Arrest Report - Saturday - August 29, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, August 29, 2026:
Friday Night Football Scores From Across Northwest Georgia
High school football teams across Northwest Georgia were back under the Friday night lights last night, with several rivalry games and decisive victories highlighting the August 28 schedule.
Locally, the Trion Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Model Blue Devils 31-7 at Sam R. McCain Stadium. Trion drops to 1-1 following its season-opening victory over Gordon Lee.
The Chattooga Indians had the night off. Chattooga returns to action next Friday night when the Indians welcome Model to the Little Big Horn.
Elsewhere around Northwest Georgia, Gordon Lee defeated Ridgeland 21-7, while LaFayette rolled past Dade County 56-13.
Dalton picked up a 35-9 victory over Northwest Whitfield, Ringgold defeated Heritage 42-28, and Coahulla Creek shut out Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 41-0.
Rockmart turned in one of the area’s most convincing performances, defeating Cedartown 49-13. Adairsville topped Woodland 33-25, while Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Calhoun 24-17.
In Floyd County action, Tucker defeated Rome 41-14, while North Cobb Christian rolled past Pepperell 49-6.
Cartersville also had a big night, defeating Mount Zion 49-14.
In Thursday night action, Walker defeated Armuchee 20-18.
WZQZ will continue following Trion and Chattooga throughout the 2026 high school football season, with the Bulldogs traveling to Ridgeland and the Indians hosting Model next Friday night.
- Model 31, Trion 7
- Gordon Lee 21, Ridgeland 7
- LaFayette 56, Dade County 13
- Dalton 35, Northwest Whitfield 9
- Ringgold 42, Heritage 28
- Coahulla Creek 41, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 0
- Rockmart 49, Cedartown 13
- Adairsville 33, Woodland 25
- Greater Atlanta Christian 24, Calhoun 17
- Tucker 41, Rome 14
- Cartersville 49, Mt. Zion 14
- North Cobb Christian 49, Pepperell 6
Also from Thursday night, Walker defeated Armuchee 20-18.
Model Hands Trion First Loss Of Season, 31-7
The Trion Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the 2026 season Friday night as the Model Blue Devils came to Sam R. McCain Stadium and defeated Trion 31-7.
Trion entered the game 1-0 after an impressive 36-7 season-opening victory over Gordon Lee, but the Bulldogs found themselves playing from behind early against a Model team that was able to capitalize on its opportunities.
The Blue Devils struck first to take a 7-0 lead. Trion answered, putting together a scoring drive to tie the game at 7-7, but Model regained control from there.
By midway through the first half, Model had moved back in front 14-7. The Blue Devils added another touchdown before halftime, stretching their advantage to 21-7. Trion had opportunities to move the football, but the Bulldogs were unable to finish drives with points as Model’s defense kept them out of the end zone for the remainder of the night.
The second half became a defensive battle for stretches, with Trion trying to find the big play needed to get back into the game. Model, however, added a field goal to increase its lead to 24-7.
The Bulldogs’ defense continued battling and kept Trion within striking distance for much of the second half, but the offense could not break through against the Blue Devil defense.
Model eventually added a late touchdown to put the game away and make the final 31-7.
The loss drops Trion to 1-1 on the season, while Model improves to 2-0 after opening its season with a 49-13 victory over Walker. The final score of Friday night’s game is also confirmed by Georgia Public Broadcasting and Georgia Prep Football.
Friday’s loss also snapped a three-game Trion winning streak in the series. The Bulldogs had beaten Model 28-21 last season, 22-12 in 2024 and 31-12 in 2023.
Trion will now turn its attention to another road test. The Bulldogs travel to Ridgeland next Friday, September 4, before visiting Dade County on September 11.
Sunny Saturday With Heat Building Into Next Week
Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia can expect a mostly sunny and warm Saturday, with hotter temperatures building during the coming week.
Today will be sunny with a high near 89 degrees. Winds will be calm early, becoming southeast around 5 mph this afternoon. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 70.
The National Weather Service says scattered thunderstorms are possible across parts of Georgia today, and a few storms could become strong with gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall. The better chances for storms appear to be outside the immediate Chattooga County area, where the local forecast remains dry.
