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Weather Update: Sunday - May 19, 2024
WDEF-TV News 12 Forecast Sunday: Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms limited mainly to the Appalachian mountains in western North Carolina and northern Georgia. Warm. Highs: mid 80's. Winds: N 5-10 mph. Overnight: Mostly clear. Mild. Lows: lower 60's. Winds:…
Late winner puts Boyd soccer back in the final four
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Boyd Buchanan fell in the state title game just a year ago, now Boyd is on its way back to the final four for the third consecutive year. After missed chances…
Dalton High School setires Jahmyr Gibbs' jersey number
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- We've never seen a running back at Dalton like the speedster Jahmyr Gibbs. Now, we'll never see another Catamount wear his jersey number one. The Detroit Lions star returned to his hometown tonight, as Dalton High School…
Padres Gets Nine Hits Off Max Fried in 3-1 Victory Over the Braves
ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Waldron struck out a career-high 10 and the San Diego Padres bounced back after being swept in their last series with a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Waldron (2-5) gave up one…
Bradley Central Baseball Team is Headed to Spring Fling
Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Bradley Central baseball team earned a trip to Spring Fling on Friday with an 8-2 victory over Riverdale in game three of their state sectional series. Tito Williams got the Bears offense going in the bottom of…
Mocs Softball Teams Suffers Tough 3-2 Loss to Florida State in NCAA Regional
(gomocs.com) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- Chattanooga got on the board first but couldn’t hold off a Florida State late inning rally, falling 3-2 to the 15-seed Seminoles on their home field Friday in Tallahassee. After getting off to a late start…
Parkridge holds ribbon cutting for Soddy-Daisy emergency room
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Northern Hamilton County has seen a lot of growth. Soddy-Daisy’s population as of the last Census in 2020 was a little over 13,000 and is…
Law enforcement memorial honors fallen officers in Chattanooga area
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Local law enforcement took time Friday morning to honor those who have died in the line of duty in the Chattanooga area. This…
TBI charges Bledsoe County deputy with raping inmate
BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) arrested a former Bledsoe County Sheriff's Department deputy and charged him with raping an inmate. The TBI said it arrested 28-year-old Christopher Peyton Watson. Authorities explained that the victim…
Chevrolet Bolt owners win $150 million settlement after electric vehicles caught fire
General Motors and LG are establishing a $150 million fund to compensate Chevrolet Bolt owners after a faulty battery caused some of the electric vehicles to burst into flames. The $150 million is…
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. The 27-year-old Scheffler, the world’s…
Catoosa County deputies arrest 2 after fentanyl manufacturing bust
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office arrested two people following a drug bust at a home in Ringgold. Deputies executed a search warrant at 65 Fallbrooke Lane in Ringgold on Tuesday, May 14. There, they found…
New apartments coming to downtown Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Downtown Chattanooga has gotten approved for one of the largest apartment projects that the city has ever seen. The proposal got the green light on Monday and is now headed to city council. The location which…
House Committee chaos in verbal fight
WASHINGTON (WDEF) - The House Oversight Committee voted last night to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt for refusing to send them an audio recording of President Biden's with a special council,…
Chimp heart checkup at Chattanooga Zoo
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Zoo have been making strides to understand heart health in chimpanzees since 2011. On Thursday, one of the oldest female chimpanzees Brandi…
Sen. Ossoff blasts Postmaster General over slow mail in Georgia
WASHINGTON (WDEF) - Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff is blasting the postmaster general after missing a deadline today. In a congressional hearing, Ossoff demanded that Louis DeJoy provide remedies for slow mail in Georgia. Delays are piling up at processing centers…
4 Chattanooga organizations receive Dollar General Literacy grants
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Four non-profit organizations in Chattanooga are receiving grants from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF). The foundation awarded nearly $2 million in grants to Tennessee organizations, with more than $13,000 going to Chattanooga. The Chattanooga locations…
Parkridge holds ribbon cutting for Soddy-Daisy emergency room
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Northern Hamilton County has seen a lot of growth. Soddy-Daisy’s population as of the last Census in 2020 was a little over 13,000 and is…
Chattanooga Airport celebrates first nonstop flight to Las Vegas
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanoogans can now get to the city that may set their soul on fire, as Elvis Presley once said, a little bit faster. …
Water rescue training held on Chickamauga Lake
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A large-scale training event was held on the Tennessee River Thursday morning. Water training exercises were held by multiple agencies, including the Chattanooga Fire Department.…
Future of former Hamilton County Jail discussed by commissioners
