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Dalton Wins Playoff Opener 2-1 Over Kell
Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) Dalton high school began defense of their Class 5A state soccer crown on Wednesday night. They opened the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over Kell. Diego Paez and Sal [blox_vms account="WDEF" key="0f76708af44a8c1f21cc9d7d40634f61389f9e03" vtitle="Dalton Wins Playoff Opener 2-1 Over…
Notre Dame's Cole McCormick Caps Off Season Signing D-One With Central Arkansas
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) It's been a crazy year for Notre Dame senior basketball star Cole McCormick. Just hours after signing with Division two UAH in November, McCormick suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him over a month. But now here he is…
Weather Update: Thursday - April 17, 2024
WDEF-TV News 12 Weather Forecast Thursday: . Morning clouds and fog, becoming mostly sunny around mid day. Warm. Highs: mid-upper 80's. Winds: S 5-10 mph. Overnight: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms toward daybreak. Mild. Lows: low-mid…
Bama's Dallas Turner Might Be First Defensive Player Taken in NFL Draft
NFL teams in need of immediate help on defense will have a tricky time finding it in the first round or two of this year’s draft. As usual, edge rushers and cornerbacks will be the most highly valued defensive players.…
Georgia's Ladd McConkey Among Deep Class of Receivers in NFL Draft
This is the wide receiver and offensive tackle draft. Yes, it is very possible the first four picks on April 25 in Detroit could be quarterbacks, but that probably says as much about roster construction in the NFL these days…
Braves Earn Sweep of Astros With 10 Inning Victory
HOUSTON (AP) — Marcell Ozuna hit his major league-leading eighth homer and Orlando Arcia’s RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday. It completes a three-game sweep of…
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…)
Sheriff: 2 people charged with having stolen car, plethora of drugs
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County deputies arrested two people on Tuesday for possession of a stolen car and an array of drugs. The sheriff's office arrested two people following a traffic stop. HCSO identified the driver as 25-year-old…
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…
Ford recalls more than 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles over battery risk
Ford Motor is recalling 456,565 Bronco Sport SUVs and Maverick pickup trucks because the vehicles may fail to detect a low battery charge, which could lead to a loss of engine and electrical power while driving. The recall covers certain…
Log book from WWII ship that sank off Florida mysteriously ends up in piece of furniture in Massachusetts
A notebook discovered inside a piece of furniture in Massachusetts turned out to be a written log of one U.S. Navy destroyer's trips to Europe and back during World War II, officials said. The book appears in good physical condition…
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…
Chattanooga Public Library to offer camping, hiking gear rentals
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Public Library is now offering camping and hiking gear rentals with a library card. The CPL teamed up with Outdoor Chattanooga to create the…
Man killed in Windsor Street shooting, police continue to investigate
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Police said a man was shot and killed overnight on Windsor Street. They are now investigating the incident as a homicide. CPD responded at around 8 p.m. to the 2300 block of Windsor Street.…
Firefighters rescue man from drainpipe under Battlefield Parkway
UPDATE: April 17, 2024, 12:49 a.m. CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Catoosa and Walker County firefighters finally freed the man who was stuck in a storm drainage pipe on Battlefield Parkway. It took them working in the confined space, removing…
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…
Golden Apple Award: Abigail Guarneiri East Ridge High School
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) - The best teachers have a knack for inspiring their students. Abigail Guarneiri brings love and compassion to her classroom every day at East Ridge High School. So, we decided to bring her this week's Golden…
Soddy-Daisy High School wrestling coach suspended
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- There have been reports of a local coach in Soddy-Daisy who has been suspended. Soddy Daisy High wrestling coach Ulric Winesburgh was suspended on March 20. The reason for his suspension has not been confirmed by Hamilton…
Murray County prescribed burns, 'no burn' alerts for other counties
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Local agencies have implemented a "no burn" alert for Tuesday due to weather conditions. On the other hand, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it will soon be conducting prescribed burns in Murray County. The…
Deputies arrest 2 Brainerd High students for robbery
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has arrested two students for a robbery at Brainerd High School. The robbery happened at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15. HCSO said one student reported that three others…
Whaley denied appellate bond as appeal effort continues
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A former Hamilton County EMT convicted of vehicular manslaughter by intoxication made a court appearance Monday to ask for an appellate bond. Justin Whaley…
Affidavit: Kidnapped teen suffered severe head trauma
UPDATE: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An affidavit describes the details of the kidnapping of a juvenile earlier this week. It states that the victim was a 14-year-old female, and it explains what she…
CALEB pulls out of South Broad stadium, groundbreaking uncertain
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thursday morning, the Chattanooga Sports Authority Board heard the latest developments on the South Broad Stadium. Opening day of…
UTC discusses evolution of AI
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - UTC is continuing its expansion of integrating artificial intelligence into its education. That was music for happy people made by AI guided by a UTC graduate student. …
Groundbreaking held for The Bend
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A centerpiece of the Chattanooga Westside broke ground Wednesday. Part of the One Westside project, The Bend will be located along Riverside Drive between MLK…
New opioid recovery center opens in Hixson
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new opioid recovery center opened in Hixson on Wednesday. ReVIDA Recovery Centers offers medications for those struggling with opioid use disorder. ReVIDA also offers therapeutic services to help residents recover from addiction. Community members gathered…
Texas Roadhouse, 2 stores to open at Hamilton Place this month
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two new stores and a restaurant are slated to open in the coming weeks at Hamilton Place. Texas Roadhouse officially opens its new location on Thursday, April 11. It is located near The Cheesecake Factory…
Hamilton County Schools bus crashes on Signal Mountain
UPDATE: Hamilton County Superintendent Justin Robertson’s made a statement on Wednesday morning's school bus accident: "Earlier today, a contractor-operated school bus carrying students to Signal Mountain Middle/High School was involved in an accident. Most importantly, we are thankful that everyone…
Mayor Wamp proposes vocational program investment in 6 schools
HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp proposed spending $3 million on technical programs at six local high schools. The money will go into existing programs at the schools. “Each of these opportunities to expand career and technical…
Mayors agree new federal courthouse should not be on Hawk Hill
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of the Chattanooga Federal Courthouse is slowly becoming clearer. (more…)
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…
Update on Cleveland church pastor arrested
UPDATES: CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- This week, Rick Sentell was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor for possessing child pornography. Sentell is listed online as the pastor of the Cornerstone Church of God. However, there is a…
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…
