#EmergencyResponse | AM 1180 Radio

September 16, 2026

DeKalb County Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash Near Fort Payne

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A 62-year-old DeKalb County man was killed Tuesday morning when the small plane he was piloting crashed near Fort Payne.

The victim has been identified as Douglas Emge of DeKalb County, Alabama. DeKalb County EMA officials said Emge was the only person aboard the aircraft when it crashed on September 15.

The crash occurred near the 4700 block of County Road 3 in the Whiton community, near the Whiton water tank.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported the crash at around 8 AM Tuesday and asked the public to avoid the area as emergency crews responded.

Federal Aviation Administration records list Emge as the registered owner of the aircraft, identified as N469TW.

Residents near the crash site reported hearing the crash and seeing flames and smoke from the wreckage. Some neighbors said they had known Emge and his family for years and were saddened by his death.

Emge’s family has been notified.

The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene and is investigating the crash.

September 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Former Berry College Student Found Dead On Campus Tuesday

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A former Berry College student was found dead on the college campus Tuesday afternoon following a search that brought a large law enforcement presence to the area.

According to information provided to WZQZ News, the victim was a former Berry student who attended the college more than 10 years ago and was visiting the campus Tuesday.

The Floyd County Police Department SWAT Team was conducting training in the area when officers received the call concerning the missing person at around noon Tuesday.

Officers began searching for the individual and located the victim at approximately 2 PM. The victim was found with what authorities described as a self-inflicted wound.

The incident explains the significant law enforcement presence reported at Berry College during the afternoon.

The victim’s identity has not been released.

September 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash Near Fort Payne

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A pilot was killed in a small plane crash near Fort Payne in DeKalb County, Alabama, Tuesday morning.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported the aircraft went down near Fort Payne. The pilot was the only person aboard the plane and was killed in the crash.

The crash was reported in the area of Isbell Field, Fort Payne’s municipal airport. Isbell Field is located about two miles north of Fort Payne.

The identity of the pilot had not been released in initial reports.

Information about where the aircraft originated, its intended destination and what may have caused the crash was not immediately available.

Federal aviation authorities are expected to investigate the accident.

August 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County CERT Training Gives Residents Skills To Help When Disaster Strikes

Local News, Local News Items #BePrepared, #CERT, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyCERT, #ChattoogaCountyEMA, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityEmergencyResponseTeam, #CommunityPreparedness, #CommunityVolunteers, #DisasterMedicalOperations, #DisasterPreparedness, #DisasterPsychology, #DisasterResponse, #EmergencyManagement, #EmergencyPreparedness, #EmergencyResponse, #EmergencyTraining, #FEMA, #FireSafety, #FirstAid, #firstresponders, #Flooding, #FreeTraining, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGeorgia, #PublicSafety, #SearchAndRescue, #SevereWeather, #StormPreparedness, #summervillega, #TornadoPreparedness, #trionga, #Volunteer, #VolunteersNeeded, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

When tornadoes, flooding, severe storms or other emergencies strike, firefighters, law enforcement officers and medical crews can quickly find themselves responding to multiple emergencies at the same time. That is where trained community volunteers can become an important part of the response.

August 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County CERT Seeking New Members For September Training

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Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is inviting local residents to learn skills that could help their families, neighbors and community when disaster strikes by becoming members of the county’s Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT.

May 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

One Dead Following House Fire In Floyd County

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Authorities say one person is dead following a house fire early Sunday morning on Old Lindale Road in Floyd County.

Emergency crews responded to the fire during the overnight hours, where reports indicated flames coming from a residence and a possible person trapped inside.

According to reports, one individual was found deceased at the scene, while another person was transported for medical treatment.

The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Officials have not released the identity of the victim.

April 3, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Future Of Historic Rome Courthouse Remains Uncertain

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Officials in Rome say there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the future of the historic Floyd County Courthouse following a massive fire that tore through the landmark.

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Floyd County Courthouse Destroyed By Fire, Emergency Funding To Be Considered

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The Floyd County Commission is expected to consider emergency funding to relocate several government offices following a fire that destroyed the Historic Floyd County Courthouse on Monday.

County officials say the building housed the Tax Commissioner, Tax Assessor, and Tag Office. All employees were safely evacuated after smoke was reported around 2:12 p.m., and supervisors conducted a roll call to ensure everyone made it out safely.

Rome-Floyd Fire Department crews worked for hours to battle the blaze, while multiple law enforcement agencies secured the area as smoke spread across downtown Rome. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In the meantime, residents can still access services online, including property tax payments and tag renewals. County leaders say plans are already underway to establish temporary locations and restore in-person services as quickly as possible.

March 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Officials Release More Details On Fire That Devastated Historic Floyd County Courthouse

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Photo Credit: WRGA Radio

As investigators continue working to determine what caused Monday’s fire at the Historic Floyd County Courthouse, officials are releasing new details about the emergency response and the damage left behind.

March 23, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Historic Floyd County Courthouse Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out

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The Floyd County Historic Courthouse was evacuated Monday afternoon after a fire was discovered inside the building around 2:20 p.m.

According to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, all employees inside the courthouse were safely evacuated. Crews with the Rome-Floyd Fire Department responded to the scene and were working to contain the fire.

As of mid-afternoon, roads in the downtown area were blocked and police were evacuating portions of Broad Street.

Officials said the courthouse was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire. The cause of the blaze remains unknown and is under investigation.