Local News Items | AM 1180 Radio

May 28, 2026

Chattooga County Assessor’s Office Informs Residents About Property Appraisal Visits

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The Chattooga County Assessor’s Office is notifying residents that representatives from Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions & Services, Incorporated — known as GMASS — are currently visiting properties throughout the county.

According to the notice released by the Assessor’s Office, the company has been contracted by the Board of Assessors to perform various appraisal services as part of county property assessments.

Officials say the inspections are being conducted in accordance with Georgia law and that appraisers will carry identification badges showing they are working for the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office. Their vehicles will also display the GMASS logo.

The Assessor’s Office says employee photos and vehicle information have been provided to Chattooga County 911 and local law enforcement agencies.

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office at 706-857-0737.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Couple Charged With Child Trafficking, Rape, And Aggravated Sodomy

Local News, Local News Items #AggravatedSodomy, #arrestreport, #ChildTrafficking, #CrimeNews, #FlintstoneGA, #HamiltonCountyTN, #LawEnforcement, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #RapeCharges, #RheaCountyTN, #TennesseeNews, #WalkerCountyGA, #WalkerCountySheriffsOffice, #wzqznews 0

A Walker County couple is facing multiple serious felony charges following an investigation into alleged child abuse and trafficking.

According to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began May 15 after deputies received a tip concerning possible abuse involving a child.

Investigators later obtained warrants charging 60-year-old David Rutherford and 43-year-old Heather Rutherford, both of Flintstone, with trafficking, rape, and aggravated sodomy.

Deputies executed a search warrant May 22 at a residence on Nancy Lane in Flintstone as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities say the couple had already been taken into custody in Rhea County, Tennessee before the search warrant was carried out.

Officials stated the arrests were made without incident and involved coordination between the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Commissioners To Consider Rezoning Requests, Road Closure, And County Projects

Local News, Local News Items #CommunityNews, #DFACS, #EastArmuchee, #georgianews, #LaFayetteGA, #LocalGovernment, #LocalPolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #PlanningAndZoning, #publicmeeting, #SeeRockCity, #WalkerCountyCommission, #WalkerCountyGA, #WalkerCountySheriff, #wzqznews 0

The Walker County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Walker County Courthouse Annex IV in LaFayette.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Deadline Approaching For Trion Summer Baseball Sign-Ups

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Parents still have time to register their children for Trion Recreation Department summer baseball, but the deadline is quickly approaching.

Registration is now open for 6U and 8U coach pitch leagues along with an 11U machine pitch league. The season is scheduled to run from July 10th through August 14th.

The cost is $30 per player, and player age will be determined based on age as of September 1st.

Officials say the deadline to sign up is June 7th. Registration is taking place through Trion Recreation.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Man Arrested After Alleged Shoplifting Incident In Floyd County

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A Summerville man was arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident at the Dollar General on Calhoun Road in Floyd County.

According to Floyd County Police reports, 33-year-old Dalton Taylor Worthington was observed taking a backpack from a store shelf before going into the restroom and returning a short time later.

Investigators say the backpack was then used to conceal two Shamrock drinks along with other merchandise while store employees watched the incident unfold.

Police said Worthington walked past all points of sale without paying for the items, which had a reported total value of $19.25.

Worthington was later charged with Theft by Shoplifting.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Man Arrested After Disorderly Conduct Incident

A Summerville man was arrested by the Summerville Police Department following a disorderly conduct incident at a residence on Sixth Avenue.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

New Georgia Law Allows Property Owners To Sue Over Public Nuisance Enforcement

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #floydcountyga, #GeorgiaLaw, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #Homelessness, #HouseBill295, #LocalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #Panhandling, #PropertyOwners, #PublicCamping, #PublicNuisance, #PublicSafety, #StatePolitics, #Vandalism, #wzqznews 0

A new Georgia law taking effect July 1st will allow property owners to seek compensation if they believe local governments are not doing enough to enforce public nuisance laws.

House Bill 295 applies to issues such as public camping, vandalism, and panhandling. Supporters say the law is designed to push cities and counties to enforce existing ordinances when public nuisance activity hurts businesses, property values, or public safety.

State Representative Jesse Petrea, who co-sponsored the bill, said some business owners have complained about losing customers and property value when people feel unsafe near encampments or panhandling areas.

However, critics worry the law could have a negative impact on people experiencing homelessness. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said public spaces should remain open to everyone as long as people are not creating a nuisance.

Property owners who file claims will have to prove that nuisance behavior caused financial loss and that local government willfully failed to enforce the law.

House Bill 295 became law on May 12th and is scheduled to take effect July 1st.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Salvation Army Leaders Preparing To Leave Rome

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunitySupport, #CoryTilley, #CristinaTilley, #DothanAL, #EuniceHarwell, #floydcountyga, #HankHarwell, #HelpingFamilies, #LocalNews, #NonprofitNews, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #SalvationArmyRome, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

Majors Hank and Eunice Harwell, current Corps Officers for The Salvation Army of Rome, are preparing to say goodbye to the community.

The Harwells will leave Rome in mid to late June to take on new leadership roles with The Salvation Army in Dothan, Alabama.

Major Hank Harwell says they will miss Rome and the people of Northwest Georgia, but he is also excited about the future of the local organization under incoming leaders Lieutenants Cory and Cristina Tilley.

The Salvation Army of Rome serves both Floyd and Chattooga counties, providing assistance and support to families in need throughout the area.

Major Harwell is encouraging continued community support in the years ahead. For more information, visit salvationarmyrome.org or call 706-291-4745.

May 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Suspicious Activity Reported At Summerville Advance Auto Parts

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Summerville Police are investigating suspicious activity reported behind Advance Auto Parts on Commerce Street.

According to the report, officers responded after the store manager discovered someone had apparently tried to break into the business by damaging a power meter box near the back of the building.

Police also reported finding a pile of trash behind the dumpster containing items that did not appear to belong to the business, including toilet paper, canned foods, and other materials.

Extra patrols were requested around the property, and the investigation remains ongoing.

May 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Wednesday – May 27, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #ArrestRecords, #arrestreport, #BookingReport, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #CrimeNews, #GeorgiaCrime, #JailBookings, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #LookoutMountainGA, #lyerlyga, #May272026, #MenloGA, #Mugshots, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #trionga, #Wednesday, #wzqznews 0

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