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July 5, 2026

Chattooga County Democrats Donate to Annual Back to School Bash

Local News, Local News Items #BackToSchool, #BackToSchoolBash, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyDemocrats, #ChattoogaCountySchools, #ChattoogaFamilyConnection, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunitySupport, #GeorgiaHouseDistrict12, #HollyChaney, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #SchoolSupplies, #TrionCitySchools, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Democratic Party recently presented a donation to support the annual Back to School Bash, an event that helps local students prepare for the upcoming school year with free school supplies and other resources.

State House District 12 candidate Holly Chaney joined the presentation and praised the community effort.

“This is one of the events that makes me so proud of our county,” Chaney said. “Maisha Ludy and Chattooga Family Connection do a terrific job helping our students start school with the supplies and support they need.”

The Back to School Bash serves students from both the Chattooga County and Trion school systems and is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, at the Chattooga High School Gym.

Pictured are (left to right) Pam Albert, First Vice President of the Chattooga County Democratic Party; Maisha Ludy, Coordinator of Chattooga Family Connection; and Holly Chaney, candidate for Georgia House District 12, which includes Chattooga County.

July 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Animal Shelter Reopens After Month-Long Quarantine Following Canine Distemper Case

Local News, Local News Items #AdoptDontShop, #AnimalShelter, #AnimalWelfare, #CanineDistemper, #ChattoogaInfo, #ChickamaugaGA, #CommunityNews, #DogHealth, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PetAdoption, #PetSafety, #WalkerCountyAnimalShelter, #WalkerCountyGA, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

The Walker County Animal Shelter has reopened after completing a 30-day quarantine that began when a litter of surrendered puppies tested positive for canine distemper virus, or CDV.

Shelter officials announced that the facility resumed normal operations on June 24 after all cleaning and quarantine protocols were completed. Sadly, all eight puppies in the affected litter died from the highly contagious virus. Officials said no other animals at the shelter became ill during the quarantine period.

Canine distemper is an airborne virus that spreads easily among dogs. Because the Walker County Animal Shelter has an open-concept design and does not have adequate facilities to fully isolate exposed animals, officials determined that a complete shutdown of the shelter was necessary to prevent the virus from spreading.

During the month-long closure, shelter staff conducted an extensive deep cleaning of the facility, disinfecting equipment as well as all entry and exit points.

The shelter currently has more than 60 dogs and cats available for adoption. Staff members have also been working through a backlog of stray animals and owner surrenders that accumulated during the quarantine.

The Walker County Animal Shelter is located at 5488 North Marble Top Road near Chickamauga and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

July 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Saturday – July 4, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, July 4, 2026:

July 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Driving Into Yard, Biting Homeowner During Domestic Disturbance

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A 20-year-old Silver Creek woman was arrested after Summerville Police say she drove into a yard, became involved in an altercation with a homeowner, and bit the victim during a domestic disturbance early Saturday morning.

According to a Summerville Police Department incident report, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Highland Avenue at approximately 1:40 a.m. on June 28 in reference to a domestic disturbance.

When Officer Brandon Lindsey and Officer Pledger arrived, they found 53-year-old Tara Williams standing near the roadway. Williams told officers that Lashauna Lynn Whatley, 20, of Silver Creek, had driven into a ditch in her yard, jumped from the vehicle, and attacked her. Williams alleged that Whatley bit her hand during the altercation before leaving the area.

As officers searched for the suspect, bystanders alerted them to another disturbance taking place around the corner. Police located Whatley and identified her based on a description provided by Williams. While officers were attempting to take Whatley into custody, police say she spat on Officer Adam Dawson. She was then arrested.

Williams later confirmed to officers that Whatley was the person who had driven into the ditch and bitten her hand.

Whatley was charged with simple battery, battery, and reckless driving. She was transported to the Chattooga County Jail.

July 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

CDC Investigating Multi-State Parasite Outbreak Linked to Severe Diarrhea

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Health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of a foodborne parasite that has sickened at least 145 people across the United States, including cases in Georgia.

July 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Friday – July 3, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #Battery, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimeNews, #DomesticDisturbance, #FridayArrestReport, #July32026, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #policereport, #recklessdriving, #SilverCreekGA, #SimpleBattery, #summervillega, #SummervillePoliceDepartment, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, July 3, 2026:

July 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office Installs Prescription Drug Drop Box

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Chattooga County residents have a safe and convenient way to dispose of expired or unused prescription medications. The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office has announced the addition of a new medication collection container in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office. The drop box is available to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

July 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Explains New Spay And Neuter Law And Exemptions

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Walker County officials are clarifying the county’s new spay and neuter ordinance and explaining which pet owners may qualify for exemptions.

The ordinance requires most dogs and cats six months of age or older to be spayed or neutered unless the animal qualifies for an exemption or the owner purchases an annual unaltered animal license. County leaders say the goal is to reduce pet overpopulation and ease pressure on the Walker County Animal Shelter.

Exemptions include animals owned by licensed commercial breeders or pet dealers, animals with a veterinarian-certified medical exemption, and working animals used for farming, herding, hunting, service work, law enforcement, or show purposes. Owners must have proper documentation.

Pet owners who do not qualify for an exemption may purchase an annual license through the Walker County Animal Shelter. The fee is $100 per year for dogs and $50 per year for cats, with proceeds going toward the county’s spay and neuter voucher program.

County officials say the ordinance will be reviewed later this year to evaluate how well it is working.

July 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia State Patrol Seeks Public Votes in National ‘Best Looking Patrol Car’ Contest

Local News, Local News Items #AAST, #BestLookingPatrolCar, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfPublicSafety, #GeorgiaStatePatrol, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PeachState, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #SupportGeorgia, #VoteGeorgia, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is asking Georgians to help the Georgia State Patrol bring home a national title by voting in the 2026 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) Best Looking Patrol Car Contest.

Voting is now underway, and the annual contest features patrol vehicles from state law enforcement agencies across the country. Supporters can cast one vote for Georgia’s entry through July 10.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is also encouraging residents to like and share the contest announcement on social media and invite friends and family to participate. Officials say every vote helps showcase the pride, professionalism, and tradition of the Georgia State Patrol on a national stage.

To vote, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026bestlookingcruiser

July 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Woman Charged With DUI Following Early Morning Traffic Stop in Summerville

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #chattoogacounty, #chattoogacountyarrestreport, #ChattoogaCountyJail, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimeNews, #DrivingUnderTheInfluence, #dui, #GeorgiaLawEnforcement, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #TrafficStop, #WednesdayJuly12026, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

A 23-year-old woman was arrested on DUI charges after a Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputy observed her vehicle repeatedly cross traffic lines during an early morning traffic stop in Summerville.