WDEF News 12 Now

CHATSWORTH, Ga. (WDEF)- A group of environmental scientists in northwest Georgia say recent test results of forever chemicals in North Georgia have them alarmed.

PFAS Georgia at a town hall in Chatsworth says that the majority of tests for forever chemicals across North Georgia have tested above the EPA limits.

They say 56% of water samples, 69% of soil samples, and 97% of dust samples all came back above the limit of 4 parts of forever chemicals per trillion (PPT), which scientists say can lead to a variety of health issues.

In particular, the most egregious results were:

• A water sample of 186,310 PPT
• A soil sample of 2,154,100 PPT
• A dust sample of 879,500 PPT

The Water Resources Manager for PFAS Georgia, Bob Bowcock, said that some of the readings were so high their testing equipment could not register a reading.

PFAS Georgia says this is the result of the improper discarding of chemicals from carpet manufacturers, many of whom are facing ongoing lawsuits in Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, and Gordon Counties.

Bowcock gravely said, “I think that we are at the point now where you have to tell your neighbors. You have to let them know. Whether they’ve been tested or not this is real, and if you’re drinking 850 parts and you don’t tell your neighbors… It’s really eating at me.”

A proposed bill in the Georgia House of Representatives that was proposed by Dalton representative Kasey Carpenter that would have shielded carpet manufacturers from lawsuits did not pass.

There will be another town hall Friday night in Calhoun, Georgia.

Overnight: Mostly cloudy, mild. Scattered thunderstorms.
Lows: mid/high 60’s. Winds: L&V.

Friday: Partly cloudy, warm. Widespread Thunderstorms.
Highs: high 80’s to near 90. Winds: L&V.

The report on the State of the Climate in Africa 2024 is the fifth in the series of the The  annual African report, with a special focus on loss and damage. It is the result of collaboration between African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), African Regional Climate Centres, the African Union Commission, international institutions, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and other specialized agencies of the United Nations. The report provides informed climate analysis, describes notable hydro-meteorological events, impacts and risks, and identifies key climate policies and strategic elements to build a more sustainable and climate-resilience future for Africa.

“In the dark and cold of winter, sea ice forms and spreads across Arctic seas. But in recent years, less new ice has been forming, and less multi-year ice has accumulated. This winter continued a downward trend scientists have observed over the past several decades. This year’s peak ice cover was 510,000 square miles (1.32 million square kilometers) below the average levels between 1981 and 2010. “

In 2025, summer ice in the Antarctic retreated to 764,000 square miles (1.98 million square kilometers) on March 1, tying for the second lowest minimum extent ever recorded. That’s 30% below the 1.10 million square miles (2.84 million square kilometers) that was typical in the Antarctic prior to 2010. Sea ice extent is defined as the total area of the ocean with at least 15% ice concentration.”

“I have spent over 30 years studying meteorology and climate. We take a lot of physics, calculus, thermodynamics and other complex subjects. The atmosphere is a fluid within a rotating frame of reference. Such complexity is far beyond fourth grade lessons about cumulus clouds or cold fronts. As I look at the despair caused to those in the Southeast like farmers, homeowners and businesses, I wish we could control hurricanes. Many families lost loved ones or property. Many communities of color, poor rural areas and regions with high elderly concentrations receive a disproportionate punch from storms like Helene or Milton. Gosh, I wish we did have the technology to spare them such angst and despair. We don’t.”

Via Forbes Magazine (may require subscription to site)

Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, a leading international expert in weather and climate, was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS) and is Director of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Atmospheric Sciences Program

Got #weatherpix to share for our Shackleford Towing & Recovery #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay? E-mail them to [email protected].

Who can participate?

This is a community project.  Everyone can help, young, old, and in-between.  The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives.

What will our volunteer observers be doing?

Each time a rain, hail or snow storm crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible (see equipment).  These precipitation reports are then recorded on our Web site www.cocorahs.org. The data are then displayed and organized for many of our end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards.

Who uses CoCoRaHS?

CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals.  The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor & recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit our Web site and use our data.

https://cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=application

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An update was provided Thursday on Erlanger Park and its surrounding development in the South Broad District.

The development around the future home of the Chattanooga Lookouts has received criticism over whether its spurring surrounding development.

The main developer, Jim Irwin, answered questions on how the developments around the stadium that will support Erlanger Park are coming along.

Irwin presented new renderings of what some of the planned buildings will be around the stadium.

One of those being an apartment complex that will overlook the stadium’s outfield.

Irwin said, “It is something that each and every one of you and your city will be proud of… The Foundry District deserves world class architecture and construction. Something that is just striking and surprising and delightful and that Chattanoogans wouldn’t expect.”

Recently, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp criticized the project for what he saw as a lack of progress on the Foundry District, and that it would lead to budget shortfalls in county and city government.

City Engineer Billy Payne that the project so far is on track with its projected $112 million budget.

Payne said, “The cash flow spend is projecting very well with the cash flow projections we had at the very beginning.”

