Category Archives: Local News

Chattanooga doctor and Georgia practice settle Medicare fraud allegations

Chattanooga doctor and Georgia practice settle Medicare fraud allegations

Dr. Robert Burkich M.D. ROME, Ga. (WDEF) —  Dr. Robert Burkich, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his Ringgold, Georgia-based practice, Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc., have agreed to pay $700,000 to settle allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare for unnecessary chelation therapy. Federal authorities allege that between September 2009 and January 2017, Dr. Burkich…MORE

Bradley County authorities apprehend wanted fugitive

Bradley County authorities apprehend wanted fugitive

Donald Crouch BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Bradley County authorities have apprehended a wanted fugitive from Georgia. Bradley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies arrested Donald Crouch March 13, 2025. Crouch had multiple outstanding warrants out of South Fulton, Georgia. He faces the following charges: Receiving Stolen Property Obstruction Simple Battery Theft by Taking Criminal Damage…MORE

Tennessee lawmakers consider bill to lower school bus driver age

Tennessee lawmakers consider bill to lower school bus driver age

  MGN CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Should Tennessee lower the age to drive a school bus? A bill is moving through the Tennessee legislature to drop the age of drivers from 25 to 21. The higher age requirement was passed after the Woodmore Elementary bus crash in Chattanooga nine years ago. Six students were killed…MORE

Chattanooga firefighters knock down Valley Bridge Road fire

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga firefighters knocked down a house fire Thursday night. At 9:29 p.m., March 13, 2025, crews responded to the 600 block of Valley Bridge Road on reports of the fire. Upon arrival, crews found flames coming from the front of the house. According to the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD), crews…MORE

Celebrate Pi day with pies from the Cookie Jar Cafe!

Sue Anne Lockhart joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the community rebuilding of the Cookie Jar Café and all delicious desserts they offer. DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today is Pi Day and the best way to celebrate the irrational number 3.14159 is with an irrational amount of pies from the Cookie Jar Café!…MORE

TBI Silver Alert for man from Ooltewah, TN

TBI Silver Alert for man from Ooltewah, TN

Courtesy: TBI OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issues a Silver Alert for a man from Ooltewah. The TBI and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 71-year-old Alvin Clemons. He’s 5’3″ tall, weighs 178 lbs., and has gray hair with blue eyes. Clemons was last seen on March 13, 2025 in Ooltewah,…MORE

Fire Responder Hero Award: Tyler Ellis, Puckett EMS

News 12 is recognizing first responders for their dedication to the community. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, their service plays a crucial role in keeping people safe, often during their most vulnerable moments. This month, the community has come together to recognize the exceptional service of Tyler Ellis, a Paramedic…MORE

Teacher Scandal Threatens Chatt Prep

UPDATE (3/14/2025):  The Tennessee Charter School Center (TNCSC) has released a statement in support of Chattanooga Preparatory school regarding the recent discovery. TNCSC released the following statement: “There is no law that would specifically prevent these students from graduating or invalidate their credits based solely on the licensure status of the teacher in the classroom.…MORE

Early morning vehicle fire, crash on I-75 leaves two injured

Early morning vehicle fire, crash on I-75 leaves two injured

I-75 Vehicle Fire / Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a vehicle fire on I-75 early Thursday morning. At 5:10 a.m., March 13, 2025, deputies responded to a vehicle fire in the 15000 block of I-75 South. The vehicle fire involved a truck towing…MORE

Chattanooga Prep charter in jeopardy over licensing

Chattanooga Prep charter in jeopardy over licensing

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga Preparatory School is facing big problems from the Kenya White investigation. The Hamilton County School System has begun the process of revoking their charter. This involves issues over teacher licenses at the school. The school system believes almost half of Chattanooga Prep teachers are not licensed to teach their…MORE