Chattanooga Fire Department Cadets participate in Live Burn Training Event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Fire Department’s newest firefighters are getting ready to graduate from their six-month-long fire academy and all of the skills they’ve been learning have been put to the test this morning. This morning was the fire department’s annual live burn that gives the cadets a chance to fight a fully involved house fire. Cadets worked on…

Father pleads guilty to shooting his 15 year old son

Attorneys agree Michael McElrath had "significant psychiatric symptoms"

(Video is story from 8/20/2018 on the original crime) CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Michael McElrath pleads guilty to murdering his 15 year old son. Dylan McElerath was a sophomore at Hixson High. In August of 2018, 46 year old Michael McElrath shot his son multiple times at their home on Cotter Road. When police showed up, he told them I did…

Labor Day Holiday Weekend causing concerns for Health Officials

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The severity of the surge can clearly be seen in America’s Hospitals – where the number of covid patients is the highest it’s been since last winter – but with the holiday weekend fast approaching, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention asks unvaccinated people to seriously reconsider their travel plans. “People need to take these risks…

Bradley Central-Cleveland Rivalry Compares to Alabama and Auburn

Cleveland and Bradley Central resume their rivalry Friday night. Braggin’ rights are always big in this annual showdown, but the contest counts even more this year since it’s a region match-up. Said Bradley Central head coach Damon Floyd:”Yeah you know anytime Bradley and Cleveland get together in any sport it’s always a war.” Said Cleveland head coach Marty Wheeler:”It’s very…

LaFayette Defeats Gordon Lee 35-17

LaFayette, GA-(WDEF-TV) LaFayette beat rival Gordon Lee 35-17 on Thursday night at LaFayette High School. Ramblers led it 21-14 at halftime before outscoring the Trojans 14-3 in the second half to cruise to the victory in a battle of Walker County teams. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Football, Gordon Lee High School, High School Football, Lafayette High School

September is National Preparedness Month

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-  National Preparedness Month is observed during September to stress the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. “Do you know of evacuation routes? If you have to leave do you know where you’re going to go? Are you going to go stay with the family or friend and if you have…

Pharmacies slammed by patients, too

Rising Covid cases are keeping local pharmacies busy too

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – When it comes to your local pharmacy, the people on staff are almost assuredly just as busy as anybody else working in the medical profession. And they say it’s all COVID-related. News 12’s Dave Staley tells us about one local pharmacy in Hixson, where the staff is seeing things and doing things, they’ve never experienced before. “Everything…

National Guard aids Erlanger hospital

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – The National Guard arrived Today to aid Erlanger With COVID Overflow. Senior Director of Emergency Management Robbie Tester said the National Guard has already been extremely helpful. Even though they are not nurses and doctors the National guard members have immediately starting helping with non-clinical needs such as getting fresh PPE to those in the COVID…

Latest on Therapist stabbing in Ringgold

""this does lead to a large patient base so that means we have to talk to a number of people."

RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) –  The Catoosa County Deputies and Ringgold Police ask for your help to track down the person who murdered a therapist. Joeli Poole has more on what we know so far. Poole “Local authorities are working around the clock to determine who killed a therapist in Ringgold this week and just what was the motive. Law enforcement…

Covid-19 Long Haul Patients are finding some relief in Holistic Medicine

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – It’s no secret that many people who have had covid are still feeling the long-lasting effects of the virus. These long-lasting effects are having some turning towards a different type of medicine for relief – Chinese Medicine Chinese medicine focuses on helping the body restore itself— in a natural way.   “I specialize in illnesses that fall through…

Hamilton Co. Schools shutting down 2 days next week

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools will close for two days next week to avoid more Covid cases from Labor Day. They are already off for the holiday on Monday. So they will close on both Tuesday and Wednesday before returning on Thursday. The system will use “snow days,” the days they keep for bad weather. Community Covid cases continue…