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February 28, 2026

House Panel Advances Bill Protecting Duty-Free Lunch, Planning Time for Georgia Educators

Local News, Local News Items #AkbarAli, #DutyFreeLunch, #EducationNews, #EducationPolicy, #GAEducators, #GeorgiaEducation, #GeorgiaLegislature, #GoldDome, #HB1244, #LisaMorgan, #PlanningPeriod, #PublicSchools, #SchoolDistricts, #TeacherRights, #wzqznews 0

The Georgia Association of Educators says a House subcommittee has passed HB 1244, legislation aimed at protecting educators’ right to a duty-free lunch and a planning period during the school day.

According to the GAE, the bill would prohibit school districts from waiving duty-free lunch and planning periods except in “extreme emergencies” or when a teacher voluntarily agrees to give up that time in exchange for additional compensation.

Supporters say the measure is intended to reinforce professional working conditions and ensure educators have dedicated time to prepare lessons and recharge during the school day. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Akbar Ali.

GAE President Lisa Morgan, a kindergarten teacher, addressed the subcommittee in support of the proposal prior to the vote. The association noted that another educators’ organization urged the committee to send the bill to a study committee shortly before the measure was approved.

HB 1244 now moves forward in the legislative process as lawmakers continue debate under the Gold Dome.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Gun Reported Stolen from Vehicle Glove Box in Summerville

Local News, Local News Items #9mm, #chattoogacounty, #FirearmSafety, #georgianews, #Glock43X, #GloveBoxTheft, #GunTheft, #LocalCrime, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #SecureYourFirearms, #StolenFirearm, #summervillega, #SummervillePolice, #VehicleTheft, #wzqznews 0

A handgun was reported stolen in Summerville on Tuesday of this week, after the owner discovered it missing from the glove box of a vehicle, according to a report filed with the Summerville Police Department.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Moon Pie Hike Happening Tonight At James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityEvent, #EveningHike, #FamilyEvent, #georgiastateparks, #JamesHFloydStatePark, #LocalEvents, #MoonPieHike, #Moonrise, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorFun, #SaturdayNight, #sloppyfloydstatepark, #summervillega, #WeekendPlans, #wzqznews 0

Looking for something fun to do tonight? James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park is hosting a Moon Pie Hike this Saturday, February 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The park says the event features an easy hike around the lower lake, with participants watching the moonrise over the lower dam. Moon Pies and hot cocoa will be available during the evening.

The cost is $3 per person, and a $10 park pass is required. Registration is required in advance.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight, a blanket to sit on, and wear comfortable shoes. Participants should meet the rangers outside the park office at 6:30 p.m.

To register or for more information, call the park office at 706-857-0826.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

UGA Beef Team To Host Free Webinar On New World Screwworm Preparedness

Local News, Local News Items #AgEducation, #AgricultureNews, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #Farmers, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #LivestockHealth, #NewWorldScrewworm, #ProtectYourHerd, #Ranchers, #UGABeefTeam, #UGAExtension, #VeterinaryMedicine, #wzqznews 0

The University of Georgia Beef Team is hosting a free educational webinar to help producers and the public learn more about the New World Screwworm and how to prepare for the potential threat.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Berry College Music Brings Spring Concert Series

Local News, Local News Items #ArtsInRome, #BellRecitalHall, #berrycollege, #BerryCollegeMusic, #BerrySingers, #BerryWinds, #CarolBrittinChambers, #CommunityEvents, #ConcertSeries, #EchoesOfPortugal, #FlorencePrice, #LiveMusic, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #romegeorgia, #SeanThrower, #WindEnsemble, #WomenInMusic, #wzqznews 0

The Berry College music department is set to deliver a spring lineup of performances designed to connect with the Rome community through music that highlights culture, representation, and shared experiences.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Fugitive From Justice Charge Filed After Traffic Stop in Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CourtNews, #DrivingWithoutLicense, #Extradition, #FalseName, #FugitiveFromJustice, #Highway48, #LawEnforcement, #LocalCrime, #NoInsurance, #northwestgeorgia, #OutstandingWarrants, #PublicSafety, #recklessdriving, #SheriffsOffice, #ShinboneValley, #summervillega, #TrafficStop, #wzqznews 0

A routine traffic stop in Chattooga County has resulted in multiple charges, including Fugitive From Justice, following an arrest made February 23, 2026, according to information released by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

AARP Georgia Honors 21 Lawmakers Who Serve as Family Caregivers

Local News, Local News Items #AARPGeorgia, #Advocacy, #AtlantaGA, #CaregiverSupport, #Caregiving, #CommunityCare, #DischargePlanning, #ElderCare, #FamilyCaregivers, #GeorgiaCaregiverAct, #GeorgiaFamilyCareAct, #georgiahouse, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgianews, #HealthPolicy, #PublicHealth, #UnpaidCaregiving, #wzqznews 0

AARP Georgia recently recognized 21 members of the Georgia General Assembly who are also family caregivers, highlighting the personal responsibilities many lawmakers carry while shaping policy at the Capitol.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Young Farmers Announce Busy March Schedule at Ag Center

Local News, Local News Items #AgDay, #AgEducation, #agriculture, #chattoogaagcenter, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyYoungFarmers, #CommunityEvents, #ExtensionOffice, #FarmLife, #FruitTrees, #GeorgiaYoungFarmers, #Livestock, #LocalAgriculture, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #wzqznews, #YoungFarmers 0

The Chattooga County Young Farmers Association has announced a full slate of events for March 2026, featuring educational programs, livestock services, and the annual Ag Day for local students.

February 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Arrest Report – Friday – February 28, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, February 28, 2026:

February 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rain Today and Tonight With A Dry and Mild Week Ahead

Local News, Local News Items #CADWedge, #CatoosaCounty, #chattoogacounty, #ColdAirDamming, #ColdFront, #CommuterWeather, #DryWeekend, #FloydCounty, #ForecastUpdate, #FrontalBoundary, #georgiaweather, #IsolatedStorms, #Lightning, #LocalWeather, #lyerlyga, #MildTemps, #NextWeekWeather, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorPlans, #RainChances, #RainToday, #RomeGA, #Showers, #summervillega, #Thunderstorms, #TravelWeather, #trionga, #WalkerCounty, #WeatherAlert, #WeekendWeather, #WhitfieldCounty, #wzqznews, SpringLikeWeather 0

Widespread showers and a few isolated thunderstorms will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today and into tonight as a cold front tracks south through the region. Early activity has included occasional lightning, but storms have remained scattered and disorganized with no strong or organized severe threat showing up in the near-term pattern.