Local News Items | AM 1180 Radio

March 25, 2026

Chattooga Band Boosters To Hold Meeting Thursday Night

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The Chattooga Band Boosters are inviting all band parents and 2026 marching band students to an important meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. in the Chattooga High School band room.

Organizers say the meeting will cover current fundraising activities, next year’s tentative schedule, and will also give parents a chance to ask questions.

Band leaders will also be distributing medical and consent forms and discussing band picture day, which is scheduled for right after Spring Break.

Parents and students are encouraged to make plans to attend.

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Wednesday – March 25, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, March 25, 2026:

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Warm Then Cooler: Dry Stretch Raises Fire Weather Concerns in Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia

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Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia can expect a week of temperature swings, with conditions bouncing from near-normal to well above normal before cooling off again this weekend.

March 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga High Senior Earns Prestigious Spirit Award

Local News, Local News Items #AcademicExcellence, #chattoogacounty, #chattoogahighschool, #DoloresHardisonHayesSpiritAward, #EducationNews, #KasenElsberry, #LocalSchools, #northwestgeorgia, #ScholarshipOpportunity, #SchoolNews, #StudentAchievement, #StudentSuccess, #summervillega, #WorkBasedLearning, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga High School is recognizing senior Kasen Elsberry after he was named a recipient of the Dolores Hardison-Hayes Spirit Award.

School officials said Elsberry, who participates in the school’s Work-Based Learning program, was nominated by Work-Based Learning Coordinator Lisa Hughes for his dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to success both inside and outside the classroom.

The Dolores Hardison-Hayes Spirit Award honors outstanding work-based learning students who reflect the mission of connecting students, schools, and businesses to help build a strong and skilled workforce. Kasen is one of only three students selected to receive the honor.

One of the three award recipients will ultimately be chosen to receive a $5,000 scholarship. Chattooga High School said it is proud of Elsberry’s accomplishment and wished him the best as the final scholarship announcement approaches.

March 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Erin Brockovich Returns To Northwest Georgia Amid PFAS Concerns

Local News, Local News Items #BartowCounty, #BenFinley, #BobBowcock, #BrianStrickland, #chattoogacounty, #ClayFuller, #CommunityMeeting, #DaltonGA, #DustTesting, #EnvironmentalConcerns, #EnvironmentalNews, #ErinBrockovich, #FloydCounty, #ForeverChemicals, #georgiapolitics, #HaralsonCounty, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PauldingCounty, #PFAS, #PolkCounty, #PublicHealth, #RomeGA, #ShawnHarris, #SoilTesting, #TownHall, #WaterQuality, #WaterTesting, #wzqznews 0

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich is set to return to Northwest Georgia next week as the PFAS Georgia team announces a major expansion of water, soil, and dust testing in Rome and several surrounding counties. Organizers say the renewed push comes after more than 20 months of work in the region uncovered some of the highest levels of “forever chemicals” found anywhere in the country.

March 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Woman Arrested After Providing False Name, Resisting Officers

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A Summerville woman was arrested following an incident at a residence on Milton Circle, according to a Summerville Police Department incident report.

Officers say 28-year-old Jodeci Elizabeth Kayl Walker was taken into custody on March 20 after initially giving a false name to law enforcement. The report states Walker identified herself as “Jasmine Ortiz,” but officers recognized her from prior encounters.

According to the report, when officers attempted to question her further, Walker tried to leave the scene and ignored commands to stop. Authorities say she then ran from officers before being detained. During the arrest, Walker reportedly resisted, leading officers to place her on the ground before securing her in handcuffs.

Walker is charged with giving false information to a law enforcement officer and obstruction of officers. She was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident.

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Floyd County Courthouse Destroyed By Fire, Emergency Funding To Be Considered

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The Floyd County Commission is expected to consider emergency funding to relocate several government offices following a fire that destroyed the Historic Floyd County Courthouse on Monday.

County officials say the building housed the Tax Commissioner, Tax Assessor, and Tag Office. All employees were safely evacuated after smoke was reported around 2:12 p.m., and supervisors conducted a roll call to ensure everyone made it out safely.

Rome-Floyd Fire Department crews worked for hours to battle the blaze, while multiple law enforcement agencies secured the area as smoke spread across downtown Rome. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In the meantime, residents can still access services online, including property tax payments and tag renewals. County leaders say plans are already underway to establish temporary locations and restore in-person services as quickly as possible.

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Officials Release More Details On Fire That Devastated Historic Floyd County Courthouse

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Photo Credit: WRGA Radio

As investigators continue working to determine what caused Monday’s fire at the Historic Floyd County Courthouse, officials are releasing new details about the emergency response and the damage left behind.

March 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Absentee Ballots for April 7th Runoff Election Available Until March 27

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Voters in Chattooga County will be asked to return to the polls on April 7, 2026 to vote in two runoff elections. The runoffs were a result of no candidate getting more than 50% of the vote in the Special Election for the Georgia 53rd Senate District and the 14th U.S. Congressional District races.

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Heavy Pollen Covers Northwest Georgia, Brings Peak Allergy Season To The Region

Local News, Local News Items #AirQuality, #AllergySeason, #BirchPollen, #chattoogacounty, #chattooganews, #CommunityHealth, #georgiaweather, #HealthAlert, #HighPollen, #LocalWeather, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #NorthGeorgiaWeather, #northwestgeorgia, #OakPollen, #OutdoorHealth, #PinePollen, #PollenAlert, #PollenCount, #SeasonalAllergies, #SpringAllergies, #summervillega, #SweetGum, #TreePollen, #trionga, #VeryHighPollen, #WeatherUpdate, #wzqznews 0

If your car looks yellow this week, you’re definitely not imagining it. Pollen levels across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are currently very high, with tree pollen reaching peak levels in late March and leaving a visible coating on cars, porches, patios, and outdoor furniture.