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February 8, 2026

Armuchee Couple Jailed on Child Cruelty, Animal Cruelty Charges After Reports of Filthy Living Conditions

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalControl, #AnimalCruelty, #AnimalNeglect, #ArmucheeGA, #BondHearing, #BreakingNews, #ChildNeglect, #ChildProtection, #ChildWelfare, #CommunitySafety, #CourtWatch, #CPS, #CrimeNews, #CrueltyToChildren, #DFCS, #FamilySafety, #floydcountyga, #georgianews, #HumaneTreatment, #JailReport, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #MandatedReporters, #NorthGeorgiaNews, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #PublicSafety, #RomeGA, #SchoolSafety, #StudentWelfare, #wzqznews 0

A couple in Armuchee is facing felony child cruelty charges after authorities say two children—both minors—were sent to school with animal feces on their clothing and bookbags, and were living in what investigators described as deplorable conditions inside the home.

February 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Housing Affordability Squeeze Grows in Chattooga County as Prices Rise and Rentals Stay Tight

Local News, Local News Items #AffordableHousing, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityIssues, #CostOfLiving, #FairMarketRent, #FirstTimeHomebuyers, #FixedIncome, #Homeownership, #HomePrices, #HousingAffordability, #HousingChoiceVoucher, #HousingCosts, #HousingMarket, #HousingSupply, #Inventory, #LocalEconomy, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MedianHomePrice, #MenloGA, #MortgageRates, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #PropertyInsurance, #PropertyTaxes, #QualityOfLife, #RealEstate, #RentalMarket, #Renters, #RuralHousing, #Section8, #SeniorHousing, #summervillega, #trionga, #WorkforceHousing, #wzqznews, georgia 0

For many families in Chattooga County, housing is still considered “more affordable than the big cities” — but that doesn’t mean it feels affordable on a local paycheck.

February 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Red Cross Urges Caregivers in Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia to Get CPR/AED Training During Heart Month

Local News, Local News Items #AED, #AEDAwareness, #AEDTraining, #AmericanRedCross, #BeReady, #CardiacArrest, #Caregivers, #CaregiverSupport, #chattoogacounty, #ChildSafety, #CommunityHealth, #CPR, #CPRTraining, #EmergencyPreparedness, #FamilyCaregiving, #FirstAid, #HandsOnlyCPR, #HeartHealth, #HeartMonth, #InfantCPR, #LifesavingSkills, #LifesavingTraining, #lyerlyga, #MomentsThatMatter, #NationalHeartMonth, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #PublicSafety, #RedCrossGeorgia, #SeniorSafety, #SuddenCardiacArrest, #summervillega, #trionga, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, millions of Americans are balancing the role of caregiver — often caring for young children and aging loved ones at the same time. Yet many caregivers say they are not prepared to respond to a medical emergency like cardiac arrest, even though it can happen suddenly and without warning.

February 7, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Saturday – February 7, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #BookingReport, #CCSO, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #CommunitySafety, #CourtWatch, #crimereport, #CriminalCharges, #DailyArrestReport, #Feb72026, #February72026, #FelonyCharges, #georgianews, #JailReport, #JusticeSystem, #LawAndOrder, #LawEnforcement, #LocalLawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #MisdemeanorCharges, #NorthGeorgiaNews, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #PoliceBlotter, #PublicRecords, #PublicSafety, #SaturdayArrests, #SheriffsOffice, #WeekendArrests, #wzqznews 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, February 7, 2026:

February 7, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Fire Danger and Strong Winds Impact Chattooga County, Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #AboveNormalTemperatures, #BreezyConditions, #BurnBan, #chattoogacounty, #ColdFront, #ColdMorning, #CommunityUpdate, #DryAir, #FireDangerStatement, #FireSafety, #FireWeather, #FreezeRisk, #georgiaweather, #GustyWinds, #LocalWeather, #LowHumidity, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #MidweekShowers, #NationalWeatherService, #NextWeekWarmUp, #NortheastGeorgiaMountains, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #NWSAtlanta, #OutdoorBurning, #RainChances, #RedFlagConditions, #RelativeHumidity, #summervillega, #SundayForecast, #trionga, #WarmWeatherAhead, #WeatherAlert, #WeekendForecast, #WildfireRisk, #WindAdvisory, #WindChill, #WindGusts, #wzqznews 0

Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are dealing with a mix of cold, wind, and fire weather concerns this weekend as a Fire Danger Statement remains in effect for much of north and east central Georgia on Saturday.

