Local News Items | AM 1180 Radio

March 18, 2026

Hee Haw Tribute Shows set for March 20-21 in Summerville

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ClassicComedy, #CommunityEvent, #FamilyFun, #HeeHaw, #LiveEntertainment, #LocalEvents, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #SummervilleTrainDepot, #WeekendEvents, #wzqznews 0

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.

March 18, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Youth, Mobility-Impaired Hunters get Early Start to Turkey Season March 21-22

Local News, Local News Items #AccessibleHunting, #chattoogacounty, #GameCheck, #georgiadnr, #GeorgiaHunting, #GeorgiaOutdoors, #Gobblers, #HarvestRecord, #HuntingSeason, #LocalSportsmen, #MobilityImpairedHunters, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorNews, #PrivateLandHunt, #SpringTurkeySeason, #TurkeySeason, #wildliferesourcesdivision, #wzqznews, #YouthHunt, #YouthOutdoors 0

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.

March 18, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Lucky Charm Cheer Classic Set For Sunday In Trion

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #AllStarCheer, #chattoogacounty, #CheerCompetition, #Cheerleading, #CommunityEvent, #DanceTeams, #GeorgiaEliteAllstars, #LocalFundraiser, #LocalNews, #LuckyCharmClassic, #northwestgeorgia, #RecreationCheer, #SchoolSpirit, #SupportLocalAthletes, #trionga, #trionhighschool, #wzqznews, #YouthSports 0

The community is invited to attend the 1st Annual Lucky Charm Cheer Classic, a cheerleading competition and fundraiser benefiting Georgia Elite Allstars and Trion High School Cheerleading. The event will take place Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m. in the Trion High School gymnasium.

The competition will feature recreation, performance, school, and all-star cheer and dance teams from across the region. Organizers say 21 teams and more than 200 athletes from surrounding counties are expected to compete, promising an afternoon full of energy, entertainment, and community spirit.

Proceeds from the event will support athlete development, competition opportunities, uniforms, and program needs for both organizations. Event organizer Tashia Knapp says the goal is to give athletes a fun platform to perform while strengthening local cheer programs, adding that community support has been overwhelming.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Democratic State Senate District 53 candidate Jack Zibluk Suspends Campaign

Local News, Local News Items #April7Election, #Bipartisan, #BreakingLocalNews, #CampaignUpdate, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #CommunitySupport, #Election2026, #GA53, #georgiapolitics, #GeorgiaSenate, #GetWellSoon, #JackZibluk, #LannyThomas, #Leadership, #LocalPolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #PoliticalNews, #PublicService, #RunoffElection, #StateSenateDistrict53, #wzqznews 0

Democratic State Senate District 53 candidate Jack Zibluk has announced he is suspending campaign activities following the recent medical emergency involving his opponent, Republican candidate Lanny Thomas.

March 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

State Senate Candidate and former Mayor of Trion Lanny Thomas Undergoes Emergency Surgery

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Lanny Thomas, Republican candidate for Georgia State Senate District 53 and former mayor of the Town of Trion, has undergone emergency surgery after what his family described as a sudden and unexpected medical emergency. He is currently recovering in the hospital.

A statement released by the Thomas family says prayers and well wishes are appreciated as he continues his recovery. Before surgery, Thomas spoke with his family and expressed his determination to return to the campaign as soon as possible.

The statement says he remains committed to serving Northwest Georgia and providing honest and effective representation. Updates on his condition are expected to be shared as they become available.

Thomas, along with Democrat Jack Zibluck are on the ballot in a runoff election for State Senate District 53 on April 7.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Tuesday – March 17, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Another Hard Freeze Tonight – Warm Up on the Way

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Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should prepare for another hard freeze tonight into Wednesday morning, as temperatures remain well below normal for mid-March.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Gas Prices Continue to Rise in Georgia

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Spring Break travel demand, combined with rising crude oil prices, is continuing to send gas prices higher across Georgia.

AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Georgia now stands at $3.51, up 29 cents from a week ago, 79 cents from a month ago, and 61 cents higher than this time last year.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

More Than $40,000 Raised To Give Back To Jude Baker

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More than $40,000 had been raised as of Monday to help send Jude Baker and his family on a special trip following the young Chattooga County boy’s courageous battle with cancer.

The fundraiser was organized by Kevin Godfrey, owner of Godfrey’s Tree Service, after Leslie Tripp Watwood, owner of Burger Shack, approached him about bringing the community together for Jude.

Jude was diagnosed in February of 2024, at just 12 years old, with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. After months of difficult treatments, Jude eventually reached a major milestone by ringing the bell to mark the end of his treatment.

But even while going through his own battle, Jude was thinking about others.

According to organizers, Jude used his Make-A-Wish Georgia opportunity not for a trip or gift for himself, but instead to help people experiencing homelessness in the community. His wish helped provide backpacks, supplies, sleeping bags, and meals for more than 300 people.

Now that Jude is in remission, organizers say the community is stepping up to give back to him and his family by helping provide a trip where they can enjoy time together and make lasting memories away from hospitals, treatments, and stress.

Organizers say Jude’s compassion and selflessness have deeply touched the community, and donations continue to come in as supporters rally around the Baker family.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Declared Free Of Bird Flu, But Officials Urge Continued Vigilance

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture says the state has officially been declared free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, though officials stress that poultry growers and flock owners still need to stay on guard. Georgia regained its HPAI-free status as of March 13, allowing the state to resume exports and international trade of poultry products.