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Red Wolves fall to in state rival 1-0
RED WOLVES- The Chattanooga Red Wolves hosted One Knoxville SC in the first round of the new USL Jägermeister Cup. After a scoreless first half, a 48th minute header from One Knox led to a 1-0 win for the visiting…
Chattanooga FC goes top of Eastern Conference with win over Carolina Core
Chattanooga FC- Chattanooga Football Club defeated Carolina Core FC 2-0 in the first battle of independent teams in MLS NEXT Pro history in front of 3,614 fans at Finley Stadium. Jesus Ibarra scored the opener in the seventh minute when…
Weather Update: Saturday - April 27, 2024
WDEF-TV News 12 Weather Forecast Sunday: Mostly sunny. Breezy and a little warmer. Highs: lower 80's. Winds: S 10-15, Gusts to 25 mph. Overnight: Mostly clear. Mild. Lows: lower 60's. Winds: SE 5-10 mph Monday: Mostly Sunny. Breezy and warm.…
Braves Beat Guardians 6-2 in a Matchup of MLB's Top Two Teams
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale shook off another first-inning homer and Marcell Ozuna kept up his torrid start with two more RBIs, leading the Atlanta Braves past the Cleveland Guardians 6-2 Friday night in the opener of a series matching…
Meigs Co Beats Roane Co 12-0 For District Title
Decatur, TN-(WDEF-TV) It has been a banner season for the Meigs Co softball team, and it continued on Friday as they defeated Roane Co 12-0 in four innings. The victory sealed the district title for the Lady Tigers. [blox_vms account="WDEF"…
Chattanooga Lookouts Fall 7-5 in Debut as Chattanooga Wreckers
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts took the field for the first time as the Chattanooga Wreckers on Friday. Chattanooga will play select games as the Wreckers in a partnership with the International Towing Museum in the Scenic City. Name change didn't…
Los Angeles Chargers Take North Murray's Ladd McConkey in Second Round of the NFL Draft
The Los Angeles Chargers took North Murray high school grad Ladd McConkey in the second round of the NFL draft. The Chargers, who chose Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt over wideouts Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze with the fifth…
Mike Vick and Kirk Cousins Congratulate Michael Penix on Draft Selection by Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr., the biggest surprise of the NFL draft’s first round, received a congratulatory call from Kirk Cousins on Thursday night even as Cousins’ agent was second-guessing the Atlanta Falcons adding depth to their quarterback spot.…
Vigilance, care urged after back to back Chattanooga shootings
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- It has been a violent 24 hours in the Scenic City. (more…)
Top SEC Football Teams Return Their Starting Quarterbacks Next Season
All four of the Southeastern Conference’s top 10 teams in last season’s final AP Top 25 return established starting quarterbacks. Beyond that top group, there is plenty of competition and new starters, either via the transfer portal or with backups moving into the…
Braves Activate Ozzie Albies Off Injured List For Friday's Game Against Cleveland
ATLANTA (AP) — Second baseman Ozzie Albies was activated Friday by the Atlanta Braves ahead of a weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians, matching the teams with the two best records in the major leagues. Albies returned from the 10-day…
Suspect in North Carolina murder commits suicide in victim's vehicle
MURPHY, North Carolina (WDEF) - Investigators are closing the book on a murder in the North Carolina mountains. Cherokee County deputies found a woman's body at her home in the Andrews area on Monday. Windy Thompson's vehicle was also missing.…
Cleveland City Schools says it will not arm teachers
UPDATE: April 26, 2024 CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland City Schools responded to the recent new Tennessee law that allows schools to arm teachers. The school system will join both Bradley and Hamilton County Schools in continuing to only use…
Person shot in Eastgate Loop Friday morning
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- One person was shot in the Brainerd area Friday morning, according to Hamilton County 911. It happened just after 10 a.m. 911 logs show the address…
Heritage Rallies to Advance in State Baseball Playoffs
Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Heritage beat Southwest DeKalb 4-3 and 10-1 on Thursday to advance to the next round of the Georgia state baseball playoffs. Game one was dicey for…
Raiders get Georgia tight end Brock Bowers
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Brock Bowers was in middle school in Napa, California, when the then-Oakland Raiders would hold training camp nearby. He’d drop by to check out practice and once even got an autograph from quarterback Derek Carr. Now…
Titans fill need by taking offensive tackle JC Latham of Alabama
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans hope they finally have fixed at least one tackle spot by taking JC Latham of Alabama with the seventh pick overall in the NFL draft on Thursday night. Yes, Latham will start out at…
Vigilance, care urged after back to back Chattanooga shootings
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- It has been a violent 24 hours in the Scenic City. (more…)
Is the Hamilton County Commission following the Sunshine Law?
