Chattanooga Red Wolves Hope Catapult Vests Will Help Guys Play Their Best

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) If you see the Chattanooga Red Wolves at practice, the players are all wearing sports vests, and they’re not for back support. The catapult vests measure each player’s body exertion. By wearing the vests, the club hopes it will get their guys playing at their best. Said assistant coach Kevin Sawchak:”So it’s a player monitoring system. We’re able to…

Chattanooga Skydiving Company went skydiving with the American flag to celebrate freedom

JASPER, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga skydiving Company flew an American Flag to honor all those who make America’s freedoms possible. “It the closest I’ll ever get to be in a rockstar. Our songs only about 30 seconds,” said President of Chattanooga Skydiving Company Justin Silvia. The Chattanooga Skydiving Company dove through the sky with an American flag as a sign of…

Delta Variant continues to cause concern among healthcare experts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Delta variant is a version of the coronavirus that has been found in more than 80 countries, but was first detected in India. This new variant of the coronavirus continues to be a concern for healthcare experts as they say it poses the biggest threat towards damaging our progress. “It’s very contagious. It’s about 75% more…

Cleveland Nonprofit Organization hosts “Christmas In July” celebration

CLEVELAND, Tenn (WDEF) – The Caring Place in Cleveland, TN is hosting a Christmas In July celebration to help raise money that will continue to support their efforts in assisting the needy. The Organization provides access to basic resources and opportunities to help their community members move past poverty. This year’s fundraising event will be on July 29th at the Ole…

Selfie with the ‘Declaration of Independence’

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-  Taking a selfie with the Declaration of Independence also took place over the holiday weekend. The first facsimile of the Declaration of Independence is on display at the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The selfie event is meant to promote patriotism and remembering what the Fourth of July means. The facsimile was endorsed by…

18-year-old gang member found guilty in 2019 armed robbery

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)-A teenage gang member was found guilty on 12 felony counts including armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment. 18-year-old Alexandro Perez-Lucas found guilty late Friday by a Whitfield County Jury. Perez-Lucas is a documented member of the Sureño street gang. According to the Whitfield County District Attorney, evidence established that Perez-Lucas and Sergio Alberto Perez, held a cashier…

License Suspended for Baptiste Group Following Arrest and Other Incidents

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – From reports of a 16-year-old escaping to his home in Guatemala to the latest arrest of staff member Randi Duarte for sexual misconduct, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has suspended the license of The Baptiste Group until a series of investigations involving the District Attorney’s office is complete. “The only way they can go back into…

Hamilton County students graduate from BASF’s TECH Academy

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Eight Hamilton County high school juniors and seniors completed BASF’s annual TECH Academy. “Getting to meet everybody. Coming in and seeing new faces and getting to see the stuff I didn’t know about,” said student Nasir Franklin. TECH Academy is a week-long educational and workforce development program along with Chattanooga State Community College and companies with local operations….

Chattanooga Fire Department hosts training event, teaches life saving techniques

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Fire Department always goes above and beyond to keep our city and families safe. This week they have been hard at work fine tuning their skills and  adding a few more to their tool belts—— all with the help of some new equipment. “As firefighters, we go in and fight fires. We tell the public…

Lookouts Catcher Mark Kolozsvary named to US Olympic team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Putting Chattanooga Lookouts catcher Mark Kolozsvary on Team USA’s Tokyo-bound baseball team was essentially a no-brainer after the 25-year-old from Florida hit two home runs, doubled, walked twice, and was hit by two pitches over the course of four qualifying games in June. .@ChattLookouts manager Ricky Gutierrez says C Mark Kolozsvary has been a big part…

NCAA Declares College Athletes Are Free to Make Money on Their Fame

The NCAA has declared that college athletes are now free to make money on their fame. They can cash in on their name, image, and likeness. The new policy went into affect Thursday. Auburn quarterback Bo Nix has already announced an endorsement with Milo’s sweet tea. Besides endorsements, athletes can make money on social media, appearances, and autograph sessions. The…

Fireworks are back in Collegedale post-pandemic

COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF)-This year will be much easier to celebrate the 4th of July as compared to last year. Last year the Collegedale commons looked a lot different than it does today as Collegedale was forced to cancel its 4th of July events due to Covid. “And it feels good seeing people that we haven’t seen in a while because…

Old Mary Ann Garber School being transformed into Vocational School

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) – A new one of a kind school is in the works for Hamilton County Schools. The plan consists of refurbishing the old Mary Ann Garber School and turning it into a vocational school to help students be better prepared for the future workforce.”  The old Mary Ann Garber School on Roanoke street has been unoccupied for…

Ooltewah Unicorns 6U Softball Team Headed to Dizzy Dean World Series

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Ooltewah Unicorns six-and-under softball team hopes to celebrate the Fourth of July with their own brand of fireworks. They’re headed to Southaven, Mississippi, this weekend to play in the six-and-under Dizzy Dean World Series. Reporter:”How much fun have you had this year playing for the Unicorns?” Said Unicorns player Allison Sherbesman:”A thousand.” Said head coach Angie Gentry:”And…

CPD unveils Dragonfly Community Connect

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Police Department unveiled a new program called Dragonfly Community Connect that can address crime in real time. Dragonfly Community Connect is a volunteer program that directly links security systems owned by Chattanooga businesses with the Chattanooga Police’s Real Time Intelligence center. “Let’s say a shooting or a robbery, the Real Time Intelligence Center investigators check the…

Former Monty Bruell staffer alleges unpaid wages

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Former Chattanooga mayoral candidate Monty Bruell is facing controversy after a former campaign staffer claims that she didn’t get paid for her work. “I feel like I really got ripped off,” says former Bruell communications director Alix Thornhill. In an exclusive interview with News 12, Thornhill described her grievances with Bruell. “Monty should not have agreed to…

Hamilton County Buying McDonald Farm in Sale Creek Farm

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “I’m sure there’s alot of angst in the community when government purchases property this size,” said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger at Wednesday’s County Commission meeting. He offered a few words of assurance following the county’s major $16 million purchase of 2,170 acres in Sale Creek. “It’s a sizable investment obviously that the tax payers are making…