georgia | AM 1180 Radio

July 13, 2026

Summerville Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charge Following Police Investigation

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A Summerville man is expected to face an animal cruelty charge following an investigation into reports that a dog was being kept without adequate food, water or shelter during hot weather, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police were dispatched at approximately 7:54 p.m. on July 1 after receiving a complaint about a dog allegedly being neglected. According to the incident report, the complainant identified the dog’s owner as Dakota Marks and reported seeing the dog tied to a tree with a ratchet strap.

When officers arrived, they found a large dog secured by a ratchet strap with one end attached to the animal and the other fastened to a tree. The report states the immediate area contained no shelter from the heat, no accessible food, and the only water container had a crack in the bottom, preventing it from serving as a reliable water source. Officers also noted the area was heavily littered with trash and that the restraint was not long enough for the dog to reach a nearby camper.

The responding officer photographed the scene and requested assistance from Animal Control. Attempts to locate Marks at the location were unsuccessful.

According to the report, a warrant was issued for Dakota Marks on a charge of Cruelty to Animals.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Resident Reports Handgun Missing After Parking Vehicle

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunitySafety, #crimereport, #CriminalInvestigation, #FirearmTheft, #GeorgiaCrime, #HandgunTheft, #IncidentReport, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #northwestgeorgianews, #policereport, #PropertyCrime, #PublicSafety, #SPD, #StolenFirearm, #summervillega, #SummervillePoliceDepartment, #TheftInvestigation, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A Summerville man has reported a handgun missing after discovering it was no longer inside his vehicle, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police say James Parker contacted dispatch on June 28, 2026, to report that his Taurus G3 9mm handgun was missing. Parker told officers he believes someone stole the firearm while his vehicle was parked on Hawkins Drive.

According to the incident report, Parker last saw the handgun at approximately 8:30 p.m. on June 27 and discovered it missing around 1:30 a.m. on June 28. The firearm was identified by its serial number in the report.

The incident remains under investigation by the Summerville Police Department, and no suspects have been identified.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia State Election Board Approves New Rules Aimed at Increasing Election Transparency

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #Election2026, #ElectionAdministration, #ElectionIntegrity, #ElectionTransparency, #GeorgiaElections, #georgiapolitics, #GeorgiaSecretaryOfState, #Government, #northwestgeorgia, #PollWatchers, #PublicPolicy, #StateElectionBoard, #StateGovernment, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia, voting 0

The Georgia State Election Board has approved two new election rules supporters say are designed to increase transparency and public confidence in the state’s voting process ahead of the 2026 elections. The rules were adopted during the board’s July meeting following public comment and debate.

One of the new rules requires that vote tabulation and consolidation be conducted in public, allowing election observers to watch the process as precinct-level results are combined into countywide totals. State law already allows authorized poll watchers to observe many aspects of the election process, and supporters say the rule further reinforces public access.

The board also approved a rule giving State Election Board members access to the Secretary of State’s election operations center, often referred to as the “election night bunker,” during elections. Supporters say the change provides additional oversight, while critics have questioned whether the board has the legal authority to require such access.

The rule changes come as Georgia prepares for the 2026 election cycle and continue an ongoing discussion over election administration and transparency in the state.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Man Arrested in Multi-Agency Dog Fighting Investigation; 23 Dogs Rescued

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalCruelty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CrawfordCountyGA, #DogFighting, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #LawEnforcement, #PublicSafety, #TylerHarper, #USDA, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A Crawford County man is facing state and federal charges after a multi-agency investigation into alleged illegal dog fighting led to the rescue of 23 dogs and the seizure of firearms and suspected illegal drugs.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Approves Temporary Moratorium on New Data Centers

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The Walker County Board of Commissioners has approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development, giving county officials time to study the issue and determine whether additional local regulations are needed before such facilities are considered.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Hays State Prison Warden Joshua Jones Dies at 39

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The Georgia Department of Corrections and communities across Northwest Georgia are mourning the unexpected death of Hays State Prison Warden Joshua Jones, who passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 39.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

July Declared Georgia Grown Watermelon Month as State Celebrates Top National Crop

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Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper has officially proclaimed July 2026 as Georgia Grown Watermelon Month, recognizing one of the state’s most recognizable crops and the farmers who produce it.

The announcement highlights Georgia’s position as the nation’s leading watermelon-producing state, with growers harvesting more than 200 million pounds of watermelons each year. The crop is a key part of Georgia’s agriculture industry, which contributes more than $100 billion annually to the state’s economy.

“Georgia’s watermelon growers are among the hardest-working farmers in the nation,” Harper said in announcing the proclamation. He encouraged consumers to support local agriculture by purchasing Georgia Grown watermelons throughout the summer season.

Watermelons are typically harvested across Georgia from June through August, making July one of the peak months for fresh, locally grown fruit. Georgia’s warm climate and fertile soils provide ideal growing conditions, helping the state consistently rank first in national watermelon production.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture says buying Georgia Grown products supports farm families, strengthens local communities, and helps sustain one of the state’s largest industries. Consumers can identify locally grown produce by looking for the Georgia Grown logo at grocery stores, farmers markets, and roadside stands.

Commissioner Harper said the month-long recognition celebrates both the quality of Georgia-grown watermelons and the important role agriculture continues to play in the state’s economy.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia PSC Launches Investigation Into Whether Data Centers Are Shifting Power Costs to Other Customers

Local News, Local News Items #ArtificialIntelligence, #ChattoogaInfo, #ConsumerProtection, #DataCenters, #ElectricBills, #Energy, #georgiapower, #georgiapsc, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicServiceCommission, #smallbusiness, #UtilityRates, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to move forward with an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s largest electricity customers—including data centers—are paying their fair share of fuel costs or shifting those expenses onto residential and small business customers.

July 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Two Suspects in Custody, One Still Sought After iPads Stolen From Trion Walmart

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #ChattoogaInfo, #LawEnforcement, #MarkSchrader, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #Shoplifting, #TheftInvestigation, #trionga, #Walmart, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Two of the three suspects accused of stealing several iPads from the Walmart in Trion are now in custody, while law enforcement continues searching for a third suspect.

According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, store employees attempted to stop the three men as they left the store Friday after they were suspected of shoplifting multiple iPads. The suspects fled before deputies arrived.

One suspect was initially apprehended Friday. Sheriff Schrader later announced that a second suspect has now been taken into custody, leaving one suspect still at large.

Authorities said the remaining suspect was last seen wearing green and black shorts with a black shirt. Sheriff Schrader has released a surveillance image of the suspect and is asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators believe the suspects may also be connected to other shoplifting incidents in Michigan and Dalton, Georgia.

The investigation remains active, and additional charges or arrests may be forthcoming.

Anyone with information on the remaining suspect is encouraged to contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

July 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Saturday – July 11, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, July 11, 2026: