A Trion woman is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing over 2,000 prescription pills from the East Rome Walmart where she worked. Crystal Renae Coley, 30, is accused of taking the medication while employed as a pharmacy technician. According to an arrest warrant, the alleged thefts occurred between July 2024 and February of this year. Coley reportedly admitted to authorities that she took a “handful” of pills while on duty. In total, 2,318 pills with an estimated value of $4,166.91 were taken. Coley is charged with felony theft by taking and possession of a controlled substance. The investigation is ongoing.

State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) has released his weekly legislative report for week seven of the 2025 Georgia General Assembly.  The Georgia House of Representatives wrapped up its seventh week of the legislative session on February 24th, focusing on essential bills. The House worked on family rights, child exploitation, and literacy. They passed House Bill 428 to support in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples with infertility. House Bill 307 was also approved to improve early literacy, especially for dyslexia. House Bill 124 mandates health coverage for children with specific psychiatric disorders. To address child exploitation, House Bill 171 sets penalties for sharing obscene AI-generated content involving minors. House Bill 108 protects veterans during claims, while House Bill 253 safeguards parental rights in reunification. Finally, House Bill 373 requires annual prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men. The bills went to the Senate for further consideration. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:                                      

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The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free two-hour workshop on estate planning at the Chattooga County Civic Center. It will take place on March 13, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 Noon. The workshop will be led by UGA Extension Coordinator and FACS Agent Rebecca Thomas, along with Probate Court Judge Gary Woods. Participants will receive guidance and use templates to create important estate planning documents. The workshop will focus on the significance of estate planning, which is more than just asset distribution, as it can also reduce taxes. Attendees will learn about state laws regarding asset distribution and child custody without a will. Reservations are necessary due to limited materials. To secure your spot and access the provided resources, please contact the Chattooga Chamber of Commerce HERE or by calling the Chamber at 706-857-4033.

A woman attempted to pass a fake $20 bill at Ingles Supermarket in Summerville over the past weekend.  According to Summerville Police, an on-shift manager called the police department on Sunday after the incident.  The store manager told police that the woman handed the fake $20 bill to the cashier and when she noticed the cashier looking at the money, the woman said “that’s not real is it?”.  The woman then paid for her groceries with legitimate currency but the store kept the fake money.  Store employees reported that the woman phoned the store a short time later and said that she had left groceries that she hadn’t paid for, but never returned to the store.  Police are reviewing video surveillance of the incident in an attempt to identify the woman as the investigation continues.

A Chickamauga man was arrested Saturday after Walker County deputies discovered a gruesome scene at his residence on Garrett Chapel Road. Daniel Keith Bradley, 49, is facing 27 counts of aggravated animal cruelty after deputies found 26 dead roosters on his property, along with four canines in varying states of distress.

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An investigation is underway into an alleged physical altercation on Monday, March 3rd that involved Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen. According to reports from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to 422 Little Sand Mountain Rd. at approximately 7:12 AM in response to a report of a domestic dispute.

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An altercation between Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen and a truck driver from Kentucky led to law enforcement intervention on Gore Subligna Road Monday morning. Commissioner Allen reportedly confronted the driver, identified as William Wilson of Kentucky, over concerns that the truck was creating a hazardous situation for local commuters. The details of the ensuing disagreement remain unclear. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader addressed the situation in a statement released to local media on Tuesday. “Yesterday morning, shortly before 8 AM, deputies were dispatched to Little Sand Mountain road regarding a dispute between two people. Deputies spoke with both individuals, William Wilson of Kentucky, and Andy Allen of Summerville. Based on the allegations that were made and in the interest of transparency, I have asked Sheriff Steve Wilson of Walker County for assistance by having his office investigate the incident. Once this investigation is complete, more information may be released.” Due to potential conflicts of interest, Sheriff Schrader has requested the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Steve Wilson, to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. This measure aims to ensure a transparent and impartial assessment of the events. WZQZ News is closely following this developing story and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, March 4, 2025:

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Northwest Georgia is experiencing a significant weather threat over today and tomorrow, involving an increased risk for fires, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Danger Statement for the area, warning that gusty winds and dry conditions could lead to fast-spreading wildfires. There is also a Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms in parts of extreme western Georgia, with storms predicted late Tuesday into Wednesday that could bring damaging wind gusts and the possibility of tornadoes. Strong winds are expected to continue until Thursday, prompting a Wind Advisory effective from 1 PM today through 7 AM Wednesday, with winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. Drivers, especially those in tall vehicles, should be careful, and residents should secure loose outdoor items. Forecast Details: Today: Partly sunny, high near 69. Southeast wind increasing to 10-15 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 3 AM, low around 51, with a 100% chance of precipitation. Wednesday: A 20% chance of showers after 1 PM, partly sunny, high near 61. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, low around 32, west wind 10-15 mph. Thursday: Sunny, high near 54, northwest wind around 10 mph.