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January 19, 2026

Paint the Town Red: Summerville Main Street Brings Back “Live, Love, Local” Heart Project This February

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February is more than just a bridge between winter and spring—it’s a season for connection, and Summerville Main Street is inviting the community to help “paint the town red” with the return of the “Live, Love, Local” Heart Project. Throughout the month of February, Downtown Summerville will be lined with personalized, heart-shaped messages designed to celebrate the people, places, and stories that make the community special.

Organizers say the project is a chance for everyone to share a message in a fun and visible way, whether it’s a shout-out to a favorite small business, a tribute to a loved one, a school celebration, or a note of encouragement for the community. Hearts can be purchased as a single-sided display for $30 or double-sided for $50, and orders can be placed by visiting the Summerville Main Street office at 179 Union Street.

Spaces are limited, and the deadline to order is January 23. For more information, contact Summerville Main Street at 706-859-0900 Ext. 1337 or visit summervillega.org.

January 19, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Environmental Health Releases Early January Inspection Scores

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The Chattooga County Environmental Health Department has released health inspection results for the first half of January 2026, showing perfect scores for two tourist accommodation facilities in the county.

Express Inn & Suites, located at 14364 Highway 27 in Trion, earned a score of 100 on its most recent inspection conducted January 14, 2026.

James H. Floyd State Park, located at 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road in Summerville, also received a score of 100 on its latest inspection conducted January 7, 2026.

Should you ever have any complaint about any food service or tourist accommodation that operates in Chattooga County, you can contact Chattooga County Environmental Health at (706) 857-3377.

January 19, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

MLK Day Closures and Day of Service Set for Monday in Chattooga County

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Banks, the post office, and government offices in Chattooga County and in the cities of Summerville, Trion, Lyerly, and Menlo are closed today, Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the Civil Rights Movement who helped bring national attention to the fight for equality through nonviolent action. The holiday is also recognized as a National Day of Service, encouraging people to give back to their communities as a way to honor Dr. King’s message.

Locally, a Day of Service will be held Monday, January 19th at Fairway Recreation Center, 81 Senior Drive, Summerville. The event begins at 10 AM with Felicia’s Kids, and everyone is invited to come and join this event sponsored by the Chattooga County MLK Committee.

January 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Biting Wind Chills to Hit Chattooga County: Teens Overnight, Flurries Possible in Higher Elevations

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A fresh blast of arctic air is sliding into Northwest Georgia, and Thursday morning (Jan. 15) is shaping up to be the coldest stretch of the week for Chattooga County and surrounding communities. Forecasters say biting wind chills between 0° and 15°F are expected across north Georgia as breezy northwest winds follow a passing cold front, making it feel far colder than the thermometer suggests.

January 9, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rounds of Heavy Rain and Possible Strong Storms Put Chattooga County & Northwest Georgia on Alert Through Saturday

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Chattooga County and communities across Northwest Georgia are heading into a wetter, more active stretch of weather as multiple rounds of rainfall build in this afternoon and continue into Saturday. With repeated waves moving over the same areas, forecasters say there’s an increasing chance for localized flash flooding and river flooding, especially in low-lying spots, poor-drainage neighborhoods, and areas near creeks and streams.

January 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Commissioner Andy Allen Says Chattooga County Avoided TAN Borrowing for 2025 Budget Year

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Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen says the county made it through the 2025 budget year without using a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN), a common short-term borrowing tool used by local governments to cover expenses while waiting for tax revenues to come in.

January 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia “PFAS Receiver Shield” Bill Could Reshape Lawsuits Tied to Water Contamination

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A proposed bill at the Georgia Capitol, House Bill 211, could change how PFAS-related lawsuits move forward in the state, and opponents say it may limit legal options for communities dealing with contaminated drinking water, including Summerville water customers impacted by PFAS.

January 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Jobless Claims Fall Below 200,000 as Georgia Unemployment Remains Low

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Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a signal that layoffs remain relatively low even as other indicators show the job market cooling.

January 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

GNTC Helps Northwest Georgia Residents Train for Careers and Better Opportunities

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Students will be returning to Georgia Northwestern Technical College for the spring semester, one week from today on January 12, 2026. Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) continues to be a major resource for residents across Northwest Georgia by providing career-focused education, adult learning opportunities, and workforce training designed to help people move into better jobs and meet the needs of local employers.

January 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Final Weekend: Georgia Firearms Deer Season Nears Close in Northwest Georgia

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Deer hunters across Northwest Georgia are heading into the final stretch of the season, with firearms deer season ending Sunday, January 11, 2026, in most of Georgia. (A limited number of counties in the southern part of the state have an extended firearms season that runs a few extra days.)