#wzqznews | AM 1180 Radio

May 8, 2026

Northwest Georgia Unemployment Rate Drops To 3.3 Percent

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #DadeCounty, #EconomicDevelopmentWeek, #EmploymentNews, #FloydCounty, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfLabor, #GeorgiaJobs, #georgianews, #GordonCounty, #JobsReport, #LaborForce, #LocalEconomy, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #summervillega, #UnemploymentRate, #WalkerCounty, #WorkforceDevelopment, #wzqznews 0

Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate unchanged at 5.6 percent, Rome Down

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a point over the month to 3.3 percent.

That compares to 3.2 percent one year ago.

The region’s labor force increased by 2,155 over the month and by 4,086 over the year, reaching 459,952, an all-time high. The number of employed residents also rose, increasing by 2,996 over the month and 3,515 over the year to 444,625, also an all-time high.

Initial unemployment claims were up by 718 over the month and by 852 over the year, reaching 2,557.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said the numbers are a strong sign during Economic Development Week, noting that more Georgians are securing jobs that support families and strengthen communities.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Happening Tomorrow: Summerville Main Street’s Ducky Derby Returns Saturday, May 9

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #DuckRace, #DuckyCallingContest, #DuckyDerby, #EastWashingtonStreet, #FamilyFun, #GPFederalCreditUnion, #JeepCruiseIn, #LocalEvents, #May92026, #northwestgeorgia, #ProRoofGA, #SaturdayEvent, #SouthernRailway, #SteamEngine4501, #SummervilleDepot, #summervillega, #summervillemainstreet, #SummervilleTurntable, #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum, #TownCreek, #TrainRide, #TVRM, #wzqznews 0

Summerville Main Street’s Ducky Derby is happening tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, outside the Summerville Depot.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Stabilization Work Continues On Historic Floyd County Courthouse

Local News, Local News Items #CommunityUpdate, #CourthouseFire, #CourthouseStabilization, #DowntownRome, #FloydCounty, #georgianews, #HistoricBuilding, #HistoricFloydCountyCourthouse, #LocalNews, #March232026, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #RoadClosures, #RomeGA, #TrafficUpdate, #TribuneStreet, #wzqznews 0

Photo credit: WRGA Radio

Stabilization work is continuing on the Historic Floyd County Courthouse following the March 23 fire, as crews move closer to securing the damaged structure.

Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord said contractors have already removed loose brick and coping from the building. Unstable gable ends have also been taken down where the roof structure no longer exists, and two damaged walls in the main courtroom behind the bell tower have been removed.

Crews are still monitoring cracks on the Tribune Street side of the courthouse.

The next major step is a stabilization process known as banding. McCord said a support band will be placed around the building about 45 feet up. Scaffolding is expected to go up this week, and the banding work could begin as early as Friday.

McCord said securing the building is the primary goal, especially so streets around the courthouse can safely reopen. The current target date for reopening the roads is May 22, though officials hope that could happen sooner if work goes smoothly.

McCord acknowledged the closures have been a major disruption, especially with a river crossing shut down in Rome and Floyd County.

All stabilization work is being covered by insurance.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Governor Kemp Signs Major Forestry Legislation Supporting Rural Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #CarbonCredits, #EconomicDevelopment, #ForestryIndustry, #ForestryJobs, #ForestryManufacturing, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaForestry, #georgiapolitics, #GovernorKemp, #HB134, #KeepGeorgiaForested, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #PrescribedBurning, #RuralGeorgia, #TimberIndustry, #WaterManagement, #WildfirePrevention, #WorkingForests, #wzqznews 0

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a major package of forestry and natural resources legislation Thursday at the Georgia Forestry Association headquarters in Forsyth, highlighting what industry leaders are calling a major boost for Georgia’s forestry economy and rural communities.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

City Of Summerville Hiring Gas Maintenance Worker

Local News, Local News Items #ApplyNow, #CareerOpportunity, #chattoogacounty, #CityOfSummerville, #EmploymentOpportunity, #GasMaintenanceWorker, #JobOpening, #JobSearch, #LocalJobs, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #NowHiring, #PublicWorks, #SkilledTrades, #summervillega, #WorkInGeorgia, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville is now accepting applications for a Gas Maintenance Worker position.

