#LaFayetteGA | AM 1180 Radio

February 11, 2026

Red Cross Blood Drive Friday at The Bank of LaFayette

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The Bank of LaFayette will host a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 W. Patton Street in LaFayette.

Community members are encouraged to give local and help save local lives. All donors between February 1–14 will receive a special “Donor for Life” tattoo shirt as a thank-you gift.

To prepare for donation, donors are asked to eat a good meal, drink extra water, avoid energy drinks, and bring a valid ID.

Appointments can be scheduled online at www.bloodassurance.org/bankla or by calling 1-800-962-0628.

February 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Environmental Hazards Found in Walker County Courthouse, Officials Briefed on Mold, Asbestos, Lead Concerns

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Walker County Commissioners were told Thursday that a recent walkthrough and structural review of the Walker County Courthouse revealed multiple environmental hazards inside the aging facility.

February 6, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Fire Danger and Warmer Days Ahead for Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia

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Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are heading into a stretch of dry, breezy weather that could elevate fire danger this weekend, followed by a noticeable warm-up as next week begins.

February 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

LaFayette Man Sentenced to 65 Years After Conviction on Child Molestation and Privacy Charges

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A Walker County jury has convicted Michael Forker, a 74-year-old man from LaFayette, on charges of Child Molestation, Sexual Exploitation of Children, and five counts of Invasion of Privacy. Following the verdict on December 3, 2025, Forker was sentenced by Lookout Mountain Superior Court Chief Judge Brian House to 65 years in prison, with 58 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.

January 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Winter Weather Focus Shifts East Again, Bitter Cold Targets Northwest Georgia This Weekend

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Once again, Georgia and much of the Deep South appear headed for a round of winter weather this weekend, but like last weekend, the best chance for frozen precipitation looks to stay mainly east of Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties. The National Weather Service says confidence continues to increase for measurable snowfall across parts of northeast and east-central Georgia between Friday night and Saturday night, prompting a Winter Storm Watch for those areas.

January 26, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

The Crushed Tomato in Summerville Closes After 14 Years; LaFayette Location Remains Open

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A longtime favorite in Summerville has served its last slice. The Crushed Tomato closed its doors last week after 14 years in business.

January 26, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Walker County Sees Winter Weather Impacts; Closures Issued for Monday

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While most of Chattooga County avoided widespread icy conditions on Sunday—aside from some winter precipitation reported on Lookout Mountain—parts of Walker County were hit harder by the winter weather. Officials reported around 200 households without power on Sunday as the system moved through the area.

In response, several warming options were made available. Warming stations opened in Rossville and LaFayette, and Georgia State Parks opened a warming shelter at Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain to help residents needing a warm place during the cold snap.

Because of the continued threat of hazardous travel and dangerously cold temperatures, Walker County Government offices will be closed Monday, January 26. The closure includes county offices as well as the landfill and transit services.

In addition, the Walker County Health Department will also be closed Monday, January 26.

January 23, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.6% in December as State Adds Jobs Again

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The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate for December 2025 was 3.6%, up slightly from a revised 3.5% in November. GDOL said Georgia’s rate remained 0.8 percentage point below the national unemployment rate, and matched the state’s rate from one year ago.

January 23, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Northwest Georgia Beekeepers Association Offering Beekeeping Short Course Jan. 31 in Walker County

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Anyone interested in starting beekeeping can “start your beekeeping journey” at a Beekeeping Short Course hosted by the Northwest Georgia Beekeepers Association on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The class will be held at the Walker County Ag Center, and organizers say seats are limited with registration available online.

The cost is $65, and the course is designed to cover the basics needed to get started with beekeeping. Organizers say the fee includes the book First Lessons in Beekeeping, a binder with handouts, lunch, a one-year membership to NWGBA for new members, and a chance to win door prizes.

The event is sponsored by the Northwest Georgia Beekeepers Association, Walker County Extension, Forester Farms & Apiary, and the Georgia Honey Bee License Plate Grant. For more information, visit the association’s event list online or email info@nwgabeekeepers.com

January 22, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Winter Storm Watch Expanded Across North Georgia as Ice, Power Outages, and Dangerous Cold Threaten Weekend

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Forecasters say a high-impact winter storm is increasingly likely across Georgia this weekend, with freezing rain and ice expected to be the primary hazards and the potential for widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions. The Winter Storm Watch has been expanded to include most of North Georgia and a small portion of Central Georgia, with the watch starting 1:00 AM Saturday for the far northern tier and beginning 1:00 PM Saturday for areas generally near and south of I-20. Both time periods extend through 10:00 AM Monday.