Sunday will bring patchy fog before 9 AM, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 89. There is a 20 percent chance of a shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon. Sunday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 70.
Temperatures begin climbing as the new work week gets underway. Monday will be sunny with a high near 91, along with a 20 percent chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. Monday night’s low will be around 71.
By Tuesday, sunshine will dominate with a high near 93. Wednesday and Thursday are both forecast to be sunny with highs around 94 degrees, while overnight lows climb into the lower 70s.
Friday remains hot with a high near 94 and only a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
The Weather Service says high pressure building across the Southeast will suppress most afternoon thunderstorm development while allowing temperatures and heat indices to rise. Triple-digit heat index readings are expected across much of Georgia during the work week, particularly farther south.
For Northwest Georgia, the main weather story will be the return of midsummer heat despite September being just days away.
Saturday At The Fair Packed With Livestock Shows, Poultry Auction And Live Music
Today is expected to be one of the busiest days of the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, with a full Saturday schedule featuring livestock competitions, the popular poultry show and auction, demonstrations, carnival rides, fair food and two live bands.
The fair is open today from 2 PM until 11 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.
Agricultural activities get underway even before the midway opens. The 4-H and FFA Junior Beef Show begins at 1 PM, giving local young people an opportunity to showcase the cattle they have raised and prepared for competition.
Poultry Show And Auction Today
Another highlight today will be the 4-H and FFA Poultry Show and Auction.
Local students began their poultry projects back in April, when each participant received eight three-day-old chicks to raise. This year’s project features Black Australorp and Buff Orpington chickens. Students have spent the past several months caring for their birds, keeping records and selecting their best animals for competition.
Poultry judging begins at 4 PM, with awards announced at 6:30 PM. The students’ pens of three hens will then be sold during the Poultry Auction at 7 PM, with all proceeds going directly to the student who raised the birds.
Anyone interested in purchasing chickens should arrive by 6:30 PM to receive a bid number. Buyers will receive cages for their chickens built by students in Mr. Yarbrough’s eighth-grade Chattooga County FFA Basic Agriculture class.
Demonstrations Throughout The Afternoon
The fair’s Demonstration Kitchen, sponsored by Chattooga County Farm Bureau, also has a busy schedule today.
At 2:30 PM, Katie Bandy Carlson of Sunset Creek Farms will demonstrate DIY Low-Toxin Detergent.
At 4 PM, Logan Money of Pine Ridge Outdoors presents Dirt Cheap Gardening, offering ideas for economical plant choices and ways to stretch a landscaping budget.
At 5:30 PM, the program turns to No-Bake Protein Bites, featuring an easy make-ahead food option for busy families.
Two Bands Take The Stage Tonight
There’s also plenty of live music at the fair tonight.
The Band Chickamauga takes the stage at 7 PM, followed by Lone Star Skynyrd at 9 PM. Lone Star Skynyrd brings the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd and classic Southern rock to the fair, while The Band Chickamauga offers a mix of country and classic rock.
Fair officials encourage those planning to watch the concerts to bring a folding chair.
The musical performances are included with $5 gate admission, and unlimited-ride armbands for the midway are $30 today.
Along with the scheduled events, fairgoers can enjoy midway rides and games, fair food, Blue Ribbon exhibits, agricultural displays and other attractions throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair wraps up tomorrow, with Sunday’s hours from 2 PM until 9 PM.
United Way Hiring 211 Community Resource Specialist Serving Chattooga, Floyd And Polk Counties
United Way FPC is looking for a new Community Resource Specialist to help connect residents of Chattooga, Floyd and Polk counties with vital community services.
The organization recently posted the opening for a 211 Community Resource Specialist, a part-time position serving as a frontline representative for the United Way’s 211 program.
The specialist will work directly with people seeking assistance through telephone calls, internet inquiries, texts and online chat. Those contacts can range from someone simply looking for information about a community program to more complicated situations involving several needs, advocacy or crisis intervention.
Among the specialist’s responsibilities will be determining what assistance a caller needs, identifying appropriate local resources, explaining eligibility requirements and following up to determine whether referrals were successful. The employee will also advocate for people who encounter barriers while attempting to obtain services and provide crisis intervention according to established protocols.
