Help Shape Chattanooga Zoo’s Future

 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Zoo is planning for the future and they want your help. The Zoo is developing a new 10-year master plan and inviting the public to weigh in.  Chattanoogans can take a short online survey to share what new animals, themed sections, and experiences they’d like to see.  So far, nearly 600 people have already…

New Plate Drives Organ Awareness

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee drivers now have a new way to show their support for organ donation right on their license plate. Right now, more than 3,000 Tennesseans are waiting for a life-saving transplant, a number that grows every day. A new specialty plate featuring the Donate Life Tennessee logo is now available, thanks to recent action by the…

Killer Beaz coming to The Comedy Catch

Comedian Killer Beaz joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as he gets ready to take over The Comedy Catch again this weekend. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Beaz has been making people laugh since he was born, and is excited to share his talents with more of his ‘clean’ humor shows. The Grand Ole Opry veteran will be performing his 26th show…

CFC Women Receive Championship Trophy

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Before practice Wednesday on Fort Finley, the CFC women were presented with the WPSL Southeast Conference champions trophy, which they won last week. The team wouldn’t mind adding to their hardware collection this weekend, as they play in the South Region playoffs starting on Saturday. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

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…