Nakia Towns elected interim Superintendent for Hamilton County Schools

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Hamilton County deputy superintendent Nakia Towns was elected interim superintendent Monday. It was a 5-3 decision in favor of Towns over Zac Brown in the final vote. board member Jenny Hill voted for Towns. “I have complete confidence in Dr. Nakia Towns Edwards. She has been a remarkable leader for us and she is someone that deserves…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Silverdale Baptist Academy Outdoor Classroom

CHATTANOOGA, TN  (WDEF) – Whether you’re growing a garden or a expanding a young mind, sunlight is an essential ingredient. Silverdale Baptist Academy tries to get students outside as much as possible and not just for recess. Al Rogers is the Director of Outdoor Education at SBA. He says, “The head of school here at Silverdale Baptist Academy had a…

Can you protect yourself from Pegasus spyware on your phone?

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – If you own a smartphone, chances are you’re being spied on. “I just think it’s the norm,” argues Chattanooga attorney, Terry Olsen. But Pegasus is taking these spying capabilities to a whole new level. Pegasus is spyware developed by the NSO Group, out of Israel. The spyware was only to be used to gather information on…

Hamilton County Hopes That Block Parties Will Lead To More “Shots In The Arm”

New numbers from this past week show that almost 60 percent of Hamilton County residents have only partial, or no vaccination protection from the coronavirus. So with that, the local “medical community” is trying everything it can to increase the vaccination rate. That includes throwing a block party. At the East Chattanooga Community Center Saturday, there was food, music, dancing…

American Rescue Plan Distributes $830 million for educational funding in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The U.S. Department of Education announced the approval of Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief plan.  830 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan will go toward education. It will be used to safely reopen schools, provide safety and help with new opportunities for students — particularly those who were most impacted by…

EMS personnel honored at Chattanooga State

Over 100 fallen EMS personnel were honored Sunday at Chattanooga State, as part of a multi-state procession. “There is no greater sacrifice and I mean this is just a small way we can honor them,” says Paul Feaster, President of Southeastern EMS Director’s Association. It marks the countdown to the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor which recognizes…

Get Vaccinated Chattanooga holds block party in East Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Get Vaccinated Chattanooga team was hard at work today in East Chattanooga. The Get vaccinated Chattanooga team is working hard this afternoon. They are in East Chattanooga educating and vaccinating until 2 PM. Officials say that less than 40% of people in this area are vaccinated. We’ll have the full story tonight at 11. pic.twitter.com/fSfk5wfLjX —…

Hamilton County Schools raise Nutritionists wages and hosts interviews

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Less than 24 hours ago school nutritionists in Hamilton County schools were making $9.79 an hour. But, after last night’s school board meeting, school nutrition employees will be getting paid $12 per hour. Kristen Nauss, HCS Nutritionist says, “So, you can’t teach a child that’s hungry. So, our school nutrition workers show up every day. They are…

Veterans P.A.W.S. aiding veterans in need

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Veterans P.A.W.S.  based out of South Pittsburg Tennessee was created to help fill a void in service dog availability in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Veteran Ruth Koch with Veterans P.A.W.S. said the organization provides veterans service animals at no cost to the veteran. “We cut through all the red tape and say what exactly do you need…

Event to Honor Fallen Five on Sixth Anniversary of Shootings

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A local veteran began honoring the Fallen Five in 2016 when he drove a flag all the way across the country to unfurl at the Golden Gate Bridge. Now, that movement is growing. Today marks the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attack that killed four marines and a sailor in Chattanooga. Some local veterans are making certain…

‘Tiny homes for the homeless’

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- A Chattanooga man wants to bring tiny homes to the Chattanooga homeless population. Joshua Kapellusch brings water to homeless people in Chattanooga. He said as a veteran he wants to continue to serve his country and he sees part of that as helping serve the homeless. He said he has spoken at Chattanooga city Council meetings the last…