EAST RIDGE, Tennessee (WDEF) – TDOT reports that the slope repair at the Bachman Tunnel is now complete on the East Ridge side.

Westbound traffic had been blocked for a few weeks while crews worked on the slope following a mudslide that blocked the road.

The slope work is now done, but TDOT crews will do more work on the ditch later on.

So we can expect some more traffic disruptions, but only in off-hours.

The GeoStabilization International crew is still working on a second slide site, but that won’t affect traffic.

The post East Ridge tunnel back open in both lanes appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- A year after the Easter Chattanooga tornadoes The City of Chattanooga and EPB are teaming up to provide additional energy protection.

Chattanooga fire and police chiefs were pitched an idea on a microgrid power project.

Are use the word microgrid, add that to the list of words they didn’t know what that meant,” said Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy

When Mayor Burke came to us with this proposal I don’t know a whole lot about microgrids either. It was something new to me,” said Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman.

Mayor Burke said the microgrid project will allow the site to stay powered for several days even if there is a tornado or other storm knocks out the city’s power. It will cost the city $1.1 million and EPB $700,000.

“It’s going to help us to make sure that even if other things go down, even if electricity is out in other parts of the city at this campus stays up and running, that we can continue to communicate with the people who work for us and get them to a place where they can help people who are in danger,” said Burke.

Once the police and fire chiefs found out what it was, however, they said they were immediately huge supporters of it.

“For us or light stay on, our radios still work, we can still talk to one another. From the Chattanooga police department to understand that anything that reduces gaps in our communication, reduces gaps in breaks in our ability to respond makes it a safer community every single day of the year,” said Roddy.

“Particularly with the number of natural disasters that we’ve had in this region over the last year, this helps better prepare us and makes us more resilient to provide service to our community,” said Hyman.

The panels will actually be placed on the roof for phase 1 and phase 2 they hope to be able to put more panels in the back parking lot.

The project is expected to start on April 28th and will be completed by October 30th.

The post ‘Power to Protect’ Chattanooga’s microgrid energy plan appeared first on WDEF.

Tennessee Valley (WDEF): The Cooler Weather Pattern Is Here And Will Stay With Us For Awhile!

73 & 48 are our seasonal highs and lows. The seasonal afternoon highs and the early morning lows are getting a little more comfortable. THE POLLEN COUNT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY, AND AT LAST CHECK WE HAD A READING 0F OVER 2500. More than likely, it’ll continue climbing until we get a significant rainfall event, and that’s not on the horizon for awhile.

Make sure you & your family stay in touch with us. Remember the Storm Team 12 app can always bring you the latest weather alerts for your location as well as Titan Radar. Download it for free from your app store – just search “WDEF Weather”. 

The post Weather Update: Thursday Night’s Forecast – April 15th, 2021 appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A man was shot in Alton Park on Thursday morning.

It happened in the 300 block of Water Street just before 10 AM on the edge of the Villages of Alton Park.

The 28 year old male told police he was walking when he heard gunfire.

He ran for cover and realized he had been hit.

The victim was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

If you have any information on the shooting, please call 423-698-2525 or submit a tip via the CPD Mobile App. You can remain anonymous.

The post Alton Park shooting at 10 AM appeared first on WDEF.

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A case study conducted by the Tennessee Department of Health and a third party company reveals that more people are afraid to dying from the covid vaccine than the disease itself.

Designsensory Intelligence, the third party researcher, objectively sought out public messages to over overcome barriers associated with Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites who are hesitant or rejects getting the covid-19 vaccine.

In Tennessee, 96 people participated in a case study about covid vaccine hesitancy.

Here’s the statistic that really jumps out at you.

41 percent feared death by covid, but a whopping 59 percent feared dying from the covid vaccine

“I think that’s not surprising” said Researcher Dr. Mark Mckenzie of Clinsearch.

Dr. Mckenzie says there is a growing lack of trust in science within the last year.

