#northwestgeorgia | AM 1180 Radio

February 15, 2026

Georgia Jobless Claims Rise Last Week as U.S. Total Declines

Local News, Local News Items #BusinessNews, #EconomicUpdate, #EmploymentNews, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaJobs, #JoblessClaims, #LaborMarket, #Layoffs, #northwestgeorgia, #UnemploymentClaims, #USDepartmentOfLabor, #Workforce, #wzqznews 0

Initial unemployment filings in Georgia increased last week compared with the week before, according to new figures released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The state recorded 5,133 new jobless claims for the week ending February 7, up from 4,681 the prior week — a gain of 452 claims. Nationwide, initial unemployment claims fell to 227,000, down 5,000 from 232,000 the week before on a seasonally adjusted basis, signaling a modest improvement at the national level even as Georgia ticked upward.

Other states saw sharper swings. Virginia posted the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, rising 68.8%, while Missouri had the largest percentage drop, with new claims falling 43.5%.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Authorities Searching for Missing Menlo Woman

Local News, Local News Items #BeOnTheLookout, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #CommunityHelp, #GabrielleSipes, #LawEnforcement, #MenloGA, #MissingPerson, #MissingWoman, #NortheastGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicAlert, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating 23-year-old Gabrielle Haley Sipes, who was reported missing earlier this week.

Sipes was last seen around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2026, in the Menlo area of Chattooga County, with investigators saying her possible last known location may be in Northeast Georgia. She is described as a white female, approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 135 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. What she was wearing at the time she was last seen is unknown.

Family members report that Sipes is autistic but verbal. Authorities urge anyone who may have seen her or has information on her whereabouts to contact Chattooga County E-911 at 706-857-0750 immediately.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

City of Summerville Seeks Bids for Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion

Local News, Local News Items #BasketballPavilion, #CityOfSummerville, #CommunityDevelopment, #ConstructionBid, #LocalGovernment, #MunicipalProject, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicNotice, #PublicWorks, #RecreationProject, #summervillega, #SummervilleParks, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville is inviting sealed bids for the construction and installation of an outdoor basketball court pavilion, a project aimed at enhancing local recreational facilities in the community. Bids will be received at Summerville City Hall, 120 Georgia Ave., Summerville, GA 30747 until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026. After that time, all bids will be opened publicly in the City Hall Council Room for review.

Interested contractors must submit their proposals in sealed envelopes clearly marked “RFB-2026-120-Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion.” All bids must remain valid for 60 business days and will be reviewed by designated city officials before a contract is awarded. Bids received after the deadline will not be considered for the project.

February 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Dry Weekend Start Followed by Widespread Rain Across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #DaltonGA, #FebruaryWeather, #georgiaweather, #LocalWeather, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #MildTemperatures, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGAWeather, #RainLikely, #RomeGA, #ShowersAndStorms, #StormThreatLow, #summervillega, #trionga, #WeatherUpdate, #WeekendForecast, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County and the rest of Northwest Georgia will enjoy dry and mild conditions through Saturday, with afternoon highs generally reaching the 60s. Higher elevations may remain in the 40s and 50s, but overall temperatures will stay above seasonal averages.

February 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Two Arrested on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop in Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaSheriff, #crimereport, #DrugArrest, #LawEnforcement, #LocalCrime, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #wzqznews 0

Two people were arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop in Chattooga County earlier this month, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

February 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

February is American Heart Month: NWGA Public Health Urges Heart-Healthy Habits

Local News, Local News Items #AmericanHeartMonth, #BloodPressure, #Exercise, #FluShot, #georgiadph, #HealthyEating, #HeartHealth, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGAPublicHealth, #OralHealth, #PreventiveCare, #PublicHealth, #QuitSmoking, #SleepHealth, #VaccinesWork, #Wellness, #wzqznews 0

February is American Heart Month, an annual observance focused on raising awareness about cardiovascular health and encouraging habits that protect the heart.

February 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Summerville Woman Arrested for DUI After Vehicle Found in Ditch

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyJail, #CircleK, #CommunitySafety, #DrivingUnderTheInfluence, #DUIArrest, #February102026, #GivenStreet, #LawEnforcement, #LocalCrime, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #SummervillePolice, #wzqznews 0

A Summerville woman was arrested on charges of Driving Under the Influence after officers responded to a vehicle partially lodged in a ditch near Circle K on February 10, 2026, according to a Summerville Police Department incident report.

February 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Friday – February 13, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #BreakingNews, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaSheriff, #CommunitySafety, #crimereport, #DrugArrest, #FridayArrest, #GeorgiaCrime, #LawEnforcement, #LocalCrime, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PoliceActivity, #PublicSafety, #SheriffsOffice, #TrafficStop, #wzqznews 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, February 13, 2026:

February 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Fire Danger Today – Heavy Rain This Weekend

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #FireDangerStatement, #FireWeather, #FloodingConcerns, #georgiaweather, #HeavyRain, #LowHumidity, #Lyerly, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #RainfallTotals, #summervillega, #Thunderstorms, #trionga, #WeekendWeather, #wzqznews 0

A Fire Danger Statement is in effect Friday for Chattooga County and all of Northwest Georgia as very dry air overspreads the region. Relative humidity values are expected to fall into the low to mid-20 percent range Friday afternoon, creating favorable conditions for wildfire ignition and spread. While winds are forecast to remain generally light, officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning and use extra caution with anything that could spark a fire.

February 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rising Georgia Power Bills Spark Frustration in Chattooga County as PSC Makeup Shifts

Local News, Local News Items #AliciaJohnson, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityImpact, #CostOfLiving, #ElectricRates, #EnergyBurden, #FixedIncome, #georgianews, #georgiapower, #georgiapsc, #LIHEAP, #LowIncomeFamilies, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #PeterHubbard, #PowerBills, #PublicServiceCommission, #RateIncreases, #summervillega, #trionga, #UtilityCosts, #wzqznews 0

Across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, many residents say steadily rising Georgia Power bills are placing increased pressure on household budgets, particularly for low- to moderate-income families and seniors on fixed incomes.