Local News Items | AM 1180 Radio

March 12, 2026

Walker County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Jury Duty Scam Calls

Local News, Local News Items #CommunityWarning, #ConsumerAlert, #FraudAlert, #JuryDutyScam, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PhoneScam, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #SpoofedCalls, #WalkerCounty, #WalkerCountyGA, #WalkerCountySheriffsOffice, #wzqznews 0

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new wave of scam calls from people falsely claiming to be employees or officers with the agency. According to the sheriff’s office, callers are telling victims they missed jury duty and now have a warrant, while also making it appear the call is coming from the sheriff’s office main phone line.

Officials say the Walker County Sheriff’s Office does not operate this way and is urging the public not to give out personal information or send money to anyone they do not know. Anyone with questions about the calls is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office directly at 706-670-1931.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Blood Drive Planned at Chattooga County EMA on April 10

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #BloodAssurance, #BloodDrive, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaEMA, #CommunityEvent, #CommunitySupport, #DonateBlood, #GiveBack, #healthcare, #LocalEvents, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicHealth, #SaveLives, #summervillega, #Volunteer, #wzqznews 0

Residents in Chattooga County will have an opportunity to help save lives during an upcoming community blood drive hosted at the Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) in Summerville. The blood drive is scheduled for Friday, April 10, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the EMA facility located at 170 Farrar Drive.

The event is being organized in partnership with Blood Assurance, and officials say a single blood donation can help save up to three lives. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance through bloodassurance.org/schedule, though walk-ins may be accepted if space allows.

In addition, Blood Assurance is offering an incentive for donors. Anyone who donates between April 1 and April 15 will be entered to win a $100 gift card, with one winner selected per community and seven winners total.

Community leaders say blood donations are always needed to help hospitals maintain an adequate supply for patients requiring surgeries, treatments, and emergency care.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Man Sentenced to Life in Prison in Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse Case

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #ChildAbuseCase, #CommunityNews, #CourtNews, #crimereport, #CriminalCase, #DistrictAttorney, #JuryVerdict, #LawEnforcement, #LifeSentence, #LocalNews, #LookoutMountainJudicialCircuit, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #SexAbuseCase, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

A Chattooga County man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted by a jury on multiple charges involving the physical and sexual abuse of children, according to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Energy Assistance Cooling Program to Open April 1 for Eligible Chattooga County Residents

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityResources, #CommunitySupport, #CoolingAssistance, #EnergyAssistance, #GeorgiaPrograms, #HomeboundResidents, #LocalHelp, #LowIncomePrograms, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #NorthGeorgiaCommunityAction, #northwestgeorgia, #SeniorCitizens, #summervillega, #trionga, #UtilityHelp, #wzqznews 0

A state-funded energy assistance cooling program will open April 1, 2026, for eligible homebound and elderly residents in Chattooga County, according to North Georgia Community Action, Inc. The program is designed to help qualifying households offset the cost of home energy expenses with a one-time payment made directly to the household’s energy supplier.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Summerville Police Investigating Stolen Vehicle Report

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #crimereport, #LocalCrime, #northwestgeorgia, #policereport, #PublicSafety, #StolenVehicle, #summervillega, #SummervillePolice, #VehicleTheft, #wzqznews 0

The Summerville Police Department is investigating the reported theft of a vehicle that occurred early March 7 on Alred Street in Summerville.

According to the incident report, officers were dispatched shortly after midnight to the police department to meet with a complainant regarding a stolen 2016 gray Ford Fusion. The vehicle had reportedly been parked at a residence on 33 Alred Street while the owner’s son was visiting a friend.

Police say the vehicle’s driver told officers he arrived at the residence around 10 p.m. and discovered the car missing when he returned around 11:50 p.m. He reportedly told investigators the vehicle had been left unlocked with the key inside, believing nothing would happen to it.

Authorities say several items were inside the vehicle when it was taken, including about $300 in cash, a wallet, a vehicle key, a backpack in the trunk, and Apple AirPods inside the backpack.

Police confirmed the vehicle had not been repossessed, and a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert was issued to surrounding agencies while the vehicle information was entered into the statewide database.