“Probably the most common thing we’re hearing is the speed of which the vaccines we’re developed.”

The case study also shows the Johnson and Johnson vaccine being the most trusted vaccine by Blacks and Hispanics but the least desired by Whites.

Johnson and Johnson vaccines are on hold after being linked to 7 cases of blood clots.

“I don’t think it’s a long term problem because this is what happens in a clinical trial anyway. We pause trials from time to time as we’re finding out more safety issues.”

Summarizing overall hesitancy and rejection, the Black population is willing to be vaccinated but wants assurance.

Perhaps from a physician or family member.

“That’s on par with what we understand. Also looking at statistics at the higher rate of those who live in denser populations and are more at risk.”

The toughest group to persuade was White Rural Conservatives with over 30 percent claiming they will not even consider being vaccinated.

“If you live in a rural area, you actually are not as close to interacting with a lot of people. There is evidence that says you’re already distanced.”

The U.S. is still seventh in the world for vaccinations with almost 40 percent of our population having received at least one dose.

The post Vaccine Hesitancy in Tennessee appeared first on WDEF.

Coolidge Memorial Services is inviting the public to honor Medal of Honor recipient Charles H. Coolidge and the American military. They’re asking the public to pay tribute by waving American flags and signs along the streets of the funeral procession.

Line up between First Presbyterian Church and the Chattanooga National Cemetery by 11:45 a.m. on Friday, April 16th.

People are also encouraged to visit the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center now until Sunday.

“Any individual who wishes to come and share their experiences or memory or to offer condolences to the Coolidge family can come and sign the book.”

For more information, head here: https://www.mohhc.org/events/coolidgememorial/ .

The post Charles H. Coolidge Memorial Services appeared first on WDEF.

Allergy season is in full throttle this spring. Pollen counts have been consistently high in the past few weeks, some days over two thousand, some days even over three thousand with little relief.

“Pollen is typically worse first thing in the morning, so if you have to be outside, it is better to do that later in the afternoon. Once you have been outside, its best to shower and wash it off and particularly before you get into bed,”says Dr. Todd Levin with the Chattanooga Allergy Clinic

Dr. Levin says they have been very busy with patients suffering from pollen. The clinic says they have been recommending others even before covid-19 to wear a mask outdoors when there is a high allergen count. But, sometimes, even that won’t do it.

Dr. Levin says,”We’ll put together a comprehensive plan to control symptoms with medications avoidance measures, and immunotherapy which is allergy shots that can basically retrain their immune system so that they are less allergic.”

Now what exactly does the pollen count mean and how is it calculated. Steve Langston from the Chattanooga – Hamilton county air control bureau has the answers.

“At one at rest breath, on a day like this or what it has been for the last couple of weeks, your taking in at least a couple of pollen grains. Or if you’re out there exercising and taking in your full lung capacity of about six liters, you’re taking in at least twelve to fifteen pollen grains per breath,” says Langston.

Langston continues, “We use a, what we call a rotorod sampler which basically it just spins at a set rate for one minute out of every ten minutes collecting pollen and it gives us an average pollen grain per cubic meter averaged over about a 24 hour period.”

Langston says from there it goes under a microscope where they do calculations for the pollen count. It will then be released on their website: https://apcb.org/ .

For more information on how to get relief from pollen this season, head to https://www.chattanoogaallergyclinic.com/ to make an appointment!

The post How to Find Relief from Consistently High Pollen Counts in the Tennessee Valley appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – It’s been a little over a year since the tornadoes ripped through our community on Easter Sunday. 

Morning Pointe assisted living community was one of the many buildings destroyed. 

Today, community members, local officials , first responders and residents of morning pointe celebrated the grand reopening of their facility. 

The event has several speakers sharing their experiences from that night and how far they have come. 

“There were 7 or 8 people in a circle and they had big signs saying welcome home and I just cried. It was wonderful,” says Louise Hayes, Resident at Morning Pointe. 

