Local News Items | AM 1180 Radio

March 4, 2026

Sheriff Warns of Toll Violation Scam Targeting Chattooga County Residents

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Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is warning residents about a phony traffic citation notice circulating throughout the county that claims recipients failed to pay a toll and must appear in court or pay immediately.

The notice, which appears to be from the “State Court of Fulton County,” includes a QR code demanding payment and threatens arrest warrants, license suspension, and other penalties. Sheriff Schrader says the document is a scam and should not be taken seriously.

In a public statement, Sheriff Schrader said, “If you get one of these, consider yourself among about half the county today!! Everyone must have missed the toll at the same time!!! Don’t scan the QR and send money!”

Authorities are urging residents not to scan the QR code, not to send money, and not to provide personal information. Anyone who receives the notice should discard it and report concerns to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials remind the public that legitimate court notices and traffic citations will not demand immediate payment through random QR codes sent in bulk.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

WZQZ Pet of the Week: Meet Maple

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #AdoptDontShop, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyAnimalShelter, #northwestgeorgia, #PetOfTheWeek, #RescueDog, #summervillega, #wzqznews, #WZQZPetOfTheWeek 0

The WZQZ Pet of the Week spotlight is on Maple, a young dog currently available for adoption at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.

Shelter staff say Maple is a female, approximately 1 year old, who came to the shelter through an owner surrender. Maple is not spayed at this time, and officials encourage anyone interested in giving her a home to contact the shelter for details on adoption requirements and next steps.

The Chattooga County Animal Shelter is located at 464 Red Oak Drive in Summerville. For more information about Maple or the adoption process, call 706-857-0679.

The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Wednesdays are available by appointment.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

FLEX Day Coming March 19 in Chattooga County Showcases Student Entrepreneurs

Local News, Local News Items #BusinessLeadership, #chattoogachamber, #chattoogacounty, #chattoogahighschool, #CommunitySupport, #Entrepreneurship, #FLEXProgram, #HurleyCommunityDevelopmentCenter, #northwestgeorgia, #StudentEntrepreneurs, #summervillega, #trionga, #trionhighschool, #wzqznews, #YouthBusiness 0

The Chattooga Chamber is inviting the community to come out on March 19 for FLEX Day at the Hurley Community Development Center, where the Top 3 student entrepreneurs will compete for a chance to win $3,000 and advance to the state level.

Organizers say the event highlights the strong entrepreneurial spirit growing in Chattooga County and encourages everyone to support these young innovators.

The competition is part of the Georgia Foundational Leadership & Entrepreneur X-perience (FLEX) program, a non-profit initiative launched in 2022 that trains students in entrepreneurship and business leadership while helping them develop and launch their own ventures.

The program is open to students at Trion High School, Chattooga High School, and high-school aged homeschool students in Chattooga County.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Medication Reported Stolen From Vehicle in Summerville

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The Summerville Police Department is investigating a reported theft from a vehicle that occurred overnight on February 27, 2026.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Attempted Vehicle Break-In Reported in Summerville

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The Summerville Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle break-in on February 27 at a residence on McGinnis Circle.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Red Cross Calls for March Blood Donations as Shortage Hits; Free A1C Screening and $15 Gift Card Offered

Local News, Local News Items #A1CTest, #AmericanRedCross, #BloodDonation, #BloodDrive, #BloodShortage, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityHealth, #DiabetesAwareness, #DonateInMarch, #GiveBlood, #HealthcareAccess, #northwestgeorgia, #PlasmaDonation, #Platelets, #Prediabetes, #PreventiveCare, #RedCrossBloodDonorApp, #RedCrossMonth, #SaveLives, #wzqznews 0

The American Red Cross is urging donors to help the national blood supply recover from a severe shortage by making an appointment to give blood during March.

As an added thank-you during Red Cross Month, the Red Cross says successful blood, platelet, or plasma donations made March 1 through March 31, 2026 will come with two incentives: free A1C testing (one result per calendar year) and a $15 Amazon gift card delivered by email.

March 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Following Jury Conviction

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A Chattooga County man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted by a jury on multiple felony charges involving a minor family member.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Clyde Cox Memorial Antique Tractor Ride Set for May 2 in Walker and Chattooga Counties

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #AntiqueTractors, #CenterPostCommunity, #chattoogacounty, #ChickamaugaAntiqueTractorClub, #ClydeCoxMemorialRide, #CommunityEvent, #FamilyEvent, #FarmHeritage, #JohnDeere, #LocalEvents, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorEvent, #SouthernScenery, #TractorRide, #trionga, #WalkerCountyGA, #wzqznews 0

The Chickamauga Antique Tractor Club will host its annual Clyde Cox Memorial Antique Tractor Ride on Saturday, May 2, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

March 3, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Tuesday – March 3, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, March 3, 2026:

March 3, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Cloudy, Cooler Start, Then Spring Warmth Returns Mid-Week

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Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are in for a cloudy and cooler stretch today and tonight (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) as a cool-air damming (CAD) wedge strengthens across the eastern side of the state. That setup is being driven by high pressure positioned off the Upper East Coast, funneling cool, moist easterly winds down the eastern seaboard and into Georgia. The result locally will be a gray, low-cloud kind of day, with low ceilings pressing into the region and holding temperatures down compared to what you’d normally expect this time of year.