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March 14, 2026

UGA Extension Offering Diabetes Cooking School Series In Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyExtension, #ChronicDiseaseManagement, #CommunityHealth, #CookingClass, #DiabetesAwareness, #DiabetesEducation, #DiabetesManagement, #HealthEducation, #HealthyCooking, #HealthyGeorgia, #HealthyLiving, #LocalEvents, #LunchAndLearn, #northwestgeorgia, #NutritionEducation, #PublicHealth, #summervillega, #UGAExtension, #wzqznews 0

The University of Georgia Extension – Chattooga County is inviting residents to participate in a “Learning to Live With Diabetes” Cooking School Series, designed to help individuals better manage diabetes and other chronic health conditions through healthier cooking and nutrition choices.

The 2026 Lunch and Learn Series will cover several topics including label reading and portion control, sweeteners, carbohydrates and fiber, hypertension and sodium, and modifying recipes for healthier alternatives. Classes will be held Wednesdays from noon until 1:30 p.m. beginning March 25 and continuing through April 22.

Each class costs $15 and includes lunch. Sessions will take place at the Chattooga County Extension Office, 40 Middle School Road in Summerville. To register, residents can call 706-857-0744 or email rbt@uga.edu.

March 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Blood Assurance Reports Critical Need For Type O Blood Donations In Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #AdventHealthRedmond, #atriumhealthfloyd, #BloodAssurance, #BloodDonation, #BloodSupply, #CartersvilleGA, #CartersvilleGeorgia, #CartersvilleMedicalCenter, #CommunityHealth, #CriticalNeed, #DonateBlood, #DonorsNeeded, #emergencyneed, #GiveBlood, #HelpSaveLives, #LocalHospitals, #LocalPatients, #northwestgeorgia, #ONegative, #opositive, #Platelets, #RomeGA, #romegeorgia, #SevereWeatherSeason, #TraumaCare, #TypeOBlood, #wzqznews 0

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Blood Assurance says several days of heavy hospital usage have pushed its supply of O-positive and O-negative blood to critical levels, while platelet supplies are also nearing critical status.

The organization says there is an emergency need for donors as soon as possible, especially those with Type O blood.

The need comes as the region moves into severe weather season, a time when trauma cases can rise and put even more pressure on local blood supplies. Blood Assurance says rebuilding the supply quickly is especially important to help meet patient needs.

Blood Assurance is the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, and it also supplies Cartersville Medical Center. Donations made at Blood Assurance donor centers and blood drives in Rome and Cartersville help support local patients across the area.

Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible, although walk-ins are also being accepted.

To schedule a donation, visit Blood Assurance online, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777.

March 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

AdventHealth Celebrates Grand Opening of New Primary Care and Urgent Care Clinic in Summerville

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AdventHealth Medical Group has officially celebrated the grand opening of its new Primary Care & Urgent Care clinic in Summerville, expanding access to health care services for families across Chattooga County.

March 7, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Atrium Health Floyd Offers Tips as Spring Allergy Season Begins

Local News, Local News Items #AllergySeason, #atriumhealthfloyd, #CommunityHealth, #HayFever, #healthnews, #LocalHealth, #northwestgeorgia, #PollenAlert, #SeasonalAllergies, #SpringAllergies, #TreePollen, #wzqznews 0

As plants begin a new season of growth and bloom, health care providers at Atrium Health Floyd are reminding residents that rising tree pollen levels can trigger seasonal allergy symptoms and are encouraging people to take steps now to stay comfortable.

Doctors say seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, is often caused by tree pollen as spring approaches. Common symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, an itchy nose or throat, and itchy or watery eyes.

Health experts note that allergy symptoms can become worse on dry, windy days, when pollen levels tend to be at their highest. Residents who struggle with spring allergies are encouraged to monitor pollen levels and take preventive measures to reduce exposure and manage symptoms.

March 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Red Cross Calls for March Blood Donations as Shortage Hits; Free A1C Screening and $15 Gift Card Offered

Local News, Local News Items #A1CTest, #AmericanRedCross, #BloodDonation, #BloodDrive, #BloodShortage, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityHealth, #DiabetesAwareness, #DonateInMarch, #GiveBlood, #HealthcareAccess, #northwestgeorgia, #PlasmaDonation, #Platelets, #Prediabetes, #PreventiveCare, #RedCrossBloodDonorApp, #RedCrossMonth, #SaveLives, #wzqznews 0

The American Red Cross is urging donors to help the national blood supply recover from a severe shortage by making an appointment to give blood during March.

As an added thank-you during Red Cross Month, the Red Cross says successful blood, platelet, or plasma donations made March 1 through March 31, 2026 will come with two incentives: free A1C testing (one result per calendar year) and a $15 Amazon gift card delivered by email.

February 22, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Advocates Urge Stronger Enforcement of Georgia’s Mental Health Parity Law

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Mental health advocates in Georgia are urging lawmakers to strengthen and enforce the state’s Mental Health Parity Act, arguing that too many people still face denials, delays, or limited access when trying to get behavioral health care covered by insurance.

February 21, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

AdventHealth Medical Group Celebrates Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting in Summerville

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Community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents are invited to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care and Urgent Care facility in Summerville.

February 19, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Second Annual Chattooga County Health Fair Set for April 18

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The Second Annual Chattooga County Health Fair will return this spring, offering residents access to free health resources, screenings, and educational vendors in one convenient location.

February 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

AdventHealth Medical Group Opening New Primary Care & Urgent Care Clinic in Summerville Today

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AdventHealth Medical Group is expanding access to healthcare in Chattooga County with the opening of a new Primary Care & Urgent Care clinic in Summerville this month.

The new clinic, AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care & Urgent Care at Summerville, will open today, February 16 and will be located at 9777 Rome Boulevard, Summerville, GA 30747. The location will provide whole-person primary care for patients of all ages, along with occupational health, workers’ compensation, and school health services. Organizers say walk-in and same-day appointments will be available to help meet urgent and routine healthcare needs quickly.

Care at the Summerville clinic will be provided by nurse practitioners Christie Tankersley, ACNP-BC, and Anna Nicole Herring, FNP-C. AdventHealth Medical Group says the new clinic is part of its continued commitment to bringing high-quality, compassionate care closer to families across Northwest Georgia.

February 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia House OKs Bill Allowing Pharmacists to Prescribe HIV Prevention Drugs

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A bill aimed at expanding access to HIV prevention medication has cleared the Georgia House, moving the state one step closer to allowing pharmacists to play a larger role in preventing new HIV infections.