Another major part of the job involves maintaining the 211 community resource directory. The specialist will communicate with social-service organizations to verify information about available programs and add new resources to the database. During disasters or emergencies, the employee will also be responsible for helping ensure that information placed in the database is accurate and removing temporary resources when they are no longer available.
The position is part-time at 20 hours per week, with a regular schedule of Monday through Friday from 9 AM until 1 PM. Pay is listed at $17.50 per hour. The job may be performed on-site in Rome, remotely or through a hybrid arrangement, depending on the organization’s business needs.
Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or GED, while a bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field is preferred. Previous human-services or information-and-referral experience is also preferred. United Way says preference will be given to applicants who are bilingual in Spanish and English. The person hired will be required to obtain Inform USA Community Resource Specialist certification within one year.
Those interested should submit a resume and letter of interest to icey@unitedfpc.org, using “211 CRS” as the email subject line.
Summerville Gas Department Asking Customers To Complete Safety Survey
The City of Summerville Gas Department is asking its natural gas customers throughout Chattooga and Floyd counties to participate in a new Public Awareness Survey designed to help evaluate pipeline safety information and community awareness.
While the notice is being issued by the City of Summerville, the city’s natural gas system serves customers well beyond the Summerville city limits, including customers in both Chattooga and Floyd counties.
The survey asks customers about their knowledge of natural gas and pipeline safety. According to the city, responses will help the Gas Department evaluate how effectively important pipeline information is reaching residents and businesses and identify areas where additional public education may be needed.
City officials say participation can help support a safer and more reliable natural gas network for the communities served by the Summerville system.
The survey can be downloaded from the City of Summerville’s website. Customers can also stop by Summerville City Hall to complete a copy. Completed surveys may be mailed to City of Summerville, P.O. Box 580, Summerville, Georgia 30747.
The city is encouraging Summerville Gas customers in both Chattooga and Floyd counties, including residential and business customers, to take a few minutes to participate.
Tax Commissioner Explains Senior Property Tax Questions Heading To November Ballot
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is providing additional information about property tax exemption questions voters will see on the November ballot, including proposed changes affecting homeowners who are at least 70 years old on January 1, 2027.
For Chattooga County taxes, a “yes” vote would increase the income limit for the senior exemption from $20,000 to $38,000 for the applicant and spouse. Those who qualify would receive an exemption of $70,000 from the assessed value of their homestead property.
Because Georgia generally assesses property for taxation at 40% of fair market value, Hampton says that exemption is equivalent to $175,000 in fair market value, regardless of acreage or additional buildings.
The existing county senior exemption uses a sliding scale providing a 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% exemption on the home and five acres, depending on income.
School Tax Exemption Would Also Change
Voters will also consider a change involving Chattooga County school taxes.
Under that proposal, the maximum income for qualifying seniors would increase from $20,000 household income to $38,000 for the applicant and spouse.
Those who qualify would receive an exemption of $41,150 in assessed value in 2027, increasing to $55,000 in subsequent years. Hampton says that represents approximately $102,875 in fair market value in 2027 and $137,500 thereafter.
The current school exemption provides qualifying homeowners with a $40,000 exemption from assessed value.
Hampton said the proposals were developed after examining approximately a decade of data, census information and inflation. She said the objective was to provide additional relief for lower-income senior citizens while limiting the amount of the tax burden that could be shifted to small businesses and newer homeowners.
Other Property Tax Exemptions
Hampton also reminded taxpayers that other mechanisms affect property taxes.
Chattooga County has a freeze exemption covering inflationary growth on a home and five acres. There is also a state floating homestead exemption that is automatically applied and designed to offset inflationary increases in property values while allowing taxable values to decline if property values decrease.
ESPLOST Renewal Also On Ballot
In addition to the property tax questions, Chattooga County voters will consider an ESPLOST renewal in November.
Hampton emphasized that the ESPLOST question is a renewal of the existing education sales tax rather than the creation of a new sales tax.
The proposals will ultimately be decided by Chattooga County voters in the November 3, 2026 election.
