Georgia agriculture officials have expanded animal entry requirements following the detection of New World screwworm in the United States, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country decades ago.
Looking for a loyal companion with a gentle personality? Meet Brownie, the WZQZ Pet of the Week from the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.
Brownie is a male dog known for his sweet temperament and affectionate nature. Shelter staff describe him as having a “teddy bear personality” who loves attention, cuddles, and spending time with people. He is also friendly with other dogs, making him a great candidate for families with existing pets.
Those who have met Brownie say he is calm, loving, and eager to make new friends. Whether he’s enjoying a walk, relaxing with his favorite humans, or soaking up affection, Brownie is happiest when he’s around people.
Brownie is currently available for adoption through the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, located at 464 Red Oak Drive in Summerville. His adoption fee is just $25.
The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with Wednesday visits available by appointment. For more information about Brownie or other animals available for adoption, call the shelter at 706-857-0679.
Giving a shelter pet a forever home not only changes the life of the animal, but often brings years of companionship and unconditional love to the adopting family.
Chattooga County voters will return to the polls Tuesday, June 16, to cast ballots in Georgia’s Primary Runoff Election, which will determine party nominees in several key federal, statewide, and legislative races ahead of November’s General Election.
The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement has released its annual “Beating the Odds” analysis, showing how schools in Chattooga County Schools and Trion City Schools performed compared to statistical expectations.
Over the weekend, WZQZ News reported about a Georgia Department of Corrections inmate who was charged in connection with a drug case out of North Carolina. Additional information now shows that the inmate, Rudy Cameron Lee, is housed at Hays State Prison in Chattooga County, and investigators say the case involved a larger drug trafficking and contraband operation.
Jimmy Edgar Hall, age 89 of Dalton, Georgia passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2026 at his residence.
Mr. Hall was born in Trion, Georgia on August 15, 1936, son of the late Joseph Meyerhardt Hall, Sr. and the late Hattie Foye Holland. He was a lifelong resident of Georgia where he resided in Chattooga county for some 85 years and had spent the last four years in Dalton, Georgia. Jimmy worked as a warehouse manager for Mount Vernon Mills most of his working years. While at Riegel Textile, later to be know as Mount Vernon Mills, he spent a number of years playing and being involved with the locally famous Riegel Rifles. During years of community involvement, he also served on the school board for the Trion City Schools.
In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife the late Charlotte Hall and a son, the late Jay Hall.
Jimmy is survived by two sons, Scott(Beverly) Hall and Jeff(Barbara) Hall; a daughter-in-law, Laura Hall; a brother, Fred Hall; grandchildren, Matthew(Heather) Hall; Kelly(Jay) Tripp; Alex and Andrew Hall; Sarah, Sammy, Stephen Hall; great-grandchildren, Hazel Hall, Owen Hall and Sophia Tripp.
Graveside services will be held for Mr. Hall on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the West Hill Cemetery in Trion, Georgia. Reverend Scott Parrish will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Matthew Hall, Sammy Hall, Stephen Hall and Jay Tripp.
Visitation for Mr. Jimmy Hall will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Coffman Funeral Home just prior to the service.
Mr. Danny Monroe Murphy, age 71, a resident of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026 at his residence surrounded by loving family.
Mr. Murphy was born in Lafayette, Georgia on September 16, 1954, son of the late Kellett Monroe Murphy and Dorothy “Moma Dot” Montgomery Murphy. He was a retired welder from Mount Vernon Mills where he spent some 30+ years in maintenance where he was a member of the Quarter Century Club. Danny was an avid hunter where he enjoyed hunting bear, turkey and deer just to name a few. He was also a very skilled auto mechanic where he was an enthusiast when it came to working on old cars.
In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Alice Montgomery; grandparents, Roe and Angelo Kellett Murphy; grandsons, Nicholas Arnold and Travis Bailey; granddaughter, Kristen Thrasher; great granddaughter, Joselyn Phibbs and great grandson, Asher Carroll.
Danny is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Gail Murphy; son, Shannon Kell Monroe Murphy; daughters, Angel Fitzgerald(Harvey); Amy Thrasher(Stacy); Jana Arnold(Mike); Kim Vaughn(Dickie); brothers, Randy “Pop” Murphy(Gail) and Marty Murphy; sisters, Connie Bramlett, Jeannie(Jackie) Corbin; Audrey Brock; Goldie Hames, Ginger(Steve) Marshall; 13 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Murphy will be held at 3p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 in the chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory Services with the Rev. Denver King and Darwin Blansit officiating. Pallbearers will be Shannon Murphy, Jamison Phibbs, Ryan Arnold, Noah Vaughn, Randy Murphy, Marty Murphy, Ryan Murphy and Jonah Coker. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Rowland, Mike Arnold, Dickie Vaughn, Harvey Fitzgerald and Stacy Thrasher. Additional Honorary pallbearers include: Emily Clements, Dustin Fitzgerald, Terry Kiser and Kristy Green from Tapestry Hospice.
The Murphy family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour on Wednesday.
Mr. Jeffery “Jeff” James Lee age 65 of Trion, Georgia passed away unexpectedly at a local healthcare facility on June 13, 2026.
Mr. Lee was born in Lafayette, Georgia on March 28, 1961 to Billie Alexander Lee and the late James Lee. Jeff was retired from Mohawk Industries where he drove a hyster for 30+ years until retiring at the age of 62. He was a local resident for over 30 years after coming here from the Lafayette area and had a love for animals.
Jeff is survived by his wife of over 30 years Patty Lee; his mother, Billie Alexander Lee; a brother, Marty Lee; and a sister, Vickie Henderson.
Funeral services will be held at graveside for Mr. Lee on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3pm with the family receiving friends from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. The procession will leave the funeral home at 2:30 to proceed to graveside.
Those wishing to do so, in lieu of flowers may make contributions to the Chattooga County Animal Control Center in his honor.
The Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Jeffery “Jeff” James Lee. Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, June 14, 2026:
