Chattooga County

Wet, stormy weather in May and June caused by jet steam pattern

Wet, stormy weather in May and June caused by jet steam pattern

Thursday, June 19, 2025–10:15 a.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- It has been an unusually wet and stormy May and June in Northwest Georgia, and there is a reason for that. According to Sid King, Lead Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, normally, the jet stream tends to be positioned well to the…

Former Trion Police officer accused of hitting handcuffed arrestee

Former Trion Police officer accused of hitting handcuffed arrestee

Thursday, June 19, 2025–9:55 a.m. -Georgia Bureau of Investigation- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a former Trion Police Officer. 52-year-old Joel “Chris” Wooten of Summerville is charged with aggravated battery and violation of oath by a public officer. According to the GBI: On June 11, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office requested that the…

Sixth case of measles reported in Georgia

Sixth case of measles reported in Georgia

Thursday, June 19, 2025–7:50 a.m. -News Release- The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a sixth case of measles in Georgia in 2025. The unvaccinated individual is a family member of the confirmed measles case in May. The individual was quarantined at home following exposure, so there are no additional exposures outside of…

Georgia PSC Special Primary Election Results

Georgia PSC Special Primary Election Results

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 -Georgia Secretary of State- Republican Incumbent Tim Echols was the winner in a special primary for Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday while the Democratic primary is headed for a runoff. Echols defeated Lee Muns and will now face Democrat Alicia Johnson for the District Two seat in November. Meanwhile, Keisha…

Georgia’s gas price average unchanged from last week

Georgia’s gas price average unchanged from last week

Monday, June 16, 2025–7:50 a.m. -AAA South- Georgia gas prices were parked in neutral at the pumps compared to a week ago. Georgians are now paying an average price of $2.86 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, which is the same as a week ago, 7 cents lower than it was a month ago, and…

Bear sightings reported in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama

Bear sightings reported in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama

Thursday, June 12, 2025–10:30 a.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- WZQZ Radio in Summerville reports that in recent weeks, residents in Chattooga County and neighboring Cherokee and DeKalb Counties in Alabama have experienced an increased number of black bear sightings. According to Adam Hammond with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, bear sightings increase this time…

Georgia gas prices down

Georgia gas prices down

Monday, June 9, 2025–12:20 p.m. -AAA South- The Georgia gas price average decreased at the pumps compared to a week ago. Georgians now pay an average price of $2.86 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, which can change overnight. Monday’s state average is 2 cents lower than it was a week ago, 4 cents lower than it…

Level 2 Severe Weather Risk for Monday

Level 2 Severe Weather Risk for Monday

Monday, June 9, 2025–7:30 a.m. -National Weather Service- Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and evening across most of north and central Georgia. Primary hazards with any storms would be damaging wind gusts, though quarter-size hail and a brief tornado may also be possible.

DPH confirms another measles case

DPH confirms another measles case

Friday, June 6, 2025–6:40 p.m. -News Release- The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a secondary case of measles in an unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident. This individual is a family member of the person with measles, acquired outside the country, who was confirmed in May. Individuals who may have been exposed to either…

NOAA predicting above normal hurricane season

NOAA predicting above normal hurricane season

Wednesday, June 4, 2025–10:00 a.m. -Staff reports- Hurricane season began on June 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a 30 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season. The agency is forecasting a total of 13 to 19 named storms. “The good news is,…

Georgia gas prices down three cents

Georgia gas prices down three cents

Monday, June 2, 2025–10:40 a.m. -AAA South- The Georgia gas price average decreased at the pumps compared to a week ago. Georgians now pay an average price of $2.88 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, which can change overnight. Monday’s state average is 3 cents lower than it was a week ago, 5 cents lower than it…

One Man’s Opinion: The Incredibly High Cost of Freedom

One Man’s Opinion: The Incredibly High Cost of Freedom

Monday, May 26, 2025 -Bill Crane- Millions of Americans just spent a relaxing or enjoyable weekend, welcoming summer, wrapping up the school year and graduation ceremonies, and heading out on long weekend mini-trips and even stay-cations, firing up the barbecue, opening up their community pool…or simply tossing back a few with family and friends. But this…

Coosa Valley Credit Union announces 12th Annual American Flag Project

Coosa Valley Credit Union announces 12th Annual American Flag Project

Friday, May 23, 2025–10:10 p.m. -News Release- Coosa Valley Credit Union (Coosa Valley) will once again be replacing torn or faded American flags in the communities the credit union serves. The project will run from June 2 – July 4, 2025. “This is the 12th year of this project, and to date, Coosa Valley has replaced…

GBI investigating possible misappropriation of funds by former Chattooga County Commissioner

GBI investigating possible misappropriation of funds by former Chattooga County Commissioner

Thursday, May 22, 2025–10:40 a.m. -WZQZ Radio- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating allegations of misappropriation of public funds by former Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry. The investigation was triggered by an audit of the county’s financial records earlier this year, which revealed several discrepancies related to an internet project in the Menlo…

Memorial Day travel period starts Friday at 6 p.m.

Memorial Day travel period starts Friday at 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 22, 2025–9:35 a.m. -Georgia Department of Public Safety- The busy summer travel season begins this Memorial Day holiday weekend. Troopers and Officers will be on high-visibility patrols on the interstates, state routes, and local streets keeping an eye out for impaired drivers and other traffic violations that could potentially cause a crash.  This…

Severe weather threat Tuesday evening

Severe weather threat Tuesday evening

Tuesday, May 20, 2025–9:30 a.m. -National Weather Service- A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will enter far northwest Georgia this evening, advancing southward tonight through early Wednesday morning. Damaging wind gusts in the 50-70 mph will be the primary threat with any severe thunderstorms that occur. A few brief tornadoes and large hail will…

DPH confirms fourth measles case in Georgia

DPH confirms fourth measles case in Georgia

Monday, May 19, 2025–6:10 p.m. -News Release- The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated Greater Atlanta resident. The individual acquired the virus while traveling internationally. DPH is working to identify any persons who may have been exposed through contact with the individual between May 10 and May 18,…

Georgia gas prices up four cents

Georgia gas prices up four cents

Monday, May 19, 2025–10:20 a.m. -AAA South- Georgia gas prices increased at the pumps compared to a week ago. Georgians now pay an average price of $2.92 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, which can change overnight. Monday’s state average is 4 cents higher than a week ago, 1 cent lower than a month ago, and 46…

Man rescued from burning structure in Chattooga County

Man rescued from burning structure in Chattooga County

Saturday, May 17, 2025–3:10 p.m. -WZQZ Radio- A man was pulled from a burning residence on Dogwood Circle in Lyerly on Thursday afternoon. Quick action by local firefighters spared the man’s life after he became trapped inside the engulfed structure. Multiple fire departments, including Lyerly, Menlo, Summerville, Hays Correctional, and a Walker County Fire Department…