CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County attorney saga appears to have reached a conclusion. The Commission has finally approved a transition plan. After a long and controversial process, Janie Parks Varnell has received approval to become the new Hamilton County Attorney to replace longtime attorney Rheubin Taylor. After several months in a special advisor role, Varnell was approved by the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A mass roads improvement project announced Tuesday was approved on Wednesday by the Hamilton County Commission. These improvements aim to improve congestion in the Apison, Ooltewah, Middle Valley, Hixson, and Signal Mountain areas. These include a road extension to Hilltop Drive, two new roundabouts, and several roads to be widened. These projects are being funded by $5.8…
Dr. Tom Devlin with CHI Memorial joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to spread awareness and prevention during National Stroke Awareness Month. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – May is National Stroke Awareness Month and Dr. Tom Devlin with CHI Memorial shared a few tips to recognize when someone is having a stroke. Chattanooga has the highest incidence of stroke in the U.S….
Chickamauga, GA-(WDEF-TV) Game one of the state semifinal playoff series between Gordon Lee and Vidalia was delayed roughly four hours because of rain and a wet field. When the contest finally got underway, the Trojans offense went in a drought. They couldn’t muster any runs in losing game one to the Indians 2-0. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Tunnel Hill, GA (WDEF-TV) NW Whitfield captured their only state championship in 2018. Now the Bruins have a shot at another state crown, as they battle Johnson in the 3A championship game on Wednesday in Atlanta. NW Whitfield will be facing a Knights team that is playing in the championship game for the sixth time in the last seven years….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Siskin Children’s Institute is expanding its continuum of care with the launch of a new Pediatric Physical Therapy Program, now available at its Chattanooga location. The program is designed to support children from infancy through adolescence, helping them build strength, improve mobility, and gain independence in a fun, encouraging environment. It offers tailored therapy for children…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A controversial plan to bring a micro-home community to the area near Garner Road is now on hold — at least for the time being. Developer Michael Kenner withdrew his rezoning request during Monday’s planning commission meeting, following pushback from several community members. “Michael Kenner, 114 Side Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I wish to withdraw the case,” he…
DALTON, GA. (WDEF) – This afternoon, city and state leaders gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Dalton Municipal Airport. The event marked the start of construction on three new airplane hangars, funded by a Georgia Department of Transportation grant and local matching funds. Plans include a ten-bay hangar, a sixty-by-sixty-foot hangar, and a larger one hundred and twenty-by-eighty-foot hangar,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Big events mean big changes to traffic, and Chattanooga is gearing up to welcome thousands for IRONMAN 70.3 this Sunday. The race kicks off early Sunday, May 18th, with the swim starting at 6:50 AM and athletes transitioning to the bike and run portions throughout the day. Expect road closures and delays near Riverfront Parkway, Broad…
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. (WDEF)- A new council will guide the future of technical education across Hamilton County. Mayor Weston Wamp’s office announced the creation of The Council on Career and Technical Education. It is an advisory body of industry and other local leaders to shape all technical and Future Ready Institutes. Mayor Wamp says now is the time to bring in…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The East Ridge student who is in the middle of a controversy with a school resource officer (SRO) has been arrested again. Tauris Sledge appeared in a viral video showing a scuffle, in which an SRO dragged Sledge by his hair and backpack. However, in the evening hours of May 12, 2025, he was arrested after…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Wamp administration is proposing a $5.8 million investment to continue its dedicated County Roads Improvement Fund that was first launched in 2024. The renewed funding would support major road upgrades not covered by the county’s routine maintenance budget. Mayor Weston Wamp said the initiative targets long-overdue infrastructure needs across Hamilton County. “By committing these…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A GoFundMe has been started for a family who was involved in the I-75 fatal crash Sunday. Lane, Baleigh, Brynlee, and Sawyer were on their way home from a dance competition when the accident occurred. Unfortunately, Lane did not survive the crash. The GoFundMe said Baleigh, Brynlee, and Sawyer were all critically injured. Baleigh and Sawyer…
Nate Hiltibran with Woodcraft of Chattanooga joins New 12’s Amelia Greer as they get ready for a special family-centered workshop next month. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Father’s Day is coming up and the best gift for Dad can be one made by hand or with him at Woodcraft of Chattanooga! Mark your calendars, June 7 is Family Day at Woodcraft…
GORDON COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A multi-vehicle crash on I-75 in Gordon County, Georgia, has left three people dead and several others injured. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the crash began when a northbound tractor-trailer collided with a Hyundai Sonata. The tractor-trailer crossed the median after the initial crash, hitting two other semi-trucks and two cars — a Toyota…
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- 19 year old Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was arrested last week in Dalton. She had come with her parents illegally to the United States when she was four years old. However, Dalton Police admitted Monday that her arrest was a mistake. Dalton Police admitted Monday that the arrest of Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was due to a police officer identifying the…
BAYLOR CATCHER BLAKE LUNDY HAS BEEN NAMED A FINALIST FOR THE STATE’S MR BASEBALL AWARD . LUNDY CARRIES A BIG STICK IN THE RAIDERS LINEUP WITH 15 HOMERS AND 41 RBI’S. ACCORDING TO MAX PREPS, LUNDY’S 15 HOMERS ARE THE SECOND MOST IN THE NATION. MCMINN CENTRAL’S TYLER OAKS HAS ALSO BEEN NAMED A MR BASEBALL FINALIST. Categories: Sports –…
Red Bank, TN-(WDEF-TV) THE RED BANK BASEBALL TEAM HAS BEEN TO SPRING FLING ONLY ONCE IN SCHOOL HISTORY…. BACK IN 2012. BUT THIS YEAR’S TEAM HAS A CHANCE TO REACH MURFREESBORO, AFTER A PICKING UP A COUPLE OF CHAMPIONSHIPS LAST WEEK. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Pachyderm Club members gathered today for their weekly meeting, where guest speaker Dean Arnold took the spotlight. Arnold is a Chattanooga-based author, historian, filmmaker, and activist who has spent years exploring the roots and evolution of the city. He’s best known for his book Old Money, New South: The Spirit of Chattanooga, which compiles…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -This week marks the start of National Salvation Army Week, a time to honor one of the nation’s most recognized service organizations. Here in Chattanooga, the local Salvation Army is using the occasion to celebrate its impact and invite the community to get involved. It’s a week of gratitude and reflection for The Salvation Army of Chattanooga,…
UPDATE: We are learning more from witnesses who saw the immediate aftermath of the tragic Mother’s Day crash on I-75 in East Ridge. Dawn Schwartz says her family was traveling just behind when they noticed the initial explosions. She described, “I was looking ahead on the road, seeing how light traffic was, and all of a sudden noticed a puff…
ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — Energy efficiency is the name of the game at Stone Creek Elementary in Rossville. Their commitment to saving electricity recently earned the school a $25,000 grant. Their bright ideas are a shining example of what’s right with our schools. Stone Creek Elementary is celebrating a major win, not just for their school, but for the…
Kate Parsons joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to spread the word about a special conference by the Hamilton County Coalition at the end of May. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The “Paths to Recovery” Conference invites people of various fields to learn about substance abuse and how to support those who are suffering from different hardships. Put on by the Hamilton…
FLINTSTONE, Ga. (WDEF)- High Point Farms in Flintstone hosted a special Mother’s Day event that included goats, garden strolls, and handmade bouquets. Many families began Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed or quiet time at home. But by the afternoon, they made their way out to High Point Farms in Flintstone for sunshine, fresh flowers, and baby goat snuggles. The…