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Commissioners held a monthly committee session on Building and Economic Development this morning. (more…)
Alternatives for school funding discussed in committee session
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of school funding was also discussed during the committee session. (more…)
Commission approves six million for road safety projects
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission did approve six million dollars for road improvements across the county. (more…)
Father of braindead 22-year-old Hamilton County Jail inmate speaks out
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Monday, we brought you the story of a 22-year-old man who is braindead…
Vacant home destroyed in Highway 58 fire
HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF)- Firefighters in Harrison have been battling a house fire Tuesday morning.…
Family wants answers after 22 year old man suffers brain death in Hamilton County Jail custody
A photo of Christopher Ayala, who his family says is brain dead after being in custody…
Residents want details about potential Soddy-Daisy property tax increase
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Some Soddy-Daisy residents are saying they are against potential property tax increases from their municipal government. Residents with Concerned Citizens for District…
Closing arguments heard in Jason Chen's motion to quash evidence
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The defense attorney for a man accused of killing a 22-year-old woman is continuing to argue his motion to quash important evidence…
Indictment: Former school manager used work car for Uber, DoorDash
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Hamilton County grand jury has indicted a former transportation manager for Hamilton County Schools. The Tennessee Comptroller said he used his work vehicle during work hours, for Uber, Lyft and DoorDash. The grand jury…
Hamilton County Schools superintendent speaks on 2-hour delay decision
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County Schools was on a two-hour delay on Thursday due to the storms that hit overnight. Now, some parents are concerned. Some said the schools should have remained closed for the entire day due…
No solution to vacation rental debate in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The debate over vacation rentals in Hamilton County continued to intensify Wednesday. The Hamilton County Commission held a committee session to debate the…
Motorcycle driver charged after early morning chase on Highway 27
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Deputies have charged an early morning motorcycle driver in Hamilton County after a high-speed chase. The deputy tried to stop Nicholas Mullins for speeding up to…
Mayor Wamp proposes funds to fix trouble spots like Hunter Road in Ooltewah
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has released his plan to improve road conditions in the unincorporated areas. Poor roads, particularly Hunter Road in the Ooltewah area, have been a common complaint from residents who don't want…
Chattanooga Library, CARTA team up for free summer bus passes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Public Library made an announcement that it believes will benefit children across the city this summer. The Chattanooga Public Library…
Four companies receive apprenticeship grant
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Four local companies received a huge boost on Monday for their commitment to youth apprenticeships. $40,000 has been awarded to Allohire, AHS Consulting, Tiny Tigers Learning Center and…
5 Charged with drug smuggling conspiracy at Hamilton County Jail
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County authorities said they recently busted a drug smuggling conspiracy at the Hamilton County Jail. Detectives arrested five people in the case. The sheriff's office said the suspects intentionally bonded a man out of…
Highway 58 firefighter dies in motorcycle crash on Birchwood Pike
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A firefighter died in a motorcycle crash on Birchwood Pike in Harrison on Wednesday. The Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department gave the tragic news on Friday morning. They identified the victim as firefighter Tris Lirette.…
Bradley County deputies help find runaway teen from Florida
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Bradley County Sheriff's Office deputies helped find a runaway 13-year-old from Florida. The Walton County Sheriff's Office notified Bradley County authorities of her possible location on Sunday, May 5. Later, deputies found the teenager in…
Golden Apple Award: Sarah Dodson, Lake Forest Middle School
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Kindness, patience and understanding are always on the syllabus for Sarah Dodson's class at Lake Forest Middle. She has been described as, "the…
Cleveland High Schools remembers 2 who died in weekend crash
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two Cleveland High School students tragically died in car crash this past weekend. Students, teachers and family came together tonight for a memorial…
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…
Dalton GNTC receives CDL truck program investment
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced an investment into the Georgia Northwest Technical College campus in Dalton. $5.5 million will be invested to…
Fiery crash on I-75 is fatal for 1, passenger seriously injured
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A single vehicle crashed on I-75 southbound over the weekend in Whitfield County. The Georgia State Patrol said the wreck…
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.…
