Local News Items | AM 1180 Radio

January 28, 2026

North Georgia EMC Sent Crews to Assist Co-ops Hard Hit by Winter Storm Fern

Local News, Local News Items #AmicalolaEMC, #chattoogacounty, #CommunitySupport, #CoOpStrong, #ElectricCooperative, #GeorgiaEMCs, #HabershamEMC, #LineCrews, #MeriwetherLewisElectric, #MutualAid, #NGEMC, #NorthGeorgiaEMC, #northwestgeorgia, #PowerRestoration, #StormRecovery, #ThankALineman, #UtilityWorkers, #WinterStormFern, #wzqznews 0

North Georgia EMC sent line crews to help restore power in other areas after Winter Storm Fern, using the mutual-aid network that electric cooperatives rely on when storms cause widespread damage. NGEMC said it has both provided and received assistance through this system in past emergencies.

After it became clear NGEMC’s service area missed the worst impacts of the storm, three NGEMC crews were dispatched Sunday to regions hit much harder. One crew assisted Amicalola EMC on Sunday before continuing on to Habersham EMC in northeast Georgia on Monday, January 26. Two additional crews traveled north to support Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative in Tennessee.

NGEMC asked residents to keep storm victims and the crews working long hours in their thoughts as recovery continued. North Georgia EMC serves 3,614 members in Chattooga County.

January 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rep. Eddie Lumsden – Week 2 Legislative Report: Highlights Georgia “Budget Week,” Kemp Proposals, and Weather Preparations

Local News, Local News Items #BehavioralHealth, #briankemp, #BudgetWeek, #chattoogacounty, #DREAMSScholarship, #eddielumsden, #EducationFunding, #FloydCounty, #GeorgiaBudget, #georgiahouse, #Hope, #HousingVouchers, #needbasedaid, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralDevelopment, #StateEmployees, #StateOfEmergency, #TaxRebate, #TimberIndustry, #transportation, #WinterStorm, #wzqznews 0

State Rep. Eddie Lumsden, a Republican from Armuchee, who represents Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, says the second week of the Georgia legislative session focused on “budget week,” as lawmakers reviewed Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposals for the amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget and the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Lumsden highlighted a proposed one-time $1 billion tax rebate, a $2,000 supplement for state employees and school personnel, investments in rural economic development and timber industry recovery, increased funding for higher education and HOPE scholarships, and the creation of the state’s first need-based aid program through the DREAMS scholarship. He also noted funding for behavioral health housing support, public safety, transportation projects, and workforce development, along with updates on Georgia’s revenue outlook and preparations for winter weather, including a statewide State of Emergency. Lumsden said budget subcommittees will continue their work in the coming weeks and encouraged constituents to stay informed and engaged. See his complete report below:

January 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Dodge Ram Hits Summerville City Backhoe on Highway 27 Near Chattooga River Bridge; Driver Suffers Medical Emergency

Local News, Local News Items #AtriumFloydMedicalCenter, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaRiver, #CityOfSummerville, #CrashReport, #Georgia1, #GeorgiaStatePatrol, #highway27, #MedicalEmergency, #RoadSafety, #RomeGA, #StateTroopers, #summervillega, #TrafficAlert, #wzqznews 0

Georgia State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash Monday night involving a City of Summerville backhoe and a Dodge Ram truck on Highway 27 (Georgia 1) just north of the Chattooga River bridge.

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

WZQZ Pet of the Week – Meet “Flake” at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter

Local News, Local News Items #AdoptDontShop, #AdoptLocal, #AdoptMe, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyAnimalShelter, #DogAdoption, #ForeverHome, #GoodBoy, #LocalPets, #northwestgeorgia, #PetOfTheWeek, #RescueDog, #ShelterDog, #summervillega, #wzqznews, #WZQZPetOfTheWeek 0

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Tuesday – January 27, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, January 27, 2026:

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Delayed Openings for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

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Chattooga County, Trion City Schools and Floyd County Schools are operating on normal schedule

Chattooga County Health Department – Opens at 10 AM

Walker County Government Offices – Open at 10 AM

Walker County Schools – 2 Hour Delay

Cherokee County, AL Schools – 3 Hour Delay

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Cold Weather Advisory in Effect for Northwest Georgia – Sunny Cold Day for Tuesday

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ColdSafety, #ColdWeatherAdvisory, #ExtendedForecast, #northwestgeorgia, #StayWarm, #WindChills, #WinterWeather 0

A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect this morning until 9 AM as temperatures in the teens are being reported across Chattooga County and the greater Northwest Georgia area. Very cold wind chills ranging from 5 below to 5 above zero are being observed, creating dangerous conditions for anyone exposed for extended periods of time.

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Northwest Georgia Wedding Expo Returns Feb. 1 in Rome with 40+ Vendors and Bridal Fashion Shows

Local News, Local News Items #BridalShow, #Engaged, #ForumRiverCenter, #GeorgiaWeddings, #LocalVendors, #NorthwestGAWeddingExpo, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #WeddingExpo, #WeddingPlanning 0

The Northwest Georgia Wedding Expo 2026 is set for Sunday, February 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Forum River Center in downtown Rome.

Organizers say the expo will feature more than 40 local wedding vendors, including venues, photographers, caterers, and other industry professionals to help couples plan everything from the ceremony to the reception. The afternoon also includes boutique bridal fashion shows, along with food and drink samples and chances to win prizes.

Tickets are available through Freshtix and AXS. General admission is about $10, with a group option of four tickets for $35.

Event Details: Sunday, February 1, 2026, 1:00–5:00 PM, Forum River Center, 301 Tribune Street, Rome.

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Schools Hiring Full-Time General Mechanic, Immediate Opening

Local News, Local News Items #CDL, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyBOE, #ChattoogaSchools, #ClassBCD, #GeneralMechanic, #JobOpening, #MaintenanceJobs, #northwestgeorgia, #NowHiring, #SkilledTrades, #summervillega 0

The Chattooga County Board of Education is accepting applications for an immediate opening for a full-time General Mechanic position.

January 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Summerville Parks and Rec Spring Volleyball Sign-Ups Open, Deadline This Sunday

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #KidsSports, #northwestgeorgia, #RecCenter, #RegistrationDeadline, #SignUpsOpen, #SpringVolleyball, #summervillega, #SummervilleParksAndRec, #YouthSports 0

Registration is now open for Summerville Parks and Recreation Spring Volleyball, and the regular sign-up deadline is this coming Sunday, February 1.

Officials say the goal of the program is to provide a fun, safe environment where kids can learn the fundamentals of volleyball, build skills, and develop good sportsmanship and character through teamwork. The spring season is scheduled to run from March through mid-May, with teams playing eight regular season games followed by playoffs.

Practices are expected to begin in mid-February, with the regular season starting in late March. Age groups offered include 9/10, 11/12, and 13/14.

Regular registration runs January 1 through Sunday, February 1 and costs $15. Late registration runs February 1 through February 13 and costs $25. The program dates are March 23 through May 14.