Hamilton County Chairman Jeff Eversole standing with school board chairman Joe Smith during an interview following a call budget meeting. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last month, the Hamilton County School Board passed a $577 million dollar budget amid controversy. This was due to a $18 million budget shortfall which led to cuts. A tense school budget season culminated in a tense…
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – For 250 years, the United States Army has stood as a powerful symbol of strength, service, and sacrifice. As the oldest branch of the U.S. military prepares to mark its historic birthday on June 14th, a new generation of Soldiers is stepping up to preserve its proud legacy. One of those Soldiers is 1st Lieutenant Nathan…
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) – The City of Red Bank is celebrating its 70th anniversary on Saturday, June 21st, and preparations are already underway for this major milestone. The event will spotlight the people, organizations, and services that make the city a great place to live and work. Community members are encouraged to bring old stories, photos, or news…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Volunteers rolled up their sleeves this weekend to make a big impact on the Tennessee River, hauling out thousands of pounds of trash during a major cleanup effort on Chickamauga Lake. This past Saturday, more than 20 volunteers joined forces with “Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful” for the 5th annual Chickamauga Lake Cleanup, sponsored by iSustain. …
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Commissioners questioned Hamilton County Property Assessor Marty Haynes on the new certified tax rate. Haynes announced last week that this rate is one dollar and 51 cents per 100 dollars of assessed value. He says this is the lowest countywide rate since World War II. This is after a nearly 60 percent average hike in…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Attorney’s Office is likely to have a new structure next month. This is as incoming attorney Janie Parks Varnell is taking over for the longtime county attorney, Rheubin Taylor. A resolution was put forward outlining formally what positions will be in the office. Many of them had not been formally in writing…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s a media organization built to encourage the next generation of visual and musical artists. They’re giving local youth the opportunity to succeed in the music industry. Take a look at this week’s Driving Our Economy Forward. “We provide resources to more so underserved youth that aren’t able to get a hold of different types of…
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Two people were arrested after authorities found several emaciated animals following a welfare check. Walker County Animal Control received a complaint about multiple horses that appeared to be malnourished. When they arrived on the property, an investigation was launched into this complaint. According to Walker County, several animals on the property were emaciated and weren’t…
MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Authorities in Murray County have arrested two individuals for drug related activity. On June 10, 2025, the Murray County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) Narcotics Division conducted an investigation that led to the seizure of the following: 35 grams of methamphetamine 6 lbs of marijuana, 86 grams of psilocybin a firearm $5,238 cash Both Eric Hefner and…
HENGAR, Al. (WDEF) — Henagar will soon begin repairs on several city streets after receiving a $200,000 grant from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. The funds came from a Community Development Block Grant Urgent Need award, aimed at helping communities recover from natural disasters. The money will go toward fixing roads damaged by two tornadoes that struck DeKalb County on…
Mackenzie Steele with the Creative Discovery Museum returns to the News 12 studio to fill in on all the exciting events and exhibits this summer. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This season’s traveling exhibit has arrived at the Creative Discovery Museum which celebrates the work and art from children’s book author Mo Willems. “The Pigeon Comes to Chattanooga Mo Willems Exhibit”…
Alison Pryor with the Tennessee Aquarium joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the host of events and attractions this month. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Penguins chicks are on the horizon and dragons are flying into the IMAX theater at the Tennessee Aquarium. It’s peak penguin nesting season and the Tennessee Aquarium has their eye on four potential penguin parents….
(press release) After twenty-three successful years wearing the green and gold, Jim Schermerhorn has announced his retirement from coaching Boys and Girls Soccer at Notre Dame High School. Succeeding Schermerhorn as head coach will be Tyler Roberston, a 2014 graduate from Notre Dame. “To the Notre Dame community, family; this has been a hard decision for me, but I will be retiring…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts celebrated a 10-9 walk-off win over Biloxi on Tuesday night at AT&T Field. Lookouts trailed 9-8 going to the bottom of the ninth. Hector Rodriguez singled home the tying run, while Dominic Pitelli got a sac fly to score Sal Stewart with the winning run. The two clubs combined for 25 hits. Categories: Sports – Local…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Brian Callahan and Jeffery Simmons both agree on what they want to see more this upcoming season from the Titans defensive lineman. More sacks. The three-time Pro Bowl lineman had just five sacks in 2024, his fewest since his second NFL season in 2020. Simmons ranked third on the Titans behind linebacker Harold Landry III, released in…
PISGAH, Ala. (WDEF)- We are learning more about a potential TVA project in Jackson County, Alabama. A potentially transformational project could be approved by the end of the year. ‘The Tennessee Valley is growing. We need power,” said TVA project director Scottie Barrentine. TVA says that rapid population increase across the Tennessee Valley is causing them to plan for future…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Some members of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency say that complaints over new developments are over exaggerated. Ongoing angst over new projects across the county have been a recurring theme for years at this point. This week’s RPA meeting featured complaints about new developments in Ooltewah on Snow Hill Road and in North Chattanooga among…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Walker County man has been indicted by a Hamilton County Grand Jury for First Degree Murder. 41-year-old Nicholas Cheaton is being accused of a homicide that occurred March 15, 2025. At 6:15 p.m., the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to the 3700 block of Youngstown Road. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old male who died…
Shannon DeBoef with Planet Fitness joins News 12’s Amelia Greer for a kickstart to summer workout. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Teens ages 14 – 19 can continue to strengthen their minds and bodies this summer with a free membership to Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness has brought back their High School Summer pass which is a free membership for teens ages…
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Two individuals were arrested after authorities discovered their involvement in a multi-state PayPal scam that targeted a local resident. Cumberland County authorities received information regarding a potential scam victim in the area. Upon further investigation, deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) located the victim. The victim reported that scammers gained access to his…
Meet News 12’s pet of the week, Sweet Pea! Sweet Pea is a velvety soft beagle/hound mix who is just over a year old. She’s already outgrown the puppy stage, is housebroken, great on a leash, and rides great in a car. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says she’s also super friendly. Sweet Pea does occasionally get bursts of energy,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- This summer, many families will be hitting the diamond for baseball and softball tournaments. As the competition rages on the field, some local leaders wonder if Hamilton County isn being competitive off of it. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said, “For this to be known as one of America’s better mid-sized cities, one of the areas where…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Convention Center has a new executive director. Sam Voisin is taking over for longtime director Mike Shuford, who retired after being the Convention Center’s Director for 40 years. Voisin previously managed convention centers in Branson, Missouri and Shreveport, Louisiana, along with a historic theater in New Orleans. He says that he would like to expand…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BASF Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Community College are teaming up once again for the annual TECH Academy program — a free, week-long summer camp that gives high school juniors and seniors real-world exposure to careers in trades like welding, electrician work, and manufacturing. Now in its sixth year in Chattanooga and tenth overall, the program continues to…