Substitute Teacher Arrested Following Incident At Summerville Middle
A substitute teacher working for the Chattooga County School System was arrested following an incident at Summerville Middle School.
Zachary E. Duncan, 31, of Trion, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and disrupting a public school, according to the report.
The incident reportedly happened at approximately 11 AM on August 14 inside Summerville Middle School.
According to Chattooga County Deputy Chris Clark, the substitute teacher was allegedly using vulgar and abusive language in the presence of students under the age of 14.
The report states that Duncan allegedly made comments about the dress of female students, including comments concerning the use of tight upper-body clothing by pre-teen or juvenile children.
School Resource Officer Clark stated in the arrest report that the incident created a disturbance on school property.
According to the newspaper, Clark said the disturbance occurred during school hours in the seventh-grade hallway and disrupted normal activities and schedules of school administrators and teachers. The report also states that the incident occurred in an area where students were present and witnessed the disturbance.
Duncan was subsequently arrested on two charges.
Chattooga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie declined to comment on the incident, telling The Summerville News that it is a personnel matter.
Duncan’s termination from his position as a substitute teacher was confirmed by local school officials, according to the newspaper.
The charges are allegations, and Duncan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
AAA Warns Labor Day Travelers To Expect Higher Costs And Heavy Traffic
Americans planning a Labor Day getaway should prepare for higher travel costs and heavier traffic, according to a new holiday travel outlook from AAA.
AAA booking data shows strong demand for travel during the September 3-7 Labor Day period, with Atlanta ranking 10th among the nation’s most popular domestic destinations. Seattle tops the domestic list, followed by Orlando, Boston, Denver and New York.
Travelers are paying more for several parts of their vacations this year. Average domestic roundtrip airfare is 2% higher than last year at about $750, while flights to the most popular domestic destinations are nearly 20% higher, averaging about $790. Domestic hotel costs are up 9%, while international hotel bookings are 12% more expensive. One bright spot is international airfare, which is down 4%, while cruises departing from U.S. ports are about 4% cheaper.
Georgia Drivers Paying Much More For Gas
Motorists traveling from Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are also facing substantially higher gasoline prices than they did last Labor Day.
AAA’s latest figures show Georgia regular gasoline averaging about $3.80 per gallon, compared with approximately $2.89 on Labor Day 2025. In the Rome market, which includes much of the immediate Northwest Georgia area, regular gasoline was averaging about $3.73 per gallon Thursday.
Nationally, regular gasoline is around $4.09 per gallon. AAA says August is on track to become the most expensive August on record at the pump, with the national average remaining above $4 throughout the month.
Avoid The Afternoon If Possible
Traffic could also become a major issue as the holiday approaches. INRIX expects some of the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday, when holiday travelers will be sharing the highways with normal commuter traffic.
The worst travel periods are expected to be 2-7 PM Thursday, noon-8 PM Friday, 1-5 PM Saturday and 2-5 PM on Labor Day Monday. AAA recommends leaving early and avoiding afternoon travel whenever possible.
Atlanta-area travelers could encounter particularly significant delays returning home. AAA and INRIX project the I-20 corridor from Atlanta toward Birmingham could see travel times approximately 65% longer than normal Monday evening.
AAA is also urging drivers to check their vehicles before leaving. During last year’s Labor Day holiday period, the organization responded to more than 400,000 roadside assistance calls, including dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts and vehicles requiring towing.
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, and AAA recommends motorists check tires, batteries and fluid levels before hitting the road and carry basic emergency supplies.
Georgia Students Invited To Celebrate Wildlife Through Art In Annual Poster Contest
Elementary students across Georgia are being encouraged to put their artistic talents to work while learning more about the state’s wildlife.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is accepting entries for the 37th annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest, open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. This year’s theme is “Wildlife Great and Small: We Need Them All!”
DNR says the theme emphasizes the importance of every species in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Georgia is home to more than 4,000 species of plants and wild animals, along with tens of thousands of invertebrate species. Students are encouraged to look beyond larger, familiar animals and consider smaller plants and creatures found in their own backyards, schoolyards and local parks.
