McDonald’s, Pilot Company hiring in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With vaccinations rolling out and businesses continuing to reopen, many major companies are looking to fill up job positions in the Chattanooga area. Local McDonald’s restaurants are hoping to hire approximately 1,200 employees across Chattanooga to staff up for the busy summer season, while the Knoxville-based Pilot Company is looking to fill more than 5,000 positions…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Cleveland’s BLADE Project

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – Cleveland City Schools complete a momentous, multi-year project. Every student in the Cleveland City School system now has a laptop. BLADE is an acronym for Blended Learning and Digital Enhancement, and it’s a cutting edge example of what’s right with our schools. Dr. Cody Raper is the Director of Innovation for Cleveland City Schools. He explains,…

Tennessee PTA memberships drop drastically as a result of the Pandemic

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) – The Parent Teacher Association has seen a dramatic decline in memberships throughout the state of Tennessee as a result to the pandemic. With most schools staying virtual throughout the year, PTA  memberships have declined by nearly 50%. “We are an association made up of members and if we don’t have members we don’t have the ability…

Grayson’s Ladder Hosts ‘Golf Fore Grayson’ Event at The Ooltewah Club

Many gathered in Ooltewah this morning to help raise funds in the fight against Alexander’s disease. The first annual ‘Golf Fore Grayson’ event took place at The Ooltewah Club today. The money raised will go to help Grayson Ledbetter and other patients and families who are fighting this form of leukodystrophy. Alexander’s disease is a rare regressive brain disease….Grayson is…

Chattanooga Market opens for the first time this season

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Market has officially opened for the first time of this season.  The market kicked off their season with a two day event and customers were loving it.  Last summer the market had a very limited number of vendors and business was slow.  This weekend the market allowed 130 vendors.   Business owners tell news 12 they…

Glass Street Gateway Initiative Unveiled

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – After years of planning, the Glass House Gateway Initiative is complete!  This revitalization project was a community effort to revamp the neighborhood in East Chattanooga better known as Glass Street.  “We’re celebrating all the good things that are happening in East Chattanooga. Unfortunately we get a bad rep over here but there are some really incredible…

Dalton Police searching for fatal shooting suspect

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)-Dalton police are asking for the public’s help with identifying the suspect of a fatal shooting that happened early Sunday morning. The shooting happened outside of the Oyster Pub on Market Street. Dalton police say that there was a fight inside of the bar and it led to an argument outside in the parking lot. That’s when shots…

Man shot after a fight

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A 24-year-old man was shot early Sunday morning after he was in a fight. CPD says that they responded to a shots fired call around 2:00 a.m. in the 100 block of Honest Street. They were unable to find anyone involved on the scene. The victim arrived at the hospital in a personal vehicle with a non…

Catoosa County Health Incident Trailer

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF)- Catoosa County got to use their brand new Health Incident Trailer for a good cause. Catoosa County Government and Emergency Management Agency offered no-appointment walk-up COVID-19 vaccines today at Mt. Peria Baptist Church. The health incident trailer will be available for multiple types of emergency situations. Officials say that the unit provides sanitary workspace and uses infrared…

Drug Take Back working to combat Overdoses and Drug Abuse

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Over the last year drug overdoses have risen significantly not only in Hamilton County but also state wide.  In order to help combat drug usage the Hamilton County Drug Coalition and Tennessee American water hosted their Bi-Annual National Drug Take Back event Saturday morning.  The event provides residents the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous…

Drive Thru Vaccine Event hosted at The Howard School

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Getting vaccinated has never been easier.  On Saturday,  CHI Memorial and Get Vaccinated Chattanooga hosted a free drive thru event for anyone over the age of 18.  The event was held at The Howard School from 9am until 2pm.  Residents who wished to receive their dose of the Covid-19 vaccine were able to drive up without an…

Waldens Ridge firefighters host event to work with community members who are special needs

WALDENS RIDGE, Tenn (WDEF) – April is Autism Awareness Month and Waldens Ridge Emergency Services are working hard to bridge the gap between people with special needs and first responders.  On Saturday, community members with special needs were encouraged to come down to the fire station to meet their local firefighters.  This event is meant to not only help residents with…

Chattanooga Firefighters Battle Hixson Apartment Fire

A fire heavily damages a Hixson Apartment complex. Everybody made it out okay, but four units are in bad shape. Chattanooga Firefighters were called to Brighton Lane around 6:25 this evening. The flames could be seen from miles away. Several people were at home when the fire started. One resident started knocking on doors, telling everyone to get out. Firefighters…

Chattanooga Market returns and Rabbit Valley market debuts on Saturday

We’ve got some great news for you about Farmers Markets returning this spring. We’ve got the big one coming back this weekend.. plus a brand new market to tell you about. But first, a shoutout to the markets already up and running for the season. The Pikeville market is back along with the one in Mentone, Alabama. And the Ooltewah…