Category Archives: Local News

Chattanooga Police make arrest in daycare child abuse incident

Chattanooga Police make arrest in daycare child abuse incident

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga Police have arrested a woman in connection to the daycare child abuse investigation. According to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD), their Special Victims Unit Investigator Tonya Lively presented the facts to the Hamilton County Grand Jury. The Hamilton County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging Tonya Lively with one count…MORE

New traffic garden coming to Red Bank this summer

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The city of Red Bank and White Oak Bicycle Co-Op are teaming up to open a new traffic garden The new park plan for the city of Red Bank promotes biking. This led to the creation of the traffic garden. Jeffrey Grabe is the Parks & Recreation Manager for the city of…MORE

Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary reveals new expansion

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Cleveland City school is expanding. Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary school had their grand expansion today. The new additions include multiple new classrooms that will be able to be used by all grades and special ed. The school was in need of expansion. Some classes, like the art class, had to…MORE

Rhea County suspect arrested after high-speed chase, foot pursuit

Rhea County suspect arrested after high-speed chase, foot pursuit

Dakota Leffew / Rhea County Sheriff’s Office RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Rhea County man has been arrested after leading deputies on a high-speed chase and foot pursuit Friday. On February 22, 2025, a Rhea County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) deputy was monitoring traffic when she spotted a vehicle traveling nearly 40 mph over the…MORE

Tim Tebow visits inmates at Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Former NFL quarterback and Christian philanthropist, Tim Tebow, spoke to inmates at the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center on February 24, 2025. Tebow spoke as part of a program organized by Men of Valor in collaboration with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Silverdale Baptist Church, and the McKenzie Foundation.…MORE

Fatal crash in Bradley County leaves one dead after running into semi

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  One person is dead after a fatal accident in Bradley County Monday afternoon. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser was traveling southbound on I-75 near mile marker 22. Meanwhile an unoccupied 2013 Freightliner was disabled on the right shoulder. The 2014 FJ Cruiser failed…MORE

Dunlap firefighters respond to early morning pickup truck fire

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Dunlap Fire Department (DFD) responded to a vehicle fire early Tuesday morning. At 4:30 a.m., February 25, 2025, DFD was dispatched to the southbound exit ramp of Highway 111 at Lewis Chapel Road. Upon arrival, crews found a pickup truck fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly worked to extinguish the…MORE

Nominate your physician for National Doctors’ Day

Kevin Lusk with the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to encourage patients to say thank you and nominate their doctors for National Doctors’ Day. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Give thanks to the doctor that keeps you healthy by nominating them for National Doctors’ Day. Kevin Lusk with the Medical Foundation of…MORE

HCS Reviews Potential Custodial Contracts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools is taking a major step to ensure its facilities remain clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff.  After reviewing 13 applications, the board has narrowed down two potential candidates. As part of the selection process, two companies presented their proposals today, outlining their plans to provide top-tier…MORE

Chattanooga Zoo Welcomes Two New Warthogs

Chattanooga Zoo Welcomes Two New Warthogs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Zoo has welcomed two new female warthogs, marking an exciting milestone in its history. The warthogs, named Peanut and Big Girl, arrived in late January from a zoo in Florida and have joined Everett, the male warthog, in the Cape of Africa expansion. Jake Cash, Chattanooga Zoo Director of Marketing…MORE