Hamilton County, TN (WDEF) – After a lengthy discussion Wednesday morning, Hamilton County Commissioners passed Mayor Jim Coppinger’s $833,000,000 balanced county budget with no tax increase. It was approved by an 8 to 0 vote with Commissioner Geter absent. Mayor Coppinger pointed out that the county faced some significant financial challenges due to the coronavirus and tornadoes over the past…
WALKER COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) – Walker County has taken another step in continuing to protect its residents during extreme weather events. Walker County is now designated as a StormReady county by the National Weather Service. “We would have notifications going out and our outdoor sirens depending on what location it is and then reverse 911 what’s going to affect. The…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Salvation Army has found yet another way to help better serve our local homeless population. As of Wednesday, the Salvation Army has Opened up the “Blessing Place.” The Blessing Place is a place that the homeless or needy can go and feel like they are truly shopping. They will be able to get clothing, shoes, hygiene…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Volkswagen Chattanooga needed to pause production due to a global semiconductor shortage. Management came up with a creative idea to make good use of the hundreds of employees affected by the interruption. “We don’t like to have shut downs, but when we do and we’re paying employees, we obviously want to get out in the community and…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department announced the creation of a Virtual Ride Along program as a way to increase community connection and inclusion. The CPD Virtual Ride Along program was an idea CPD Officer Sydney Hamon initiated in her rookie year after noticing a disconnect between the community and local law enforcement. “It was breaking the community apart….
With a homemade gift, you can create some unique memories for the Dad and kids this Father’s Day.
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Tennessee-Georgia high school softball all-star game went down on Tuesday evening at UTC’s Frost Stadium. The game is made up of some of our area’s top seniors. The first game ended in a 7-7 draw. Some of the key highlights included a two RBI double from East Hamilton’s Sierra Rogers and a three run homer from Ringgold’s Amber…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Ryan Marter and Spencer Provow share the lead going into the final round of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Invitational at Council Fire. Both golfers are at 8-under-par after the second round. Luke Wells and Clay Amlung are tied for third at -7. Luke Wells had the low round of the day with a 6-under 66 on Tuesday. Ryan Marter…
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – Several hundred people lined up to welcome home Wes Kean from the hospital. A moment tough for his family and friends to describe. “It’s huge. He got burned bad 11 1/2 weeks ago. Lucky to survive,” said Wes’ brother-in-law Chris Blansit. “Since 15 years old, loved him for a long time. I’ve got kids following him…
(TRENTON, Ga.) – A charge of Cruelty to Person 65 Years of Age or Older has been brought against 55-year-old Kent Allen Womack of Lafayette, owner of Woodhaven Senior Living in Trenton. Dade County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Woodhaven Monday on reports that a one hour eviction notice was given to the residents who range in age from 61…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Thanks to a partnership between EPB and Hamilton County Schools, lower income students will have access to free broadband internet. Through EdConnect, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can qualify for the free service, and so far, about a third of Hamilton County students have benefited. “We go in those homes and connect the…
Chattanooga Tourism Company is launching their first ever grant program. This will support projects that are designed to bring visitors into the city. “Why do we want a grant and why do you guys deserve a grant? It’s to strengthen the visitor experience, to drive visitor demand, and to also increase more brand awareness especially for our culture and tourism…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A truck flipped on the top of Missionary Ridge this afternoon, hanging in a precarious situation. It happened after 1PM on South Crest Road at the Shadowlawn Drive intersection. The 28 foot box truck flipped and then slid down the ridge. Firefighters found the driver handing upside down in his cab. Crews used cable wenches to secure…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Tennessee’s older adults often become the targets or scammers, financial con artists and abusers. That’s why June 15th is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The main signs of elder abuse include the senior’s guardian acting in their own best interest at the expense of a senior member of the family, The second is if the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Tennessee youth placed into the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for delinquent behavior will now have new options for learning and career development that will help prepare them for a successful next chapter in life. “One mistake or a few mistakes that they make as a youth should not define where they are in opportunities…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Sixty four kittens from McKamey Animal Center were shipped out this morning to their new homes. McKamey and the ASPCA partnered to find adoptive homes for the kittens. The felines flew out of the Chattanooga Airport to their new homes in Massachusetts. According to McKamey, this helps bring animals to a place that doesn’t have a large…
DADE COUNTY (WDEF) – “This is pitiful. I’m distraught about it. When I told my wife when I left she was in tears and it’s heartbreaking to see the elderly people treated this way,” said Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross. The Dade County Sheriff’s office said the Owner of Woodhaven Senior Living Kent Allen Womak was taken into custody after…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Ivy Academy started with only one grade. Now, after years of growth, they’re adding a K through 5 school to go with the existing 6th through 12th grades they have now. This is all just another example of What’s Right With Our Schools. Angie: Ivy began in 2009 with just a ninth grade class. We’ve had great…
WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – The normally fiery northwest Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was subdued in an afternoon press conference in Washington on Monday. She stood outside the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum where she had just taken a tour. Rep. Greene used the event to apologize for previous comments about the Holocaust. She has been roundly criticized after a tweet…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in 2020, according to the CDC. This is the highest number ever recorded. “The opioid epidemic, we’ve been hearing a lot about that over the years,” Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court Judge Alex McVeagh says. “The pandemic only made it worse. The isolation folks felt, health issues, the economic distress many…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee is reporting around 250,000 jobs available right now, with about 500 new postings being added every day. The problem is, not enough people are taking them. “Jobs that we had before COVID are not coming back. And so you’ve got a whole host of individuals who are working and relient on jobs that are now…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “Today is not just about a flag, it’s not just about an individual, it’s about a spirit of love and sacrifice to keep this country protected and keeps it free,” says Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy. Chattanooga veterans, families, and city officials gathered at Veteran’s Bridge today for a flag raising ceremony to honor some of our…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Local Chef and Owner of Neutral Ground, Kenyatta Ashford, was the top winner on food networks hit tv show “Chopped” – after he stunned the judges with his ”Afro-creole” style of cuisine. “It was unbelievable. It’s still pretty surreal,” says Kenyatta Ashford, Owner of Neutral Ground. Chef Ashford competed against 2 other skilled contestants under strict time…
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