Morning Pointe is  hoping their lantern facility for Alzheimer’s will be reopened later this summer. 

The post Morning Pointe Assisted Living Facility Celebrates Reopening after Easter Tornadoes appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Over the next several weekends TDOT will be taking part in the bridge replacement project that’s currently underway on I-24. 

TDOT is planning to replace the bridge over Germantown Road this weekend starting on Friday  April 16th & again the following weekend on April 23rd. 

The Germantown bridge has been a staple in Chattanooga for 56 years but the city says it’s now  time for a replacement . 

“Our bridges have life spans so different ones have different time spans. So as we look at loading on XS there, they are safe but we do replace our bridges as needed before they get to a phase where they become unsafe. This is just routine bridge replacement programs,” says Joe Deering, Assistant Chief Engineer for TDOT.

Beginning on Friday evening at 9pm and continuing throughout The weekend,  traffic will be detoured off the interstate and onto nearby local roads. 

“The detour will remain the same for both weekends. However prior to the actual interstate itself being closed you will see some local roads being closed a little earlier than 9pm. Germantown road will be closed around 6pm Friday night and the 183 exit ramp at north and south terrace will begin work there around 7pm,” says Deering.

All Eastbound Traffic will exit the interstate near mile marker 183 onto a temporary off ramp and onto South Terrace then back onto the interstate using another temporary on ramp. 

All westbound traffic will exit the interstate using a temporary off ramp, travel along the North Terrace and then return to the interstate using a temporary on ramp. 

TDOT says the bridge is being replaced using the accelerated bridge construction method, better known as ABC. . 

“We’re demoing the existing structure and then we’re replacing beams and full depth panels and then we’ll be utilizing closure pores to tie the pieces together,” says Scott McKinney, Project Manager for Bell Construction.

The interstate is set to reopen on each Monday morning just in time for rush hour traffic.

Please drive carefully through the area during the weekend. 

The post TDOT to close I-24 over the next few weeks for Bridge Replacement Project appeared first on WDEF.

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Chattanooga FC is expanding their partnership with VfL Wolfsburg that will see a women’s team return to the CFC fold and expand youth development in the area.

Vfl Wolfsburg will also be the primary sponsor for CFC’s secondary kit jerseys. This is the first time that an American club will wear a jersey kit sponsored by another club.

The women’s team is expected to begin play in 2022. Further details on the team are yet to be announced.

VfL Wolfsburg is a professional sports club in Wolfsburg, Germany. They play in the Bundesliga, which is the top tier of the German football league system. The club won the Bundesliga in 2009.

Read the full press release from Chattanooga FC below:

Nearly a decade ago, Chattanooga FC and VfL Wolfsburg, a powerful soccer club in the German Bundesliga (first tier of the German soccer pyramid), began talking about a plan to grow the beautiful game in the Scenic City. Today, both clubs are proud to announce a giant leap forward in a partnership that will enhance both our community in Chattanooga and strengthen the clubs’ strategic ties.

“The club was first introduced to the great people at VfL Wolfsburg through our partnership with VW, and we quickly realized how many things we had in common” said Jeremy Alumbaugh, Managing Director, Chattanooga FC. “In addition to providing our cities a high quality, local soccer club, we were both committed to developing our communities through the game in a way that promotes health, equality, and goodwill. Fast forward to 2020, and as the saying goes when times get tough, you rely on your friends. This last year, we really worked to deepen our partnership, and what we’re seeing today is just the first step of a truly exciting future together.”

The expanded partnership will focus on three key aspects of growing the game here in the Scenic City, with more to come in the future: Jersey sponsorship for the first team secondary jersey, the launch of a Women’s team in 2022, and a deeper focus on development across all levels of the game with a focus on coaching education and player programming opportunities.

“In my opinion, Chattanooga FC is absolutely unique and a true one-off” said Marcel Schäfer, Sporting Director, VfL Wolfsburg. “The club is owned by its fans, which resonates with me in a special way. I’ve been there several times myself and was always impressed and inspired by the vibrancy and energy of this club and city. I am pleased that we can support this extraordinary club with our commitment to further expand its soccer offerings.”

