Widespread Rain and Thunderstorms Expected Through Tuesday Before Typical Summer Pattern Returns

Residents across Chattooga County and northwest Georgia should prepare for a wet start to the week as a slow-moving weather system brings numerous showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday before conditions gradually return to a more typical summertime pattern later in the week.

Read more

Chattooga County Coroner Warns Families About Funeral Home Impersonation Scam

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.

Arrest Report – Sunday – July 12, 2026

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

Read more

Two Suspects in Custody, One Still Sought After iPads Stolen From Trion Walmart

Two of the three suspects accused of stealing several iPads from the Walmart in Trion are now in custody, while law enforcement continues searching for a third suspect.

According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, store employees attempted to stop the three men as they left the store Friday after they were suspected of shoplifting multiple iPads. The suspects fled before deputies arrived.

One suspect was initially apprehended Friday. Sheriff Schrader later announced that a second suspect has now been taken into custody, leaving one suspect still at large.

Authorities said the remaining suspect was last seen wearing green and black shorts with a black shirt. Sheriff Schrader has released a surveillance image of the suspect and is asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators believe the suspects may also be connected to other shoplifting incidents in Michigan and Dalton, Georgia.

The investigation remains active, and additional charges or arrests may be forthcoming.

Anyone with information on the remaining suspect is encouraged to contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Arrest Report – Saturday – July 11, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, July 11, 2026:

Read more

Storm Chances Increase This Weekend With Heavy Rain Possible Across Northwest Georgia

Hot and humid conditions will continue across Chattooga County and northwest Georgia this weekend, but increasing thunderstorm activity is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and some relief from the heat.

Read more

West Nile Virus concerns have public health officials reminding about mosquito-bite prevention

Public health officials are urging Northwest Georgia residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the 2026 West Nile virus season gets underway earlier and more aggressively than it has in more than two decades.

Read more

Godfrey’s Tree Service Organizes GoFundMe For Trion Family After July 4 Storm Damage

Kevin Godfrey and Lacey Gilreath with Godfrey’s Tree Service have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help a Trion family whose home was heavily damaged during severe storms on July 4, 2026.

Read more

One Suspect In Custody, Two Sought Following Alleged Shoplifting At Trion Walmart

Sample Image

One man is in custody and two others remain at large following an alleged shoplifting incident Friday at Walmart in Trion.

According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, three men were stopped while leaving the store after they were believed to have stolen several iPads.

Authorities say the suspects fled the scene before Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputies arrived. Law enforcement was able to apprehend one of the three men, while the other two remained at large as of Friday night.

Sheriff Schrader said investigators believe the three men may also be connected to other shoplifting incidents in Michigan and in Dalton, Georgia.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information has not yet been released.

WZQZ will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Showers and Storms Increase This Afternoon as Wet Weekend Takes Shape Across Northwest Georgia

After another hot summer morning, weather conditions across Chattooga County and northwest Georgia are expected to become increasingly active this afternoon as a series of disturbances brings a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend and into early next week.

Read more