Artwork must follow this year’s theme and feature native Georgia wildlife, plants or both. Students initially compete at the local level, typically through their school. However, homeschool organizations, after-school programs, Scout troops and libraries can also host local contests. First-place winners in each division can advance to the state competition at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens.
Competition divisions include kindergarten; first and second grades; third and fourth grades; and fifth grade. First-, second- and third-place winners will be selected in each division.
The deadline for schools and participating organizations to submit digital photographs of their state-level entries is March 1, 2027. The artwork of the top 12 state winners will be featured through Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division and State Botanical Garden social media and a statewide news release. Winners will also receive award ribbons.
Teachers, parents and organizations interested in participating can find contest rules, entry forms and additional information through the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division’s poster contest page. Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest
CRBI Continues Swim Guide Testing Through Labor Day, Including Chattooga River
With summer temperatures continuing across Northwest Georgia, the Coosa River Basin Initiative is reminding residents to check water conditions before swimming, paddling or enjoying area rivers and lakes.
CRBI will continue its Swim Guide water-quality monitoring through Labor Day weekend, collecting samples from 29 locations throughout the Coosa River Basin. Samples are tested for E. coli bacteria, and updated results are posted each Friday. Sites receiving a green designation have low E. coli levels and are considered suitable for recreation, while red sites have elevated levels and visitors are advised to use extra caution or avoid the location.
The program has a direct connection to Chattooga County because CRBI’s monitoring includes the Chattooga River watershed. CRBI describes its Swim Guide as a weekly bacteriological monitoring program covering popular recreational locations throughout the upper Coosa basin. The organization conducts testing each Thursday and Friday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
CRBI’s broader water-monitoring work has also included the Chattooga River itself. The organization has previously documented and monitored water-quality concerns in the river, including PFAS contamination associated with upstream textile manufacturing in the Trion area.
For Swim Guide testing, CRBI is specifically looking for E. coli, which can indicate fecal contamination and an increased health risk for people recreating in the water. The organization says E. coli can enter waterways from sources including animal and human waste, wastewater and stormwater runoff.
CRBI particularly urges people to be cautious following heavy rainfall, when bacterial levels can increase as runoff carries contaminants into rivers and lakes. The organization recommends avoiding swimming after significant rain, staying out of water that smells like sewage, avoiding swimming with open wounds and checking the latest Swim Guide results before heading to the water.
The latest Swim Guide results are available through the Coosa River Basin Initiative website at coosa.org.
Friday At The Fair Features Military Night, Livestock, Demonstrations And Live Country Music
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair moves into its second night today with a full Friday schedule featuring carnival rides, agricultural events, demonstrations and live music.
The fairgrounds will be open from 5 PM until 11 PM today. Friday is Military Night, with active-duty and retired military personnel receiving free gate admission with military identification. Regular admission is $5, children four and younger are admitted free, and unlimited-ride armbands are $30. Concerts and scheduled fair events are included with gate admission.
Agriculture takes center stage beginning at 5:30 PM with the 4-H and FFA Junior Market Lamb Show. Local young people will bring their livestock projects into the show ring as the fair continues its emphasis on agriculture and the work of Chattooga County’s 4-H and FFA members.
Also at 5:30 PM, the Demonstration Kitchen will feature Stacie Marshall of Mountain Mama Farms demonstrating how to make beeswax lip balm. At 7 PM, Rebecca Thomas with UGA Extension Chattooga will present Using Herbs to Create a Variety of Flavor, showing how different herbs can change the flavor profile of the same ingredients. Free tastings are included with that demonstration.
Friday night’s featured musical entertainment begins at 9 PM with Babe’s Bayou. The North Georgia band specializes in the country music of the 1980s and ’90s and has shared stages over the years with performers including Shenandoah, Luke Bryan, Sammy Kershaw and Doug Stone. Fair officials encourage those attending the concert to bring a folding chair.
Fairgoers can also enjoy the midway rides and games, fair food, agricultural and Blue Ribbon exhibits and other attractions throughout the evening.
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair continues through Sunday at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville. Saturday’s hours are 2 PM until 11 PM, with the fair wrapping up Sunday from 2 PM until 9 PM.
