Temperatures across the region will remain cooler than normal through today and tonight, but a noticeable warming trend is expected to build steadily through the rest of the week and into the upcoming weekend.
Here is the arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, March 18, 2026:
Firefighters responded Monday to a structure fire at 251 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road. Summerville, Hays Correctional and Gore fire departments all responded to the scene.
Fire officials told WZQZ News the fire is believed to have started at the front of the residence, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Firefighters say suppression efforts were complicated by a large amount of material in and around the front of the home, which added fuel to the fire.
Officials said this was the second structure fire reported on the property this year.
This weekend on Georgia Focus, hear how artistic engagement could help promote brain health and emotional well-being for people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The program will spotlight research involving Dr. Monica Parker, a neurologist with the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Emory, and the work of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which recently awarded $200,000 to support research in partnership with Arts + Health Laboratory: Georgia’s NeuroArts Coalition.
Researchers are studying how music and other forms of art may improve mood, behavior, and daily functioning for people living with cognitive impairment. The two-year project is designed to gather more data on how music-based interventions can positively affect brain health and overall well-being.
Dr. Parker says research already shows music can benefit people with cognitive impairment, but more study is needed to better understand what kind of music and what level of exposure may be most effective.
Tune in this Sunday morning at 6 a.m. to Georgia Focus on WZQZ to hear more from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and Dr. Monica Parker as they discuss the positive effects of music on people with brain-related conditions.
Georgia lawmakers have approved House Bill 1000, a measure that would provide a one-time state income tax rebate for eligible taxpayers, and the bill is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature.
Under the proposal, taxpayers who filed timely Georgia income tax returns for both the 2024 and 2025 tax years would qualify for the rebate. The bill sets the rebate at $250 for single filers or married people filing separately, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for married couples filing jointly.
The rebate would be funded using part of the state’s budget surplus, which lawmakers say currently stands at around $14 billion.
If signed into law, the measure would mark another round of tax relief for Georgia residents, continuing a series of rebates issued by the state in recent years as lawmakers return surplus revenue to taxpayers.
A man was arrested following a traffic-related incident on March 11 after deputies discovered illegal drugs inside a disabled vehicle.
According to the report, deputies approached a vehicle stopped on the roadside and made contact with the driver, identified as 55-year-old John Wayne Cook. While speaking with Cook, officers detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, giving them probable cause to conduct a search.
During the search, deputies located suspected marijuana, along with a clear plastic container holding a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Authorities also conducted a field test, which returned a positive result for fentanyl.
Cook was taken into custody and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. He was transported to jail without further incident.
Advocate Health has announced it will award $200,000 in scholarships to students pursuing education in health care and STEM-related fields, helping support the next generation of professionals in those industries.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College says its systems will be unavailable Monday, March 30, across all campus locations due to scheduled maintenance.
During the outage, internet services, phone systems, Blackboard, and MyGNTC will be temporarily unavailable for the day. College officials are encouraging anyone who may need help with admissions, financial aid, student resources, or other GNTC-related business to plan ahead and reach out before or after the scheduled maintenance.
The City of Summerville will host Hee Haw Tribute Shows on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21 at the Summerville Train Depot. The event will feature tributes to classic Hee Haw skits including “Rindercella,” Samples Sales, Gossip Girls, and more.
Organizers say a cast of more than 18 performers will bring 90 minutes of laughter and interactive fun to the stage. Showtimes are set for Friday at 7 p.m., with three performances on Saturday at 3 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Advance tickets are available at Summerville City Hall for $15, with additional tickets available at the door if space allows. Concessions will also be available, and seating will open 15 minutes prior to each show.
Youth and mobility-impaired hunters in Georgia will get an early start to turkey season during a special hunt set for March 21-22, 2026, on private lands. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division says the opportunity allows eligible hunters to harvest a gobbler before the statewide season officially opens.