Bradley warns of Irish Travellers scam in the county

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – Bradley County officials warn that the “Irish Travellers” group may be working in our area. The say the case of Tommy Sherlock should be a warning to others. They have charged the South Carolina man with scamming an elderly resident in the Hopewell area. They say he badgered the resident to get work done on their…

Major Traffic Pattern Change coming to Market and Broad Street

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Starting Monday morning , drivers will notice a significant shift in the traffic pattern on Broad AND Market Street. The transition will be part of the I-24 project that proposes to open up the area surrounding the interstate.  “This project is almost a $32 million project. it will open up that area of town for more development…

Wilcox Tunnel blocked by downed tree

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The storms took a toll on afternoon traffic around Chattanooga. The wind and soaked ground brought down a tree in front of the Wilcox Boulevard Tunnel on the east side of the ridge. Crews had to close the tunnel while they cut the tree up. Chattanooga Police also worked street flooding in several areas. Here are some…

Used car prices continue to increase

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Tennessee and Georgia Car shoppers looking for a deal will be hard-pressed to find one as Used car prices continue to surge. “The highly utilized truck with a lot of flexibility and the purely selfish, fun coupes and convertibles. Those are the two extremes that seem to have gone up in value the most,” said iSeeCars executives…

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announces run for another term

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has announced she is running for another full term as governor. The 76-year-old Republican made the announcement in a video message released by her campaign. She emphasized her administration’s investment in infrastructure, job creation, the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its low unemployment rate. Ivey won her first full term…

JBS cyberattack sparks fears of meat price increases

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – First with gas, and now with food. With the cyberattack against major meat producer, JBS USA, suppliers are warning shoppers to brace themselves for an increase in prices. “With those plants that they have offline, by the time it goes through the distribution channel you’ll start feeling those effects in, say, seven to ten days,” says…

Local High School Graduate brings home world championship title in weightlifting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – A local Notre Dame graduate is getting international attention after an unbelievable powerhouse performance in a world competition.  18 year old Olivia Reeves just came back from the World Weightlifting Championships in Uzbekistan.  Reeves got silver in the snatch and took home the gold in jerk and clean and got gold overall.  Reeves has been training in…

Tips on how to have a safe and fun summer in the water

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Every year thousands of Tennesseans hit the water to cool off and have some summer fun. But in a blink of an eye that summer fun can quickly turn into a dangerous or deadly situation.  “Tragically more children drown than any other kind of common accident for children deaths. Honestly seconds can mean a lifetime,” says Sherri…

Mocs Hire Former Brainerd and Tyner Coach Tyrus Ward as New Defensive Backs Coach

CHATTANOOGA—One Chattanooga guy departs, another takes his place. Former Baylor School Head Coach and two-time Chattanooga Mocs assistant David Bibee (BIGH-bee) retired. Alum and local high school coaching leader Tyrus Ward takes his place as defensive backs coach. Ward is most recently the head coach at Tyner Academy in Chattanooga. That came after a 4-year run (2017-20) rebuilding the program…

New program addresses truck driver shortage

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Freightwaves and Trans Force Group are teaming up to tackle the trucker shortage. According to the American Driver Association, the trucking industry is expected to be short by over 100 thousand drivers by the year 20-23. Excess turnover and and candidates with little experience are their top hiring difficulties. Transforce Group says their program allows employers to…

Chattanoogan woman speaks against Planned Parenthood to city council

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- A Chattanooga woman spoke out against plan parenthood to the Chattanooga city council Tuesday. Anne Rudd asked the city council to consider what it would mean to have a Planned Parenthood brought to Chattanooga. “So please I ask you to do your research and really ask yourself if Chattanooga needs the healthcare that Planned Parenthood says they…

Federal Trial Halted by Judge after attorney violates local rule

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – A federal trial regarding a civil lawsuit over a deadly i-75 crash from 2015, has been halted by a federal judge.  The crash which killed 6 people was caused by Cool Runnings Express driver Benjamin Brewer.  Brewer was under the influence at the time of the crash and has since been sentenced to 55 years.  The civil…

TSSAA Director Bernard Childress Discusses Moving Football Title Games to Chattanooga

Chattanooga is the new home of the Tennessee high school football state championship games for the next two seasons. Back in March, the TSSAA awarded Chattanooga the bid over Cookeville, who has hosted the title games the last 12 years. At spring fling, News 12 caught up with TSSAA director Bernard Childress to discuss the football decision. Said Childress:”Coming to…

Downtown Hamilton County Jail closes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tuesday marked the end of an era for the historic Hamilton County Jail. The downtown jail located on Market Street was first completed in 1976, and at 6am the final inmate was transferred from the facility. “We have actually been going through the transition now since about January. Getting the numbers down, transferring as many as…

Remembering Tulsa Race Massacre 100 years later

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts and Ideas gathered Monday to remember when the wealthiest U.S. Black community was burned to the ground 100 years ago. 100 years ago a white supremacist group raided, burned, and destroyed Greenwood, a Black-owned business district and residential neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As many as 300 African Americans were killed and thousands of…

Bradley County holds Memorial Day ceremony at Courthouse

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a beautiful Memorial Day in Bradley County – and in downtown Cleveland, residents gathered for a ceremony at the Courthouse to pay tribute to America’s heroes. “We’re glad to be able to gather again and celebrate that all give some, but some veterans gave it all,” says Mary Bear, Poppy Chairman with American Legion…

Memorial Day Event honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Memorial Day is not a holiday that kicks off the Summer season.  It’s a day to reflect and remember those who defended our country but never made it home. “We are Americans, the heirs of a legacy of dreams and citizens of a nation whose people understand that freedom has never been free. We gather here today…