LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – A House-hunting trip in Walker County has ended with five arrests for animal cruelty. It started when a couple viewing the home alerted authorities to multiple animals in distress. James Delbert Fields, Miriam Fields, Britni Fields, Marion Lopez and Melodie Lopez all face cruelty to animal charges. The couple saw dogs…… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Ringgold Woman Pleads to Defrauding Her Own Mother over Fake Cancer Treatments
RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) – A jury found a northwest Georgia woman guilty of lying to her mother about having cancer. Vickie Long took a plea deal on charges of exploiting an elder, identity fraud, and theft. Prosecutors say she conned her mother into giving her large sums of money for the made-up cancer treatments. Once Adult…… MORE
Battle Below the Clouds celebrates 10 years of the friendliest grilling competition
President & CEO of Ruby Falls, Hugh Morrow joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as they get ready to celebrate the 10th annual Battle Below the Clouds BBQ fundraiser benefiting Lana’s Love Foundation. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Ruby Falls’ Battle Below the Clouds event reaches a milestone as it returns for its 10th year in a…… MORE
HCSO arrest two juveniles for a stolen vehicle and firearm from Florence, Ala.
Courtesy: HCSO HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office arrest two juveniles from Florence, Ala. for a stolen vehicle and firearm. On Tuesday afternoon, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office received a request from Alabama law enforcement to be on the lookout for a BMW X3 SUV that was stolen overnight from a rash of…… MORE
Tennessee’s Battle Against Deadly Fentanyl
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee continues to battle a deadly wave in the opioid epidemic, driven largely by the rise of fentanyl. Often lurking in counterfeit pills and street drugs, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid so potent that just a speck can cause a fatal overdose. In response, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and…… MORE
Stroke Awareness Saves Precious Time
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Stroke is one of the most serious medical emergencies in the United States, striking without warning and often leaving a lifetime of impact. It’s the fifth leading cause of death and the number one cause of long-term adult disability. But the good news is, stroke is treatable and, in many cases,…… MORE
Governor, TDOT talk Chattanooga road construction updates
Gov. Bill Lee with TDOT workers and local state representatives in front of the Apison Pike construction project. COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Much of Chattanooga’s main roads continue to be a construction zone. However, state officials are saying there is an end in sight for many of those projects. Two years ago, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee…… MORE
Illegal Immigrant convicted of First Degree Murder in strangulation of his girlfriend
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A jury has convicted a man of murdering his girlfriend more than two years ago. Hamilton County Prosecutors say 21 year old Jose Ramirez strangled his girlfriend, Oliva Pena in August of 2022. He said he choked her and then fell asleep. When he woke up, she was unresponsive. But District Attorney…… MORE
Sheriff updates recovery from ransomware attack
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) – Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett reports progress in the recovery from a ransomware attack. The Sheriff’s Office was hit on the morning of April 14. “Since the incident occurred, the HCSO has been working methodically and diligently alongside an external cyber defense firm to preserve and examine this cyber-ransomware event…… MORE
Weather Update: Tuesday April 29, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Partly cloudy. Mild. Lows: low 60’s. Winds: S @ 5 MPH, then calm. Wednesday: Cloud/Sun Mix. Warm. Isolated PM Showers/Thunderstorms. Highs: low/mid 80’s. Winds: NE @ 5 MPH. Overnight: Early showers/thunderstorms. Mild. Lows: mid 60’s. Winds: L&V. Thursday: Cloud/Sun Mix. Warm. Isolated PM Showers/Thunderstorms. Highs: mid…… MORE