Trion Hosts Model Tonight At Sam R. McCain Stadium
The Trion Bulldogs return to Sam R. McCain Memorial Stadium tonight looking to build on an impressive start to the 2026 football season as they welcome the Model Blue Devils to Trion.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.
Coach Sean Patrick’s Bulldogs are 1-0 after opening the season with a convincing 36-7 victory over arch-rival Gordon Lee. Trion showed plenty of offensive firepower in the opener while its defense held the Trojans to just seven points.
Among the Bulldogs to watch tonight is senior quarterback and defensive back Linc Allen, who rushed for 116 yards in the opener and accounted for four touchdowns. Junior Landon Kimbell contributed 85 receiving yards, while senior Hudson Thomas led the defense with 12 tackles and one-and-a-half sacks.
Model also comes into tonight’s non-region matchup at 1-0. The Blue Devils are coached by Jeff Hunnicutt and compete in Class AA, while Trion is a Class A program.
Recent history between the two schools has favored Trion. The Bulldogs have won four of the last five meetings, including a 28-21 victory at Model last season. Trion defeated Model 22-12 at home in 2024 and 31-12 on the road in 2023. Model’s most recent victory in the series came in 2022, when the Blue Devils edged Trion 31-27.
There is also some history on the line for the Bulldogs this season. Following last week’s win, Trion stands at 592 all-time football victories, leaving the program eight wins away from becoming one of a relatively small group of Georgia high schools to reach 600 victories.
Tonight’s game is the second of two consecutive home games for Trion. The Bulldogs travel to Ridgeland next Friday before visiting Dade County on September 11.
The Chattooga Indians have the night off tonight and return to action next Friday, September 4, when they host this same Model Blue Devils team at the Little Big Horn.
WZQZ will have tonight’s Trion-Model game live. Fans can listen on WZQZ 99.1 FM and AM 1180, or watch the live broadcast on the WZQZ Radio Facebook page. Kickoff from Sam R. McCain Memorial Stadium is at 7:30 PM.
Arrest Report - Friday - August 28, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, August 28, 2026:
Friday Brings Mostly Sunny Skies, Slight Storm Chance
Northwest Georgia will see a mostly sunny and seasonably warm Friday, with only a small chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for patchy fog between 7 and 8 AM, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 90 degrees. Winds will remain calm. There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM.
While scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected across parts of Georgia today, the greatest storm coverage and severe-weather threat will remain farther south and east of Northwest Georgia. A few storms in eastern Georgia could become severe with damaging wind gusts, while locally heavy rainfall could produce isolated flooding in portions of central Georgia.
For Friday night, there is just a 10% chance of an early evening shower or thunderstorm, mainly between 7 and 8 PM. Otherwise, skies will become partly cloudy with a low around 68.
Weekend Forecast
Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 90 and a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 69.
Sunday brings another mostly sunny day with a high near 90 and a 20% chance of afternoon storms. The chance drops to around 10% Sunday evening, with an overnight low near 70.
The weather should cooperate fairly well for the final days of the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, although anyone attending outdoor activities should keep an eye on the sky for an isolated afternoon thunderstorm.
Heat Builds Next Week
Temperatures begin climbing again next week. Labor Day Monday will be sunny with a high near 91 and only a 20% chance of an afternoon storm.
Tuesday should be sunny and around 92, followed by highs near 93 Wednesday and Thursday.
The National Weather Service says a strengthening upper-level ridge will bring hotter conditions next week. By early to midweek, heat index readings could become widespread in the 100 to 104-degree range. If readings of 105 degrees or higher become widespread, Heat Advisories could eventually be needed.
Free Property Tax Class Set For Monday In Chattooga County
Chattooga County residents who have questions about their property assessments, appeals or tax bills will have an opportunity to hear directly from county officials during a free property tax class Monday, August 31.
The class, “Understanding Property Taxes in Chattooga County,” will begin at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.
The goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of how property taxes work at the local level, including assessments, appeals, exemptions, tax relief, tax bills and how the county millage rate is established.
Sole Commissioner Andy Allen will open the class with an overview of the property tax process and explain the roles of the different elected county officials involved. Allen will also discuss how the millage rate process works.
