Public health officials are urging Northwest Georgia residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the 2026 West Nile virus season gets underway earlier and more aggressively than it has in more than two decades.
Kevin Godfrey and Lacey Gilreath with Godfrey’s Tree Service have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help a Trion family whose home was heavily damaged during severe storms on July 4, 2026.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development has announced more than $1.3 million in competitive grant funding for arts organizations across the state, with 179 grants awarded in 37 counties during the first round of Georgia Council for the Arts fiscal year 2027 funding. The grants support nonprofit arts organizations, community projects, and arts education programs.
Chattooga County is among the recipients. The Paradise Garden Foundation in Summerville received a $10,000 General Operating Support Grant, which provides funding to help nonprofit arts organizations with day-to-day operating expenses and programming.
State officials say the grants help strengthen communities by supporting festivals, museums, theater productions, educational programs, and other arts initiatives that attract visitors, enhance downtowns, and contribute to local economies.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said the arts play a vital role in communities of all sizes, helping create vibrant downtowns, support small businesses, and provide students with opportunities to develop creativity and problem-solving skills.
The grants are funded through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional Georgia Council for the Arts funding through the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant programs is expected to be announced later this fall.
Georgia’s net tax collections fell in June, but the state still ended Fiscal Year 2026 slightly ahead of the previous year.
According to the Governor’s Office, June net tax revenue totaled nearly $2.95 billion, down $215.1 million, or 6.8 percent, compared to June of last year. However, year-to-date collections through June 30 totaled $33.75 billion, an increase of $129.5 million, or 0.4 percent, over Fiscal Year 2025.
State officials say the monthly comparison was heavily affected by Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax suspension, which began March 20 and remained in effect until June 3. Without the motor fuel tax impact, June revenues were down only 0.6 percent, while full-year collections were up nearly 1.6 percent.
Individual income tax collections were down 6.7 percent in June, while sales tax collections increased 6.8 percent and corporate income tax collections rose 7 percent. Motor fuel tax collections dropped 98.5 percent, reflecting the temporary suspension ordered by Governor Brian Kemp.
Motor vehicle tag and title fees and title ad valorem tax collections were also down compared to June 2025.
As newly licensed teenagers spend more time behind the wheel this summer, AAA is encouraging families to make safety a priority by participating in its “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign.
One man is in custody and two others remain at large following an alleged shoplifting incident Friday at Walmart in Trion.
According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, three men were stopped while leaving the store after they were believed to have stolen several iPads.
Authorities say the suspects fled the scene before Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputies arrived. Law enforcement was able to apprehend one of the three men, while the other two remained at large as of Friday night.
Sheriff Schrader said investigators believe the three men may also be connected to other shoplifting incidents in Michigan and in Dalton, Georgia.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information has not yet been released.
WZQZ will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
What is KOZ?
Kid’s Outdoor Zone (KOZ) is a program dedicated to young boys, ages 8-18, in Floyd, Chattooga, and surrounding Counties that meet on the second Saturday of the month at Armuchee Baptist Church. KOZ teaches boys Biblical truths of how to be the boy God has designed them to be while learning how to hunt, fish, and camp under trained, experienced, leadership. Visit the Armuchee Baptist Church Facebook Page for more details.
George Millard Smith, 85, of Teloga, Georgia, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 9th, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, humble service, and steadfast love for his family and community.
George was born on May 31, 1941, to the late Albert and Maggie Smith. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, brother David Smith, and sisters, Lula Mae Gentry, Leona Prince, Inez Brown, Shirl Rabdeau, Janice Smith, and his son, Greg Smith.
For 63 years, George shared a faithful and devoted marriage with the love of his life, Mary Sue Smith. Together, they built a home centered on faith, hard work, and family, creating a legacy that will continue for generations to come.
George is survived by his loving wife, Mary Sue; his brothers Wiley Smith (Marsha), Junior Smith (Shirley), and sisters Carolyn Hanks, Minnie Smith, Betty Wentz (Kelly), Beth Wentz (Jack); his children Angie Wade (Tony), Missy Hunnicutt, Kevin Smith, Chris Smith (Julie), Keith Smith (Katie); grandchildren Joseph Culbert (Angie), Jennifer Collins (Chris), Jamie Culbert (Kesha), Ashley Thompson, Jordan Smith (Ollie), Ryan Thompson (Jannah), Joshua Wade, Sara Winn (Jesse), Alica Morton (Casey), Taylor Woods (Collin), Taylor Morton (Chris), Hannah Thompson (Matthew), James Wade, Bailey McKinney, Ian Morton; numerous great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren and many extended family members and dear friends who will forever treasure his memory.
A hardworking man, George spent much of his life sawmilling and cutting pulpwood. He understood the value of honest labor and taught those around him that a day’s work should be done with integrity and excellence. He never sought recognition, only the satisfaction of providing for his family and serving others.
More importantly, George was a simple yet profound man of God. His faith was not merely spoken; it was lived. As a beloved member of Chelsea Baptist Church, he faithfully served the Lord and His people with humility, wisdom, and quiet strength. His life reflected the words of Micah 6:8: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
George had a special heart for people who were often overlooked or forgotten. He saw value where others sometimes failed to look and extended kindness to those whom society had cast aside. Whether through a helping hand, a listening ear, or simple acts of generosity, he demonstrated the love of Christ in practical ways.
Those who knew George knew he was a remarkable blend of qualities that often seem to conflict. He was firm in his convictions, yet gentle in his spirit. Strong in character, yet humble in heart. Blunt and direct when truth needed to be spoken, yet always gracious and compassionate. He believed that love and truth belonged together, and his life reflected both.
His greatest legacy is not found in the timber he cut or the work of his hands, but in the lives he influenced through his faith, his example, and his love for God and others. His family, church, and community are better because he faithfully lived the life God called him to live.
Though he will be deeply missed, those who know Christ find comfort in the promise that George has heard the words every faithful servant longs to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” His race is finished, his labor is complete, and he now rests in the presence of the Savior he faithfully served.
The family asks that you remember George not only for the life he lived but also for the faith he shared, striving to love God, love others, work hard, and walk humbly as he did. The service celebrating George’s life will be at Chelsea Baptist Church in Menlo, Sunday, July 12th at 4:00 PM EST. The family will receive guests from 2:00-3:45 before the service. George will be buried at Chelsea Cemetery following the service. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Morgan, Lisa, Cassie, Matt, and David of the Adoration Hospice Group in Gadsden, Alabama, for the compassionate care they provided to George during his final days on Earth.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, July 10, 2026:
After another hot summer morning, weather conditions across Chattooga County and northwest Georgia are expected to become increasingly active this afternoon as a series of disturbances brings a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend and into early next week.