What’s Right With Our Schools: Whitwell Middle Level 5 Status

WHITWELL, TN (WDEF) – One Marion County school has reached the pinnacle of success. We traveled to Whitwell Middle School to learn how their accomplishment is more than just a status on this week’s ‘What’s Right With Our Schools’. Dr. Joshua Holtcamp is the Principal at Whitwell Middle School. He explains, ” That’s a status we’ve never achieved before. When…

Man arrested, charged for drive by shooting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Authorities have arrested a man facing multiple Attempted First Degree Murder charges.   On January 13, 2025, at 3:36 p.m., officers responded to 1819 Foust Street for a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a woman with a gunshot wound to her leg. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators determined it was a…

Pet of the Week: Brooklyn

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Brooklyn! Brooklyn is a well rounded pup who would make a wonderful addition to a family. The Humane Educational Society says she’s good with other dogs and has the best manners. Brooklyn is crate and house trained. She is easily trusted outside of a crate when necessary. Brooklyn is a perfect snuggle buddy…

Chattanooga police officer arrested for domestic assault, placed on leave

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga police officer has been arrested and charged with domestic assault. Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a domestic assault call around 1:50 a.m. on March 24, 2025, at a residence near the 3900 block of Weathervane Loop. The altercation reportedly began as a verbal argument before Officer JaMaael Noble allegedly struck…

Yellowhorse Powwow Celebration honors a member of the local Native American community

Tammera Hicks with Native American Services of Tennessee gets ready for a special Powwow this April and dedicates the celebration to her husband who passed away in 2019. COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Learn and experience Native American culture with the upcoming Yellowhorse Powwow Celebration at Founders Hall at The Commons in Collegedale. The event is on April 5 and 6…

Huge fires on Daus and Smith Mountain

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Plumes of thick smoke blanketed the skies above Daus Mountain and Smith Mountain as fire crews rushed to the scene. Firefighters worked tirelessly to put out the flames—battling heavy smoke, intense heat, and steep terrain—while concerned neighbors watched from a distance. Charlie Pecht, a local community member, explained, “It was just… it was just going, and…

Firefighters were called to a fire on Caribou Lane

CHICKAMAUGA, GA. (WDEF) – Saturday afternoon, firefighters were called to a fire on Caribou Lane in Chickamauga. News 12 was at the scene, watching as thick plumes of smoke clouded the sky. We watched as first responders worked for over an hour, putting out the fire. The family says they wish not to comment but says everyone was safe. We…

10 Years of Sweet Success for Clumpies Ice Cream

St. Elmo, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today Marks 10 Years of Sweet Success for Clumpies Ice Cream The local parlor celebrated a decade of serving the Chattanooga community with various local vendors offering arts and crafts, tasty treats, a stylish clothing sale, and beautiful floral arrangements. Known for their unique flavors and small-batch styles, Clumpies has become a staple in the…

Mocs Ready to Host NIT Tournament Game Against Dayton

(gomocs.com) – For the first time since 1987, the Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team will host postseason basketball inside McKenzie Arena as the squad welcomes Dayton in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Second Round on Saturday morning. Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN2. The Chattanooga women’s basketball team will kick off its…

Tyner Falls in Final Four to Loretto

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) Tyner fell in the state Final Four to unbeaten Loretto on Friday by a score of 59-47. Rams enjoyed a two point lead at halftime, but they made only one field goal in the third quarter. Adarius Brewster led the way for Tyner with 15 points, while Rodney Henderson added 13. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags:…

Expert witness at center of debate in upcoming Roberts trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The man soon to face trial in the murder of a Chattanooga businessman was back in court Friday afternoon. Darryl Roberts is charged with first degree murder in the September 2023 shooting death of Christopher Wright. Patten Towers surveillance footage of the last few moments a man identified as Darryl Roberts walks up to Chris Wright and…

Groundbreaking held for 16 sober living apartments

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The return to sober living will become easier for some recovering addicts. The Council for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Services (CADAS) held a groundbreaking for 16 sober living apartments. These are made possible due to two grants totaling to one point one million dollars from the Tennessee Departments of Housing and Mental Health. These new apartments…

Bradley County deputy reunites with woman he rescued from fire

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) recently welcomed a survivor back for a reunion with the first responder who helped save her life. In December of 2024, authorities were dispatched to a structure fire on Sourwood Trail. Upon arrival, crews found a detached garage with an apartment above it was fully engulfed in flames. Deputy Dale…

GBI takes over investigation into Chattooga County commissioner

CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  An investigation into a northwest Georgia official has taken another twist. Andy Allen The case involves the head of Chattooga County government, commissioner Andy Allen. A truck driver says the commissioner assaulted him over a road blockage on Little Sand Mountain Road. The cattle hauler was blocking the road as he backed into a farm….

Tech Byte Salutes Women in Tech during Women’s History Month

CHATTANOOGA, TN – In 1978 the Education Task Force in Sonoma California sought to recognize and celebrate Women’s History Week to coincide with Women’s History Day on March 8th.  The movement would gain popularity and celebrations would spread to other states across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first proclamation declaring March as Women’s History Month. Today…

Chattanooga Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival welcomes local favorites and new businesses

Joshua Hyde with Miss Griffin’s Footlong Hotdogs shows off some of their featured items at the Chattanooga Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival returns to Coolidge Park for the third year in a row and welcomes local favorites and some new blooming businesses in this year’s festivities. Anthony Pepe, the…

Bradley Central Beats Memphis East to Advance to State Semifinals

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) Tyrese Stovall scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to power Bradley Central over Memphis East 63-48 in the state quarterfinals on Thursday. Teammate Andrew Walker added a career high 17 points. The Bears advance into the semifinals on Friday night against Hillsboro at 8:15est. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Bradley Central High School, High School…

CHATT Foundation Hosts Job Fair for the Homeless

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The CHATT Foundation hosted a job fair today aimed at empowering the homeless and offering them a fresh start. The event featured representatives from several companies, including Food City, CHI Memorial, and Pilgrim’s Pride, who were on hand to connect directly with job seekers. While the foundation initially set a goal to help 10 people find…

Mother and Daughter, Erlanger Doctors Together

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This week, medical students across the country are finding out where they’ll begin their residency training as part of Match Week, a major milestone in their journey to becoming doctors. But for one mother-daughter duo at Erlanger Hospital, that journey is extra special. Dr. Jeanie Dassow has dedicated her career to women’s health as an OBGYN,…

Hidden Danger in Downtown Soil

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Downtown Chattanooga is facing a hidden threat, dangerous levels of lead in the soil.  Recent studies have uncovered alarming concentrations, raising health concerns for those who live, work, and play here. Exposure to lead, especially in children, can have lifelong effects. Even small amounts of contaminated soil can lead to serious health risks.  Our team spoke…

Board meets to discuss Education Freedom Scholarship implementation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The implementation of school vouchers in Tennessee was at the center of a long discussion Thursday. The Education Freedom Scholarship Act was signed into law last month by Governor Bill Lee. It creates 20,000 scholarships to pay for public school students to attend private schools. In terms of getting those scholarships to students, that is a work…