Irwin says that he is confident that the project will deliver.

He said, “All I can say is that based on the momentum and the excitement that we feel, our investors are backing the design and we feel great about our progress.”

Irwin also adds that work is ongoing to recruit tenants to this district.

He said, “We are having lots and lots of conversations with prospects, both restaurants, retail, potential office tenants who are interested in working on site, and from the standpoint of designing multifamily residential, typically that happens well into construction when you start the pre leasing process.”

Irwin says the stadium is still on track for first pitch in April 2026.

SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) —  A Scottsboro man is facing drug charges after police say they found meth and paraphernalia in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

On June 10, 2025, Scottsboro Police made contact with 29-year-old Jeseup Keigan Southard in the 21000 block of John T. Reid Parkway.

Officers quickly confirmed Southard had an active warrant.

During a search of his vehicle, officers found 7.3 grams of methamphetamine.

The Scottsboro Police Department said they also discovered several pipes and hidden containers used for drug concealment.

Southard was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was first booked into the Scottsboro City Jail, then transferred to the Jackson County Jail.

Police say the arrest was made without incident.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Hamilton County woman who survived a major stroke earlier this year had a heartfelt reunion with the team that helped save her.

Bonnie MacDonald suffered a severe stroke on February 24, 2025 that affected the speech center of her brain.

Her daughter found her around 6:45 a.m., unable to speak and groaning.

According to Hamilton County EMS, Bonnie’s husband immediately called 911.

Hamilton County 911 dispatchers quickly sent first responders to the scene.

Paramedic Josh Allen and AEMT Jared Hartley with HCEMS Medic 7 arrived and conducted a rapid stroke assessment.

Senior Firefighter William Shamblin with Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) Station 21 also responded.

Bonnie was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the stroke.

CFD said she underwent emergency brain surgery and has since made a full recovery.

June 12, 2025,  Bonnie reunited with the very people who helped save her life.

She and her sister Lorrie—who happens to be a supervisor at Hamilton County 911—visited Station 21 to thank the dispatchers, EMS team, and firefighters in person.

Bonnie has now returned to work as an educator at Lookout Valley Elementary.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last month, the Hamilton County School Board passed a $577 million dollar budget amid controversy.

This was due to a $18 million budget shortfall which led to cuts.

A tense school budget season culminated in a tense meeting here at the end of today’s Commission meeting here at the Hamilton County Courthouse.

The chairman of the School Board, Joe Smith, said that he felt it was completely unnecessary for the chairman of the Commission, Jeff Eversole, to call for this meeting on the school budget. 

Smith told the Commission, “I’m not pleased to be here, just to be real honest with you.”

He said that he was there to defend the work of the school board, whom he says made tough decisions in route to a balanced budget with what he says is little participation from county commissioners.

Smith said, “Some of our commissioners were involved, some of them said today they watched it on YouTube and maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, I have to trust that they did, but I didn’t see them at those budget hearings when we were trying to get the community there and trying to be transparent and we look out and don’t see any commissioners there.”

Commissioner Greg Beck said that the relationship between the county commission and the school board has frayed over time, no longer meeting quarterly like they had in the past.

Commissioner David Sharpe said that the county should not have pulled back funding when the state of Tennessee stepped up funding through their TISA program.

While interviewing Mr. Smith, Chairman Eversole, hopped into our interview and said that the meeting was not meant to be a diss towards the school board.

Eversole said, “Our whole goal today was not to offend, or not to put into place anything saying they did anything wrong, but you know what, when constituents call us and say “Fund more, do more this”, they understand we can ask them questions about the budget.””

We asked Chairman Eversole if commissioners should be more involved in the school budgeting process.

Eversole responded, “I don’t know if they need to be at the school board meetings themselves but they need to have a good relationship with their school board member.”

Hamilton County Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson also took offense to some questions surrounding the pay of Central Office employees.

Dr. Robertson: “All they’ve (Central Office employees) heard for two months is “Cut Central Office! Cut Central Office!” The morale around Central Office, they feel less than now.”

There was also bickering over what data was communicated between the school board and commission:

Dr. Robertson: We’ve got the data and have shown you that?

Eversole: Didn’t show it to me.

Dr. Robertson: Yes sir I have!

Eversole: Didn’t show it to me. You’ve not shown me a breakdown of where the dollars are. If you have…

Dr. Robertson: It’s been public since the day we presented it in Version 1 Mr. Eversole.

Eversole: Okay, you’ll have to show me because I have it right here.

Dr. Robertson: Yep.

Smith continued to say he questions the point of this meeting as he and Eversole had this exchange during the interview:

Eversole: I don’t have a political agenda.

Smith: So you’re not running for county mayor?

Eversole: I am running for District 10 County Commission.

Smith: Good, good, I’m glad to hear that.

Eversole: I am running for County Commission District 10.

Smith: Good to hear that. 

The Commission will vote on their final budget next week.