Wamp administration proposes $5.8 million boost to county road improvement fund

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Wamp administration is proposing a $5.8 million investment to continue its dedicated County Roads Improvement Fund that was first launched in 2024. The renewed funding would support major road upgrades not covered by the county’s routine maintenance budget. Mayor Weston Wamp said the initiative targets long-overdue infrastructure needs across Hamilton County. “By committing these…

GoFundMe launched for family involved in fatal East Ridge I-75 crash

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A GoFundMe has been started for a family who was involved in the I-75 fatal crash Sunday. Lane, Baleigh, Brynlee, and Sawyer were on their way home from a dance competition when the accident occurred. Unfortunately, Lane did not survive the crash. The GoFundMe said Baleigh, Brynlee, and Sawyer were all critically injured. Baleigh and Sawyer…

Free Family Day at Woodcraft of Chattanooga

Nate Hiltibran with Woodcraft of Chattanooga joins New 12’s Amelia Greer as they get ready for a special family-centered workshop next month. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Father’s Day is coming up and the best gift for Dad can be one made by hand or with him at Woodcraft of Chattanooga! Mark your calendars, June 7 is Family Day at Woodcraft…

Multiple fatalities reported in six-vehicle crash on I-75

GORDON COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A multi-vehicle crash on I-75 in Gordon County, Georgia, has left three people dead and several others injured. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the crash began when a northbound tractor-trailer collided with a Hyundai Sonata. The tractor-trailer crossed the median after the initial crash, hitting two other semi-trucks and two cars — a Toyota…

Community members frustrated with Dalton Police following mistaken arrest that could get college student deported

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- 19 year old Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was arrested last week in Dalton. She had come with her parents illegally to the United States when she was four years old. However, Dalton Police admitted Monday that her arrest was a mistake. Dalton Police admitted Monday that the arrest of Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was due to a police officer identifying the…

Baylor’s Blake Lundy Named Mr Baseball Finalist

BAYLOR CATCHER BLAKE LUNDY HAS BEEN NAMED A FINALIST FOR THE STATE’S MR BASEBALL AWARD . LUNDY CARRIES A BIG STICK IN THE RAIDERS LINEUP WITH 15 HOMERS AND 41 RBI’S. ACCORDING TO MAX PREPS, LUNDY’S 15 HOMERS ARE THE SECOND MOST IN THE NATION. MCMINN CENTRAL’S TYLER OAKS HAS ALSO BEEN NAMED A MR BASEBALL FINALIST. Categories: Sports –…

Dean Arnold Reflects on Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Pachyderm Club members gathered today for their weekly meeting, where guest speaker Dean Arnold took the spotlight.  Arnold is a Chattanooga-based author, historian, filmmaker, and activist who has spent years exploring the roots and evolution of the city. He’s best known for his book Old Money, New South: The Spirit of Chattanooga, which compiles…

Celebrating National Salvation Army Week

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -This week marks the start of National Salvation Army Week, a time to honor one of the nation’s most recognized service organizations. Here in Chattanooga, the local Salvation Army is using the occasion to celebrate its impact and invite the community to get involved.  It’s a week of gratitude and reflection for The Salvation Army of Chattanooga,…

Truck driver identified, facing charges in fatal I-75 crash

UPDATE: We are learning more from witnesses who saw the immediate aftermath of the tragic Mother’s Day crash on I-75 in East Ridge. Dawn Schwartz says her family was traveling just behind when they noticed the initial explosions. She described, “I was looking ahead on the road, seeing how light traffic was, and all of a sudden noticed a puff…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Stone Creek Elementary

ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — Energy efficiency is the name of the game at Stone Creek Elementary in Rossville.  Their commitment to saving electricity recently earned the school a $25,000 grant.  Their bright ideas are a shining example of what’s right with our schools.    Stone Creek Elementary is celebrating a major win, not just for their school, but for the…

High Point Farms hosts Mother’s Day event

FLINTSTONE, Ga. (WDEF)- High Point Farms in Flintstone hosted a special Mother’s Day event that included goats, garden strolls, and handmade bouquets. Many families began Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed or quiet time at home. But by the afternoon, they made their way out to High Point Farms in Flintstone for sunshine, fresh flowers, and baby goat snuggles. The…

Horror Takes Over East Ridge

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – A celebration of all things spooky took over East Ridge this weekend.  ShudderCon 2025 brought together horror lovers, haunted attraction pros, and pop culture fans under one roof, and it was anything but your average convention. From scare actors in full costume to vendors selling eerie artwork, props, and collectibles, Camp Jordan Arena was transformed…

Miller Park hosts Barbecue Music Festival

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The aroma of smoked meats and the rhythm of live music filled the air today at Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga, as the All Star Foundation hosted its inaugural BBQ Music Festival. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the park transformed into a vibrant hub where community members gathered to enjoy a day of culinary delights,…

East Tennessee Rattled by Quake

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A 4.1-magnitude earthquake shook East Tennessee this morning, with the epicenter located near Greenback in Blount County.  The tremor struck at 9:04 a.m. Eastern, and residents across the region reported feeling the shaking, including in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and even parts of Georgia and the Carolinas.  Initially, the quake was reported as a 3.5, but the U.S….

Dolly Days Dazzles Downtown Ringgold

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – It was all rhinestones and Southern charm in Ringgold this past Saturday as the city celebrated one of country music’s most beloved icons.  Downtown Ringgold turned into a tribute to Dolly Parton this past Saturday, as fans gathered for the annual Dolly Days celebration.  From wigs and western boots to sequins and southern sass, guests of…