#SchoolSafety | AM 1180 Radio

July 28, 2026

Chattooga Schools Activate New Panic Alert Badge System For All Staff

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As students return to classrooms for the new school year, the Chattooga County School District has activated a new panic alert badge system designed to improve campus safety and speed emergency response.

According to Chattooga County Schools Superintendent Michelle Helie, the district has completed implementation of the CENTEGIX CrisisAlert system after beginning work on the project last fall.

“We started working on it last fall and began the implementation phase and onboarding all in the spring, but come this year, it is active, it’s live and ready to go,” Helie said.

The CENTEGIX system is required under Georgia law and provides every school employee with a wearable badge equipped with a panic alert button. Teachers, office staff, custodians, cafeteria workers and other employees throughout the district have been issued the devices.

If an emergency occurs, staff members can press the button on the badge to immediately notify school administrators, 911 and emergency responders through the system’s alarm network.

Helie said district employees completed training on the system last week before receiving their badges. Staff members will wear the panic alert badge alongside their regular school identification badge. One side displays the employee’s identification, while the reverse side contains the emergency alert button.

The badges became active with the start of the new school year, adding another layer of security for students, staff and visitors across all Chattooga County schools.

July 24, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

AAA Urges Drivers To Slow Down As Chattooga Students Return To School Today

Local News, Local News Items #AAA, #BackToSchool, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #DriveCarefully, #NHTSA, #northwestgeorgia, #PedestrianSafety, #SchoolSafety, #SchoolZoneSafety, #summervillega, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

As students across Chattooga County return to the classroom today, AAA is reminding motorists to use extra caution in school zones and residential neighborhoods where children will be walking, biking and boarding school buses.

July 24, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Trion City Schools Warns Businesses About Unauthorized Sponsorship Solicitation

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Trion City Schools is warning local businesses about an unauthorized company that has reportedly been contacting businesses seeking advertising and sponsorships for Trion Middle School homework folders.

July 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Drivers Reminded to Watch for School Buses as Chattooga Students Return Friday

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With the first day of school just days away, motorists are being reminded to slow down, stay alert and obey Georgia’s school bus laws as Chattooga County students return to class on Friday, July 24.

July 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Cherokee County Alabama Lieutenant Appointed Secretary of National School Resource Officer Association

Local News, Local News Items #alabamanews, #ChattoogaInfo, #CherokeeCountyAL, #CherokeeCountyAlabama, #CherokeeCountySheriffsOffice, #JordanKelley, #LawEnforcement, #NASRO, #NortheastAlabama, #PublicSafety, #SchoolResourceOfficers, #SchoolSafety, #StudentSafety, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jordan Kelley has been appointed secretary of the National Association of School Resource Officers, giving the local agency representation in a national school-safety leadership role.

July 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

New Georgia Law Requires Schools To Enroll Foster Students Within Three Business Days

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #ChildWelfare, #Education, #FosterCare, #FosterYouth, #GeorgiaDOE, #GeorgiaSchools, #GovernorKemp, #SchoolSafety, #SenateBill431, #StudentEnrollment, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A new Georgia law designed to reduce educational disruptions for children in foster care is now in effect, requiring public schools to enroll foster students within three school business days of a request for enrollment.

July 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Trion Schools Seeking Renewal of Education SPLOST, Bonding Authority

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The Trion City School System is asking the Trion Town Council to support placing a renewal of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or ESPLOST, on the November ballot to continue funding major capital improvements without increasing property taxes.

May 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Additional Charges Filed Against Teen Accused Of Discharging Gun On Armuchee High School Grounds

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A Silver Creek teenager arrested earlier this week after allegedly discharging a handgun on the campus of Armuchee High School is now facing several additional charges, according to Floyd County Jail records.

May 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Teen Arrested After Gun Discharge At Armuchee High School

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A teen was arrested Tuesday following an incident involving a firearm on the campus of Armuchee High School on Martha Berry Highway.

According to Floyd County Jail records, the incident occurred just after 3:00 PM. Authorities say 17-year-old Scott Ryan Ferguson of Silver Creek discharged a handgun while on school grounds.

Ferguson is charged with possession of a pistol or revolver by someone under the age of 18, carrying a weapon within a school safety zone, and reckless conduct.

School officials say the incident happened in the band parking lot during dismissal. An adult male, not affiliated with the school system, had entered campus to meet a student. While inside a vehicle, the individual was handling a firearm when it was accidentally discharged, resulting in a self-inflicted injury.

Officials confirmed that no students or staff were harmed and that there was no ongoing threat to the campus. Law enforcement responded quickly, took the individual into custody, and secured the weapon.

The Floyd County Police Department, along with the FCS K9 Unit, assisted in the response. School officials say the incident is being treated as isolated, and a full follow-up investigation is underway.

May 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Threat at Chattooga High Deemed Non-Credible; Lockdown Lifted

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An investigation into a reported threat on Thursday at Chattooga High School has determined there was no credible danger to students or staff.