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August 24, 2026

2.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Trion Early Monday Morning

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A small earthquake was recorded just outside Trion early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS says the magnitude 2.1 earthquake occurred at 2:34 AM Monday, August 24, with the epicenter located approximately 1 kilometer, or six-tenths of a mile, northwest of Trion.

The earthquake was recorded at a depth of approximately 10.6 kilometers, or 6.6 miles below the surface. The USGS lists the center of the earthquake at 34.551 degrees north latitude and 85.319 degrees west longitude. The event has been reviewed by the USGS rather than remaining an automatic preliminary detection.

As of Monday afternoon, the USGS had no reports from residents saying they felt the earthquake, and there were no reports of damage associated with the event.

Monday morning’s earthquake comes just two days after another small earthquake was recorded in Northwest Georgia.

On Saturday, August 22, the USGS recorded a magnitude 2.4 earthquake about 10 kilometers, or roughly six miles, west-northwest of Resaca. That earthquake occurred at 4:54 AM EDT at a depth of approximately 9.4 kilometers, or 5.8 miles.

USGS data indicates the Trion earthquake is the only earthquake of magnitude 1.5 or greater recorded in Georgia during the past 24 hours, while the Trion and Resaca events are the two such earthquakes recorded in the state during the past seven days.

Residents who believe they felt Monday morning’s earthquake can submit a “Did You Feel It?” report to the U.S. Geological Survey.

August 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

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

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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.

July 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

One Suspect In Custody, Two Sought Following Alleged Shoplifting At Trion Walmart

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One man is in custody and two others remain at large following an alleged shoplifting incident Friday at Walmart in Trion.

According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, three men were stopped while leaving the store after they were believed to have stolen several iPads.

Authorities say the suspects fled the scene before Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputies arrived. Law enforcement was able to apprehend one of the three men, while the other two remained at large as of Friday night.

Sheriff Schrader said investigators believe the three men may also be connected to other shoplifting incidents in Michigan and in Dalton, Georgia.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information has not yet been released.

WZQZ will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

July 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Bond Denied for Alabama Man After Crash In Northwest Georgia Kills One-Year-Old Child

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Bond has been denied for an Anniston, Alabama man following his arrest in a July 4 crash in Polk County that claimed the life of a one-year-old child.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the wreck happened around 2:50 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 100 and Fields Road south of Cedartown. Troopers say a Ford Mustang was traveling too fast to negotiate a curve, left the right side of the roadway, and struck a concrete culvert head-on.

Investigators said the one-year-old child was in the front seat and was not in a car seat. The child was taken to Floyd Medical Center, where she died from her injuries on Sunday.

The driver, Ezzie Tommy Harrison of Anniston, Alabama, remains in the Polk County Jail. He is facing multiple charges, including felony first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, endangering a child while DUI, child restraint violation, failure to maintain lane, no insurance, failure to exercise due care, and no registration.

June 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Body Recovered During Search At Armuchee Park In Floyd County

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Emergency crews recovered the body of an individual Monday night during search operations at Armuchee Park on Jones Mill Road in Floyd County.

Earlier in the evening, the Floyd County Police Department announced that first responders were searching for a possible drowning victim and asked the public to avoid the area while search and rescue operations were underway.

Later Monday night, authorities confirmed that emergency crews had located the body of an individual during the search. The scene remained active as law enforcement and other agencies continued their investigation.

The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The Floyd County Police Department expressed its condolences to the individual’s family and again asked the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel completed their work.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information has been released.

June 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Floyd County Man Charged With Aggravated Animal Cruelty

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A Floyd County man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he seriously injured a dog with a machete at a Rome hotel.

According to Floyd County Jail records, 25-year-old Joseph Robert Bisher was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals following an incident at a hotel on Martha Berry Boulevard.

Investigators allege Bisher struck a dog named “Oreo” with a machete, causing a deep laceration.

According to the arrest report, when questioned about the incident, Bisher allegedly told authorities he did not want to strike his girlfriend, so he struck the dog instead.

The case remains under investigation.

June 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

One Dead Following House Fire in Armuchee

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A Floyd County resident lost their life following a house fire Sunday morning in the Armuchee community, according to the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 8:44 a.m. on June 14 to a reported structure fire at 494 West Union Road NE with reports that someone was trapped inside.

Twenty emergency personnel responded to the scene, including two engine companies, two tankers, a squad unit, chief officers, and fire investigators. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the single-story home and immediately began an aggressive fire attack.

Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control and extinguish the fire, but one occupant was unable to escape and died as a result of the incident.

The victim’s body was turned over to the Floyd County Coroner’s Office. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released pending notification and identification procedures.

No firefighters were injured while battling the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities.

June 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Nearly 1,000 Grams of Meth Seized From Georgia Prison Cell During Investigation

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A major contraband investigation has led to the seizure of nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine and multiple cell phones from a Georgia prison inmate’s cell, according to authorities.

June 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Courthouse Reopens After Bomb Threat Investigation

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The Chattooga County Courthouse reopened Wednesday afternoon after a bomb threat prompted an evacuation and law enforcement search of the building.

According to Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen, the threat was reported to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday morning. Officials immediately evacuated and secured the courthouse while deputies conducted a thorough search of the facility.

Authorities later determined there was no active threat and gave the all-clear for employees and the public to return.

The courthouse resumed normal operations at 1 p.m.

Allen thanked the Sheriff’s Office, first responders, courthouse employees, and the public for their cooperation during the incident, saying the safety of the community remains the county’s highest priority.

No injuries were reported, and authorities have not released additional information about the source of the threat.

May 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

LaFayette Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash On Shinbone Valley Road In Menlo

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A LaFayette man was killed Saturday evening following a motorcycle crash on Shinbone Valley Road in Menlo, according to Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy A. McElhaney.

Authorities said the Chattooga County E-911 Center notified the coroner’s office at approximately 6:18 PM on Saturday, May 16, 2026, regarding a fatal motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival at the scene, Coroner McElhaney pronounced 39-year-old James Cody Penland dead at the scene.

Preliminary information indicates Penland was the sole operator of a motorcycle that left the roadway and struck a tree. The crash was reportedly discovered and called in by a passer-by. Investigators do not believe anyone else was involved.

The Georgia State Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.

Responding agencies included the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Atrium Floyd EMS, and the Menlo Fire Department.