12-Year-Old Injured After Being Struck By Vehicle On Highway 114

A 12-year-old was taken to the hospital after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Highway 114 in Summerville Wednesday evening.

According to a Summerville Police Department crash report, the accident happened September 30 in the area of Highway 114 and East Street/Ralph Stanley Drive.

Police said a 2011 Nissan Altima, driven by Teya Sharae Hedgcoth of Summerville, was traveling south on Highway 114 when the collision occurred. The 12-year-old pedestrian was crossing the highway from east to west.

The crash report lists failure to yield as a contributing factor for the pedestrian and lists no contributing factors for the driver. The vehicle was traveling straight when the accident occurred.

The child suffered what the report classified as a suspected minor or visible injury and was transported by Atrium EMS to Floyd Hospital for treatment.

According to the report, EMS was notified at approximately 8:14 PM, arrived at the scene at 8:21 PM and arrived at the hospital shortly before 9 PM.

A witness who was crossing the highway with the child confirmed the events to the investigating officer.

Blood Assurance Honors Dolly Parton With Special ‘9 To 5’ Donor Shirt

Blood Assurance is combining country music and a lifesaving cause this week with a special tribute to Dolly Parton.

On Friday, September 25, anyone donating blood at a Blood Assurance donation center or participating mobile blood drive will receive an exclusive, one-day-only Dolly-inspired “9 to 5” T-shirt, while supplies last.

The shirt features a quote from Parton encouraging people to make a difference in the world around them. Blood Assurance says the promotion is intended to turn that spirit of goodwill into action by encouraging more people to donate blood.

Blood Assurance is particularly important to Northwest Georgia. The nonprofit is the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, along with Cartersville Medical Center. The organization says it now needs more than 600 donors every day to supply its partner hospitals.

All blood types are needed. Appointments are encouraged but aren’t required. Donors can schedule an appointment through Blood Assurance or by calling 800-962-0628.

All Atrium Health Hospitals In Georgia Earn National Nursing Recognition

Every Atrium Health hospital in Georgia now holds official recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, marking a major milestone for nursing excellence across the health system.

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Community Resource Center Seeks Help With Roof Replacement

The Community Resource Center of Chattooga is turning to the community for help replacing an aging roof that leaders say has reached the end of its lifespan and could threaten services relied upon by thousands of local families.

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Jeep Driver Injured In Head-On Crash With Tractor-Trailer Near Menlo

Photo Credit: Scott Harding

A Jeep driver was injured Tuesday afternoon in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer on Georgia Highway 48 near the foot of Lookout Mountain outside Menlo.

The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday as the tractor-trailer was traveling east toward Menlo and the Jeep Wrangler was traveling west toward Alabama from the Shinbone area.

According to information provided to WZQZ News by the Georgia State Patrol, the driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the lane of the oncoming tractor-trailer and was struck head-on.

The Jeep driver was conscious following the collision and was transported by Atrium Health Floyd EMS for medical treatment.

The Georgia State Patrol told WZQZ News that the driver is expected to recover.

The accident was investigated by the Georgia State Patrol. The official crash report remained incomplete Tuesday evening, and additional details were not immediately available.

WZQZ News will provide additional information if it becomes available.

Atrium Health Floyd to Provide Child Identification Kits to New Parents

New parents leaving Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center will soon receive child identification kits designed to help protect their babies during an emergency.

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Paper Doll Parade and Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Returns to Rome

Families, survivors and supporters will come together at Ridge Ferry Park in Rome on Saturday, September 26, for the annual Paper Doll Parade and Breast Cancer Awareness 5K.

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Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation Awards More Than $2 Million in Community Grants

 

More than $2 million in grants has been awarded to nonprofit organizations across northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama through the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation’s 2026 Community Impact Grant program.

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Blood Assurance Offering $40 Gift Cards To Encourage Holiday Blood Donations

Blood Assurance is urging area residents to donate blood as local hospitals continue using blood faster than donations are coming in ahead of the Independence Day holiday.

From today through July 7, all eligible blood donors will receive a $40 e-gift card that can be redeemed at a variety of participating retailers, including grocery stores and gas stations.

The nonprofit says donations often decline during holiday weeks because of travel and vacation schedules, while hospitals must remain prepared for emergencies and trauma patients. Blood Assurance reports it has recently had less than a one-day supply of blood, platelets, and plasma, well below the recommended two- to three-day inventory needed to meet patient demand.

Blood Assurance is the primary blood supplier for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond, meaning local donations directly benefit patients in Northwest Georgia.

Type O donors have an opportunity to earn even more. Those enrolled in Blood Assurance’s Hero Club can receive a $50 gift card for a double red cell donation. Combined with the current promotion, eligible donors could receive up to $90 for a single donation.

Appointments can be scheduled at bloodassurance.org, by calling 800-962-0628, or by texting BAGIVE to 999777.

Rome To Celebrate 250 Years Of American Independence With July 4th Extravaganza

Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation will host the 2026 Independence Day Extravaganza on Saturday, July 4, at Ridge Ferry Park, celebrating 250 years of American independence.

The event, sponsored by Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, begins at 3 PM and will feature family activities, games, water inflatables, food trucks and concessions. Inflatable wristbands will be available for $5.

Live music will be featured on the Coca-Cola stage, including a performance by Makenzie Phipps, a contestant from Season 28 of The Voice.

The evening will conclude with one of the largest fireworks shows in Northwest Georgia at approximately 9:30 PM above Jackson Hill. The fireworks display, produced by Pyrotecnico, will include more than 1,500 fireworks in a red, white and blue celebration.

Parking for the event is $5 and card only. Parking will be available in the main park and Shoals parking lots, and attendees are asked to follow staff directions.

Guests are reminded that large coolers, pets, drones, fires and sparklers are not permitted in Ridge Ferry Park.

For more information, visit rfpra.com.