Local News | AM 1180 Radio

March 15, 2026

Georgia Power Seeks Nearly $912 Million From Customers For Storm Recovery Costs

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Georgia Power is asking state regulators to approve a plan that would charge customers $912 million over the next four years to recover costs tied to Hurricane Helene and other major storms. The proposal, filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission, would add about $4.42 per month to the typical residential bill based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours of usage, with higher-use households likely paying more.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Tax Books Now Open For 2026 Returns

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The Chattooga County Tax Assessor’s Office has announced that the tax books are now open for the return of 2026 state and county taxes, with property owners required to make their return on or before April 1, 2026.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia State Senator Resigns To Focus On Lieutenant Governor Campaign

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A Georgia state senator has stepped down from office to focus on her campaign for lieutenant governor.

Democratic Sen. Nabilah Parkes, who represented part of Gwinnett County, announced her resignation in a public statement Friday. Parkes first launched a campaign for Georgia insurance and fire safety commissioner in January before shifting to the lieutenant governor’s race on March 5.

Parkes now joins state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs and Richard Wright in the Democratic field for lieutenant governor. In her resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp, Parkes sharply criticized the Georgia Legislature, calling it “a place where good ideas go to die and where extremists continue to attack our freedoms.” Georgia’s primary election is scheduled for May 19.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Battle Of The Beds Begins To Benefit Chattooga County Animal Shelter

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A new friendly rivalry is underway in Chattooga County, as Chattooga and Trion face off in the Battle of the Beds to raise money for the Chattooga County Animal Shelter. The goal of the month-and-a-half-long campaign is to replace worn-out beds currently used by shelter pets with new elevated beds that offer better comfort, cleanliness, and support.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Walker County Authorities Seek Public’s Help Finding Stolen Box Truck

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The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after a 2014 Freightliner 26-foot box truck was reported stolen from a residence on Mustang Street in Rossville.

According to authorities, the truck was taken on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The vehicle is described as a white box truck with “Mack Freight” written in blue lettering on the doors and displaying Georgia tag WMN594.

Anyone with information about the stolen truck is asked to contact Detective Eddie Hill at 706-670-1962 or email ehill@walkerso.com. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Walker County Sheriff’s Office website.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

City Of Summerville Launches Water Bill Protection Plan

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The City of Summerville has launched a new Water Bill Protection Plan designed to help residents avoid unexpected spikes in their water bills caused by major leaks.

City Manager Jason Winters said the city has occasionally received complaints about unusually high water bills caused by leaks that went undetected for several days. The new program is intended to provide a safety net for customers in those situations while still encouraging residents to monitor their water usage.

Officials say the protection plan is designed to help cover situations where a major leak runs for several days before being discovered, which can cause water usage to increase dramatically. City leaders note that similar programs are offered in many other cities and say the plan is meant to provide peace of mind for residents while helping protect them from extremely high utility bills.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga High School Announces Athletic Schedule For March 16–21

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Chattooga High School has released its athletic schedule for the week of March 16 through March 21, featuring several home and away competitions for baseball, soccer, tennis, and track and field.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Trion City Schools receives GAEL Vision Award for Educator Development

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Trion City Schools has been recognized with the 2025–2026 GAEL Vision Award, an honor that highlights school districts across Georgia that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting and encouraging professional development for educators.

March 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Saturday – March 14, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, March 14, 2026

March 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Warm Saturday for Chattooga County before Storm Threat Monday and Hard Freeze Next Week

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Chattooga County and the rest of northwest Georgia will get one more dry and unusually warm day today before a much more active stretch of weather arrives Sunday and Monday, followed by a sharp blast of cold air that could bring widespread freezing temperatures by the middle of next week. Forecasters say today will stay sunny, dry, and very mild, with afternoon temperatures climbing well into the 70s and possibly nearing 80 degrees in parts of northwest Georgia. That will make today the warmest and quietest day in the forecast before conditions begin changing quickly.