CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The potential raises for Chattanooga police and firefighters was at the center of Chattanooga City Council budget discussions. This year’s budget is projected to be $345 million dollars. Mayor Tim Kelly’s Chief of Staff Kevin Roig says that Chattanooga police officers are paid over 20 percent less than comparable departments, while firefighters are paid over 30 percent…
Ximena Arias-Cristobal / GoFundMe UPDATE: We spoke with Arias-Cristobal’s lawyer, Dustin Baxter, who says that the judge instantly saw that Arias-Cristobal was deserving of this bond following the circumstances of her arrest in Dalton. Baxter said, “It wasn’t hard for her to see that Xiamena was in fact not a danger because she is of value to her community and is…
Sara Black from the Game Shack Cafe joins News 12’s Amelia Greer with homemade treats from Dunlap, TN. The local coffee shop has taken over the small town since they first opened in 2020. DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – One cafe has swept up the city of Dunlap for its themed coffee, treats, breakfast, and gaming consoles for customers to enjoy….
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- An infant who was critically injured in a crash on I-75 in East Ridge on Mother’s day has passed away from his injuries., East Ridge police confirmed. 22 month old Sawyer Smith was in his family’s Jeep when police say it was struck by a semi truck driven by Joseph Antoinier. Sawyer Smith, the infant critically…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Thrive Regional Partnership and the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance are encouraging drivers to ditch the gridlock and explore five alternate routes to avoid some of Chattanooga’s most congested interstates. “We know areas like the I-75/I-24 split, the Ridge Cut, and the Highway 27 and I-24 interchange are heavily trafficked, especially by trucks,” said Rhett Bentley, Chief Communications…
ROSSVILE, GA-(WDEF) — Boynton Elementary has made history as the first school in Georgia to receive the new “Student Signature Award” from the Georgia Department of Education. State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited the school today to recognize students for their outstanding cursive handwriting. “Our mission is preparing kids for life,” said Woods. “This shows schools are focusing on academics…
All of the softball games at Spring Fling on Tuesday were postponed due to weather. That just means more rest for Walker Valley pitcher Ryann ‘Boogs’ Presswood. You know she’s a dangerous pitcher because she only goes by her nickname of ‘Boogs’. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Baylor catcher Blake Lundy has been named the state’s Mr. Baseball Award winner for Division II-AA. It’s the fifth year in-a-row that a Baylor player has won the honor for that classification. Lundy batted .440 on the season, and he led the state of Tennessee in home runs with fifteen. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- A Dalton teen who police say was wrongly arrested a few weeks ago was supposed to face her deportation hearing Tuesday. Xiamena Arias-Cristobal has been in ICE custody for nearly two weeks. However, she will have to wait to learn her fate. Xiamena Arias-Cristobal was arrested for not having a driver’s license after a Dalton Police officer…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – If you’re thinking about hitting the road this summer, you’re not alone, and this year, you might not feel quite as much pain at the pump. A new forecast from GasBuddy shows gas prices are expected to drop just in time for the summer travel season. Experts say it could be the cheapest summer to fill…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee’s school voucher program has expanded statewide, drawing tens of thousands of applications and generating both enthusiasm and concern. The issue is now front and center in Hamilton County, where leaders are weighing how the program could affect public school budgets. The Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program is off to a fast start. Since enrollment…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga favorite is celebrating a milestone this week. Bea’s Restaurant is turning 75. Located on Dodds Avenue, right at the foot of the ridge, Bea’s has been serving up all-you-can-eat Southern comfort food since 1950. With its signature lazy Susans and family-style seating, the restaurant has become more than just a place to eat,…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A traffic stop attempt on Tuesday afternoon resulted in a brief pursuit and a man facing multiple charges. At approximately 12:20 p.m. on May 20, 2025, a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy spotted a motorcycle with a bent license plate in the 1900 block of Cummings Highway. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic…
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Community members in Ringgold, Georgia are once again honoring their heroes in a breathtaking and patriotic way. The city’s annual Festival of Flags is more than a visual tribute — it’s a tradition rooted in pride, sacrifice, and remembrance. Since the 1970s, this event has been growing in size and meaning, bringing neighbors together to salute…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Arborists in St. Elmo are working to save a tree older than the neighborhood around it. A tree on Alabama Avenue is estimated to be around three hundred years old. Arborist Cameron Audette, who owns Boniface Arbor Works, say it is in poor health in part due to its size and interactions with the historic Victorian homes…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Authorities are investigating a house fire that occurred in Catoosa County Monday afternoon. Catoosa County E-911 received reports of smoke coming from a home on Lillian Drive shortly before 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, the Catoosa County Fire Department (CCFD) found fire and smoke coming from the front of the residence. CCFD said the fire was…
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) — A fire broke out in the laundry area of the McMinn County Jail Monday evening. The incident began around 8:30 p.m. when an inmate doing laundry noticed a flash inside a dryer. The flames spread underneath the machines inside the unit. The Athens Fire Department (AFD) responded to the scene within minutes. Crews worked to extinguish…
Rachel Breazeale and “The Rose Princess” say “be our guest” to their magical pregame Tea Party for this weekend’s Chattanooga Lookouts game against the Rocket City Trash Pandas! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Put on a crown and have tea time with royalty with the third annual Princess Night at the Chattanooga Lookouts. Everyone’s favorite princesses will be taking over AT&T…
Rome, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Gordon Lee baseball team captured the Class A state championship on Monday in Rome, Georgia. The Trojans swept Pepperell winning game one 5-2 and game two 7-6. Gordon Lee claimed their fifth state title and their first since 2019. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Gordon Lee High School, High School Baseball, pepperell
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – One of Chattanooga’s most beloved and long-standing restaurants is marking a major milestone. Bea’s Restaurant, located on Dodds Avenue at the foot of the ridge, is celebrating its 75th anniversary on Tuesday. Since opening its doors in 1950, Bea’s has become a local treasure, serving up all-you-can-eat Southern meals to generations of Chattanoogans. To thank the…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a meaningful moment for downtown Cleveland this past week as Johnston Memorial Park officially reopened to the public. The newly renovated Johnston Memorial Park was rededicated this past week, nearly a century after it was first gifted to the city. Originally donated in 1933 by Mrs. C. L. Hardwick, the land was given in…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, Tennessee’s pro sports teams, including our very own Chattanooga FC, are joining forces in a new initiative aimed at uplifting children and families impacted by foster care. It’s called “Every Team for Every Child, a statewide effort led by Every Child Tennessee and backed by major teams like the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Sunday, the personal office of former President Joe Biden announced that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. They say he was diagnosed following a discovery of a prostate nodule last week during a medical exam. Dr. Amar Singh is an oncologist at Erlanger Hospital who is the Chair of the Urology…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Silverdale Baptist Academy was approved Monday for a bond issuance that will help them continue their expansion. The Chattanooga Health, Educational, and Housing Facility Board approved it. The bonds are worth $4.75 million dollars, and will be tax-exempt. The city of Chattanooga nor the state of Tennessee will not have any financial obligation as all liabilities fall…