New labor data released on Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor shows Chattooga County continues to see a higher share of workers filing unemployment claims compared to neighboring counties, as overall unemployment remains steady heading into the spring.
A bill known as “Beau’s Law” has passed through the Alabama Legislature, aiming to establish stricter statewide standards for how dogs are treated—particularly those kept outdoors.
AdventHealth Redmond EMS has launched a new paramedic training program aimed at strengthening emergency medical care across Northwest Georgia.
The program officially began April 8 and includes an inaugural class of 16 certified EMTs who are current AdventHealth team members. The 45-week program is designed to provide advanced clinical training, hands-on experience, and patient-centered emergency care.
Officials say the program will help expand career opportunities for EMS workers while improving response capabilities and patient outcomes in the region. Upon completion of the first cohort, the program will seek full accreditation.
“Launching this program allows our team members to expand their knowledge and skills so they can better serve our community,” said Nina Piatt, EMS captain and program director.
AdventHealth leaders say the initiative is part of a broader effort to invest in workforce development and build a stronger emergency response system by training paramedics locally.
The program is currently offered exclusively to AdventHealth EMTs at a reduced cost compared to traditional training programs.
Hospital officials say graduates will be equipped to deliver advanced, life-saving care and help ensure high-quality treatment for patients during critical emergencies.
The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that the April 15 filing deadline is just days away and is encouraging anyone who still needs to file to take advantage of free tools and resources available at IRS.gov.
This week’s WZQZ Pet of the Week is Kuma, a friendly and playful dog currently waiting for adoption at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.
Kuma is described as a sweet male dog who gets along well with other dogs and has a fun, energetic personality. Shelter staff say he would make a great addition to a loving home and is ready for a fresh start with a new family.
Kuma is available for adoption for $25 through the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, located at 464 Red Oak Drive in Summerville. The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Wednesdays available by appointment.
Anyone interested in adopting Kuma or learning more can contact the shelter at 706-857-0679.
Ladies, here’s a chance to relax and enjoy a special day just for you.
The Summerville Seventh-Day Adventist Church is hosting a Ladies Spa Day on Sunday, March 16th, from 1 until 4 p.m. at 1759 Georgia 114 in Summerville.
The day will include haircuts, with clean hair requested, along with lunch, manicures, shoulder massage and facial treatments, plus prizes and gifts.
To register, call 678-986-6287. Be sure to leave your first and last name, your phone number, and let them know whether you would like a haircut.
Available time slots are 1 o’clock, 1:15, 1:30, 1:45, 2 o’clock, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, and 3 p.m.
Ladies Spa Day at the Summerville Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a relaxing afternoon of pampering and fellowship in Summerville.
Mrs. Carrie “Evon” Woods-Trotter, age 82, of Summerville, GA, died Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Advent Health Redmond.
She was born June 7, 1943, in Summerville, GA, daughter of the late Reynold “R.C.” Carr and Myrtle Marie McGuire Carr. She was a member of Subligna Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed in the grocery business.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Driver; brothers, Forrest Carr and Glenn White; and a niece, Glenda White Williams.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Trotter; sons, Carlton Lively, Ben (Dianne) Lively; a daughter, Glenda (LeBron) Young; grandchildren, Amber Ellis, Ronald James “R.J.” (Vickie) Young, Tonya Hogue, Tabitha (Austin) Sherrod, and Tristan Lively; great-grandchildren, Logan Young, Chloe Young, Ethan Ellis, James Ellis, Xavier Hogue, Xander Hogue, Benton Roan, Hadleigh Young, and Winnie Mae Sherrod.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, April 13, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Bishop officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Woods-Trotter will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Mr. Matthew Ralls Jennings, age 42 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at his residence.
Matthew was born in Rome, Georgia on February 23, 1984, son of Mary Cathy Colbert Brown and the late Don Hamilton Jennings. He was self employed and was a former volunteer with the Chattooga County Resource Center.
In addition to his father, Matthew was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ralls Hamilton Jennings and Billie Jean Jennings and maternal grandparents, D.F. Colbert and Ruth Mae Brimer.
Matthew is survived by his parents, Cathy and Joe Brown; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jesse and Cynthia Jennings and Brandon and Cari Crider; sister, Holly Jennings and her fiancé, Eric; nieces, Jazmin Crider and Madisin Crider; and nephews, Chris Jennings and Justin Jennings.
Private Memorial Services will be held at the Coffman Funeral Home.
Mrs. Tonya Abernathy Dawson age 50 of Summerville, GA passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at a Rome hospital.
Mrs. Dawson was born November 30, 1975 in Rome, GA to the late David and Shirley Crane Abernathy. She was a member of Wayside Baptist Church and a caregiver at Daily Care of Summerville. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her son, David Dawson; sister, Kathy Terry; and brother-in-law Jimbo Slaughter.
Survivors include her husband, Wesley Dawson; children, Jake (Shelby) Dawson and Elisabeth (Derkis) Graham; siblings, Tim (Tina) Abernathy, Judy Slaughter, Melinda Clark, and Melissa Helton; 5 grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Dawson will take place at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 11 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Gibson and Rev. David Dutton officiating. Interment will follow at Lyerly Cemetery with Bubby Gene Keith, Thad Teems, Jeremy Dooley, Dustin Ivey, Devin Warren, and Zayden Warren serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Dawson, Randall Abernathy, James Abernathy, Billy Abernathy, the staff of Daily care, and members of Wayside Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until the service hour Saturday at the funeral home.
Mr. Grady Horace Payton, age 89 of Trion, Georgia passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at his residence.
Mr. Payton was born in Summerville, Georgia on December 11, 1936, son of the late Glenn Payton, Sr. and Hattie Tudor Payton. He was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a member of the Sr. Adult Sunday School Class. He was retired from Hays State Prison, working as a Maintenance Engineer,and he had also Echols Appliances. Mr. Payton was an avid Atlanta Braves Fan and loved camping and gardening.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Payton was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jo Payton and Lenora Culver; and five brothers, John Payton, J.L Payton, Sidney Payton, Billy Payton and Glen Payton, Jr.
Mr. Payton is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Littlejohn Payton; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Charles Patterson; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Kaye Payton and Charles “Bo” and Ginger Payton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Glenda DeBerry, Carolyn and Stan Cooper and Deborah and David Brown; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Karen Payton; seven grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. Payton will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Coker, Rev. Jason Cowart and Rev. Charlie Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Ridgeway Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include Luke Patterson, Nathan Schuster, Bryan Sisk, Adam Payton, Gray Payton, Alex Kelehear and McKenzie Kelehear. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the New Bethel Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon at the Coffman Funeral Home from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.
