EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Repticon Chattanooga is back this weekend, bringing exotic creatures and curious crowds to East Ridge. Camp Jordan Arena is transforming into a reptile lover’s paradise for this two-day event. Visitors explored rows of vendor booths, attended live seminars from reptile experts, and even got hands-on with snakes, lizards, and more. Raeanna Owens, Reptile Vendor, spoke…
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) – The City of Soddy-Daisy is closing out the holiday weekend with a full day of family-friendly festivities at the Soddy Lake Recreation Complex. The day kicked off with a solemn ceremony at the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, where the community paid tribute to those who served and sacrificed. From there, things shifted into celebration mode…
TRENTON, GA. (WDEF) – If you’re looking for a small-town celebration that packs a big punch, Trenton, Georgia just delivered as the 1945 Fair lit up Jenkins Park for another unforgettable Fourth of July. Now in its eighth year, the 1945 Fair became a true Dade County tradition, drawing thousands for a day full of family fun and patriotic pride. …
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Coolidge Park turned red, white, and blue Wednesday night as thousands gathered for one of Chattanooga’s most beloved summer traditions, Pops on the River. The free, family-friendly event brought people of all ages to the riverfront for live music, food, and fireworks. Local favorite Chattanooga Soul kicked things off, followed by a patriotic performance from the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the city of Chattanooga soon allow residents to own chickens in residential areas? A new proposal could allow just that. In Chattanooga, it is currently illegal to own a chicken unless your home is zoned for agriculture. However, Councilman Chip Henderson wants to see this change as many residents are already owning chickens against the rules….
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County’s new Mobile Health Unit is officially on the road. It launched with stops at the Soddy-Daisy Food City on Wednesday, and Chester Frost Park today. The launch of this mobile health unit coincides with the closure of the Hamilton County health clinic in Soddy-Daisy. The staff from that clinic now work inside this bus,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A portion of the Tennessee Riverwalk is about to close until next Spring. The section of the Riverwalk near the under construction Erlanger Park will close at the Chestnut Street trailhead. This is so work can be done to the trail in conjunction with the baseball stadium. The work is to make the trail both gameday…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man was arrested after leading authorities on a high speed chase Wednesday evening. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says that they received a call about a red Nissan Frontier weaving in and out of traffic around Hixson Pike and Ashland Terrace around 7 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies located that vehicle on the five hundred block of…
MURPHY, N.C (WDEF) — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is warning of potential scams related to the murder of one of their officers Monday. Officer Francisco Flattes was killed in the line of duty on Monday. Authorities say he was transporting inmate Kelvin Simmons to a medical appointment in Peachtree, North Carolina when Simmons escaped, stole a gun, and killed…
CHATTANOOGA, TN – This week on Tech Byte we travel to the Vascular Institute of Chattanooga for Dr. Will Harris to show us a new tech they have to help treat Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) that is new to this end of the country. Cagent Vascular has developed a new technology called the Seranator Balloon that Dr. Harris is using…
Mackenzie Steele with the Creative Discovery Museum fills News 12’s Amelia Greer in on the latest July events, particularly for the 4th of July holiday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Kick off your Independence Day celebrations early with the Creative Discovery Museum’s ‘Red, White, and Blue Day!’ Red, white, and blue will be taking over the museum in celebration for America’s…
Tennessee Aquarium’s Alison Pryor joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to give us the latest update on this year’s penguin chick! Guests can catch a glimpse of the chick, enjoy some local beer tastings, some swag, and an after-hours tour of the aquarium with the return of ‘Fish and Sips!’ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The newest penguin chick has finally hatched…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County officially has a new county attorney. Janie Parks Varnell officially took over the post as of Tuesday. She replaces longtime attorney Rheubin Taylor. She introduced her new team this morning to the Hamilton County Commission. The team includes attorneys Tim Clark, Paige Evatt, Heather Elmore, and Zack Yancy. Varnell says the team is going to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With the Fourth of July weekend just around the corner, boaters are gearing up for fun on the water. But Tennessee officials say safety has to come first. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is once again taking part in Operation Dry Water. This is an annual nationwide crackdown on boating under the influence. From July 4th…
DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) — A DeKalb County man is facing assault charges after allegedly assaulting a woman, leading to her being hospitalized. On Monday, June 30, 2025, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) was dispatched to a residence near the Powell community. Upon arrival, deputies were met with an ambulance that was transporting a female to the hospital. According…
UPDATE: We spoke with several rescuers who say that this was among the worst scenes that they have ever seen. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Audray Luck, who runs the pet rescue Luck’s Rescue. “The rooms were so packed full of the dogs, the dogs couldn’t even turn around. There were so many animals in those rooms and…
DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) — A former DeKalb County school system employee has been arrested on various felony charges in Georgia. Michael Lance Brown has been accused of manufacturing, uploading, and sending child pornography via the internet. According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, Brown was utilizing a hidden video recorder to obtain images. Brown was arrested on Tuesday, July…
Jake Cash and Will Ternes with the Chattanooga Zoo are back with a shelled friend to promote their latest summer event at Warner Park. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Enjoy great summer BBQ and some local brews with your favorite zoo animals for the Chattanooga Zoo’s “Q’n Brew” event! On July 12 from 6-9 P.M., guests can enjoy lots of BBQ…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the Fourth of July approaches, many families are prepping for fireworks, barbecues, and quality time outdoors. But while we enjoy the celebrations, the loud booms that light up the sky can cause panic and confusion for our furry friends. Local shelters and animal experts are sharing key precautions to help keep pets safe and calm—both…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly joined several city leaders to mark the official donation of land on Missionary Ridge, a move that celebrates the permanent protection of Civil War battlefield terrain and other significant natural landscapes. The agreement officially transfers ownership of five parcels of land, located across Districts 5 and 9, to the City of Chattanooga….
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Officer Francisco Flattes, killed in the line of duty on Monday (Courtesy: Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office) MURPHY, N.C. (WDEF)- Tragedy struck Cherokee County, North Carolina on Monday. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Officer Francisco Flattes. Flattes was killed in the line of duty on Monday, while transporting an inmate to a medical appointment. Now a memorial stands in his…
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Greg Moore took over Hamilton heights and will be looking to restore the program to its once incredible history. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Project Access and Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga are partnering again for a popular fundraising event this September. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Project Access and Volunteers in Medicine are collaborating together for the annual “Golf for Good” fundraiser. Volunteers in Medicine is a non-profit and a medical clinic where volunteer physicians, nurses, and a medical team dedicate their time to take…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Tennessee Aquarium is celebrating an adorable addition to its Penguins’ Rock colony: a tiny Gentoo Penguin chick named Sherbert — at least for now. Sherbert hatched on May 29 to first-time parents Carla and Bigfoot. At birth, he weighed just three ounces — about the size of a…