting Monday, October 18th. The event was cancelled last year due to COVID, but is back with a rebrand. Chloe Morrison says it’s a good opportunity to connect with investors, or chat with fellow small business…

Local Law Enforcement agencies learn more about Cultural Competency

CLEVELAND, Tenn (WDEF) – Police officers from both the Chattanooga Police Department and the Cleveland police department sat down inside a classroom to learn more about cultural competency for law enforcement and how they can grow with our ever changing communities.  To help meet the critical need of increasing diversity and cross-cultural competency, the Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) and The…

Weather in the Classroom Visits Black Fox Elementary

Weather in the Classroom made a visit to Black Fox Elementary in Cleveland this morning. Meteorologist Bekah Birdsall had lots of fun teaching the third grade class about severe weather, weather safety, and experiments they can try at home. The students are in their first introductory unit on weather. So, they had lots of questions about tornadoes and different weather…