When the team takes the field wearing a Wolfsburg crest across the chest in the kit sponsorship location, it will be the first time that an American club has ever been sponsored by an elite global club. The iconic Wolfsburg “W” will resonate with Bundesliga fans around the Southeast, and around the world.

“We have a longstanding partnership with CFC, which we are now taking to the next level” said Michael Meeske, Managing Director, VfL Wolfsburg. “With this unique activation at an important Volkswagen location, we want to make our contribution to providing sustainable support to the local community. Our logo on the chest of the away jerseys symbolizes the fact that we will increasingly share our values and stance with the club in the future and not only support it through know-how transfer in promoting youth development, but also take an holistic approach together to drive this into a true partnership and in the course of this, also bring women’s football back to Chattanooga.”

Chattanooga FC is especially excited to return a Women’s team to the community. The new partnership with VfL Wolfsburg will not only help build the structure of the team itself, but will create many more opportunities for female players seeking to reach the highest ranks of international play. Specifically, Wolfsburg will have a hand in not only the re-establishment of the Women’s team, but will play an active role in strategic planning, partnership development, and programming through the CFC Academy, the Chattanooga FC Foundation, and other community partners. VfL Wolfsburg Women are among the elite of women’s soccer globally, having achieved these accomplishments:

• Two UEFA (European) Champions League titles
• Six of the last eight Frauen-Bundesliga titles (Champions of German Women’s League)
• Seven of the last eight DFB-Pokal Cups (Champions of German Women’s Open Cup)

In addition to developing the women’s game through youth engagement and training, Wolfsburg will play an active role in developing soccer engagement for all children in our region. Working with the CFC Academy and the Chattanooga FC Foundation, Wolfsburg will help with the development of both men’s and women’s coaching education, player development, and overall growth of the game here in our area for all players of all levels.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of a decade of work building this partnership with our friends in Wolfsburg” said Tim Kelly, Board Chairman, Chattanooga FC. “There are some truly exciting things to come for Chattanooga FC, and we’re proud to be leading the way forward for American soccer.”

The post Chattanooga FC Partnership with VfL Wolfsburg Will Bring Return of a Women’s Team appeared first on WDEF.

Tennessee Valley (WDEF): The Cooler ( & Drier ) Weather Pattern Is Moving In And Will Stay With Us For Awhile!

73 & 48 are our seasonal highs and lows. The seasonal afternoon highs and the early morning lows are getting a little more comfortable. THE POLLEN COUNT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY, AND AT LAST CHECK WE HAD A READING 0F OVER 2500. More than likely, it’ll continue climbing until we get a significant rainfall event, and that’s not on the horizon for awhile.

Make sure you & your family stay in touch with us. Remember the Storm Team 12 app can always bring you the latest weather alerts for your location as well as Titan Radar. Download it for free from your app store – just search “WDEF Weather”. 

The post Weather Update: Thursday’s Forecast – April 15th, 2021 appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Here are some of the headlines today about Covid-19 vaccines here at home and nationwide.

______

The Hamilton County Health Department is now merging their first and second dose appointments online.

Before, you had to sign up for either a first or second dose slot.

Now the system is changing so you can sign up for any slot, no matter which dose you need.

Sign up at vaccine.hamiltontn.gov

_________

The Health Department is teaming up with Southern Adventist University for a vaccine event this Sunday in Collegedale.

They will have a thousand doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Anyone is invited to make an appointment.

“We are grateful to partner with Southern Adventist University to offer COVID-19 vaccine in the Collegedale community,” says Hamilton County Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes.

First or Second Dose Moderna Appointments:

• April 18 – Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Dr E, Collegedale, TN 37315
• A second dose event will be offered when the time is due

Go online to make an appointment or call:

• Appointment Line: 423-209-5398
• Spanish appointment line: 423-209-5384

You can also drive up to the event and they will give you a vaccine if no one else has already reserved it (instant appointments).

