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July 13, 2026

Chattooga County Coroner Warns Families About Funeral Home Impersonation Scam

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyCoronersOffice, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunitySafety, #ConsumerAlert, #FraudPrevention, #FuneralScam, #georgianews, #GoreGA, #IdentityTheft, #ImpersonationScam, #JeremyMcElhaney, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #ProtectYourInformation, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #SublignaGA, #summervillega, #TelogaGA, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Coroner’s Office is warning residents about a scam targeting grieving families following the death of a loved one.

In a public alert, Coroner Jeremy A. McElhaney said scammers are posing as funeral home employees after monitoring online obituaries. The scammers then contact family members and demand immediate payment, falsely claiming to represent the funeral home handling funeral arrangements.

McElhaney urged anyone receiving such a call not to provide any personal or financial information. Instead, he advises families to hang up and contact their funeral home directly using a trusted phone number to verify whether the call is legitimate.

“I personally know the owner/operators of all three Chattooga County funeral homes and can assure you that is not the way they conduct business,” McElhaney said.

Residents are encouraged to share the warning to help prevent others from becoming victims of the scam.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charge Following Police Investigation

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalControl, #AnimalCruelty, #AnimalNeglect, #AnimalWelfare, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunitySafety, #crimereport, #CriminalInvestigation, #CrueltyToAnimals, #IncidentReport, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #northwestgeorgianews, #policereport, #PublicSafety, #SPD, #summervillega, #SummervillePoliceDepartment, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A Summerville man is expected to face an animal cruelty charge following an investigation into reports that a dog was being kept without adequate food, water or shelter during hot weather, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police were dispatched at approximately 7:54 p.m. on July 1 after receiving a complaint about a dog allegedly being neglected. According to the incident report, the complainant identified the dog’s owner as Dakota Marks and reported seeing the dog tied to a tree with a ratchet strap.

When officers arrived, they found a large dog secured by a ratchet strap with one end attached to the animal and the other fastened to a tree. The report states the immediate area contained no shelter from the heat, no accessible food, and the only water container had a crack in the bottom, preventing it from serving as a reliable water source. Officers also noted the area was heavily littered with trash and that the restraint was not long enough for the dog to reach a nearby camper.

The responding officer photographed the scene and requested assistance from Animal Control. Attempts to locate Marks at the location were unsuccessful.

According to the report, a warrant was issued for Dakota Marks on a charge of Cruelty to Animals.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Magician Arthur Atsma Bringing Interactive Show to Chattooga County Library Tuesday

Local News, Local News Items #ArthurAtsma, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyLibrary, #ChattoogaEvents, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityEvents, #FamilyFun, #FreeEvent, #KidsActivities, #LibraryPrograms, #MagicShow, #northwestgeorgia, #SaraHightowerRegionalLibrarySystem, #SummerReading, #SummervilleEvents, #summervillega, #ThingsToDo, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YouthPrograms 0

Families looking for free summertime entertainment are invited to the Chattooga County Library on Tuesday afternoon for an interactive magic show featuring nationally recognized entertainer Arthur Atsma.

The performance begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at the Chattooga County Library, located at 360 Farrar Drive in Summerville. The event is presented by the Sara Hightower Regional Library System and is free and open to the public.

Atsma is known for combining comedy, audience participation and fast-paced illusions into a family-friendly performance designed to entertain children and adults alike. Organizers say the show features a variety of performance arts woven into an engaging magical adventure that has delighted audiences around the world.

The program is part of the library’s summer activities and provides local families with another opportunity to enjoy free educational and recreational programming during the school break.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Resident Reports Handgun Missing After Parking Vehicle

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunitySafety, #crimereport, #CriminalInvestigation, #FirearmTheft, #GeorgiaCrime, #HandgunTheft, #IncidentReport, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #northwestgeorgianews, #policereport, #PropertyCrime, #PublicSafety, #SPD, #StolenFirearm, #summervillega, #SummervillePoliceDepartment, #TheftInvestigation, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A Summerville man has reported a handgun missing after discovering it was no longer inside his vehicle, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police say James Parker contacted dispatch on June 28, 2026, to report that his Taurus G3 9mm handgun was missing. Parker told officers he believes someone stole the firearm while his vehicle was parked on Hawkins Drive.

According to the incident report, Parker last saw the handgun at approximately 8:30 p.m. on June 27 and discovered it missing around 1:30 a.m. on June 28. The firearm was identified by its serial number in the report.

The incident remains under investigation by the Summerville Police Department, and no suspects have been identified.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville City Council to Meet This Evening; Fair Donation, Building Regulations Among Agenda Items

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #chattoogacountyfair, #ChattoogaInfo, #CityOfSummerville, #LocalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #publicmeeting, #summervillecitycouncil, #summervillega, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

The Summerville City Council will hold its regular monthly meeting this evening (Monday) at 5 p.m. at Summerville City Hall. The meeting agenda includes recognition of a retiring firefighter, infrastructure-related contract changes, building regulations, and a proposed contribution to the Chattooga County Fair.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Replica of Declaration of Independence Now on Display in Downtown Summerville

Local News, Local News Items #America250, #AmericanHistory, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityNews, #DeclarationOfIndependence, #DowntownSummerville, #HistoricSummerville, #History, #NationalArchives, #northwestgeorgia, #Patriotism, #summervillega, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Chattooga County residents have a chance to view a full-sized replica of America’s founding document right in downtown Summerville.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sloppy Floyd State Park Hosting Cloud Spotters Program and Night Hike Saturday

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James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park is inviting outdoor enthusiasts to take part in two ranger-led programs on Saturday, July 18, offering opportunities to learn about the natural world during both the day and night.

The day begins with the Cloud Spotters program at 10 a.m., where participants will create a cloud spotter craft before hiking to the Lower Lake Dam to learn about different cloud formations and Earth’s weather systems. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket, sunglasses and plenty of water. The program costs $3 per person, and a $10 park pass is also required.

Later that evening at 8 p.m., the park will host a Cold-Blooded Critters Night Hike along the Upper Lake Trail. Rangers will introduce participants to reptiles, amphibians and other cold-blooded animals while discussing their habitats, diets and survival strategies. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water. The night hike is also $3 per person, with a $10 park pass required.

Advance registration is required for both programs. To register or for more information, call the park office at 706-857-0826.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Sunday – July 12, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, July 12, 2026:

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Public Meeting Set to Review 2024 Audit and 2025 Budget Amendments

Local News, Local News Items #2024Audit, #2025Budget, #AndyAllen, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyCommissioner, #ChattoogaInfo, #CountyGovernment, #LocalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #publicmeeting, #summervillega, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen has scheduled a public meeting for Thursday, July 16, to review the county’s 2024 Audit Report and consider amendments to the 2025 county budget.

The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Conference Room at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office, located at 10102 Commerce Street in Summerville.

According to the public meeting notice, the two matters listed for discussion are a review of the completed 2024 audit and consideration of changes to the county’s 2025 budget.

The meeting is open to the public, and residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

Meeting Details

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Commissioner’s Conference Room, Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office, 10102 Commerce Street, Summerville

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Hays State Prison Warden Joshua Jones Dies at 39

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #Corrections, #gdc, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfCorrections, #HaysStatePrison, #JoshuaJones, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Georgia Department of Corrections and communities across Northwest Georgia are mourning the unexpected death of Hays State Prison Warden Joshua Jones, who passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 39.