The job involves assisting with the installation, repair, and maintenance of gas lines and system components throughout the city. Duties include transporting equipment, locating and repairing gas leaks, conducting inspections, maintaining pipelines and meters, and responding to emergency repair calls, including after-hours situations.

Workers will also be responsible for marking underground utilities, performing pressure tests, maintaining tools and inventory, and completing service reports.

The position requires outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions and includes physical tasks such as lifting, climbing, bending, and operating specialized equipment.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and typically need one to two years of related experience or training. A valid Georgia driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one, is also required.

Those interested can apply through the City of Summerville employment application.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Law Will Require Autism Training For Police During Traffic Stops

Local News, Local News Items #AutismAwareness, #AutismSupport, #AutismTraining, #BrianStrickland, #CommunityNews, #DevelopmentalDisabilities, #firstresponders, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgianews, #LawEnforcement, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #PoliceTraining, #PublicSafety, #RiosLaw, #TrafficStops, #wzqznews 0

Georgia lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at helping law enforcement officers better handle traffic stops involving people with autism and developmental disabilities.

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Senior Center Hosting May Memorial Day Raffle Fundraiser

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #BryantAndSons, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySeniorCenter, #CommunityFundraiser, #Fundraiser, #LocalEvents, #May292026, #MemorialDayRaffle, #northwestgeorgia, #RaffleTickets, #SeniorCenter, #summervillega, #SupportLocalSeniors, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Senior Center is hosting a May Memorial Day raffle ticket fundraiser to support local seniors.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and may be purchased at Bryant & Sons or at the Chattooga County Senior Center Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM.

Participants will have a chance to win either three John Wayne books and two framed postage stamps, or a Nostalgia KPM200 2.5-ounce kettle popcorn maker, which will include one starter pack of popcorn.

The winner will be announced Friday, May 29, through Facebook Live and by phone.

May 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Highland Avenue In Summerville To Close For Ongoing Sewer Project

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CityOfSummerville, #CommunityNews, #Detour, #Friday, #HighlandAvenue, #highway27, #LocalTraffic, #May112026, #May152026, #Monday, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicNotice, #RoadClosure, #SewerProject, #summervillega, #TrafficAlert, #TravelAdvisory, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville has announced a temporary closure on Highland Avenue due to an ongoing sewer project.

Highland Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Monday, May 11th through Friday, May 15th, between East First Avenue and Sixth Avenue. The closure will be in effect daily from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM.

Residents and businesses within the closure area will still have access to their properties, but minor delays should be expected.

Motorists are advised to use Highway 27 northbound and southbound as the primary alternate route during the closure.

May 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Thursday – May 7, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #CCSO, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #CrimeNews, #DailyArrestReport, #JailBookings, #LawEnforcement, #LocalCrime, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #Mugshots, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #SheriffsOffice, #summervillega, #trionga, #wzqznews 0

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

May 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Pollen Extremely High Across Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #AllergyAlert, #AllergySeason, #chattoogacounty, #DadeCounty, #FloydCounty, #georgiaweather, #GordonCounty, #GrassPollen, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGAWeather, #PollenLevels, #PollenReport, #SpringAllergies, #ThursdayNews, #TreePollen, #VeryHighPollen, #WalkerCounty, #WeatherUpdate, #wzqznews 0

Allergy sufferers across Northwest Georgia are dealing with very high grass pollen levels today, creating a significant allergy risk throughout the area. Forecasters say the elevated pollen counts are expected to remain high through Friday.

Tree pollen levels are currently listed as moderate, but the high concentration of grass pollen is likely to trigger symptoms for many residents, including sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and headaches.

Recent warm temperatures combined with spring growth have helped fuel the increase in pollen across the region. Dry conditions and breezy weather can also allow pollen to spread more easily through the air.

Health experts recommend limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, keeping windows closed, showering after spending time outside, and taking allergy medications as directed.

Conditions could begin to improve later this weekend as increased rain chances move back into Northwest Georgia.