The Car Barn in the 1970s when CARTA used it to store buses. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Public Library) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed hotel in downtown Chattanooga has preservationists up in arms. They say a building, the Chattanooga Car Barn building, that dates back to the 1880s, is in danger of being completely demolished. It is on the National Register of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- New UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce revealed one of her big goals for the university Thursday. She wants to increase enrollment at the university to 15,000 students by 2030. UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce (From: UTC) Dr. Bruce announced this goal during a speech to the Chattanooga Rotary Club. Currently, the school has an enrollment…
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – LIFT Youth Center is getting a creative boost thanks to a new grant from Georgia Council for the Arts. The nonprofit, which offers free afterschool programs to middle and high schoolers in Catoosa County, has been awarded an Arts Education Program Grant for 2026. It’ll help expand their LIFT Art Lab, which provides free workshops…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga native made global waves with nothing but sticks, rhythm, and soul. Miller Park is now permanently honored with a plaque in his honor. Clyde Stubblefield, the original Funky Drummer, is one of the most sampled musicians in history, his iconic beats appearing on over 1,500 recordings. From LL Cool J to Ed Sheeran, his…
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) uncovered, what they’re calling, one of the largest drug busts in Whitfield County history. On July 15, 2025, detectives with WCSO’s Narcotics division conducted an undercover drug operation following a month-long investigation. As a result, WSCO said they seized the following: 201 grams of Fentanyl 3,060 grams of Marijuana…
Brianna Jones and Harlan Lovestone join News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind local artists about the artist entrepreneur training program through Artsbuild. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Calling all local artists! ArtsBuild’s Periscope training program is accepting applicants to be part of their transformative, year long program that helps working artists’ careers. The program operates with three parts. There’s a business…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga firefighters battled a damaging house fire overnight in East Lake. CFD was dispatched to the 3500 both of 6th Avenue at almost 2 A.M. Thursday morning. Police officers began knocking on doors to get everyone out. When no one answered, firefighters quickly launched an attack and search of the structure. Fortunately, no one was in…
East Hamilton returns their starting quarterback, and an all-state play-maker. No wonder there’s plenty of optimism for the Hurricanes this season. Brian Armstrong shines the 30-in-30 spotlight on East Hamilton. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Red Wolves couldn’t hold on to a 1-0 lead on Wednesday evening, as they settled for a 1-1 tie with Texoma. Chattanooga took the lead in the first half on a goal from Dalton native Omar Hernandez in the 38th minute. Joshua Ramos received his second yellow card in the 60th minute, so Chattanooga was forced to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As we reflect on today’s ceremony honoring the Fallen Five, it serves as a powerful reminder that trauma affects not only our physical safety but also our mental well-being. We spoke with a local expert about the lasting emotional effects of the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack and the resources available to those still healing. Dr….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Ten years ago Wednesday, horror struck Chattanooga as a terrorist killed five service members. These were four U-S Marines; Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Lance Corporal Skip Wells, and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, along with Naval Second Class Officer Randall Smith. Tributes lay at the site of where Chattanooga’s worst nightmare began on July 16,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County officially has a new health director.Beka Bohannon has been confirmed to the position by the Hamilton County Commission. Bohannon is Mayor Weston Wamp’s pick to replace Sabrina Novak, who was fired last November from that role. There were questions raised by Commissioner David Sharpe on if the Commission could appoint Bohannon to the role, saying…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On the banks of the Tennessee River, beneath a bright summer sky, the city of Chattanooga gathered Wednesday morning to mark a solemn milestone, ten years since the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack that claimed the lives of five U.S. service members. Hosted by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, the “Ten Year Remembrance Tribute to the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man has taken a plea deal that significantly cuts the number of child sex charges against him. Jacob Young was indicted this spring on more than two dozen charges of sexual abuse and rape of a child. However, on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, Young pleaded guilty to just three of the charges. The charges…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has selected Terry Knowles to be the next chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD). Since 2022, Knowles has served as CFD’s assistant chief of special operations. Mayor Tim Kelly’s Office says Knowles began his career with CFD as a firefighter in 2005. Throughout the years, he’s served as a Lieutenant, Captain,…
Click to view other businesses at Destination: Ocoee. OCOEE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Cherokee Rafting started in 1978. It’s a family friendly whitewater rafting company based in Polk County, Tennessee. The business prides itself in taking you down a very important part of local history. The Ocoee River is located inside the Cherokee National Forest. It’s a place where the…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Catoosa County couple has been arrested and is being charged with multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty. On Monday, July 14, 2025, a concerned citizen contacted Catoosa County officers about several cats in poor condition outside a residence on Saunders Road. Upon arrival, officers found several the cats in what they described as “deplorable”…
HAMLTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — McConnell Elementary is getting closer to having a new gym facility. Hamilton County has committed $2 million toward building a new multi-purpose gym. The Hamilton County Mayor’s Office says McConnell Elementary has operated without a dedicated space for indoor physical education, assemblies, performances, and schoolwide gatherings. “This is more than a building—it’s a long…
LaFayette didn’t win a single game last year. Yet this season, they have roster numbers that might make any coach jealous. Brian Armstrong has the Ramblers in the 30-in-30 spotlight. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- State transportation officials say that the timeline for some local construction projects has been delayed. This as one Hamilton County community celebrates new infrastructure. The Collegedale and Apison areas have reached a new milestone as a new bridge connecting State Route 317 from the Southern Adventist University area to the rest of Collegedale, has been completed. This,…
TRENTON, Ga. (WDEF) — The Dade County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) announced the passing of one of its newest K-9 units, Georgia. On July 13, 2025, Georgia was left inside her K-9 unit while her handler was inside the sheriff’s office. DCSO said the incident occurred on a day when the heat index in Trenton reached between 100 and 102 degrees….
News 12 This Morning: Retired U.S. Navy Captain Mickey McCamish joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to invite the public to pay their respects to the Fallen Five on the 10th anniversary of the fatal attack in Chattanooga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Five brave servicemen were killed in a domestic terror attack on July 16, 2015. Now, the Chattanooga community continues…
Red Bank, TN-(WDEF-TV) Red Bank is used to making the playoffs. But they’re not used to going home early in the post season. It happened last year, and the Lions want to avoid that fate this season. Brian Armstrong gives Red Bank the 30-in-30 preview. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF)- The pace of growth in Ooltewah has been a topic of concern among residents there for some time. This as two different developments went in front of the Regional Planning Agency. Snow Hill Road and Mountain View Road are just two of the many roads in the Ooltewah area that have been under increasing scrutiny. This is…