January 31, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Unemployment Drops to 4% as Northwest Georgia Labor Market Remains Strong

Local News, Local News Items #CatoosaCounty, #chattoogacounty, #DadeCounty, #DaltonGA, #economy, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfLabor, #GeorgiaJobs, #JobMarket, #LocalEconomy, #NorthGeorgia, #NWGA, #romegeorgia, #Unemployment, #WalkerCounty, #Workforce, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County’s unemployment rate fell to 4% in December, continuing a positive trend and reflecting improving labor conditions heading into the new year. According to data released by the Georgia Department of Labor, the county’s rate dropped from 4.7% in November and improved from over 5% in December 2024, signaling steady recovery and job growth locally.

January 31, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Child Molester Returns to Court After Release in Chattooga County Case

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #courtreport, #courts, #criminaljustice, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #NorthGeorgia, #NWGA, #PublicSafety, #sexoffenderregistry, #wzqznews 0

A Chattooga County man previously convicted of child molestation has returned to court following his release from prison, according to court records. Terry Lee Coleman was originally charged after incidents involving a child under the age of 16, with the offenses occurring over a period of time prior to his arrest.

Coleman pleaded guilty to child molestation and was sentenced to prison, later being released after serving his sentence. Court documents indicate the recent hearing involved compliance issues tied to the terms of his release, including supervision and restrictions required under Georgia law for registered sex offenders.

The case remains under the oversight of the court, with officials stressing that convicted sex offenders are subject to strict monitoring requirements designed to protect the public. Any violations of release conditions can result in additional legal action.

January 31, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Young Farmers Share February Update and Upcoming Events

Local News, Local News Items #AgEducation, #agriculture, #Beekeeping, #chattoogaagcenter, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #farmfamilies, #HoneyBees, #NorthGeorgia, #NWGA, #pasturemanagement, #pesticiderecertification, #wzqznews, #YoungFarmers 0

Young Farmers Director Lauren Jarrett has released a February update for the Chattooga County Young Farmers Association, highlighting upcoming educational programs, certification opportunities, and recognition of local agricultural leaders.

January 31, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rural King Grand Opening at Mount Berry Mall Expected in Mid-March

Local News, Local News Items #farmandhome, #FloydCounty, #grandopening, #jobs, #lawnandgarden, #LocalEconomy, #mountberrymall, #newbusiness, #NorthGeorgia, #NWGA, #outdoorequipment, #retailnews, #romegeorgia, #ruralking, #Tractors, #workwear, #wzqznews 0

The Rome News-Tribune reports the new Rural King store at Mount Berry Mall is expected to hold its grand opening in mid-March, according to sources. The 85,000-square-foot store is moving into the former Sears space, and officials say the location is fully staffed with workers currently stocking tens of thousands of items throughout the building. Plans also include about 35,000 square feet of outdoor space for displaying tractors and other heavy equipment.

January 31, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic Raise Minimum Starting Wage to $18.85 an Hour

Local News, Local News Items #AdvocateHealth, #atriumhealthfloyd, #chattoogacounty, #economy, #FloydCounty, #HarbinClinic, #healthcare, #jobs, #LocalBusiness, #minimumwage, #NorthGeorgia, #NWGA, #payraise, #WalkerCounty, #Workforce, #wzqznews 0

Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic are making an additional investment in their local workforce, announcing an increase in the minimum starting wage for eligible teammates in Northwest Georgia to $18.85 per hour, beginning with Jan. 30 paychecks. Leaders say the change is meant to strengthen long-term workforce stability and support the employees who provide care across the region.