Georgia Northwestern Technical College Offering Free Three-Day GED Program

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is offering an opportunity for adults to earn their GED in just three days at no cost through an accelerated program coming up in October.

The program will be held October 15-17 at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus, located at 2310 Maddox Chapel Road in Dalton.

Participants who qualify will receive free GED instruction, free practice tests and free GED testing, along with free meals and snacks during the three-day program.

Pre-registration is required by September 16, and space is limited. Those registering must also attend an assessment session on either September 19 or September 24.

The program is available to adults 18 and older, and a government-issued ID is required. GNTC notes that not every applicant will qualify for the accelerated three-day program, but other learning options are available for those who do not.

Anyone interested in participating can contact GNTC Adult Education at 706-272-2909 or adulted@gntc.edu for additional information.

Rebecca Thomas To Be Honored For 30 Years Of Service With UGA Extension

The University of Georgia Extension in Chattooga County will honor Rebecca Thomas later this month as she retires following 30 years of dedicated service to local youth, families and the community.

A retirement celebration for Thomas will be held Tuesday, September 29, from 1 until 5 PM at the Chattooga County Ag Center, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

Organizers are inviting friends, former and current 4-H members, families and community members to drop by during the afternoon for refreshments and fellowship while recognizing Thomas’s three decades of service.

During her career with UGA Extension, Thomas has been a familiar face to generations of Chattooga County residents, particularly through her work with Chattooga County 4-H. The retirement celebration will recognize what organizers describe as her extraordinary journey of leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment to the youth, families and communities she has served.

The celebration is open from 1 to 5 PM on September 29, allowing visitors to stop by throughout the afternoon to congratulate Thomas and wish her well in retirement.

Old-Fashioned Apple Festival Seeking Apple Pie Competitors

Local bakers who believe they make the best apple pie around will have a chance to prove it during the upcoming Old-Fashioned Apple Festival in Summerville.

Summerville Main Street is putting out the call for competitors for both the Standard Apple Pie Contest and Fried Apple Pie Contest during this year’s festival.

There is no registration fee to enter, and organizers say the contests offer local bakers an opportunity to showcase their favorite recipes while competing for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights.

Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded in each division. First place will receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50.

The Old-Fashioned Apple Festival is set for Saturday, September 5, from 10 AM until 3 PM at the Summerville Depot. Along with the apple pie competitions, the festival will feature apple-themed products, craft and food vendors, live demonstrations, children’s activities and live music throughout the day.

Those interested in entering either apple pie competition can contact Summerville Main Street at 706-859-0900, extension 1337, or email slocklear@summervillega.org for contest rules and registration information.

Chattooga High School Class Of 1968 Planning September Reunion

Members of the Chattooga High School Class of 1968 are making plans to get together next month for their annual class reunion.

The gathering will be held Saturday, September 19, at The Red Lobster on Shorter Avenue in Rome.

Class members will have a dining room reserved beginning at 2 PM and continuing until 6 PM.

Organizers say they hope all classmates and their spouses will attend and are also extending an invitation to members of other classes who would like to join them.

The reunion will be casual, providing classmates an opportunity to visit, catch up and share memories.

Anyone with questions or who may be hesitant about attending is encouraged to contact Vicki McCorsley at 770-313-5207.

Speak Life Special Needs Family Support Group Hosting IEP Discussion In Trion

Speak Life, a special needs family support group serving Chattooga County, will hold its August gathering Saturday, August 29, at 11 AM at the Trion Recreation Department.

Read more

Multi-Employer Job Fair Coming To Walker County Civic Center

Job seekers from across Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity next month to meet with employers from several counties during a multi-employer job fair in Walker County.

WorkSource Georgia and the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority will host the event on Tuesday, September 22, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Walker County Civic Center, located at 10052 North Highway 27 in Rock Spring.

Employers from Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties are expected to participate and will be recruiting for available positions.

Organizers are encouraging job seekers to prepare in advance by creating an individual account through the WorkSource Georgia portal before attending. Applicants should also bring multiple copies of their resumes to share with prospective employers.

The job fair is designed to connect area residents directly with companies that are currently hiring and give employers an opportunity to meet potential workers from throughout the four-county region.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce, Chattooga Chamber of Commerce, Alliance for Dade and The Walker Chamber of Commerce.

The multi-employer job fair will be held Tuesday, September 22, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring.