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- In addition to their regular meetings, the Hamilton County Commission hold a series of committee meetings. (more…)
Superintendent discusses next year's Hamilton County Schools budget with Commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Next year’s proposed Hamilton County School budget was presented to the Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday. (more…)
Hamilton County Government may soon use electric vehicles
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County government may soon be using more electric vehicles in their fleet. County Commissioners briefly discussed a resolution during their Finance Committee Wednesday…
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day happening this Saturday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up this weekend. Taking place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the day allows people across the nation to dispose of their…
Hamilton County Schools assistant nutrition director fired, indicted for theft
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The former assistant director of the Hamilton County Schools Department of School Nutrition (HCSN) has been indicted for theft. Andrew Woodbury, 44, was arrested…
What's Right With Our Schools: University High
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Schools and UTC have teamed to put equity into action! University School serves as a college pipeline for kids who might not have…
Man arrested for sexual battery inside Signal Mountain Walmart
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Signal Mountain man has been arrested for an incident police say happened in a local Walmart. (more…)
Vandalism, other criminal activity increases at Lakesite Park
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Lakesite, Tennessee government officials are looking into several cases in the Lakesite Park regarding vandalism, animal cruelty and human waste. These instances have happened over the past ten days. Government officials posted to Facebook about…
Volkswagen workers vote for UAW representation
UPDATE: President Joe Biden has issued the following statement on Volkswagen workers' vote to unionize the Volkswagen plant. The statement reads: "Congratulations to the workers at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on their historic vote for union representation with the United…
Birchwood Pike temporarily shuts down after serious crash
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A serious wreck took place on Birchwood Pike Friday evening, according to Hamilton County authorities. The crash involved entrapment on the 9200 block of Birchwood Pike,…
Motorcyclist dies after hitting deer on Birchwood Pike
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A motorcyclist died after colliding with a deer on Birchwood Pike, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. A deputy patrolling Birchwood Pike saw the dead deer in the middle of the road just before…
Hixson mother says school lost child during dismissal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A mother of a Hixson Elementary student says she recently had a scare during one school dismissal period. (more…)
Red Bank, Trust for Public Land restoring historic cemetery
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) - The city of Red Bank is teaming up with a preservationist group to restore a long-forgotten cemetery. Called “The Field”, this historic cemetery was only recently discovered…
Heated debate at county commission over vacation rentals
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hours of debate over how Hamilton County should handle vacation rentals occurred at Wednesday morning’s County Commission meeting. (more…)
Commission draws criticism for proposed public comment rule change
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Commission drew criticism for a proposed change to public comment rules. Chairman Jeff Eversole had proposed that anyone who wished to speak to the Commission on a matter not on their agenda would…
Hamilton County Commission approves funding for vocational programs
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Over three million dollars for career and technical education programs for Hamilton County Schools have been unanimously approved by the Commission. (more…)
HCSO detective dragged behind suspect car on Highway 58
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A narcotics investigation in Hamilton County resulted in a detective…
Hamilton County sheriff speaks on U.S. border to Hixson residents
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett spoke about the U.S. southern border at the Friends of Hixson meeting. Sheriff Garrett was a guest speaker at this month's meeting, which took place at the Clear Creek Church of…
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office launches new recruiting website
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has launched its new recruitment website to show all open positions, requirements and application processes within the agency. The new website, join.hcsheriff.gov, was created by HCSO personnel. Sheriff Austin Garrett…
Cleveland City Schools says it will not arm teachers
UPDATE: April 26, 2024 CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland City Schools responded to the recent new Tennessee law that allows schools to arm teachers. The school system will join both Bradley and Hamilton County Schools in continuing to only use…
Cooking mishap results in fatal Bradley County house fire
