Greg “Hawk” Hawkins Appointed Deputy Coroner In Chattooga County

Greg “Hawk” Hawkins has been appointed Deputy Coroner of Chattooga County, continuing a long career of service in local emergency services.

Hawkins was sworn in Monday by Judge Gary Woods, with Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and Senior Deputy Coroner Earle Rainwater in attendance.

A longtime resident of Menlo, Hawkins has served Chattooga County for many years in emergency medical services. He worked as a paramedic and supervisor with Redmond EMS, building decades of experience responding to emergencies throughout the county.

Hawkins is also a 2018 graduate of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Chattooga class.

Earlier this year, Hawkins received regional recognition for his service in emergency medicine. In March, he was honored as the EMS Pioneer of the Year by the Northwest Georgia Regional Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.

His appointment as Deputy Coroner adds another chapter to a career centered on public service and emergency response in Chattooga County.

Man Arrested After Report Of Cursing At People Along Summerville Street

A man was arrested for public intoxication after Summerville Police responded to a report of a man allegedly cursing at people while walking along a city street.

According to a Summerville Police Department incident report, Officer Ibzan Ramirez was dispatched to 215 State Street on September 9. When the officer arrived, he reported seeing a man walking on State Street toward Hawkins Drive.

Police identified the man as Fernando Powell. According to the report, Powell gave unclear answers when asked what was going on and said he was walking to his aunt’s residence.

The officer reported detecting an odor of alcohol coming from Powell’s breath and said Powell had bloodshot and watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech. Police also reported that he was unsteady while standing and walking.

A consent search reportedly found only a black cell phone and green lighter.

The officer determined that Powell was allegedly under the influence of alcohol to the extent that he was unable to safely care for himself in a public place.

Powell was arrested for public intoxication and transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident.

AdventHealth Challenges Community To “Light Your Porch Pink” For Breast Cancer Awareness

AdventHealth Georgia is once again asking residents across Northwest Georgia to turn their porch lights pink during October in support of breast cancer awareness.

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17 Chattooga County Students Earn Academic Honors At GNTC

Seventeen Chattooga County students have earned academic honors at Georgia Northwestern Technical College for the summer 2026 semester.

GNTC announced its President’s and Dean’s Lists Monday. To qualify for the President’s List, students must maintain a GPA of 3.8 or higher while carrying at least 12 credit hours. The Dean’s List recognizes students maintaining a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79 with at least 12 credit hours.

Twelve Chattooga County students were named to the President’s List: Jonathan Bean, Jared Campbell, Melisa Cargle, Raven Dallas, Molly Jeon, Derek Mitchell, Jerry Morris, Amanda Parker, Courtney Trammell, Alyssa White, Mayahuel Yaoapoqa and Sueann Yaoapoqa.

Five Chattooga County students were named to the Dean’s List: Tammy Chandler, Darby Hall, Isis Hines, Stephanie Smith and Adam Tallman.

Students from across GNTC’s Northwest Georgia service area were recognized for their academic achievement.

The complete President’s and Dean’s Lists, including students from Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker and Whitfield counties, can be viewed on the GNTC website: View The Complete GNTC President’s And Dean’s Lists

Teloga Community Food Drive Set For Saturday

Residents in the Teloga area are invited to take part in a Community Food Drive this Saturday, September 19, aimed at helping local families and strengthening the community.

The food distribution will be held from 10 AM until noon, or until supplies run out, at Beersheba Presbyterian Church, located at 9977 Highway 337 in Summerville.

Organizers say no identification is required to receive food. Those planning to attend are asked not to line up before 9:30 AM.

The event is being held under the theme “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” and is designed to provide food assistance to people and families in the community.

Volunteers are also needed to help with Saturday’s distribution.

The Teloga Community Food Drive is being made possible with support from the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Helping Hands Food Support Community.

Organizers say the goal is simple: bring neighbors together to support one another and help build a stronger Teloga community.

Arrest Report – Tuesday – September 15, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, September 15, 2026:

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Summerville Council Faces Packed Monday Agenda With Road Work, Recreation Project, Data Centers And Kratom

The Summerville City Council has a busy agenda waiting when members meet Monday evening.

The regular called meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14, at 5 PM at the Summerville Depot.

Among the major items, council members are expected to award bids for city road resurfacing and the Summerville Recreation restroom renovation project. The council will also consider a contract for cloud-based storage of body-worn camera footage.

Another significant item involves data centers. The council is scheduled to discuss a possible moratorium and consider a resolution regarding data centers. Members will also discuss the sale of kratom within the city limits.

The council will consider renaming the Summerville Turntable in memory of former Mayor Joe Robert Norton and officially naming the drive serving the new soccer complex “Harry Harvey Dr.”

WZQZ News will have more on the individual agenda items ahead of Monday evening’s meeting.

 

Man Arrested After Reported Disturbance At Spearmint Trail Residence

A man was arrested by the Summerville Police Department following a reported disturbance at a residence on Spearmint Trail earlier this month.

According to an incident report, an officer was dispatched to 22 Spearmint Trail at approximately 12:15 PM on September 5 in reference to a man reportedly refusing to leave the residence.

Police said they encountered a man later identified as Trevor Wagner near the intersection of Scoggins Street and Spearmint Trail. According to the report, Wagner was carrying and drinking from a large container when the officer attempted to speak with him.

The officer reported that Wagner initially refused commands to stop and continued walking away before eventually stopping. Police said Wagner appeared intoxicated and smelled of alcohol.

According to the report, Wagner told the officer he had been at the residence with friends and had used marijuana. The complainant, John Smith, told police that Wagner had come to the residence from Jason Mitchell’s home and that he had given Wagner some food and allowed him to use his phone to call his mother.

The report states that Wagner then became involved in an argument with his mother over the phone. Smith told police he instructed Wagner to leave, but Wagner allegedly became irate and refused.

Police said Wagner was arrested and transported to the Chattooga County Jail.

Man Arrested After Being Found In Underwear On Halls Valley Road Property

A 30-year-old man was arrested by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office after deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person on private property earlier this month.

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Northwest Georgia Summer Burn Ban Ends October 1

Residents across much of Northwest Georgia have less than three weeks remaining under Georgia’s annual summer outdoor burning ban.

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