Cleveland Fire Department responds to early morning house fire

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Cleveland Fire Department (CFD) responded to a residential fire early Friday morning. Crews were dispatched to the residence on Truck Street NE. Upon arrival, crews found a fully engulfed resident and immediately began defensive operations. CFD reported the only occupant of the home was able to escape with no injuries. The cause of the fire…

National Weather Service confirms EF-0 tornado touched down in Monroe County

UPDATE (5/30/2025):  The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touched down in Monroe County Friday morning. Around 8:36 a.m. May 30, 2025, an EF-0 tornado touched down near the Loudon/Monroe County line. The NWS Morristown stated in their preliminary report that the tornado was on the ground for two miles, and sustained maximum winds of 85 miles per hour….

New Tech in Vascular Care treats May-Thurner Syndrome with Ease

CHATTANOOGA, TN – The month of May has many celebrations and causes, but one you may not have heard about is the awareness for May-Thurner Syndrome.  Named for Dr. May and Dr. Thurner who discovered the condition in 1957, it is a condition where the left iliac artery is compressed by the right common artery. The World Famous Dr. Lesar…

Avengers, Assemble! at AT&T Field this weekend!

The Chattanooga Lookouts continues with their themed games with Marvel Night on Saturday, May 31. Many of your favorite superheroes are swinging onto the field or assembling in the concourse for meet and greets! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Avengers are assembling at AT&T Field for the Chattanooga Lookouts Marvel Night on Saturday, May 31. Many of your favorite superheroes…

Get to know The Little Debbie Muffin Man this weekend!

Charlotte Aldridge with Little Debbie brings her friend the Muffin Man to celebrate the grand finale of ‘The Muffin Man Tour’ in Collegedale! They’re preparing for their grand finale of their tour at the Collegedale Commons this weekend! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Do you know the Muffin Man? Now is your time to finally meet Little Debbie’s favorite baker when…

Students testify former teacher charged with child sex crimes created “Good Boys Club”

Duane Sanders, the former elementary school teacher facing numerous child sex abuse charges, sitting in his own trial. Content warning: Many will find the content in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thursday was day two of a child sex abuse trial involving a former elementary school teacher in Ooltewah.   Duane Sanders was a first grade teacher at Wallace…

NTSB report released on Chattanooga FedEx plane crash

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report for a FedEx Boeing 757 plane crash in October of 2023 has been released. The NTSB report contained some worrisome information for one pilot of over 40 years. Robert Katz, a commercial pilot and flight instructor, raised some questions over the report. Landing in Chattanooga His first concern…

Strawberries in short supply as season nears end

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  This year has been difficult for Strawberry farmers. The season is about to wrap up and customers are being met with below average amounts of product. This is due to this year’s spring weather. March was surprisingly colder than usual which caused frost damage to some strawberry plants. Then the last few months have been nothing…

Thursday Throwback: 1983 Rainy May

We just broke a 25 year mark for rainiest May in Chattanooga. And we still could break the all-time record. So for our Thursday Throwback, we’re taking you back to another wet spring. Here are several stories of flooding and tornadoes in 1983. Categories: From The Archives Tags: 1983, From The Archives, Rain, Rainy May, Spring Weather, Thursday Throwback

Fall Creek Falls Utility District resolves water problems, clears safety tests

BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  After a little over 2 weeks of water issues, the Fall Creek Falls Utility District (FCFUD) says they have been resolved. FCFUD notified customers of the problem on May 13, 2025, and were advised to boil water before consuming it. Crews repairs several leaks throughout the system, including one very large leak. FCFUD states that…

Tennessee man pleads guilty after asking 14-year-old for sex in Georgia

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Tennessee man recently pleaded after asking a minor for sex in Georgia. Brandon James McGarvey-Rogers used the mobile messaging app SnapChat to send sexual images to a 14-year-old child. In their conversation, the child stated they were underage to McGarvey Rogers. He replied to the 14-year-old with sexaully explcit images. According to the Lookout…

Trial of former elementary teacher charged with child sex abuse begins

Duane Sanders in court on day one of his child sex abuse trial. Content Warning: Many will find the contents in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A former elementary teacher’s trial began Wednesday on charges of child sexual abuse. Duane Sanders was arrested in March 2023 and charged with 19 counts of sexual crimes involving nine former students. Sanders…

Disaster Prep Starts With Connection

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In 2024 alone, the U.S. experienced 27 weather and climate disasters, each causing over a billion dollars in damage.  From hurricanes and wildfires to floods and tornadoes, no region was spared. Experts agree, emergency preparedness isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential.  Having a clear plan helps families act quickly, make informed decisions, and stay safe when seconds…

Dangerous Fall at Greenway Quarry

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Another dangerous rescue at a well-known local spot.  Chattanooga firefighters were called to the rock quarry at Greenway Farms Tuesday night after a man fell more than thirty feet from the side of the quarry.  Crews with Red Shift responded around 8:15 PM, navigating difficult terrain in the woods to reach the injured man.  Using a…

Titans Coach Brian Callahan Trying to Temper Expectations For Rookie QB Cam Ward

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Brian Callahan is doing his best to temper expectations that rookie Cam Ward will be the Titans’ starting quarterback the season. The Titans still have the offseason to complete, not to mention training camp and the preseason before opening this upcoming season Sept. 7 at Denver. So don’t even look at who’s rotating in at quarterback. Callahan…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Walnut Street Publishing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  It’s a local publishing company focusing on local authors.  The want to reimagine what publishing is as a community, as well as tell stories through all mediums of art.  We look at how Walnut Street Publishing continues to Drive Our Economy Forward. “Being a writer, I’m a novelist and poet myself, I’ve been published, and I…

Four arrested after stolen vehicle pursuit ends in crash in Rhea County

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Four men have been arrested in Rhea County after leading authorities on a pursuit. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) was assisting the Graysville Police Department (GPD) in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The pursuit began within Graysville city limits and continued through Dayton. According to RCSO, while going…

TV show COPS coming to Hamilton County for 38th season

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Lights, camera, patrol — the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is back on the national stage as COPS returns to film deputies in action for Season 38. This will be the third time HCSO has been featured on the show. Several episodes for Season 38 will be filmed throughout the summer. Sheriff Austin Garrett said…

New photos show children still without proper housing in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A TV station in Nashville has obtained photos showing that Hamilton County still has a problem housing children. The photos from WTVF come from inside our local Children’s Services offices. These are kids taken by the state from abusive homes who need foster care. The pictures reveal mattresses and makeshift beds, implying that children are…

North River Elementary goes into next step of design process

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future North River Elementary School is set to move to its next step in its design process. The Hixson school would combine DuPont, Rivermont, and Alpine Crest Elementary Schools. Wednesday, a resolution was presented that the project would be done in a “Construction Manager at Risk” method. Essentially, this shifts financial risk off of the county…