UPDATE: BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Bradley County Government spokesperson identified the two people involved in the fire on Sunday. The two who died in this fire were 68-year-old Dnese Moore and 93-year-old Myrtle Irene Moore. BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn.…
Golden Apple Award: Robin Campbell, Hopewell Elementary School
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - The best teachers genuinely care for their students. Kids can tell. That's certainly the case in Robin Campbell's 4th grade class at Hopewell Elementary School. For always giving 100%, we decided to give Ms. Campbell this…
Hot Slaw Festival to be held in Cleveland this weekend
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Get ready to feel the burn in Cleveland this weekend. Cleveland will be having their third Hot Slaw Festival this Saturday from…
Male Cleveland High School student facing felony sexual battery charge
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Cleveland Police Department says a petition for sexual battery has been filed with the Bradley County Juvenile Court this week against a…
Foundation House Ministries receives $790,000 state grant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - A ministry that serves mothers in crisis received a large grant Thursday. Foundation House Ministries in Cleveland has received a $790,000 grant from the State…
Sheriff Lawson released from hospital after his weekend wreck
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson has moved his recovery to his home following a weekend wreck. The sheriff was released from the hospital on Wednesday. He stopped by the sheriff's office for a visit on his…
Local counties awarded $30,000 to enhance internet connectivity
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Nonprofit Connect Humanity has awarded $30,000 to Bradley, Walker and Whitfield Counties to support broadband internet connectivity. These counties will participate in the Appalachian Digital Accelerator. This will support communities while they create custom connectivity…
Bradley County Sheriff hospitalized after crash
UPDATE: Sheriff Steve Lawson's wife, Connie Lawson, posted an update to Facebook on his condition. She said on Sunday night Sheriff Lawson was in the ICU. Read her post: We have reached out to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, but…
Tennova signs neo-natal deal with Erlanger
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Tennova Healthcare announces a partnership with Erlanger to provide neo-natal staff to their hospital in Cleveland. The deal keeps a NICU for newborns in the Cleveland area. "Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland has been a birthing destination…
Free medical pop-up clinic coming to Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Remote Area Medical (RAM) is offering a free two-day health clinic in Cleveland near the end of March. The free pop-up clinic will be March 22-23, 2024. It will be at the Cleveland Church of God,…
Stephen Hatchett is the new prosecutor for Bradley, Polk and McMinn cases
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) - There will be a new District attorney over four southeastern Tennessee counties this year. Athens attorney Stephen Hatchett narrowly defeated the current DA, Shari Tayloe. She had been appointed to replace Steve Crump who took a…
Golden Apple Award: Jami Thomason, Ocoee Middle School
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Good teachers are good listeners. Pair that with kindness and a healthy respect for others, and you get a great learning environment. That's just…
Former Cleveland police officer arrested for false reports
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation which led to the arrest of a former Cleveland Police Officer and current Airport Police Officer. …
Bradley County superintendent, sheriff comment on school fight videos
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An article in the Cleveland Daily Banner over the weekend is raising concerns about fighting in the school systems. The paper was sent links…
Bradley County chemical plant target of lawsuit
CHARLESTON, Tenn. (WDEF) - A chemical plant in Bradley County is at the center of a new lawsuit. Olin Chemical in Charleston is being sued by over 150…
Charleston's Olin Corporation faces lawsuit over mercury exposure
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Charleston chemical manufacturer is being sued for mercury exposure. The Joey James Law Firm filed a lawsuit against the Olin Corporation with a complaint of more than 200 pages. It accuses the Olin Corporation…
Two men charged in Bradley County inmate fentanyl death
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office has arrested and charged two men for the fentanyl death of an inmate. Authorities found Eric Means unresponsive in his…
Bradley County mayor suggests school merger
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - For over a century, the Bradley County School District and Cleveland City Schools have operated as two separate entities. However, the idea of school consolidation is…
Wife pleads guilty to shooting husband
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - A Bradley County woman entered a guilty plea on Sunday to fatally shooting her husband. Britany M. Taylor called the sheriff's office in May of 2022 to say she had…
Whitfield County jury finds man guilty of attempted murder
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Whitfield County grand jury found a man guilty of attempting to commit murder, kidnapping and two other charges. The jury found Mitchell Lee…
