A Chattooga County woman was arrested after neighbors witnessed an assault, according to a report released this week by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. Brooke Machelle England, 31, of Summerville, was arrested and charged with Simple Battery on June 11, 2025, following a domestic dispute at a residence on Stenitt Road. According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were dispatched to 637 Stenitt Road at approximately 10:31 PM in response to a report of a verbal and physical altercation between England and Larry King. Upon arrival, deputies heard a female yelling and a male attempting to calm her down. Observing England stumble and fall backwards, deputies initially believed a physical altercation was in progress. However, they determined that England had fallen on her own. England reportedly told deputies that she and King had been at the hospital with her daughter and that she had consumed alcohol. She stated that they were arguing but that no physical violence had occurred. However, witnesses at the scene provided conflicting accounts. One witness, a resident of the home, stated that England had struck King multiple times prior to the deputies’ arrival. Another witness corroborated this account, adding that England was responsible for a cracked front window on a vehicle at the residence. King confirmed that he and England had been arguing because he had removed the car battery to prevent her from driving under the influence. Based on witness testimony and the damage to the vehicle, deputies arrested England for Simple Battery. She was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a sixth case of measles in the state for 2025. This latest case involves an unvaccinated individual who is a family member of the confirmed measles case reported in May.

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The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate for May 2024 has fallen to 3.5%, a decrease of one-tenth of a percent from the revised 3.6% in April. This rate is also significantly lower than the national unemployment rate by seven-tenths of a percent.

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Georgia Highlands College (GHC) has kicked off a major renovation project at its Floyd Campus, centered around a near-$12 million overhaul of the Lakeview Building, home to its highly successful Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs. This revitalization project, one of the most significant in GHC’s history, aims to modernize facilities and enhance the learning environment for future healthcare professionals.

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AARP has announced that Walker County has been selected to receive a 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant to expand digital connectivity at the county’s first signature park, Adventure Acres.

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North Georgia residents are bracing for a line of strong storms expected to move into the region late this morning and early this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued an advisory, warning that a few of the storms could become severe, with the primary threat being damaging wind gusts. The forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms likely, primarily before 3 PM. Despite the potential for severe weather, the day is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A southwest wind will be blowing between 5 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is estimated at 70%, with new rainfall amounts expected to range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, potentially higher in areas experiencing thunderstorms. The threat of storms diminishes into Thursday night, with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before 8 PM. Patchy fog is expected to develop after midnight. Otherwise, the night will be partly cloudy with a low around 66 degrees. Friday will see areas of fog before 10 AM, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 89 degrees. The good news is that the weekend forecast looks drier, with highs in the low to mid-90s and overnight lows in the upper 60s. Residents are urged to stay informed about the weather and take necessary precautions during the potentially severe storms expected later today.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, June 19, 2025:

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On Tuesday of this week, the Free Clinic of Rome, conducted a free health clinic at the Chattooga County Ag Building.  Organizers told WZQZ News that the event resulted in over $27,000 in free medicine and health care for Chattooga County residents.  According to Renee Blackburn with the Free Clinic of Rome, the volunteer physician and her organization will be conducting two more clinics in the upcoming days.  The next clinic will be held on Monday, June 30th and again on Tuesday, July 15th.  Interested individuals must pre-qualify for the event. Renee Blackman is available at 706-346-7248 to provide details about eligibility requirements and guide community members through the screening process. Residents are strongly encouraged to contact Renee Blackman to determine their eligibility and to learn more about the specific screenings offered at the clinic. This initiative aims to provide accessible healthcare to those in need within the Chattooga County community.

A Summerville man told police that a gas station had used his credit card for unauthorized charges recently. Kenneth Parker filed a fraud report with the Summerville Police Department alleging unauthorized charges at the AMOCO gas station on Commerce Street. Parker stated he visited the AMOCO several weeks prior to purchase gas. Due to a malfunctioning card reader at the pump, he was instructed by the clerk to leave his card, pump the gas, and return inside to pay. Subsequently, Parker discovered two suspicious transactions on his bank account: one for $250.00 and another for $244.00, both purportedly made at the same AMOCO gas station. Parker explained that he was hospitalized during the dates of these transactions. After filing a fraud complaint at his bank, First National Bank in Summerville, Parker was advised to contact the AMOCO station directly to seek reimbursement. Accompanied by a police officer, Parker attempted to retrieve security footage and receipts from the AMOCO to support his claim. However, the station’s video system only retains footage for seven days, and despite repeated requests, the station was unable to locate the relevant receipt. According to the police report, Parker plans to follow up with First National Bank to resolve the fraudulent charges.