Beer Board Suspends Blue Light
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

Beer Board suspends Blue Light club again

Police have complained about crime associated with the bar, owner Brian Joyce says he'll win in court
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga beer board is suspending one bar’s beer license for four weeks. Blue Light club Owner Brian Joyce says he’s being unfairly targeted for playing hip hop music and having a diverse clientele. But The beer board says he’s not addressing security issues. The recent violations stem from an incident in January, where three women claim…

Kevin Walls
Dade County, Featured, Local News, Regional News

Sand Mountain wildfire now under control

Alabama hoping for reprieve from hundreds of fires this week
Collins Parker,

DADE COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) – A wildfire in Dade County is fully contained but not before it destroyed 136 acres, according to forest firefighters. Georgia Forestry says the fire started yesterday afternoon around 5. Investigators suspect arson. Georgia Forestry has created a barrier around the entire perimeter using bulldozers and assistance from ten rangers. “We’re here putting in lines on…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Bethlehem Center Celebrates Black History, Raises Money for Youth

WDEF News,

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…

COVID-19, Featured, Local News

Travel increases as COVID cases decrease

Brian Armstrong,

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…

Tri State Crematory00000004
Featured, From The Archives, Local News, Walker County

From The Archives: 2002 Tri-State Crematory scandal

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

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 For Mayor
Elections, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

Matt Adams joins race for Hamilton County Mayor

Adams is the only Democrat in the race so far
Collins Parker,

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…
Chattanooga, Entertainment, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Kane Brown Concert Kicks of Wave of Events at Finley Stadium

WDEF News,

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…

Dog Shot Investigation
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

McKamey Animal Center takes in three-legged dog

Dog was shot in Georgia over weekend; leg was amputated
WDEF News,

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….

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

CFD encourages residents to check smoke detectors

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

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…

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

More To The Story: Chickamauga Robotics Class

Dave Staley,

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…

Hickory Valley Road Residential Fire
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Smoke detectors wake residents to fire in their home this morning

Collins Parker,

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…

Nw Whitfield Downd Ridgeland In Region Tourney
Sports - Local Sports News

Northwest Whitfield Downs Ridgeland 76-51 in Region Tournament

Rick Nyman,

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

Melissa Blair
Crime, Featured, Local News, McMinn County

McMinn County School District rocked by high school sex scandal

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

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…

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Bradley County, Cleveland, Featured, Local News

Longtime Cleveland resident receives free roof

Local roofing company, Facebook community behind the gift
WDEF News,

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…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Recent Spike in Chattanooga Overdose Deaths Alarms Police and Local Rehabs

WDEF News,

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…

Karina Bystry Inspires Mcminn Central Basketball Team
Sports - Local Sports News

McMinn Central’s Karina Bystry Inspires the Chargerettes

Rick Nyman,

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,…

Garden Of Peace Snip
Featured, Local News, Walker County

20 Years Ago Today: Tri-State Crematory Scandal

WDEF News,

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…

Melissa Blair
Crime, Featured, Local News, McMinn County

Woman indicted for having sex with students at McMinn Central High

Sheriff says there were nine male victims at the school
Collins Parker,

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…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Police warn of a string of overdose deaths in Chattanooga

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

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….