September 12, 2026

Walker County Approves $39.9 Million Budget With No Tax Increase

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Walker County commissioners have approved a $39.9 million budget for fiscal year 2027 without increasing the county’s tax rate, following several months of discussion over rising expenses and how to balance the spending plan.

The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved the budget during its September 3 meeting. The new fiscal year begins October 1 and runs through September 30, 2027.

The final budget includes funding for three additional firefighters and does not add any other new county positions. County employees will receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment.

Getting to the final spending plan took several months. When the budget process began this summer, county departments had submitted requests totaling more than $50 million. Chairwoman Angie Teems and county staff worked with department heads to reduce those requests by more than $10 million.

As recently as August, commissioners were still facing a projected $1.9 million gap between revenues and expenses, prompting the board to delay a budget vote while members considered additional changes. Among the pressures on the budget were inflation, state-mandated expenses, a new ambulance service contract, firefighter staffing and employee compensation.

The final $39.9 million spending plan was adopted without a tax increase.

For comparison, Walker County’s FY2026 General Fund budget was approximately $37.25 million.

September 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Museum Of LaFayette Seeks Local Cherokee Family Histories For New Exhibit

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The Museum of LaFayette is asking area residents to help document local Cherokee history as the museum prepares a new exhibit at the historic Chattooga Academy in LaFayette.

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.

September 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Commissioners To Consider FY 2027 Budget, Millage Rate And $2.2 Million Courthouse Project

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The Walker County Board of Commissioners will have several major financial decisions before it when commissioners meet Thursday evening, including adoption of the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget and millage rate.

August 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Busy Week Ahead For Chattooga High School Athletics

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Chattooga High School and middle school athletes have a full schedule ahead this week, with teams competing in softball, football, volleyball and cross country.

August 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

“Be Their Voice” Golf Tournament To Raise Money For Children’s Advocacy Center

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Golfers from across Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity this fall to spend a day on the course while helping children who have been victims of abuse.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit is preparing for its 6th Annual “Be Their Voice” Golf Tournament, scheduled for Thursday, October 1st, at the LaFayette Golf Course.

Activities are scheduled from 7:15 AM until 6 PM, and organizers are currently looking for golf teams, hole sponsors and donations of door prizes to help make this year’s fundraiser a success.

August 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Trion Rolls Past Gordon Lee While Chattooga Falls To LaFayette In Season Openers

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Trion 36 – Gordon Lee 7

LaFayette 33 – Chattooga 14

Trion Rolls Past Gordon Lee 36-7 In Season Opener

The Trion Bulldogs opened the 2026 football season in impressive fashion Friday night, defeating longtime rival Gordon Lee 36-7 at Sam R. McCain Memorial Stadium.

The victory gives Trion a 1-0 start to the season under head coach Sean Patrick and provides an early boost for a Bulldog team looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance. The win was also a measure of revenge for Trion after Gordon Lee defeated the Bulldogs 23-12 in Chickamauga last season.

Trion established control of Friday night’s game and never allowed Gordon Lee to generate enough offense to seriously threaten the Bulldogs’ lead. The Bulldogs put 36 points on the scoreboard while holding the Trojans to a single touchdown.

The performance was particularly encouraging for a Trion program that entered the season emphasizing improvement on both sides of the football. The Bulldogs returned several experienced players from last year’s team, including quarterback and defensive back Linc Allen, running back and linebacker Landon Kimbell, and Hudson Thomas at defensive end and tight end.

Friday night’s victory also reversed the outcome of the most recent meeting in a rivalry that has featured plenty of memorable games. Trion has enjoyed considerable success in the series in recent years, including wins of 30-6 in 2024, 56-14 in 2023 and 45-19 in 2022.

The 36-7 final puts Trion at 1-0, while Gordon Lee begins the season at 0-1.

The Bulldogs won’t have long to celebrate.

Trion will remain at home next Friday, August 28, when the Bulldogs welcome the Model Blue Devils to Sam R. McCain Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

LaFayette Tops Chattooga 33-14 In Season Opener

The Chattooga Indians opened the 2026 football season at home Friday night, falling to the LaFayette Ramblers 33-14 at the Little Big Horn.

LaFayette was able to build the advantage it needed and keep Chattooga from mounting a comeback, handing the Indians a loss in their first game of the new season. The victory moves LaFayette to 1-0, while Chattooga begins the year at 0-1.

Chattooga reached the end zone twice during the contest, but the Indians were unable to keep pace with a LaFayette offense that finished the night with 33 points.

The season opener was an early test for a Chattooga team that entered 2026 determined to return to the state playoffs after narrowly missing the postseason last year.

Head coach Roone Gable and the Indians entered the season with several returning contributors and an emphasis on developing the team’s younger players while building around the experience returning on both sides of the football.

Friday night’s game also continued a longtime Northwest Georgia matchup between the two programs. LaFayette has now won the last two meetings after defeating Chattooga 25-0 in 2025. Chattooga’s most recent victory in the series came in 2024, when the Indians defeated the Ramblers 30-0 at the Little Big Horn.

Chattooga will now have an open week, giving the Indians additional time to evaluate the opener and prepare for their next opponent.

The Indians return to action Friday, September 4, when the Model Blue Devils come to the Little Big Horn for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Chattooga will then begin Region 7-AA play the following week, making the Model game another important opportunity for the Indians to make adjustments before the region portion of the schedule gets underway.

Final: LaFayette 33, Chattooga 14.

August 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Free Food Talk Workshop Coming To LaFayette-Walker County Library

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Walker County residents will have an opportunity this fall to learn how to eat healthier, stretch their grocery budgets and prepare nutritious meals during a free Food Talk workshop series in LaFayette.

August 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Friday Night High School Football Returns To WZQZ With Two Big Matchups

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Friday night lights are back, and WZQZ will be bringing local high school football fans coverage of two big matchups Friday, August 21, as the Chattooga Indians and Trion Bulldogs take the field.

The Chattooga Indians will host the LaFayette Ramblers at Chattooga High School, while the Trion Bulldogs will take on arch-rival Gordon Lee in one of Northwest Georgia’s longstanding rivalry games.

Kickoff for both games is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

WZQZ will provide coverage of both games live on the WZQZ Facebook Page, giving fans the opportunity to follow their favorite local team even if they can’t make it to the stadium.

Radio listeners can tune in to WZQZ 99.1 FM for live coverage of the Trion Bulldogs vs. Gordon Lee matchup.

The Trion-Gordon Lee rivalry has long been one of the most anticipated games on the local high school football calendar, while Chattooga will have the advantage of playing in front of the home crowd as the Indians welcome LaFayette to Summerville.

Whether you’re in the stands, watching on Facebook or listening on 99.1 FM, WZQZ will have local football covered Friday night.

Good luck to the Chattooga Indians and Trion Bulldogs!

August 16, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Museum of LaFayette Seeks Cherokee Artifacts for New Exhibit

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The Museum of LaFayette is asking area residents to help preserve and share an important part of Northwest Georgia’s history as it develops a new exhibit focusing on the Cherokee people, their lives, removal, and lasting legacy.