Vendors Sought For Chattooga High School Red & Black Bash

Plans are underway for a big homecoming celebration at Chattooga High School, and organizers are inviting local businesses, organizations and vendors to be part of the festivities.

The Red & Black Bash Homecoming Block Party will be held Wednesday, September 30, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Chattooga High School.

The event is being planned as an evening of community activities and school spirit as Chattooga celebrates homecoming. Organizers are currently looking for vendors interested in setting up during the block party.

Local businesses, community organizations and other vendors are encouraged to participate and help make the event a community-wide celebration.

Those interested in reserving a vendor space can register online through the signup form provided by Chattooga High Cheerleading. A QR code for registration is also included on the event flyer.

Organizers say vendor spaces are limited and encourage those interested in participating to secure a spot early.

The Red & Black Bash is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. September 30 at Chattooga High School.

Lyerly Accepting Vendor Applications For Down Home Day

The Town of Lyerly is now accepting vendor applications for Lyerly’s Down Home Day, scheduled for Saturday, September 26.

The community event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., providing an opportunity for local vendors to showcase their products while residents come together to shop local and support the community.

Vendor spaces are available for $15 per spot.

Those interested in becoming a vendor can contact organizers by commenting on the official Lyerly, Georgia post or sending a private message directly to the Lyerly, Georgia page. Vendors may also contact Sally Kerce through Facebook or call Lyerly Town Hall at 706-895-2611.

Organizers are cautioning prospective vendors not to send money to anyone through Facebook when applying for a space.

Down Home Day is designed to celebrate the Lyerly community while giving local vendors, makers and small businesses an opportunity to connect with residents.

The message behind this year’s event is simple: Live local. Shop local. Support local.

Al Millard Memorial Walker County Toy Run Set For November 1

Motorcycles, Christmas spirit and community support will come together this fall for the 2026 Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love Walker County Toy Run.

The annual event is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, with riders gathering at Ridgeland High School, 2478 Happy Valley Road in Rossville. Kickstands are scheduled to go up at 2 p.m.

The toy run benefits the Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love of Walker County, helping provide Christmas gifts for children in the community.

Organizers are asking participants and supporters to bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a cash donation. All motorcycles and riding clubs are welcome to participate.

The event provides an opportunity for riders, clubs and community members to come together while helping make Christmas brighter for local children. Those who do not ride are also encouraged to support the effort through donations or by helping spread the word.

Organizers are hoping for a strong turnout in 2026 and are encouraging motorcycle clubs and riders from across Northwest Georgia and surrounding areas to take part.

A rain date of Sunday, November 15, 2026, has been scheduled in case weather prevents the event from being held November 1.

WZQZ Announces 2026 High School Football Broadcast Schedule

WZQZ 99.1 FM and AM 1180 will once again be the home for local high school football this fall, with coverage of the Chattooga Indians and Trion Bulldogs throughout the 2026 season.

The broadcast schedule features games involving both local teams, with selected contests airing on the radio and the WZQZ Facebook Page, while additional games will be available exclusively through the WZQZ Facebook Page.

The regular-season coverage gets underway Friday, August 21, with Chattooga hosting LaFayette and Trion taking on Gordon Lee.

Throughout the season, WZQZ will follow the Indians and Bulldogs at home and on the road.

Chattooga Indians Schedule

Chattooga’s schedule includes LaFayette on August 21, an open date August 28, Model on September 4, a road trip to Coosa on September 11 and a road game at Ridgeland on September 18.

The Indians will host Gordon Lee on September 25 and Gordon Central on October 2 before an open date October 9.

Chattooga will host Dade County on October 16, travel to LFO on October 23 and Fannin County on October 30, before closing the regular season on the road against Christian Heritage on November 6.

Trion Bulldogs Schedule

Trion opens against Gordon Lee on August 21 before hosting Model on August 28.

The Bulldogs travel to Ridgeland on September 4 and Dade County on September 11 before hosting LFO on September 18.

Trion travels to Northview on September 25, has an open date October 2, and travels to Greenville on October 9 and Bowdon on October 16.

The Bulldogs host Manchester on October 23, have an open date October 30 and close the regular season by hosting BEST Academy on November 6.

WZQZ will also be ready for postseason action, with playoff coverage to be determined beginning November 13.

Fans can follow WZQZ throughout the season for weekly information on which games will air on 99.1 FM and AM 1180 in addition to the games available through the WZQZ Facebook Page.