_________

The post Covid News: 1st vs 2nd dose, J&J update, appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Immigration lawyers explain the process of why migrant children can end up in temporary places in Chattanooga.

“The situation in Central America and Mexico is horrible for a lot of these children. I represent people that have had their children, because they couldn’t come up with the money that was asked from the gang members, hung from trees,” said Varela Firm Immigration Lawyer Regina Varela.

Immigration lawyers said migrant children are brought into American and placed in cities like Chattanooga as a temporary situation until they can be placed with a family member or guardian.

“So the shelter is just there to make sure that they are safe,” said Olsen Law Firm Immigration Lawyer Terry Olson.

“This is not something that they’re just coming, so they can get a new pair of Nike tennis shoes or an iPhone. This is something that they’re chasing these children and they’re having to flee for their lives,” said Varela.

This comes as migrant children could be housed through the Baptiste Group. Olson said nonprofits like this are approved because they provide meals and education.

“A shelter we actually provide education in food services and also recreation. Overall those minors will be about maybe after two months altogether,” said Olson.

During that 60-day timeline, permanent living locations with family are inspected by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

“There’s different category of sponsors. If it is a parent that’s one category. Movement from the nonprofit is going to be pretty quick, but then If it’s a cousin or aunt or uncle there’s more proof that’s needed,” said Varela.

Migrant Children entering Hamilton County School system sparked a debate at the county school board meeting on Monday.

As it turns out Hamilton county schools Spokesperson Cody Patterson said there are no plans for these children to attend Hamilton County Schools.

The post Immigration lawyers explain what happens to migrant children in America appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Over the next several weekends TDOT will be taking part of the bridge replacement project that’s currently underway on I-24.

TDOT is planning to replace the bridge over Germantown Road this weekend.

This means starting Friday evening at 9pm through the weekend, traffic will be detoured off the interstate and onto nearby local roads.

TDOT says the bridge is being replaced using the accelerated bridge construction method or the ABC method.

All Eastbound Traffic will exit the interstate near mile marker 183 onto a temporary off ramp and onto south terrace road then back onto the interstate using another temporary on ramp.

All westbound traffic will exit the interstate using a temporary off ramp, travel along north terrace and then return to the interstate using a temporary on ramp.

“Our bridges have life spans so different ones have different time spans. So as we look at loading on there, they are safe but we do replace our bridges as needed before they get to a phase where they become unsafe. This is just routine bridge replacement programs,” says Joe Deering, Assistant Chief Engineer.

The interstate is set to reopen on Monday morning just in time for rush hour.

The post Weekend Closures of I-24 for bridge replacement program appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – A mother of three left the career field of engineering behind to focus more on life with her kids.

Now this Chattanooga mom has become a nationwide success in just under a year and it’s all thanks to her creative family and their love of art.

Melanie Phillips started doing DIY art projects at home with her kids and posting the finished product on her Instagram. When her Instagram became a huge success, she decided to turn their artsy fun into a business of art subscription boxes.

“We started in March of last year which was the beginning of quarantine. At some point there were 93% of children who were doing virtual learning. Virtual learning is hard for children and it’s even harder for learning arts,” says Melanie Phillips, Kids Art Box Founder.

The boxes come with all the necessary supplies and step by step instructions to complete monthly art projects. They are designed for a range of ages from 3 to 12 years old.

“We have three boxes right now: mommy and me art box , daddy and me art box and a My artist box. Each will have a different theme each month so it’s a new surprise every month,” says Phillips.

Phillips believes these subscription boxes not only help bring families together but also help kids fine tune real life skills.

“There are so many benefits. The first one is fine motor skills. You are learning to draw straight lines and placing little gems. Then there is creativity. Creativity is needed right now. There is problem solving. Also in our oldest child box every month features a different artist so it’s not just an art project but it’s also an art lesson,” says Phillips.