Whitfield County GOP censures representative
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - The Whitfield County Republican Party says they are censuring one of their state representatives. They are upset with Representative Kasey Carpenter over what they say are a…
Local counties awarded $30,000 to enhance internet connectivity
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Nonprofit Connect Humanity has awarded $30,000 to Bradley, Walker and Whitfield Counties to support broadband internet connectivity. These counties will participate in the Appalachian Digital Accelerator. This will support communities while they create custom connectivity…
Whitfield County Courthouse undergoing accessibility renovations
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Those who pay a visit to the Whitfield County Courthouse may notice some renovations at this time. The county said on Monday that they are working…
DPD investigating road rage shooting on West Walnut, no injuries
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department is investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting on West Walnut Avenue that apparently stemmed from a road rage incident. No one was injured in the shooting. Dalton investigators have identified a suspect in…
DPD looking for suspect after one man shot
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department is investigating a late Sunday afternoon drive-by shooting that left one man with an injury that is not considered to be life-threatening. Investigators do not believe that the incident is connected to…
Helton Tire and Off-Road raises money for injured firefighter
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - Whitfield County Firefighter Ricky Pratt was driving back from Atlanta when he was suddenly shot in the leg by another driver. While…
Home catches fire during below-freezing temperatures
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A mobile home caught on fire Tuesday morning, despite the below-freezing temperatures. Whitfield County Fire reported the blaze on social media Tuesday around 10 a.m. When firefighters arrived,…
Mohawk Industries catches fire Tuesday night
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Workers at Mohawk Industries in Whitfield County are back at work Wednesday after the scare of a roof fire. Fast action and teamwork made the difference and preserved lives.…
Whitfield County alerts residents of recent scam
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County government is alerting residents of a recent scam going around. The scammers in this case are impersonating county employees, according to a social media post. The county says these scammers are falsely…
Coahulla Creek student wins $40,000 scholarship
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - One Whitfield County high schooler made some unexpected cash for her future Monday morning. Coahulla Creek High School student Alana Lopez was surprised with a…
Hamilton County man wanted for property damage in Cohutta
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Cohutta Police Department is searching for a Hamilton County man who they say caused property damage in a car crash. Officers are searching for Austin C. Lansing. Austin Lansing / Courtesy…
2 dead, 1 injured in Whitfield County wreck, GSP says
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two people died and one other was injured in a wreck in Whitfield County on Sunday, according to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP). The crash happened at 4 p.m. on December 3 on Dawnville Road.…
Chattanooga native receives 2 life sentences for Dalton armed robbery
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Chattanooga native has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for an armed robbery. Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks sentenced 36-year-old Alando Ray Johnson on Wednesday, November 15. Alando Ray…
City of Dalton implementing 30-day burn ban
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The City of Dalton is going under a burn ban, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 13. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning. Those who violate the burn ban may receive a $1,000 fine and…
Dalton man sentenced to prison for 2022 fentanyl-related death
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Dalton man pled guilty to second-degree murder on Friday for a fentanyl overdose that occurred in 2022. According to Whitfield County officials, 19-year-old Devin Wayne…
Dalton School Board to hold runoff election in December
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Dalton will have a runoff race for a role in their Public Schools Board. The runoff will be between John "Tulley" Johnson and Laura Orr. Neither candidate received at least 50% of the vote, which is…
Whitfield Co. EMS hosts "Touch-A-Truck" event this weekend
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - Whitfield County EMS will host their second annual Touch-A-Truck event this Saturday. More than 1,000 people came out to the event last year.…
Whitfield Co. Health Department offers free annual breast exams
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Health Department held their free annual 'Breast Cancer Awareness' clinic Thursday for women aged 19 and older. The Women’s Clinic…
Dalton Police searching for runaway teen missing since June
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is searching for a teenager who ran away over the summer. Dalton Police are looking for 16-year-old Angel Rodinilson Vasquez-Vasquez. He…