Golden Apple Award: Kimberly Thurman, Sale Creek High School

SALE CREEK, TN (WDEF) – Kim Thurman has spent years making a difference in the lives of her students. She has a solid understanding of her course material at Sale Creek High School, and she’s great at passing that information along. Mix that in with a healthy dose of compassion and kindness, and you have the recipe for this week’s…

Representative Kevin Raper to return to Tennessee House following liver transplant

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  State Representative Kevin Raper (R-Cleveland) will return to the Tennessee House of Representatives on March 27 after successfully undergoing a liver transplant. Raper, who represents part of Bradley County, received the transplant on Feb. 23 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. According to the state, doctors say his recovery is ahead of schedule, with his…

Prep Public Schools names new administrative team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Prep Public Schools has appointed Troy Kemp as Chief Executive Officer and Chad Everett as Vice President of Schools. The Board of Directors introduced both leaders to the communities at Chattanooga Prep and Knoxville Prep. Kemp brings 34 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, coach, administrator, and nonprofit leader. He spent 27…

CHA Ballet throws a “Curveball” onto the UTC Fine Arts Center stage

CHA Ballet CEO and Artistic Director Brian McSween joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the newest, original ballet coming to Chattanooga called “Curveball.” CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga ballerinas are twirling a home run with the premiere of an original ballet called Curveball which is inspired by a trailblazing female pitcher in the 30s. Curveball follows the story of…

Richard West Has Enjoyed Officiating High School Basketball For Over 40 Years

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) We just wrapped up another high school basketball season this month. That means another year in the books for veteran Chattanooga official Richard West. He’s been calling TSSAA games for over four decades. When Richard West first started calling games in the early 80’s, there were only 2 officials on the court. Not three. West:”There was a lot of…

Dutch Maid Bakery’s sweet debut on the big screen

TRACY CITY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new movie is hitting the silver screen, and this time, it has a Tennessee twist. The Holland, an American thriller starring Nicole Kidman, is set to premiere soon—and tucked within its suspense-filled scenes is a small but flavorful cameo: a Dutch Maid Bakery pastry made right in the heart of Tracy City, Tennessee. The…

Plan Hamilton Sparks Growth Debate

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community leaders gathered today at the Chattanooga Area Chamber to discuss the future of Hamilton County’s growth, and the challenges that come with it.  The growth strategy has sparked debate, especially in areas like Harrison.  With no set agenda, the meeting was designed to be an open-ended conversation about how to solve tomorrow’s problems today.  Among…

K9 Faith Sniffs Out Retirement Bliss

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A special four-legged investigator is hanging up her harness after nearly eight years of service. Accelerant Detection Canine Faith is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and success in fire investigations. Faith has been a crucial member of the fire investigation team, working alongside her handler, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Delaney, since 2017….

Sequatchie County firefighters gaining upper hand on wildfire

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Sunday, a blaze blanked the skies of Sequatchie County.Firefighters from all over the county and region rushed to Fredonia and Daus Mountains to fight this wildfire. Brian Rheuling, the Sequatchie County EMA Director, said, “This is the largest fire we’ve probably in 20 years or better. This is one of the largest and fastest moving…

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…