Kids Art Box sells to all 50 states and can range from $35 for a monthly subscription to $360 if you want to receive boxes for an entire year .

If you are interested in this creative monthly experience for your family, click here.

The post Chattanooga mom creates Kids Art Subscription Box to help parents during pandemic appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police have made an arrest in last month’s shooting on Grove Street in the College Hill Courts.

A 24 year old man suffered a non-life-threatening wound in the shooting on March 14.

18 year old Greylin Brock has now been charged with Reckless Endangerment and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon from the incident.

He also had an outstanding warrant  for theft and conspiracy from a separate case.

The post Police arrest suspect in College Hill Courts shooting appeared first on WDEF.

Tennessee Valley (WDEF): Cooler Weather Pattern Moving In And Will Continue For Awhile!

72 & 48 are our seasonal highs and lows. The seasonal afternoon highs and the early morning lows are getting a little more comfortable. THE POLLEN COUNT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY, AND AT LAST CHECK WE HAD A READING 0F OVER 2500. More than likely, it’ll continue climbing until we get a significant rainfall event, and that’s not on the horizon for awhile.

Make sure you & your family stay in touch with us. Remember the Storm Team 12 app can always bring you the latest weather alerts for your location as well as Titan Radar. Download it for free from your app store – just search “WDEF Weather”. 

The post Weather Update: Wednesday Night’s Forecast – April 14th, 2021 appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – An Ooltewah woman has been sentenced to almost 20 years on child pornography charges.

35 year old Teela Moore Hendrix pleaded guilty of transporting child pornography and another of creating a video depicting sex with an animal.

Prosecutors say she abused her four year old son and the family dog and recorded both.

They say she traded the videos with someone she met online in a group on abusing animals.

“Mrs. Hendricks’ sentence reflects the seriousness of her crimes and the enduring harm
caused when offenders record and preserve their abhorrent exploitation of minors in visual
media. Thanks to a partnership between the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland
Security Investigations, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Mrs. Hendricks is now in prison, and her son is now safe,” said Acting United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III.

A North Carolina man was recently sentenced in a similar investigation by the same agencies.

When she pleaded guilty last year, officials say the videos were discovered after Hendrix rammed a vehicle with her husband and children inside.

In that hearing, she said she was bi-polar.

She also said it began when she met a man in North Carolina online who had recorded himself abusing his own daughter.

The post Ooltewah woman sentenced for child sexual abuse & pornography appeared first on WDEF.

DAYTON, Tennessee (WDEF) – A school teacher in Rhea County faces charges of aggravated sexual battery and child rape.

The case goes back several years with the alleged victim only going public with the accusations recently.

Michael Arnold was indicted and arrested last week.

He has been a math teacher in the Dayton City Schools for 18 years.

The post Dayton teacher charged with sexual battery and child rape appeared first on WDEF.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Two senior citizens, a 66 year old grandmother and a 61 year old grandfather were murdered on December 1st. 2020, according to District Attorney Neal Pinkston and Chattanooga Police.

“Senior citizens are one of our most vulnerable populations” said Pinkston.

Around 14 thousand dollars have been donated as a reward for information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect or suspects.

“We believe that this community is ready to come forward and help us find the individuals that did this” said Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy. “Find the individuals that committed this act of violence.”

Around 3 A.M. Russell Paris was found by authorities suffering from gun shot wounds on South Kelly St.

Gloria Hill was found suffering from gunshot wounds around 6 P.M. on South Willow St.

Now, two families have suffered tragic losses.

Two eerily similar cases that beg the question -are the murders connected?

An answer Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy is searching for.

“Some of the circumstances of the case while we’re still working through that is still part of the investigation” said Chief Roddy. “I promise you this community knows some of those circumstances. They know where those tragedies struck.”

If you have any information contact Chattanooga Police.

The post Grandparent Victims of a Double Murder Cold Case appeared first on WDEF.