The Summerville City Council will convene for its regular monthly meeting this evening at Summerville City Hall, starting at 5 PM. Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in a question-and-answer session beginning at 4:30 PM. Among the items for old business, the council will conduct the second reading and seek adoption of the Fiscal Year End (FYE) 2024 Year-End Budget Ordinance, followed by a similar discussion for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Mid-Year Budget Ordinance. In addition to budgetary matters, the council will review and approve the meeting minutes from previous sessions held on January 13 and January 21, 2025. The agenda also includes a proposed payment of $52,852.56 to Consolidated Pipe for miscellaneous parts and fittings related to the well transmission line project. Other notable new business items involve the approval for the IT Administrator to surplus outdated equipment and arrangements for interim pay for the Accounts Payable Clerk due to the Payroll Clerk’s extended leave. Furthermore, the council will address updates to a policy concerning Protective Footwear and a policy related to Severe Weather and Emergency protocols. Lastly, the council will consider a mobile home request from Kaleb Park for a property located at 751 Martin Street.  WZQZ will broadcast the meeting on our Facebook Page.  You can see a copy of the agenda for tonight’s meeting below:

Read more

The Chattooga Indians Varsity Boys basketball team finished their regular season with a strong win against Armuchee, ending with a score of 69-45. This victory brought their overall record to 21-4 and a region play record of 14-2. As they prepare for the upcoming region tournament at Gordon Central next week, players and fans are filled with excitement. The team has shown great talent, teamwork, and resilience all season. Several players have received recognition for their performances, with Dan Meyer named Player of the Year for his leadership and skills. Quarry Gibson was honored as a 1st Team selection, DJ Etchison earned 2nd Team honors, and Koi Dodd received Honorable Mention for his hard work.  The #2 Chattooga Varsity Boys will be in the semifinals in 7 AM Regional Tournament play this Thursday evening.  Meanwhile, the #3 Chattooga Varsity Girls basketball team will be taking on the winner of the Coosa vs. Dade County game that taking place this evening.  The Chattooga Varsity Girls will play tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM.  All Region 7A playoff tournament games are taking place at Gordon Central. Four Lady Indians have been selected for Region Honors with Addie Veatch and Gracelyn Rutledge earning First Team All-Region selections. Daysa Martin and Briana Finley received Honorable Mention.  Good luck to the Chattooga Indians as they move forward in the 7A Region Tournament.

The Menlo Fire Department responded to a call about a house fire on Saturday evening at 3 Graham Street in Menlo.  Graham Street runs on the north side of Menlo City Hall and behind Lucky’s Supermarket.  Firefighters told WZQZ News that the fire started in the kitchen area of the home.  Thanks to the quick response of the Menlo Fire Department, the fire was contained in the kitchen area of the home.  No one was injured.

A line of rain is moving south over northern Georgia ahead of a cold front, which is expected to weaken as it progresses. The front will stall in central Georgia, and a weak low-pressure wave will push the front further south on Monday. Today, Northwest Georgia will see a chance of showers before 10 AM, then a slight chance of showers after 5 PM. Cloudy, to start the morning then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight, a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 8 PM. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

A wedge of cooler air is expected to form in the far northeast corner by late Monday afternoon. Scattered rain is anticipated due to this boundary, primarily characterized by rain showers with a small chance of thunderstorms if there are breaks in the clouds. Temperatures will remain above normal throughout the day and night, with slightly cooler air in the northwest. As the front moves south on Monday, temperatures will be near normal.

Unsettled weather is expected for Northwest Georgia next week, with heavy rain and thunderstorms possible from Tuesday to Thursday. A cold air damming wedge will persist through at least Tuesday. A frontal system is expected to move into the region midweek, bringing warm, moist air and increasing rain chances. The heaviest rainfall is likely on Wednesday and Thursday, with expected totals of 2 to 5 inches, particularly in far North Georgia. Above normal temperatures will generally continue, except where the wedge causes cooler conditions.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, February 9, 2025:

Read more

On Wednesday of last week, February 5th,  at approximately 9:24 PM, Summerville Police were dispatched to a call regarding a disturbance involving a white male, identified as 41-year-old Anthony Hines, at the Amoco station on Commerce Street. Reports indicated that Hines was consuming alcoholic beverages despite repeated requests from the store clerk to cease. Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed Hines exiting the store and entering a gray GMC Jimmy that was heading northbound on Commerce Street. The vehicle was stopped at the Fit Pit gym shortly thereafter. The driver of the GMC, Heather Lawson, informed officers that she was there to pick up Hines. During questioning, Hines admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages while at the Amoco. Due to his apparent intoxication and the circumstances, law enforcement took the decision to place him under arrest for public intoxication. Following his arrest, Hines was transported to Chattooga County jail for processing.

Walker County Commissioners are addressing the issue of stray and feral animals with a new surgical voucher program coordinated by Walker County Animal Control. During a meeting held last week, Walker County Commission Chairwoman Angie Teems thanked the community for their patience as the board discussed solutions. A previously proposed mandatory spay and neuter law was scrapped due to public opposition. Instead, 40 free spay and neuter vouchers will be available each month for newly adopted pets, funded by donations, with an estimated cost of $65,000. In other business, commissioners approved new mobile radios and vehicles, and a new wireless telecommunications facility in Chickamauga to improve 911 services and internet access to underserved areas. The next commission meeting is scheduled for March 6th at 6 PM.

LG Electronics is recalling about 500,000 electric ranges because the front knobs can be accidentally turned on by people or pets. The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that the front knobs on these ranges can be activated by touch. The recall includes both slide-in and freestanding models.

Read more

For the 4^th year, the Chattooga County Democratic Party will sponsor a Black History Month celebration on Saturday, February 22 at 7 PM. The event, titled “Celebrating Our Heritage Through Poem and Song,” will once again feature local talent performing songs, dances and spoken word tributes to black history.

Read more

The School of Humanities at Georgia Highlands College has opened registration for the eighth annual Highlands Writers Conference on March 8. It’s free for GHC students, staff, and faculty, while community registration is $50, including lunch. Virtual-only registration is $25. Keynote speaker Marcela Fuentes will present, and there will be virtual workshops available this year. See full details and a link to register below:

Read more