Chattooga County Tax Assessor Nancy Edgeman will explain the property tax appeal process and the duties of the Tax Assessor’s Office.
Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton will cover how taxpayers can understand and estimate their tax bills, the different layers of property tax relief available in 2026 and property tax exemptions.
The class comes at a particularly important time for local property owners, with many Chattooga County residents questioning their latest property assessments and filing appeals.
The program is Monday, August 31, at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered After Being Found On Oak Street
A vehicle reported stolen from a Summerville residence was later recovered on Oak Street, according to a Summerville Police Department incident report.
Police were called after Marc Ladon Hogg, 62, reported that his 2013 white Chevrolet Suburban had been taken from his residence on Edmondson Street. Hogg told police he had last seen the vehicle at approximately 11 PM before going to bed and discovered it missing when he woke up. Based on that information, police believed the Suburban was taken sometime between 11 PM and 6 AM.
Hogg told police he had not loaned the vehicle to friends or family members. He initially believed there was no key inside the Suburban, but later told the officer he was unsure whether his wife, who normally drives the vehicle, had a copy of the key.
While investigating, police observed a tire mark in the driveway that could indicate the direction the vehicle traveled. Another tire track was found in the mud and grass, suggesting the Suburban may have backed into the yard before leaving. Police photographed the tire marks and issued a BOLO — Be On the Lookout — to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
The Suburban was subsequently located at the dead end of Oak Street in a parking space. Police confirmed through state tag information that it was Hogg’s vehicle.
According to the report, the Suburban appeared to have recently been driven through dirt and mud. Police also discovered damage to the passenger-side mirror, which was hanging from the vehicle. The backing of the mirror was found on the ground behind the Suburban.
An on-call investigator was notified, and photographs were taken of the exterior and interior of the vehicle. The report states that officers noticed items on the center console and dashboard that could potentially belong to whoever had driven the vehicle. However, because the vehicle was locked, police could not immediately examine those items more closely.
Police attempted several times to contact Hogg to arrange for him to retrieve the vehicle but were unsuccessful. E-911 then requested a wrecker, and LuAllen’s Wrecker Service transported the Suburban to its lot, where it was to remain until the owner could be contacted.
The incident report lists offenses including theft by taking a motor vehicle, entering an automobile with intent to commit theft, duty upon striking a fixed object and driving without a valid license.
The report provided to WZQZ does not identify a suspect or indicate that an arrest had been made in connection with the theft.
Northwest Georgia Unemployment Falls To 3.1 Percent In July
Unemployment declined across Northwest Georgia in July, with the regional jobless rate falling to 3.1 percent, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.
That rate was down three-tenths of a percentage point from June and well below the 3.8 percent rate recorded one year ago.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said July brought lower unemployment in every metro area and region of the state. She credited cooperation among state leaders, local communities and businesses, saying the department remains focused on putting Georgians to work and expanding economic opportunity.
In Northwest Georgia, the labor force declined by 1,274 people over the month but was still up 7,400 compared with a year ago, reaching 459,530.
The number of employed residents increased by 164 over the month and by 10,492 over the year, bringing total employment in the region to 445,273.
Initial unemployment claims rose by 148 from June, totaling 1,956, but were still down sharply from a year earlier — by 2,196 claims.
The July numbers point to continued year-over-year improvement in Northwest Georgia’s labor market, with more people working and fewer residents unemployed than at the same time last year.
Connecticut Man Jailed In Floyd County On Grooming And Threat Charges
A Connecticut man was booked into the Floyd County Jail Thursday on charges involving alleged online contact with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
According to arrest warrants, 29-year-old Gabriel Reno Lorenzo Grant of Norwich, Connecticut, is charged with grooming a minor, obscene internet contact with a child, and terroristic threats and acts.
The warrants allege that Grant sent text messages between June 8 and June 11 to an individual he believed was a 14-year-old female. Investigators say the messages were intended to prepare, persuade or coerce the juvenile into a sexual offense.
The warrants further allege that Grant discussed various sexual acts during the messages and later made threats to blind, rape and murder the individual.
Grant was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Thursday. The charges are allegations, and Grant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.