Battle of the Badges Blood Drive
Deadbird Studio Opens to Public
Dueling visions presented ahead of Plan Hamilton vote
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Two different visions of future growth in rural Hamilton County are making their case for what limits should be placed on new housing.
Plan Hamilton has been an ongoing effort to figure out what zoning regulations should be in place to deal with rapid growth.
This plan in particular has been controversial in areas like Birchwood, Sale Creek, and Ooltewah.
One vision of the plan presented by a citizen committee would put stricter restrictions on homebuilders in light of infrastructure concerns.
However a different version of the plan features amendments from the Chattanooga Home Builders Association they say would tackle an ongoing housing crisis.
Resident Anita Willerson said, “We are not against growth, we are not. We are not against progress. We want responsibility is what we’re looking for. We want balance. We want to maintain what we have in preserving our countryside.”
Those for the citizen’s version of Plan Hamilton say that their plan is able to preserve a rural character for portions of Hamilton County.
They say that current road and sewer infrastructure in rural areas cannot handle rapid population growth, and say the price tag for replacing roads such as Roberts Mill Road in Walden is too astronomical.
Resident Kirk Wells said of that Roberts Mill Road project, “They came up with a price tag of $170 million dollars, so, I mean that’s never going to happen.”
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp says the amount of road projects underway is unprecedented due to the need for upgrades.
Mayor Wamp said, “The public should know not only that we are taking action on roads projects, but we are doing so in a manner that stresses our manpower and ability to project manage them.”
Among the Home Builders Association’s amendments include more houses per acre in various parts of the county among other requests.
They say that they need to be able to address spiking housing costs across the county.
Julian Bell, who is the intergovernmental director for the Home Builders Association, said, “Every county around Hamilton County has lower housing costs… Over 91,000 people per day drive into Hamilton County for work from outside of the county.”
Commissioner Joe Graham added that there “Is nowhere for Hamilton County workers to buy a homeBell also added that this is unnecessary regulation on top of the lack of suitable infrastructure.
He said, “Let’s not complicate that by adding an administrative and regulatory layer that accepts our technological deficiencies and says, “We’re stuck where we are. Let’s add regulations on top of it to require it.”
Commissioners say there may need to be more talks before a final vote.
Commissioner Chip Baker said, “I don’t know if I’ve seen any results from it. We need to take our time before coming to a final decision.”
The Hamilton County Commission will vote on both versions of Plan Hamilton next Wednesday.
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Blood Assurances calls for donations during the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer”
Weather Update: Friday June 13, 2025
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
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“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
| United States Drought Monitor Latest Statement |
Southeast Drought Summary
Map released: June 12, 2025
Data valid: June 10, 2025
Southeast: The Southeast also saw some much-needed rainfall. Southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle received enough rain to reduce drought in many places. Heavy rains along the Atlantic coast, from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach, helped too. However, parts of southern and central Florida stayed dry and actually saw minor degradations. The Carolinas had moderate rain—enough to improve drought conditions slightly, but not enough to fully erase them. Northern Virginia also saw some welcome improvements.
– NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu
Got #weatherpix to share for our Shackleford Towing & Recovery #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay? E-mail them to [email protected].
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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 best time to prepare for severe weather is when nothing weather-wise is going on. Learn more about programming your weather alert radio with WDEF-TV News 12.
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
One of NOAA’s missions is to save life and property by providing critical environmental intelligence, including weather forecasts and warnings, to our partners and the general public. NOAA wants everyone, from communities across the country, businesses, and the public at large to be ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather, water, and climate events. Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors (WRN Ambassadors) are formally recognized by NOAA as organizations committed to collaborating with NOAA, sharing preparedness messaging in outreach to the public, and serving as examples themselves by implementing resilience best practices. Apply to become an Ambassador here.
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First Responder Hero Award: Janet Tomaszewski
Basecamp Summer Edition Connects Chattanooga Locals with Career Opportunities
Developer says Foundry District around Erlanger Park is on target
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.
Plans for Hawk Hill still being developed
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As Erlanger Park continues to head for completion, talks are ramping up about the future of the Lookouts’ current home.
The team has played at AT&T Field on Hawk Hill since 2000.
When the team leaves next year, the River City Company plans to take ownership of the property and plan to redevelop the land.
Their plans include new housing and dining options along with a park.
Members of the Old Sports Authority Board, who focus on Hawk Hill and not Erlanger Park, discussed what happens if for some reason, River City’s plan does not come to fruition.
Deacon Hicks Armor said, “I think they’re (River City Company) going to take it, and they’ll take it as is which means they’ll have to deal with the stadium or so that’s the last I’ve heard.
City attorney Phil Noblett added, “It’s a demolition issue of a stadium that is on top of Hawk Hill at that point in time and all of that metal obviously is worth something at that point in time and the question is, who has to clean that up? The Sports Authority itself in the event that River City does not get it for $200 at that point in time would have a nice stadium that no one is going to.”
They said they expect AT&T Field to be demolished sometime in Fall of 2026.
Arias-Cristobal speaks on experience in immigration custody
WASHINGTON (WDEF)- A Dalton teenager who could face deportation took part in a Senate judiciary hearing in Washington D.C.
Ximena Arias-Cristobal was arrested last month in an arrest that Dalton Police said should not have happened.
They said that an officer had mistakenly pulled over the wrong truck.
Because she was brought to the United States illegally at the age of four, she was placed into ICE custody in southern Georgia.
She was given a bond as she awaits her deportation hearing.
Arias-Cristobal says that she hopes her experience has been a wake up call.
“People from my community realized that this isn’t an immigration problem, but a human rights problem. There were a lot of conservatives who thought they were voting to get criminals out of the country and protect the United States and whenever they saw a 19 year old student, active in the community, was taken to a detention center, they quickly realized that it wasn’t the right thing to do,” she said.
Her attorney says her deportation hearing may not happen for up to two years due to a backlog in the system.
Scottsboro man arrested after meth, drug paraphernalia found in vehicle
Stroke survivor reunites with first responders who saved her life
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.
Commission, school board clash in called budget meeting
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.
Honoring 250 Years: One Soldier Helps Carry the U.S. Army’s Traditions into the Future
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – For 250 years, the United States Army has stood as a powerful symbol of strength, service, and sacrifice. As the oldest branch of the U.S. military prepares to mark its historic birthday on June 14th, a new generation of Soldiers is stepping up to preserve its proud legacy.
One of those Soldiers is 1st Lieutenant Nathan Mapes—an infantry officer serving in the Army’s oldest active-duty unit: The Old Guard.
From leading ceremonial performances to guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Lt. Mapes plays a key role in honoring the Army’s time-honored traditions.
“One of the most unique things I get to do is serve with a unit that’s directly inspired by General George Washington’s personal bodyguard,” said Mapes. “We wear colonial uniforms from the 1780s and carry muskets—it’s like walking through history.”
Lt. Mapes’ sense of duty runs deep. Raised in a family with military service dating back to the Revolutionary War, his role feels both personal and purposeful.
“I found out one of my ancestors—my tenth great-uncle—served back in the day,” Mapes shared. “Knowing I’m not the first in my family to serve makes this all the more meaningful.”
As the Army celebrates its 250th anniversary under the theme “This We’ll Defend,” it continues to highlight Soldiers like Mapes—those who represent both the enduring values of the past and the promise of the future.
The U.S. Army’s official birthday is June 14.
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