Chattanooga, COVID-19, Local News

Parents voice opinions on Hamilton County School mask mandate with opt-out option

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Dozens of parents came out to this evening’s Hamilton County School Board meeting regarding the recently announced mask mandate for students with an opt-out process. Interim superintendent Dr. Nakia Towns’ interim contract was confirmed and the next superintendent search process was discussed at Thursday’s Hamilton County School board meeting. However a majority of parents who turned out…
Chattanooga, Local News

Teen shot at sales meet-up at gas station

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Police now say that the shooting last night in Bonny Oaks was a robbery attempt during a sales meet-up. It happened at a gas station parking lot at 6502 Bonny Oaks around 9:30. Police say the 19 year old female and the suspect had a pre-arranged meeting to buy, sell, or trade items. Investigators say the shooting…
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Shots fired at Hamilton Place Mall

Collins Parker,

POLICE UPDATE: “After reviewing video, it was determined the female who was injured was not struck by gunfire. She was injured while trying to leave the area.” ________ POLICE UPDATE: — 1 victim with non-life threatening injury — victim not thought to be the target of the shooting — two other people opened fire on each other ___________ CHATTANOOGA (WDEF)…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Local News

Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers, Parents, & Students

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF): “The biggest thing for drivers is to be patient,” says Public Information Officer for CPD, Jeremy Eames. With school officially in session, AAA and Chattanooga Police Department want to remind drivers to be cautious and follow the law when driving in school zones and near school buses. “AAA did a survey recently and we found that over…
Sports, Sports - Local Sports News

Gordon Lee Softball Opens Season With 10-0 Win Over LaFayette

Rick Nyman,

Chickamauga, GA-(WDEF-TV) Reigning softball state champs Gordon Lee looked in mid-season form in their 2021 season opener Wednesday against LaFayette. The Trojans scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back on their way to a 10-0 victory. Categories: Sports, Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Gordon Lee High School, High School Softball, Lafayette High School, Softball
COVID-19, Regional News

Tennessee lawmakers support special session for Covid-19 limits

Collins Parker,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – All 73 Tennessee House Republicans are signaling support for a special session to limit the authority of local officials to make rules aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. That would include mask mandates, which have been implemented by a handful of school districts. House Speaker Cameron Sexton sent a letter to Republican Gov. Bill Lee…
COVID-19, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton County will require students to wear masks on Monday

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools have announced their mask policy for the start of schools. Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson explained the policy in a video to parents. Basically, all staff must wear masks for the first day of school on Thursday. Then all students will be required to wear masks inside buildings. But parents can choose to opt-out their…
Local News, Regional News

Nonprofit planning to host fundraiser to help save mental health department from budget cuts

WDEF News,

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga (WDEF) – The Children’s Advocacy Center of Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, could lose 10% of its budget next year because of federal budget cuts.  To save the program, the nonprofit will host a golf tournament at Lafayette Golf Course, on September 16 from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.  The deficit would result in job loss and a significant…
Chattanooga, COVID-19, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Regional News

Local family experiences breakthrough cases

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – With the exception of her young children who are too young for the vaccine, Amanda Pentiah’s family has been fully vaccinated since March of 2021. Since then, they have been living their lives normally. Amanda says that once the mask mandates were retired,  she found it difficult to persuade her kids to stay safe by wearing a…

Bobby Bowden
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

Remembering Bobby Bowden…….And The “Marrying Man’s House”

Dave Staley,

Chattanooga, Tennessee  (WDEF) — Hall of Fame football coach Bobby Bowden will be laid to rest Saturday. In Tallahassee, where he built Florida State into a national powerhouse. Bowden was 91 years old when he died earlier this week. Many people might not know that Bowden had a strong connection to the Chattanooga area. A STRONG connection, that lasted over…
Sports, Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Stronger and Faster Mocs RB Alym Ford Hoping For Another Amazing Season

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF-TV) – Mocs running back Alym Ford is ‘Mr. Positive’. If you ask him how he’s doing, he always says… amazing. Ford enjoyed an amazing freshman season in 2019. He was the SoCon Freshman of the year, and he’s hoping to return to form this fall after battling a knee and hamstring injury. Said head coach Rusty Wright:…

drinking water
Catoosa County, Dade County, Local News, Regional News, Walker County, Whitfield County

North Georgia School Districts may test drinking water for lead

WDEF News,

NORTHWEST, GA (WDEF) – As students begin to return to the classroom, several North Georgia school districts are deciding whether they will take part in the Clean Water for Georgia Kids program that will cover the cost of lead water testing.  Dade county schools say they are interested and plan to learn more. Whitfield County Schools is in the process of…
Bradley County, Cleveland, Featured, Local News, Regional News

Thousands of tires illegally dumped on private property-reward offered

WDEF News,

CLEVELAND, Tenn (WDEF) – Just off of Interstate 75, near exit 20 sits acres of land owned by Larry Armour with Armour commercial real estate-but he’s not the only one using this property. On the property, you’ll see thousands of used tires, mattresses, and trash that has been illegally dumped. “This is the result of probably months and months, if…
Featured, Local News

Whitfield County Officer-Involved Shooting

WDEF Staff,

WHITFIELD COUNTY (WDEF) – “It was unreal because literally the only thing blocking me is my windshield. It was like having a front row seat I guess,” says Toni, a truck driver who was parked across the street during the shooting. Around 11:30 Monday night, Whitfield County deputies responded to several 911 calls at the intersection of Highway 41 and Westgate…