The investigation remains ongoing.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Lumsden Reports Busy Week in Georgia House as Key Bills Advance on Crossover Day

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #eddielumsden, #EducationPolicy, #GeorgiaFamilies, #georgiahouse, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #LegislativeReport, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicPolicy, #PublicSafety, #StateCapitol, #StateGovernment, #TaxRefund, #wzqznews 0

State Representative Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee says the Georgia House experienced one of the busiest weeks of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers worked toward Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber in order to remain eligible for final passage before the session ends. By the end of the week, the House had passed 97 bills and resolutions, sending many measures to the Georgia Senate for further consideration.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rising Diesel Prices Putting Pressure on Local Businesses and Industry

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #chattoogacounty, #ConstructionIndustry, #DieselPrices, #economicimpact, #FuelPrices, #GeorgiaBusiness, #IndustryNews, #LocalBusiness, #LocalEconomy, #lyerlyga, #manufacturing, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #RisingFuelCosts, #summervillega, #supplychain, #trionga, #TruckingIndustry, #wzqznews 0

Rising diesel prices are creating new concerns for businesses and industry across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, especially for trucking, construction, farming, and manufacturing operations that depend on fuel to keep equipment moving and goods delivered. Higher fuel costs are making it more expensive for companies to transport materials, run heavy equipment, and manage day-to-day operations.

Several factors are helping drive diesel prices higher, including increases in crude oil prices, tighter global fuel supplies, refinery maintenance and outages, and growing seasonal demand tied to freight, agriculture, and construction activity. Geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions can also add pressure to fuel markets, causing prices to rise even faster.

For local businesses, those higher diesel costs can quickly lead to more expensive deliveries, increased equipment expenses, and tighter budgets for companies already dealing with inflation and other rising costs. When diesel prices go up, the effects are often felt well beyond the fuel pump, eventually impacting shipping, construction, materials, food prices, and other goods across the region.

As of yesterday, diesel prices across Northwest Georgia were averaging between $4.68 – $4.92 per gallon.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Vehicle Vandalized at Oakview Nursing Home in Summerville

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #crimereport, #LocalCrime, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #OakviewNursingHome, #policereport, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #SummervillePolice, #VehicleVandalism, #wzqznews 0

Summerville Police are investigating a report of vehicle vandalism at Oakview Nursing Home after a woman discovered damage to her car early Tuesday morning. According to an incident report, the victim told officers she found her silver Honda Odyssey had been vandalized while parked in the facility’s front lot.

Police say toothpaste had been used to write on the vehicle’s hood, and a Bud Light beer bottle was left on the windshield. The victim told officers the vehicle appeared undisturbed around 3:20 a.m., but the damage was discovered at approximately 4:20 a.m. Extra patrols were requested in the area as the investigation continues.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

City of Summerville Hiring Recreation Administrative Assistant

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CityEmployment, #CityOfSummerville, #CommunityNews, #CommunityPrograms, #GovernmentJobs, #JobOpening, #LocalJobs, #northwestgeorgia, #NowHiring, #ParksAndRecreation, #RecreationDepartment, #summervillega, #wzqznews, #YouthSports 0

The City of Summerville is now accepting applications for a Recreation Administrative Assistant to support the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The position focuses on administrative support, customer service, and helping coordinate recreation programs, youth and adult sports leagues, facility rentals, and community events.

According to the job description, the employee will assist with program registrations, scheduling, financial processing, marketing, and front-desk customer service, while also helping organize leagues, tournaments, camps, and special events. The role is primarily office-based but may also involve work at recreation facilities, athletic fields, and community events, including some evening or weekend hours.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, and experience in administrative support, customer service, or recreation program administration is preferred. Experience with recreation registration systems, event coordination, or youth sports programs is also considered beneficial.

City officials say the position plays an important role in helping ensure Summerville’s recreation programs and events run smoothly for local families and participants.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Man Arrested After Domestic Incident on Bryant Road

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #BryantRoad, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #CommunityNews, #crimereport, #DomesticIncident, #LawEnforcement, #LocalCrime, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

A Chattooga County man was arrested Sunday following a domestic disturbance on Bryant Road, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.