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January 30, 2026

Rome Man Now Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter After Burglary Confrontation

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A Rome man who was originally arrested August 12 on a burglary charge is now facing a felony count of involuntary manslaughter. According to an arrest warrant, 52-year-old Anthony James Ponto was allegedly attempting to burglarize a home on East Hermitage Road in the Kingston area when he was confronted by 59-year-old John Richard Couey.

The warrant states a physical altercation occurred during the confrontation. After Ponto was arrested on the burglary charge, Couey reportedly suffered a medical event and later died. The new involuntary manslaughter charge has been filed in connection with the circumstances surrounding Couey’s death.

January 30, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries Seeking Volunteers and Donations to Expand Hunger Relief

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Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries is inviting the community to start 2026 by giving back, with new volunteer opportunities now available during the week and select weekends. Executive Director Lindsey Kilby says individuals can sign up online at hungerministries dot org, making it easy for people to choose available times and get involved.

Kilby adds that weekend volunteer slots are especially geared toward groups of six or more who can commit at least an hour and a half of service. Along with volunteer help, the nonprofit is also asking for donations, with details available on the organization’s website.

Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries serves low-income families, seniors, and children facing food insecurity in Floyd, Chattooga, and Polk Counties. The organization says its mission is to help break the cycle of poverty by meeting basic needs through hunger relief.

January 30, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Push Constitutional Amendment to End Sales Taxes on Timber

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChuckEfstration, #ConstitutionalAmendment, #EconomicDevelopment, #Forestry, #GeorgiaForestry, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgiapolitics, #HR1000, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #TaxRelief, #Timber, #wzqznews 0

Capitol Beat News Service contributed to this story

A proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution could eliminate sales taxes on timber, a move supporters say would help stabilize a forestry industry that has been hammered by mill closures and storm damage. House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration of Mulberry is sponsoring House Resolution 1000, saying the bipartisan effort is meant to protect what he called a cornerstone of Georgia’s rural economy.

January 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Thursday – January 29, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, January 29, 2026:

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 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Man Arrested on Family Violence Battery Charge in Chattooga County

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A 49-year-old man was arrested in Chattooga County following a reported family violence incident at an apartment on Back Penn Road. According to an incident report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, William Neal Thurman was taken into custody on January 22 in connection with a misdemeanor family violence battery charge.

The report states deputies were dispatched to an apartment on Back Penn Road after an assault was reported. When they arrived, they found the victim outside with visible injuries, including a bloody nose and swelling to the head. The victim told investigators an argument escalated and she was struck multiple times, including blows to the head, and also reported being shoved and grabbed during the incident. The report indicates emergency medical personnel were called, and the victim was transported for further evaluation due to head pain and visible swelling.

Investigators later located Thurman during a traffic stop and he was arrested without incident before being transported to the Chattooga County Jail. Thurman was also charged with a parole violation.

January 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Man Named in Reported Attempted Break-In and Church Vandalism Case on Highway 114

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A 28-year-old Summerville man, Codie Mac Creekmore, is listed as the suspect in a reported attempted break-in and vandalism incident at United By Faith Baptist Church, located at 1794 Highway 114 in Summerville.

January 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chickamauga Man Convicted of Two Jailhouse Violence Cases, Sentenced to 40 Years

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A 47-year-old Chickamauga man has been convicted in two separate cases involving violent incidents inside the Catoosa County Jail. On January 9, 2026, Jeffrey Wade Anthony was found guilty after a non-jury trial of committing Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Institution, with the case heard in Catoosa County before Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Melissa Hise.

January 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Senator Introduces Bill to Ban Lab-Grown Meat in the State

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State Senator Jason T. Dickerson of Canton has introduced Senate Bill 415, legislation aimed at banning the production, distribution, and sale of lab-grown meat in Georgia. Lab-grown meat, also known as cultured or cell-based meat, is produced by harvesting animal cells and growing them in a controlled environment rather than raising livestock.

January 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Spring and Summer Campsites Filling Fast at “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Summerville

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If winter weather has you looking ahead to warmer days, now is a good time to lock in a camping spot at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Summerville.