Update 5:27 PM: A fire burned around 8 acres on Monday afternoon in the Silver Hill Area.  Firefighters from Gore, Subligna, Holland, Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, Hays Correctional, and Teloga Fire Departments, alongside the Georgia Forestry Service, all mobilized to combat the flames.  The fire initially began as a controlled burn but quickly escalated, overwhelming the resources of the property owner, according to Gore Fire Chief John King. When firefighters arrived on the scene, approximately five acres were already ablaze.  Around 5 PM, the Georgia Forestry Service declared the fire was contained.

Earlier:

Firefighters are currently battling an active blaze this afternoon in the Silver Hill area, as confirmed by Gore Fire Chief John King to WZQZ News. The fire has put several structures at risk, prompting a coordinated response from multiple fire departments. Chief King reported that fire crews from Gore, Subligna, Holland, Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, Hays Correctional, and Teloga Fire Departments, alongside the Georgia Forestry Service, have all mobilized to combat the flames. The fire initially began as a controlled burn but quickly escalated, overwhelming the resources of the property owner. When firefighters arrived on the scene, approximately five acres were already ablaze. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader stated that the fire is concentrated in the vicinity of Foster Manning and Jenkins Gap Road. Residents in the area are urged to remain alert and follow safety protocols as efforts continue to contain the fire.

A Chattooga County Public Works truck overturned while hauling a load of chert on Monday morning.  Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen told WZQZ News that the driver was making the turn off Highway 48 onto Mahan Road when the loaded truck overturned in a ditch.  The commissioner said that the driver was transported to AdventHealth Redmond via ambulance to be checked out, but there were no serious injuries reported in connection with the single vehicle accident.

Coroner Jeremy McElhaney has identified the victim of a devastating house fire that occurred on Turner Street in Summerville on Sunday morning. The deceased has been named as 44-year-old Misty Thompson. Emergency services, including the Summerville, Trion, and Hays Correctional Fire Departments, responded swiftly to the scene before 10 AM. Eyewitnesses reported that thick smoke from the fire could be seen from over a mile away, indicating the severity of the situation. As part of routine procedures following such tragic incidents, Thompson’s body will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy, which will help determine the cause of death. The investigation into the fire is being conducted collaboratively by multiple agencies, including the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As of now, the cause of the fire remains undisclosed, and authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.

A sunny to mostly sunny day is expected due to high pressure and a stable air flow. High temperatures will generally be in the lower to mid-70s, which is 12-20 degrees above average. Tonight and tomorrow, a similar weather pattern will continue. Overnight lows are forecasted to be in the upper 40s to lower 50s, also above average. There may be patchy fog tonight into Tuesday morning due to calm winds and high humidity. Tuesday will be another warm day with highs in the 70s.  In the long term, above-average temperatures are likely in Northwest Georgia through the weekend. Rain chances will increase mid to late week with isolated thunderstorms. A weak ridge over the Great Plains will affect the upper flow, leading to a series of weak frontal systems. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible from Wednesday through Friday, with storms mostly below severe limits. Rainfall totals are expected to range from . 3 to . 6 inches in Northwest Georgia, while temperatures will remain well above normal.

The Chattooga County Young Farmers are excited to announce their upcoming February meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 6th, at 7 PM, to be held at the Chattooga Ag Center. This month’s focus will be on “Building Strong Farm Bookkeeping Habits in 2025,” a topic vital for farmers aiming to enhance the financial health and sustainability of their operations.

Read more

A judge in Paulding County sentenced Vincent Burrell to 475 years in prison for his role in a dog fighting operation and multiple counts of animal cruelty. This sentence is believed to be one of the longest ever for dog fighting in U. S. history, following Burrell’s conviction on 93 counts of dog fighting and 10 counts of cruelty to animals. The case began in November 2022 when investigators raided Burrell’s property and found horrific conditions, including many pit bulls chained in ways to increase aggression for fights. After four days of testimony, the jury found Burrell guilty on all charges. Judge Dean Bucci imposed the maximum penalty, highlighting the case’s importance in combating animal cruelty. The Paulding County District Attorney welcomed the ruling, asserting it sends a strong message against such cruel acts and will help shape future prosecutions for similar offenses.

Here are the latest health inspection scores from the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department for the last half of January 2025:

Read more

For the second consecutive year, Atrium Health Floyd, in collaboration with the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA), is set to host the EMS Trauma Summit at The Forum River Center in downtown Rome on February 19, 2024. Running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the summit aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of EMS members across the state in the critical care of trauma patients.* Participants will have the unique opportunity to earn educational credits while networking with fellow EMS professionals, sharing insights, and staying informed about the latest advancements in trauma care.

Read more