Citizen donates pet oxygen resuscitation kits following rescue of dog from house fire

Stacy Prater donating a pair of pet oxygen resuscitation kits to the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department. HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF)- The worst fear of any pet owner is their best friend being stuck inside of a house fire. This worst case scenario happened to a Harrison family. Highway 58 volunteer firefighter Christian Lenz recalled, “I took the dog at that…

Goats Return to Island Duty

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The goats are back on Maclellan Island, and they’re already making a big impact. Five goats and one guard dog were brought to the island three weeks ago to help clear out overgrown vegetation.  A caretaker visits daily to feed them and check their health, and they have a secure enclosure in case of storms or…

Incline Railway Back On Track

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga icon is making its long-awaited return.  The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway reopened this morning for a special preview ride, months after a fire brought operations to a halt. This morning, CARTA held a special pre-opening ride on the newly restored Incline Railway, months after the lookout mountain fire shut it down in December of…

All Gas No Brakes: Benefit for Khloie

COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) – A young girl’s strength is inspiring hearts across our region after surviving a devastating car crash that changed her life forever. On January 12, 2024, Khloie was severely injured in a weather-related crash in Whitfield County. Slick roads covered in snow and ice caused her vehicle to slide off the road, ending in a near-fatal wreck….

Beka Bohannon appointed next administrator of the Hamilton County Health Department

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has appointed a new leader for the Hamilton County Health Department. Beka Bohannon was appointed by Mayor Wamp to be the next administrator of the Hamilton County Health and Social Services Division. Bohannon was already involved in the Hamilton County Government. She is currently the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and…

Hixson residents escape fire thanks to working smoke alarms

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hixson residents escape an overnight house fire when their working smoke alarms alerted them. At 3:42 A.M.,  Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a reported house fire on 6200 block of Wilder Road. Flames were found coming from the exterior of the home and near close proximity to where electricity was flowing into the home. Firefighters established…

Internship Hub Launches in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new local website is making it easier for students to land internships and build careers in Chattanooga. InternshipCha.com just launched as a one-stop hub connecting Hamilton County students with real, local opportunities.  It’s free for organizations to post, and listings are shared through schools and community partners. Wade Hinton, CEO of Hinton & Company, told…

Choo Choo Garden Gets Makeover

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo is getting a much-needed facelift.  Don Boutz, a longtime business owner, has operated Sweetly Southern with his wife inside the historic Choo Choo Garden for 53 years.  From blooming rose gardens to the relocation of the model train exhibit to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, he’s seen all the changes. He…

Walker County couple arrested on outstanding animal abuse warrants

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Walker County couple accused of multiple counts of animal cruelty has now been arrested. Ronald Jackson and his wife Melissa Jackson were taken into custody on July 1 by the Morven Police Department. Walker County said the couple was located about 18 miles from the Florida state line. They were transported back to Walker…

Swing over to AT&T Field to support Love’s Arm Outreach

Inza Hagins-Dyer and Chrissie Denton Holland join News 12’s Amelia Greer as the non-profit gets ready for two fundraisers around the Scenic City. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Love’s Arm Outreach has two upcoming fundraisers to support the non-profit’s mission to spread love, advocacy, and support to victims of human trafficking. For everyone wanting to catch a great baseball game, a…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Camp Signal

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Children develop lasting friendships and grow skills at Camp Signal.  This week children of all abilities are coming together for lessons in Science and Technology.  Take a look at what they learned in this week’s, What’s Right With Our Schools. “Camp signal is a six week long camp that we offer for children of all…

Salvation Army Beats Summer Heat

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Salvation Army of Chattanooga is working to protect the most vulnerable from the sweltering summer heat with its annual Beat the Heat Program. Running through the end of August, the program provides box fans to low-income families without air conditioning and delivers water to those experiencing homelessness.  The community is urged to donate fans and…

Scopes Trial Play Draws Crowds

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – A courtroom drama that made national headlines a hundred years ago is coming back to life right where it all happened.  Destiny in Dayton, a live reenactment of the Scopes Monkey Trial, is drawing crowds from across the region. The 1925 Scopes Trial put Dayton, Tennessee on the map when teacher John T. Scopes was prosecuted…

Pet of the Week: Prince Edgar

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Prince Edgar! Prince Edgar is a four and a half year old Husky mix who weighs about 55 pounds. His foster parent says he’s very energetic with zero aggression. He loves to play, chase, wrestle, and fetch with his foster parent’s larger dog. Prince Edgar is good on a leash, though he can…

Rockwood man charged with first degree murder in Cumberland County shooting

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Rockwood man is facing a first degree murder charge after a deadly shooting over the weekend. On Sunday, July 6, 2025, deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to the shooting in the 200 block of George Anna Drive. Upon arrival, deputes located the victim, Michael Kerley. According to the Tennessee Bureau…

“Seniors Got Talent” in Chattanooga!

Kristen Weitz joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the 6th annual Seniors Got Talent Chattanooga on July 31. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Everyone of all ages has a talent to share, including our seniors! Morning Pointe Foundation is hosting their annual “Seniors Got Talent” fundraiser with tickets on sale now! Many of our seniors have unique talents to share…

Blazing Fury Ride Reignites Tradition

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Dollywood classic is back and better than ever. Blazing Fury has officially reopened after a major refresh and the park honored some real-life heroes to kick things off. News 12’s Robert Hanley has the details. Eugene Naughton, The President of Dollywood, told media that “a lot of people, when I walked in the midway,…

Red white and blueberry pie eating contest

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – During the summer months, the First Horizon Pavilion fills with locals enjoying everything the Chattanooga Market has to offer. This weekend, however, things got a little messier than usual. It was a celebration of all things red, white, and blueberries as the Chattanooga Market held its annual pie-eating contest. To kick off the festivities, an announcer…

The Peach festival is right around the corner

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Market is getting ready to go all-in on one of summer’s sweetest fruits. The Peach Festival returns next weekend, bringing fresh flavor, fun, and a wide variety of peach-themed treats to the First Horizon Pavilion. Local vendors will be on-site with everything from fresh peaches to peach salsa, jams, jellies, pastries, and cobblers. Trey…