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Braves Pitcher Max Fried Delivers Complete Game Shut Out in Less Than Two Hours Against Miami
ATLANTA (AP) — Max Fried pitched a three-hitter for Atlanta’s first nine-inning complete game since 2022, Adam Duvall had a two-run homer and and the Atlanta Braves blanked the Miami Marlins for the second night in a row, 5-0 on…
Goldon Apple Award: Julie Kirby Jones, Gordon Lee High School
CHICKAMAUGA, GA (WDEF) - Julie Kirby Jones is a work-based learning teacher for Chickamauga City Schools. She places students in jobs that align with their goals and aspirations. She's great at it. She's also a full-time media specialist. She's great at…
Chattanooga homeless encampment homicide suspect arrested
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Police have made an arrest in the homicide that happened Saturday at a homeless encampment. Officers arrested 29-year-old Craig Lamont Jeffries. Saturday morning, CPD found 40-year-old Jonathan McClellan dead from a gunshot wound at the…
3 Finalists named for Cleveland Director of Schools
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Cleveland City Board of Education has announced the three finalists for its director of schools position. The board chose Dr. Jeff Elliott, Dr. Amie Wilder Lonas and Dr. Terrance M. Sanders as its three finalists.…
Spring events around the Chattanooga area
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- From carnivals and barbecues to spring markets, there is plenty going on the next few months around the scenic city. With spring and warm temperatures finally here, many people…
Scrap yard fire covers downtown Chattanooga with smoke
WATCH: News 12 employee Russell Stroud sent in an elevated video of the fire from near the scrap yard. SEE MORE: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- There was…
Weather Update: Wednesday - April 24, 2024
WDEF-TV News 12 Weather Forecast Overnight: Increasing clouds. Cool. Lows: lower 50's. Winds: SW 5-10 mph. Wednesday: Partly sunny. Mild. Highs: mid 70's. Winds: W 5-10 mph early...becoming NW around 10 mph. Overnight: Partly cloudy. Cool. Lows: lower 50's. Winds:…
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…
What do ticks look like? How to spot and get rid of them, according to experts
Tick bites can cause a range of different illnesses — and as the weather warms up, ticks can be particularly prevalent. In some areas, ticks have emerged even earlier due to milder winters. Minnesota's Metropolitan Mosquito Control District said they found their first…
Decatur and Spring City get Tennessee Downtowns grants
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - Two more towns in our area have been chosen for a makeover as part of the Tennessee Downtowns program. The Department of Economic and Community Development created the Tennessee Downtowns program to help rural communities improve…
Aid for Ukraine and Israel, possible TikTok ban advance in Senate
Washington — The Senate advanced a major foreign aid package that includes a provision that could lead to a ban on TikTok on Tuesday, clearing a key procedural hurdle that brings the package one step closer to final passage after a…
Pro-Palestinian protests leave American college campuses on edge
New York — Tension gripped college campuses across the United States Tuesday morning as Jewish students marked the Passover holiday amid disturbing allegations of antisemitism at pro-Palestinian protests. The demonstrations have ramped up in recent days as Israel's devastating war against…
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…
Mom to Mom - Banana Bites
Today we are making banana yogurt bites. My kids absolutely love anything and everything bananas, so I always try to find different types of recipes. They're a little bit on…
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway to reopen April 24
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A beloved Tennessee Valley site will be back open for business starting April 24. The Lookout Mountain Railway has been closed for repairs and will be reopened Wednesday at noon. CARTA officers say their main priority…
Matt Dill Grand Slam Lifts Baylor Over McCallie 7-4
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Matt Dill hit a key grand slam to send Baylor past McCallie 7-4 on Monday evening at Kenny Sholl Stadium. With the game tied at three…
Travis d'Arnaud Homers Again as Braves Blank Miami 3-0
ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d’Arnaud hit his fifth home run in four games and Bryce Elder pitched 6 2/3 spotless innings in his return from the minors as the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 3-0 on Monday night. David…
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…
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…
Cooking mishap results in fatal Bradley County house fire
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A cooking accident in Bradley County resulted in a fatal fire on Sunday. The fire began in the kitchen of the house, and authorities deemed it as an accidental fire. Unfortunately, two people died as…
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…
