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June 30, 2026

14-Year-Old Boy Identified After Drowning at Armuchee Park

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Emergency crews recovered the body of 14-year-old Tyler Brown on Monday night following an extensive search at Armuchee Park on Jones Mill Road, according to the Floyd County Police Department.

Earlier in the evening, the department announced that first responders were searching for a possible drowning victim and asked the public to avoid the area while search and rescue operations were underway.

Later Monday night, authorities confirmed that emergency personnel had located Brown’s body during the search. Law enforcement officers and other emergency responders remained at the scene as the investigation continued.

Officials have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Floyd County Police Department expressed its condolences to Brown’s family and thanked the public for avoiding the area while emergency crews completed their work.

The investigation into the drowning remains ongoing.

June 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Tuesday – June 30, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #ChattoogaInfo, #ChattoogaSheriff, #CrimeNews, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #trionga, #TuesdayJuly12026, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, June 1, 2026:

June 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Dangerous Heat Continues Across Chattooga County Through Fourth of July Weekend

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A prolonged stretch of dangerous summer heat will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through the Independence Day weekend, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s and heat index values frequently topping 100 degrees.

June 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Body Recovered During Search At Armuchee Park In Floyd County

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Emergency crews recovered the body of an individual Monday night during search operations at Armuchee Park on Jones Mill Road in Floyd County.

Earlier in the evening, the Floyd County Police Department announced that first responders were searching for a possible drowning victim and asked the public to avoid the area while search and rescue operations were underway.

Later Monday night, authorities confirmed that emergency crews had located the body of an individual during the search. The scene remained active as law enforcement and other agencies continued their investigation.

The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The Floyd County Police Department expressed its condolences to the individual’s family and again asked the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel completed their work.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information has been released.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Menlo Accepts Town Clerk’s Resignation, Names Interim Clerk

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CityOfMenlo, #JulieWillingham, #KrisWillis, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #MenloCityCouncil, #MenloGA, #MenloRecreation, #NickiHoard, #northwestgeorgia, #TownClerk, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

The Menlo City Council has officially accepted the resignation of Town Clerk Nicki Hoard and has appointed a former clerk to serve in the position while the search for a permanent replacement gets underway.

During last week’s meeting, Mayor Kris Willis informed the council that Hoard had submitted her resignation prior to the meeting. Willis thanked Hoard for her service to the city and said she left on good terms. The council unanimously voted to accept her resignation.

To help maintain day-to-day operations, the council approved the appointment of Julie Willingham, a former Menlo city clerk, as interim clerk. Willis said Willingham has agreed to assist the city during the transition and will serve on a part-time basis until a full-time clerk is hired.

An advertisement for the permanent town clerk position is expected to be published in the local newspaper, with applications anticipated to remain open for at least two weeks, or longer if needed, before the position is filled.

In other business, Willis announced a new leadership team for the Menlo Recreation Department. The board includes President Levi Robinson, Vice President Nick Stout, Treasurer Kelli Weaver, and board members Keith Lutz and Kevin Payton. The volunteers will serve one-year terms with the option for renewal.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Why Are Georgia Power Bills Still So High Despite a Fuel Rate Cut?

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #ConsumerNews, #ElectricBills, #Electricity, #EnergyCosts, #EnergyEfficiency, #georgiapower, #georgiapsc, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PowerBills, #SummerHeat, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Many Georgia Power customers may have noticed that electric bills remain high this summer, even though the utility recently lowered the fuel portion of its rates.

According to WABE, the biggest reason is increased summer electricity use. As temperatures climb, air conditioners run longer and harder, driving up the amount of electricity households consume. At the same time, Georgia Power’s higher seasonal summer rates take effect, meaning customers pay more for electricity during the months when demand is greatest.

Although the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a reduction in Georgia Power’s fuel costs that lowered the average residential bill by about $4 per month beginning in June, those savings are often outweighed by increased air conditioning use and higher summer rates.

Georgia Power recommends several ways to reduce bills, including raising the thermostat by one degree, using a programmable thermostat, replacing HVAC filters regularly, sealing air leaks around doors and windows, and taking advantage of free home energy audits and available rebates for energy-efficient improvements. Consumer advocates also encourage customers to carefully review optional billing plans before switching, as some may cost more over time depending on energy usage.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Inmate Accused of Posing as Deputy in Phone Scam

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimeNews, #DoolyStatePrison, #FlaglerCounty, #FraudAlert, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #PalmCoast, #PhoneScam, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Authorities in Florida say a Georgia prison inmate has admitted to posing as a sheriff’s deputy in a phone scam that stole money from a Palm Coast, Florida resident.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Trion Proposes Smaller Budget With No Tax or Utility Rate Increases

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Residents in Trion could see no increase in property taxes or utility rates under the town’s proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.

The proposed budget totals approximately $14.7 million across all funds, a decrease of about 3.2 percent compared to the current fiscal year. According to Trion Town Clerk Missy Duncan, most of the reduction is tied to lower projected natural gas sales.

Duncan said Mount Vernon Mills, the town’s largest employer and largest natural gas customer, is expected to use less natural gas during the coming fiscal year based on projections from the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. Even with the anticipated decline in gas revenue, town officials are not proposing any increases in water, sewer, natural gas, sanitation, or property tax rates.

The proposed budget includes approximately $4.05 million for the General Fund, $5.21 million for the Gas Revenue Fund, $4.75 million for the Sewer and Wastewater Treatment Fund, $292,500 for the Water Fund, and $391,950 for the SPLOST Fund.

Town officials also expect to receive about $33,000 per month in Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) revenue, providing additional funding for transportation projects.

Residents will have an opportunity to review the proposed budget and offer comments during a public hearing before the budget is considered for final adoption

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Medicaid Payment Cuts Could Threaten Therapy Services for Children with Special Needs

Local News, Local News Items #Autism, #ChattoogaInfo, #Children, #DisabilityAdvocacy, #healthcare, #LocalNews, #Medicaid, #northwestgeorgia, #OccupationalTherapy, #PhysicalTherapy, #SpecialNeeds, #SpeechTherapy, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Families of children with special needs across Georgia are raising concerns after proposed Medicaid payment reductions could make it harder to access critical therapy services.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Continues Progress on Sludge Disposal Improvements

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The City of Summerville is continuing work to improve how sludge from its wastewater treatment plant is handled, with officials reporting progress on a long-term solution.