Chattanooga Tourism Company Reacts to Out of State Residents Receiving Vouchers

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Tourism is Tennessee’s second largest industry and 2020 hit the Volunteer State hard. “Last year was devastating,” says Chattanooga Tourism Company President and CEO Barry White. “We felt it very hard and the largest cities in the state were hit the hardest.” 2020 came after a record-breaking year for travel to Chattanooga. “We’re looking back at 2019…

DA’s office warns residents of Identity Theft after TN woman arrested

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Hamilton County District Attorney’s office is warning residents to be cautious to prevent identity theft after a middle Tennessee woman was arrested last week by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Jenniefer Shrum, was arrested back in March of 2018 by East Ridge Police and charged with 17 counts of identity theft. Officials say Shrum used the name…

Summerville’s Brody Malone Headed to the Olympics on U.S. Gymnastics Team

The U.S. Men’s Gymnastics team is on a mission for its first team medal since 2008. Leading the charge for Team USA is Summerville’s own Brody Malone. News 12’s Angela Moryan has Malone’s incredible story of heartbreak and hard work — in this News 12 exclusive. Said Malone: “It was just…. it’s hard to describe the feeling, honestly. It’s just…

Chattanooga Red Wolves Hope Catapult Vests Will Help Guys Play Their Best

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) If you see the Chattanooga Red Wolves at practice, the players are all wearing sports vests, and they’re not for back support. The catapult vests measure each player’s body exertion. By wearing the vests, the club hopes it will get their guys playing at their best. Said assistant coach Kevin Sawchak:”So it’s a player monitoring system. We’re able to…

Chattanooga Skydiving Company went skydiving with the American flag to celebrate freedom

JASPER, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga skydiving Company flew an American Flag to honor all those who make America’s freedoms possible. “It the closest I’ll ever get to be in a rockstar. Our songs only about 30 seconds,” said President of Chattanooga Skydiving Company Justin Silvia. The Chattanooga Skydiving Company dove through the sky with an American flag as a sign of…

Delta Variant continues to cause concern among healthcare experts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Delta variant is a version of the coronavirus that has been found in more than 80 countries, but was first detected in India. This new variant of the coronavirus continues to be a concern for healthcare experts as they say it poses the biggest threat towards damaging our progress. “It’s very contagious. It’s about 75% more…

Cleveland Nonprofit Organization hosts “Christmas In July” celebration

CLEVELAND, Tenn (WDEF) – The Caring Place in Cleveland, TN is hosting a Christmas In July celebration to help raise money that will continue to support their efforts in assisting the needy. The Organization provides access to basic resources and opportunities to help their community members move past poverty. This year’s fundraising event will be on July 29th at the Ole…

Selfie with the ‘Declaration of Independence’

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-  Taking a selfie with the Declaration of Independence also took place over the holiday weekend. The first facsimile of the Declaration of Independence is on display at the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The selfie event is meant to promote patriotism and remembering what the Fourth of July means. The facsimile was endorsed by…

18-year-old gang member found guilty in 2019 armed robbery

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)-A teenage gang member was found guilty on 12 felony counts including armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment. 18-year-old Alexandro Perez-Lucas found guilty late Friday by a Whitfield County Jury. Perez-Lucas is a documented member of the Sureño street gang. According to the Whitfield County District Attorney, evidence established that Perez-Lucas and Sergio Alberto Perez, held a cashier…

License Suspended for Baptiste Group Following Arrest and Other Incidents

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – From reports of a 16-year-old escaping to his home in Guatemala to the latest arrest of staff member Randi Duarte for sexual misconduct, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has suspended the license of The Baptiste Group until a series of investigations involving the District Attorney’s office is complete. “The only way they can go back into…

Hamilton County students graduate from BASF’s TECH Academy

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Eight Hamilton County high school juniors and seniors completed BASF’s annual TECH Academy. “Getting to meet everybody. Coming in and seeing new faces and getting to see the stuff I didn’t know about,” said student Nasir Franklin. TECH Academy is a week-long educational and workforce development program along with Chattanooga State Community College and companies with local operations….

Chattanooga Fire Department hosts training event, teaches life saving techniques

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Fire Department always goes above and beyond to keep our city and families safe. This week they have been hard at work fine tuning their skills and  adding a few more to their tool belts—— all with the help of some new equipment. “As firefighters, we go in and fight fires. We tell the public…

Lookouts Catcher Mark Kolozsvary named to US Olympic team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Putting Chattanooga Lookouts catcher Mark Kolozsvary on Team USA’s Tokyo-bound baseball team was essentially a no-brainer after the 25-year-old from Florida hit two home runs, doubled, walked twice, and was hit by two pitches over the course of four qualifying games in June. .@ChattLookouts manager Ricky Gutierrez says C Mark Kolozsvary has been a big part…