On Tuesday of this week, the Free Clinic of Rome, conducted a free health clinic at the Chattooga County Ag Building.  Organizers told WZQZ News that the event resulted in over $27,000 in free medicine and health care for Chattooga County residents.  According to Renee Blackburn with the Free Clinic of Rome, the volunteer physician and her organization will be conducting two more clinics in the upcoming days.  The next clinic will be held on Monday, June 30th and again on Tuesday, July 15th.  Interested individuals must pre-qualify for the event. Renee Blackman is available at 706-346-7248 to provide details about eligibility requirements and guide community members through the screening process. Residents are strongly encouraged to contact Renee Blackman to determine their eligibility and to learn more about the specific screenings offered at the clinic. This initiative aims to provide accessible healthcare to those in need within the Chattooga County community.

A Summerville man told police that a gas station had used his credit card for unauthorized charges recently. Kenneth Parker filed a fraud report with the Summerville Police Department alleging unauthorized charges at the AMOCO gas station on Commerce Street. Parker stated he visited the AMOCO several weeks prior to purchase gas. Due to a malfunctioning card reader at the pump, he was instructed by the clerk to leave his card, pump the gas, and return inside to pay. Subsequently, Parker discovered two suspicious transactions on his bank account: one for $250.00 and another for $244.00, both purportedly made at the same AMOCO gas station. Parker explained that he was hospitalized during the dates of these transactions. After filing a fraud complaint at his bank, First National Bank in Summerville, Parker was advised to contact the AMOCO station directly to seek reimbursement. Accompanied by a police officer, Parker attempted to retrieve security footage and receipts from the AMOCO to support his claim. However, the station’s video system only retains footage for seven days, and despite repeated requests, the station was unable to locate the relevant receipt. According to the police report, Parker plans to follow up with First National Bank to resolve the fraudulent charges.

The Chattooga River Group (CRG) held its 4th Annual Chattooga River Fest in Lyerly last Saturday,  where paddlers enjoyed a safe float on a cloudy morning. The Coosa River Basin Initiative cleared the water for safety before the event. The festival began at Angus McLeod Memorial Park, featuring performances from Jason Clark The Snake Guy and singer Charlie Long, along with an annual cornhole tournament. The winning team received cash prizes. Unfortunately, heavy thunderstorms forced the cancellation of the 4 PM show, but everyone evacuated safely. A kayak raffle was held, with John Digphuis winning. Next year’s Chattooga River Fest is set for June 13th in Trion. Read a full report, contributed by Cindy Rivers-McGraw below:

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A 64-year-old man was charged with driving under the influence on Sunday, according to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.  A deputy observed a red truck traveling southbound on Highway 27 near the Grocery Outlet exhibiting erratic driving behavior. According to the incident report, the vehicle was traveling 5 mph under the speed limit in the left lane and repeatedly crossed the yellow lines. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the driver pulled over in the McDonald’s parking lot.  The deputy spoke with Michael A. Hines, who said he had been lighting a cigarette while driving. Hines told the deputy he had “two sips of beer” before driving, and that he was taking a prescribed depressant.  After failing field sobriety tests, Hines was arrested and taken to the Chattooga County Jail on charges of DUI for multiple substances.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is hooking families up with a chance to bond and learn to fish this summer through its Public Fishing Events across the state.

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The 12u Summerville Indian All-Star baseball team is gearing up for the State Baseball Tournament in Statesboro, GA, and is hosting a BBQ fundraiser and car wash to help offset travel and tournament expenses. The BBQ fundraiser will be held this Saturday, June 21st, in the Fit Pit parking lot. BBQ plates will be available for $10 each. Pre-orders are being accepted leading up to the event, but plates will also be available for purchase on-site. In addition to the BBQ, the team will also be hosting a car wash in the Auto Zone parking lot at the same time. For just $7 a car, or any generous donation, you can get your vehicle clean while supporting these talented young athletes. All proceeds from both the BBQ and car wash will go directly towards covering travel costs and ensuring the team has a memorable experience during the State Baseball Tournament. Come out on Saturday, June 21st, grab a delicious BBQ plate, get your car washed, and support the Summerville Indian All-Stars!

A Chattooga County man was charged in Floyd County this week on sexual battery charges. Paul Joseph Rector, 51, of Trion, Georgia, was arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old family member. According to police reports, officers were dispatched to a residence following a complaint from the teenage victim, who stated that Rector had been inappropriately touching her for approximately one year. The victim reported that, when she was 15, Rector allegedly struck her buttocks, causing a small bruise, while making inappropriate comments about her appearance. A second incident reportedly occurred a month prior to the police report, where the victim alleged that Rector grabbed and rubbed her inner thigh while making explicit comments. Rector is currently being held on charges of sexual battery. The investigation is ongoing.

Chris Wooten, a former Trion Police Department officer and member of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force (LMJC), was arrested on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and charged with Aggravated Battery (Felony) and Violation of Oath of Office (Felony) following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

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Residents of Northwest Georgia can expect scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening, with the primary concerns being gusty winds and frequent lightning. The National Weather Service also warns of a potential for localized flooding in areas experiencing heavier rainfall. According to weather reports, showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 4 p.m. today. The day will be partly sunny with a high near 87 degrees. Tonight, the chance of showers and thunderstorms continues before 8 p.m., with a slight chance returning after 2 a.m. The evening will be partly cloudy with a low around 70 degrees and a south wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is currently estimated at 30%. Looking ahead to Juneteenth, the forecast predicts showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., followed by showers and potentially more thunderstorms after 5 p.m. The high will be near 86 degrees with a southwest wind of 5 to 10 mph, gusting as high as 20 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts expected to range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in areas impacted by thunderstorms. The unsettled weather pattern is expected to persist throughout the rest of the week and into the weekend. Daily thunderstorm activity is anticipated, with the highest probability of storms occurring during the afternoon and evening hours each day. While the risk of severe weather remains low, officials urge caution as stronger storms are possible.