United Way Spotlights Helpline at Health Council Meeting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – At this month’s Regional Health Council meeting, local leaders and public health officials gathered to discuss key issues affecting the community.  For many in Chattanooga, help is just a phone call or text away. United Way’s 211 helpline offers free and confidential support, guiding residents to essential services tailored to their needs.  Whether it’s financial assistance,…

Soddy Daisy man arrested on rape and kidnapping charges

SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Soddy Daisy man has been arrested and is being charged with rape and aggravated assault. Officers with the Soddy Daisy Police Department (SDPD) responded to 349 Poplar Street at 1:26 a.m. on June 25, 2024. The report involved a 16-year-old girl being held against her will at a neighbor’s home. Upon arrival, officers spoke…

Catoosa County authorities asking for public’s help in locating missing person

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is asking for the public’s help in locating 25-year-old Stone Tyler Champion. Champion was last seen on January 21, 2025, around 6:30 PM near Meadowview Lane in Ringgold, Georgia. Champion may be traveling in a purple 2013 Chevy Camaro with Tennessee license plate “2188-BFDN.” Authorities have not released further…

Victim found in deadly Summerville house fire

SUMMERVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — One person was found dead after a devastating house fire in Summerville on Thursday. Firefighters from the Trion Fire Department (TFD) were dispatched to the scene near Lyerly Street and Turner Street. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and flames engulfing multiple sides of the home. Crews launched an aggressive interior attack, deploying two hose lines…

Red Bank police responded a call of a shooting at Bojangles

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) –On Saturday at 1:30 p.m., Red Bank Police Officers and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at the Bojangles restaurant located at 2023 Dayton Boulevard. When officers arrived, they discovered a male victim who had been shot. First responders provided initial aid, including applying a tourniquet to the victim. Red Bank…

Soddy Daisy car break-ins at the Hawthorne at The Hollow apartments

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Residents at Hawthorne at The Hollow apartment complex claim that over 20 vehicles have been broken into in recent days, leaving them frustrated and searching for answers. Several victims of the break-ins have come together, believing they’ve identified a pattern in the incidents. These car break-ins have left tenants stunned. Jordan Portner, one of the affected…

National Burn Prevention Week: Simple Steps to Keep Your Home Safe

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -This February marks National Burn Prevention week, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of burns and how to prevent them in our homes and communities. Burn injuries are more common than you might think—but they are preventable! First responders recommend testing smoke alarms, practicing your escape plan, checking your fire extinguisher, keeping flammable items away…

Signal Mountain Fire Department launches a rescue operation

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) — This afternoon, emergency crews launched a rescue operation at Signal Point Trail. Emergency crews launched a rescue operation at Signal Point Trail after a 26-year-old female hiker sustained an ankle injury and was unable to walk. At 4:07 p.m., a hiker on the trail called 911 to report that a fellow hiker had suffered an ankle…

Chickamauga Civil War Show Returns to Dalton

  DALTON, GA (WDEF) – History comes to life this weekend at the Dalton Convention Center as it hosts the annual Chickamauga Dalton Civil War Show. This highly anticipated gathering brings together dealers, historians, and Civil War experts from across the country, showcasing a vast collection of artifacts, weaponry, documents, and memorabilia from one of the most defining periods in…

Chattanooga Skillet Curling Competition Returns

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The heat is on, and so is the ice, as the 2025 Chattanooga Skillet Curling Competition returns for another thrilling showdown.   This one-of-a-kind event, blending Southern tradition with icy competition drawing teams and spectators from across the region.  Inspired by the classic winter sport of curling, skillet curling puts a Southern twist on the game, swapping…

Chattanooga Community Gathers to March for Life

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The March for Life brought together passionate community members and leaders today at Coolidge Park to highlight the value of life and provide resources to expecting parents. The event sought to instill hope while offering tangible alternatives for those navigating difficult decisions during pregnancy. Candy Clepper, President of Greater Chattanooga Right to Life, explained that the…

Men’s Basketball Rallies to Defeat Mercer 93-84 for Third-Straight SoCon Victory

GoMocs- The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team earned its third-straight victory after battling back in an eventual 93-84 win over Mercer during crucial Southern Conference action in front of a rowdy 3,551 McKenzie Arena fans on Saturday. For the fourth time in league play this season, Chattanooga (15-8, 7-3 SoCon) erased an early first-half hole with a strong second-half performance…

Baylor Beats McCallie For the 8th Straight Time

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor continued their winning streak against rival McCallie on Friday beating the Blue Tornado 49-40. It was their 8th straight win over McCallie. The Red Raiders helped hold McCallie to just 8 points in the first half as the Red Raiders built a 22-8 advantage at halftime. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Whitwell High Teacher Resigns After Admitting Inappropriate Interaction with 18-Year-Old Student

A first-year teacher at Whitwell High School has resigned after an investigation uncovered inappropriate interactions with an 18-year-old male student. Marion County Superintendent Dr. Mark Griffith confirmed that school officials first became aware of the allegations late Thursday morning, around 11:30 a.m. According to Dr. Griffith, it was discovered that the teacher had sent explicit photos to the 18-year-old student,…

Local legislators react to special session

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing reaction to the passage of the Tennessee Education Freedom Act. The bill, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly yesterday, will allow for students to choose to attend a private school with public dollars. It calls for 20,000 students to get scholarships a year to private schools, with priority for students who are…

The QR Code Scam You’ve Probably Seen on TikTok

CHATTANOOGA, TN – You may have seen the videos on TikTok or Instagram, but there is a new scam that you might not even see coming. Have you ever paid to park then got a call from your bank stating that someone was playing online video games with your account and it was in the Netherlands?  I got that call…

Birchwood broadband expansion project set to reach nearly 300 homes

MORE: About ten percent of Hamilton County residents in unincorporated areas still don’t have access to broadband internet. However, for 300 residents in the Birchwood area, this will soon change, and it could lead to more than just faster internet. Retha Womack and Linda Wright are lifelong residents of Birchwood, and currently volunteer at the town’s community center. “We’re so…