Welcome home Wes Kean

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – Several hundred people lined up to welcome home Wes Kean from the hospital. A moment tough for his family and friends to describe. “It’s huge. He got burned bad 11 1/2 weeks ago. Lucky to survive,” said Wes’ brother-in-law Chris Blansit. “Since 15 years old, loved him for a long time. I’ve got kids following him…

Dade County Nursing Home Owner Charged With Cruelty

(TRENTON, Ga.) – A charge of Cruelty to Person 65 Years of Age or Older has been brought against 55-year-old Kent Allen Womack of Lafayette, owner of Woodhaven Senior Living in Trenton. Dade County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Woodhaven Monday on reports that a one hour eviction notice was given to the residents who range in age from 61…

EPB, Hamilton County schools hope to “bridge the digital divide”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Thanks to a partnership between EPB and Hamilton County Schools, lower income students will have access to free broadband internet. Through EdConnect, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can qualify for the free service, and so far, about a third of Hamilton County students have benefited. “We go in those homes and connect the…

Chattanooga Tourism Co. Accepting Applications for New Grant Program

Chattanooga Tourism Company is launching their first ever grant program. This will support projects that are designed to bring visitors into the city. “Why do we want a grant and why do you guys deserve a grant? It’s to strengthen the visitor experience, to drive visitor demand, and to also increase more brand awareness especially for our culture and tourism…

Firefighters rescue driver in overturned truck hanging on Missionary Ridge

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A truck flipped on the top of Missionary Ridge this afternoon, hanging in a precarious situation. It happened after 1PM on South Crest Road at the Shadowlawn Drive intersection. The 28 foot box truck flipped and then slid down the ridge. Firefighters found the driver handing upside down in his cab. Crews used cable wenches to secure…

Elder Abuse Awareness Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Tennessee’s older adults often become the targets or scammers, financial con artists and abusers.  That’s why June 15th is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  The main signs of elder abuse include the senior’s guardian acting in their own best interest at the expense of a senior member of the family, The second is if the…

Delinquent Youth in Custody now have options for learning and career development programs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Tennessee youth placed into the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for delinquent behavior will now have new options for learning and career development that will help prepare them for a successful next chapter in life. “One mistake or a few mistakes that they make as a youth should not define where they are in opportunities…

McKamey Animal Center Flies 64 Kittens to New Homes

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Sixty four kittens from McKamey Animal Center were shipped out this morning to their new homes. McKamey and the ASPCA partnered to find adoptive homes for the kittens. The felines flew out of the Chattanooga Airport to their new homes in Massachusetts. According to McKamey, this helps bring animals to a place that doesn’t have a large…

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologizes after visit to Holocaust Museum

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – The normally fiery northwest Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was subdued in an afternoon press conference in Washington on Monday. She stood outside the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum where she had just taken a tour. Rep. Greene used the event to apologize for previous comments about the Holocaust. She has been roundly criticized after a tweet…

Hamilton County Drug Courts Offer Second Chance Despite Pandemic

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in 2020, according to the CDC. This is the highest number ever recorded. “The opioid epidemic, we’ve been hearing a lot about that over the years,” Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court Judge Alex McVeagh says. “The pandemic only made it worse. The isolation folks felt, health issues, the economic distress many…

Despite 250k jobs, Tennessee employers struggle to find workers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee is reporting around 250,000 jobs available right now, with about 500 new postings being added every day. The problem is, not enough people are taking them. “Jobs that we had before COVID are not coming back. And so you’ve got a whole host of individuals who are working and relient on jobs that are now…

Flag Day Ceremony at Veteran’s Bridge

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “Today is not just about a flag, it’s not just about an individual, it’s about a spirit of love and sacrifice to keep this country protected and keeps it free,” says Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy. Chattanooga veterans, families, and city officials gathered at Veteran’s Bridge today for a flag raising ceremony to honor some of our…

Local Chef wins Food Network’s hit TV show “Chopped”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Local Chef and Owner of Neutral Ground, Kenyatta Ashford, was the top winner on food networks hit tv show “Chopped” – after he stunned the judges with his ”Afro-creole” style of cuisine.  “It was unbelievable. It’s still pretty surreal,” says Kenyatta Ashford, Owner of Neutral Ground.  Chef Ashford competed against 2 other skilled contestants under strict time…

College researchers write biographies for those buried in District Hill Cemetery

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF)- On Thursday, we told you about an African-American cemetery that is being restored in Chickamauga. Sunday, we talked to history professor at Covenant College that has a special connection to the project. Dr. Alicia Jackson and some of her students are working hard to write biographies for those that are confirmed to be buried in the…

Blood Assurance recommends donating blood on World Blood Donor Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday is World Blood Donor Day and Blood Assurance is encouraging everyone in the community to give blood, if they can. They are having a two week campaign called Peace, Love, Give Blood. The goal is to collect 6,500 blood donations. Blood Assurance is the only blood blank that provides blood to the Tennessee Valley. Caitlin Stanley…

Lodolo, Lookouts handle Wahoos, 6-1

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Nick Lodolo left Saturday’s game against Pensacola in the fourth inning with a blister on his finger, but not before he was able to strike out seven batters. Lookouts bats handled the rest. Chattanooga won, 6-1. Categories: Sports, Sports – Baseball, Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Chattanooga Lookouts, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Celebrating Pride Month at Sanctuary Cafe

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Sanctuary Cafe and Performing Arts Center celebrated Pride month by hosting three events. Sanctuary is a safe place for the LGBTQ community. Today they hosted a Pride in Persepctive Panel to have real conversations about different topics that affect the LGBTQ community. The Founder of Sanctuary, Kye Sayers, says, “We are trying to cater to every…

Pianist Hargus “Pig” Robbins honored in Spring City

SPRING CITY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Spring City had a special day Saturday. Tennessee Music Pathways unveiled a Hargus “Pig” Robbins marker at the Spring City Museum & Depot. Robbins was born in Spring City in 1938. He is now 83-years-old. He is an accomplished session pianist that has been on many hits including George Jones’ “White Lightning”. City officials say that…