The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has made significant strides in the ongoing investigation tied to remains discovered at the Johnson Funeral Home in Ben Hill County, Georgia. Authorities recently announced that all remains connected to the case have been identified, although the investigation remains active as officials continue to uncover the full extent of the situation. This investigation gained traction following the December 8, 2024, arrest of James A. Sirmans, 52, from Fitzgerald.

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This past Friday, Cherokee County, Alabama District Attorney Summer Summerford announced that Eric Kyle Hooper was found guilty of murder by a Cherokee County jury for the 2022 death of Lachancey Williams.

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On January 18th, the 2024-25 Wrestling Duals State Championship crowned Social Circle the state champion in the Class A bracket. Wrestling is one of the only sports that does not have a split Class A and the Redskins are a Class A Div. I school. Runner-up Toombs County is also in Class A Div. I and finished runner-up to Social Circle. Trion fell to Social Circle in the winner’s bracket and then dropped a 51-27 loss to Bremen in the consolation finals to finish fourth place. As a result, Trion was the furthest advancing Class A Div. II-based school in this year’s Class A wrestling duals and will get another chance to make a run when the traditional meet rolls out next month.

The Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office has released details surrounding a tragic five-vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality Friday evening near Belmont Baptist Church on Lyerly Highway.

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A twenty-eight year old Summerville man lost his life in an accident on Friday night.  The accident happened on Highway 114 (the Lyerly Highway) in the area between Belmont Baptist Church and Ellenburg Subdivision. According to Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney, Travis Bailey was the fatality in the accident. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says that there were a total of five vehicles involved in the accident.  Highway 114 and Norton Road were closed to traffic for a period of time while first responders and law enforcement worked the accident. Details are still under investigation.  WZQZ will have more information as it becomes available.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia says Northwest Georgia will see temperatures gradually rising to approach normal levels for January. A few light showers and drizzles are forecasted to enter the area. A weak weather pattern will lead to mild temperatures, with highs moving from the mid-40s to the low 50s to near 60 by Sunday. Due to dry air, nighttime lows will stay below freezing.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, January 25, 2025:

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UPDATE:

A five-vehicle accident with injuries and on fatality happened on Friday night on Highway 114, the Lyerly Highway.  Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader notified local media shortly after 7 PM about the accident.  Highway 114 was closed at Ellenburg Subdivision along with Norton Road headed east for a period of time while law enforcement and emergency responders worked the accident.  WZQZ will have more information about the accident as it becomes available from law enforcement. The name of the fatality victim was not immediately released by law enforcement pending notification of family.

Photo Credit: Berry College

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ruby Bridges, a civil rights icon, spoke to nearly 2,000 people at Berry College, highlighting her experience as one of the first Black students to integrate an all-white elementary school in the U. S.

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Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton reminds residents that Georgia law requires returns for all real estate and personal property, submitted to the Assessor’s Office at the courthouse annex in Summerville. Property changes must be reported by April 1, 2025.

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