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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 16, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Greg “Hawk” Hawkins Appointed Deputy Coroner In Chattooga County

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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.

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.

September 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

25 Years Later: America Remembers September 11, 2001

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Today marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a day that changed the United States forever and claimed the lives of 2,977 people.

September 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Cherokee County Man Dies In Farm Accident Near McCord’s Crossroads

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A Cherokee County man died Sunday night following a farm accident in the McCord’s Crossroads community.

September 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Trion Council Approves $5-Per-Hour Pay Increase For Firefighters

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The Trion Town Council has approved a significant pay increase for firefighters, a move aimed at improving compensation and helping retain fire personnel.

During the council’s August 27 meeting, Mayor Mickey McGraw made a motion to increase firefighter pay by $5 per hour. The motion was seconded and received unanimous approval from the council.

Under an ongoing cost-sharing arrangement between the town and Mount Vernon Mills, the company will pay half of the increase, or $2.50 per hour.

The increase represents an effort by town officials to improve compensation for the firefighters who provide emergency response and fire protection services to the Trion community.

The unanimous vote puts the higher hourly pay in place with the cost of the increase shared equally between the Town of Trion and Mount Vernon Mills.

September 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County To Hold Patriot Day Service On 25th Anniversary Of 9/11

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Walker County will hold a Patriot Day service on Friday, September 11, to recognize and remember first responders on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The public service, led by Walker County Fire Rescue and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, will begin at 8:40 AM on the steps of the Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette.

The September 11 attacks were the deadliest incident in U.S. history for firefighters, police officers and other first responders, with nearly 400 first responders killed that day. Hundreds more have since died from illnesses linked to their work at the attack sites.

Students from LaFayette High School’s JROTC and chorus programs, along with students from Ridgeland High School, will take part in the ceremony.

Also participating will be Congressman Clay Fuller, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, Walker County Fire Chief Blake Hodge and other local first responders.

The ceremony will be held at the Walker County Courthouse, 103 South Duke Street in LaFayette, and is scheduled to conclude at 9:10 AM.

Limited seating will be available for those unable to stand.

August 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

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

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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.

August 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County EMA/E-911 Announces Logan’s List To Help First Responders Assist Residents With Special Needs

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Chattooga County EMA/E-911 is preparing to implement a new voluntary program designed to give emergency responders important information before they arrive at the home of a resident who may have special needs.