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January 14, 2026

New Felony Charge Filed in Day-After-Christmas Armed Robbery Case

Local News, Local News Items #Alabama, #ArmedRobbery, #CentreAL, #CrimeNews, #FelonyCharge, #FloydCounty, #FloydCountyJail, #Investigation, #LawEnforcement, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #RomeGA 0

Another felony charge has been filed against a man accused in an armed robbery at the former State Line Tavern near the Alabama state line on Dec. 26.

According to Floyd County Jail records, 23-year-old Jeffrey Lemar Smith of Gadsden is accused of pointing a gun at a man inside the establishment and demanding he empty his pockets. Smith is now charged with criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

Jail records indicate Smith was already facing multiple charges tied to the incident, including robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Authorities say Smith was later found hiding in a dumpster in Centre, Alabama, following a pursuit involving Alabama law enforcement. Investigators say two other suspects remain at large.

January 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rome City Commission Elects Jim Bojo as New Mayor at First Meeting of 2026

Local News, Local News Items #CityManager, #FloydCounty, #georgianews, #JimBojo, #LocalGovernment, #MayorProTem, #NewMayor, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeCityCommission, #RomeGA, #romegeorgia, #SammyRich, #WayneRobinson 0

Rome has a new mayor, and as is customary in the city’s commission-manager form of government, the choice came from within the City Commission rather than through a direct mayoral election.

January 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

GDOT Uses “Queue Trucks” to Warn Drivers of I-24 Work Zones in Dade County

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Georgia DOT is using advanced warning signage and “queue trucks” along Interstate 24 in Dade County to alert drivers to slowdowns and road work before the work zone comes into view—an added safety step on a hilly, curving stretch where visibility can be limited.

January 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Clay Fuller Resigns as Lookout Mountain DA to Run for Congress; Deanna Reisman Serving as Acting DA

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ClayFuller, #DeannaReisman, #DistrictAttorney, #Election2026, #GA14, #georgiapolitics, #LocalNews, #LookoutMountainCircuit, #northwestgeorgia, #USHouse, #wzqznews 0

Clay Fuller has officially resigned as District Attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, effective January 12, 2026, after qualifying to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fuller is entering the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, a seat previously held by Marjorie Taylor Greene and one that includes Chattooga County. The contest is already drawing heavy interest, with more than 20 other Republicans, Democrats, and Independent candidates also announcing intentions to run for the seat.

With Fuller stepping down, Deanna Reisman is serving as the circuit’s acting District Attorney.

January 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Tuesday – January 13, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, January 13, 2026:

January 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

CRC Chattooga Invites Community to Homeless Collaborative This Evening Ahead of PIT Count

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunitySupport, #CommunityVolunteers, #CRCChattoogaCares, #CRChattooga, #HomelessnessAwareness, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PITCount, #PointInTimeCount, #summervillega, #TogetherWeCanCareWell 0

CRC Chattooga is inviting the community to come together this evening to help prepare for the annual Point-in-Time, or PIT Count, a nationwide effort to better understand and serve neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Organizers are looking for compassionate volunteers to help with the unsheltered count on the night of January 26, when small teams will respectfully visit known outdoor locations to ensure everyone is seen and counted. CRC Chattooga says the effort is safe, dignity-focused, and aimed at improving local support and services.

The Homeless Collaborative meeting is set for this evening at 6 p.m. at the CRC Chattooga Cafeteria, located at 50 Eleanor Avenue in Summerville. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to comment or message CRC Chattooga for more information.

January 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County & Northwest Georgia Face Elevated Fire Danger Today; Light Rain Wednesday, Bitter Cold Returns Thursday

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ColdBlast, #ColdFront, #FireDanger, #georgiaweather, #LowHumidity, #MountainFlurries, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGAWeather, #RainChances, #WildfireRisk, #WindChill 0

Very dry air will elevate wildfire danger this afternoon across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, with relative humidity expected to drop below critical levels (near or under 25%) while vegetation and fine fuels continue drying. Even though winds won’t be extreme, the combination of low humidity and dry fuels can allow any spark to spread quickly—so it’s a good day to avoid outdoor burning and be extra careful with anything that produces heat or embers.

January 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Mental Health Parity Day Returns to Georgia Capitol, Honoring Rosalynn Carter’s Lasting Legacy

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Advocates, healthcare leaders, and community members from across Georgia will gather at the State Capitol on February 3, 2026, for Mental Health Parity Day, an annual event focused on ensuring mental health care is treated with the same urgency, access, and insurance coverage as physical health care.

January 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Animal Advocate Urges Alternatives to Beaver Trapping in Town Creek; City Manager Says Trapping Will Continue

Local News, Local News Items #BeaverIssue, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaRiver, #FloodConcerns, #JasonWinters, #KristyKirbyColbert, #LocalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillecitycouncil, #summervillega, #TownCreek, #WildlifeManagement, #WZQZ, #ZackDMartin 0

Local animal advocate Kristy Kirby Colbert addressed the Summerville City Council, Mayor, and City Manager Monday night, urging city leaders to consider alternatives to trapping beavers that have been obstructing water flow in Town Creek.

January 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Downtown Heart Project Returns as Summerville Declares February “Live, Love, Local Month

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Summerville Main Street is bringing back a favorite downtown tradition with the return of the Downtown Heart Project, inviting residents, families, and businesses to help decorate the city for February.