Hot And Dry Weather Continues Through Saturday
An extended stretch of hot, mostly sunny and unusually dry weather will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through Saturday, with temperatures remaining well above normal for the middle of September.
Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 94 degrees, while the heat index could reach as high as 98 during the afternoon. Winds will remain light, becoming easterly at around 5 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear and comparatively more comfortable, with temperatures falling to around 69 degrees.
The National Weather Service says a strong upper-level ridge remains parked over the Southeast, helping keep rain away while allowing afternoon temperatures to climb into the 90s across most areas outside the mountains.
The heat becomes even more noticeable Thursday. Thursday will be sunny with a high near 96, and the heat index could approach 99 degrees. Thursday night will remain mostly clear with a low around 70.
There will be little change Friday, with another day of sunshine and a high near 96 degrees. Friday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures only falling to around 71.
The hot pattern carries into the weekend. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 95, followed by partly cloudy skies Saturday night and a low around 70 degrees.
Forecasters say increasing humidity could make afternoon temperatures feel even hotter as the weekend approaches. With several consecutive days of temperatures in the middle 90s, people working or spending long periods outdoors should take precautions against heat-related illness. Drink plenty of water, take breaks when possible and remember to check on children, pets, elderly residents and others who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
A change in the weather pattern should finally begin late in the weekend as the ridge over the Southeast weakens and a front approaches the region.
Sunday will remain mostly sunny and hot with a high near 94, but there will be a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. A slight chance of storms continues Sunday night.
Rain chances increase significantly early next week. Monday brings a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 92 degrees. Storm chances continue Monday night before another 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday.
Temperatures should finally begin to moderate somewhat Tuesday, when the high is expected to reach around 89 degrees.
Despite the increasing storm chances early next week, the National Weather Service currently expects overall rainfall amounts to remain fairly limited, with much of the region receiving less than an inch through the forecast period.
For now, the main weather story remains the September heat, with sunshine, temperatures in the mid-90s and very little chance of rain through Saturday before thunderstorms gradually return Sunday into early next week.
$2 Million In CDBG Grants Awarded For Chattooga County Water And Summerville Sewer Projects
Two major infrastructure projects in Chattooga County are receiving a combined $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding, with money going toward water line upgrades in the Welcome Hill area and continued sewer improvements in Summerville.
The Chattooga County Water District will benefit from a $1 million grant for water improvements in the Welcome Hill Road area near Trion. Welcome Hill is one of the older sections of the county water system, and the funding will be used for water line upgrades in that area.
According to information from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Welcome Hill project has a total estimated cost of $1.344 million, including $344,000 in matching and leveraged funds. The project is expected to benefit 118 residents, with more than 77% classified as low-to-moderate income.
The City of Summerville is also receiving $1 million for Phase III sewer improvements in the Highland Avenue area.
That project carries a total estimated cost of approximately $1.255 million, including $255,111 in matching and leveraged funds. State documents indicate the project will benefit 67 residents, with approximately 73% classified as low-to-moderate income.
The Highland Avenue project continues a multi-year effort by the City of Summerville to improve aging sewer infrastructure in that part of the city.
The grants are part of $40.9 million in 2026 CDBG awards announced by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for 42 communities across the state. The federally funded program is administered in Georgia by DCA and is designed to help smaller communities finance infrastructure and other projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents.
Chattooga County has successfully used CDBG funding for water infrastructure before. The county received $1 million in 2023 for Phase II water improvements in the Old Highway 27 area, another project involving the county water system.
The latest awards mean $2 million in CDBG funding will be invested in two aging infrastructure areas in Chattooga County — one serving county water customers in the Trion area and the other serving sewer customers in Summerville.
Summerville Police Investigate Attempted Check Fraud
Summerville Police are investigating a possible case of check fraud after a check originally written for just $65 was allegedly intercepted, altered and rewritten for $13,900.
According to reports from the Summerville Police Department, officers began investigating after a complainant learned that someone had attempted to cash a check from her account that she said she did not write.
The complainant was told by a manager at First National Bank that someone had attempted to cash a check from her account on or about August 10. The check was made payable to Jacqueline Stewart for $13,900.
The bank rejected the check because of the amount and because bank personnel had not spoken with Jacqueline. The complainant told police she did not know Jacqueline Stewart and had not written the check. The bank subsequently changed the complainant’s account information and ordered new banking cards and checks.
A supplemental report provides additional details about what investigators believe may have happened.
Summerville Police Detective P. Cox spoke with Scott Ayers at First National Bank, who reported that the check in question had been cashed at a Bank of America with routing number 111000025.
Detective Cox then contacted the victim and asked about the original check. She told police the check had originally been written to pay her credit card bill in the amount of $65.
Police now suspect the original check was intercepted in the mail, washed and rewritten for fraudulent purposes.
Detective Cox advised the complainant that automatic drafts may be a better option for paying bills than mailing checks, which could leave her more vulnerable to future fraud.
The case remains under investigation by the Summerville Police Department.
Berry College To Host Landowner Meeting On Prescribed Fire And Forest Management
Private landowners and others interested in forestry, wildlife habitat and prescribed burning are invited to a free land-management meeting at Berry College on Monday, October 19.
The “Good Fire in a Healthy Ecosystem” meeting will be held from 9 AM until noon in Room 324 of the Krannert Center at Berry College, 2277 Martha Berry Highway NW in Mount Berry. The event is being promoted by the Georgia Forestry Association and is open to private landowners, prescribed-burn practitioners, agency partners, volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about prescribed fire and land management.
The program will feature several speakers covering prescribed burn associations, wildlife and forest management, the ecological role of fire, longleaf pine history and conservation, along with a landowner’s firsthand experience using prescribed fire to accomplish management goals.
The program will continue after lunch with an opportunity to see some of those practices firsthand.
Beginning at 1:15 PM, Berry College Professor of Environmental Science and Studies Adrienne Ernst will lead participants on a tour of the college’s longleaf pine restoration areas. The tour will give landowners an opportunity to see how longleaf pine is being managed and how prescribed fire is being used on the landscape.
Berry is particularly well suited for the program. The college manages approximately 27,000 acres, with active forest-management practices that include selective timber harvesting and an ongoing prescribed-burn program designed to reduce wildfire risks and promote longleaf pine ecosystems.
The October program follows a series of landowner education events held across Georgia this year. In April, the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Forestry Foundation held a Forest Landowner Field Day in Summerville, where Northwest Georgia property owners learned about longleaf pine and hardwood management, wildlife habitat, forest carbon markets and prescribed fire. Berry College was among the partners in that Chattooga County event.
The October 19 meeting at Berry College is free, but registration is required.
Georgia Helps Develop National Education Playbook Focused On Better Student Outcomes
Georgia is one of just eight states that helped develop and test a new national education framework designed to help states determine which programs are working and where education resources can have the greatest impact on students.
The U.S. Department of Education released the new Learning Agenda Playbook last week after working with the Georgia Department of Education and education agencies in Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.
Georgia didn’t simply endorse the finished product. GaDOE participated in developing, testing and refining the framework, and Georgia education officials were invited to Washington, D.C., to share their work and best practices with leaders from other states.
A Learning Agenda is essentially a multi-year process for determining what an education agency needs to know before making major decisions. The framework calls on states to identify their most pressing problems, determine what questions need to be answered, gather evidence about what works and then use those findings when deciding where programs and resources should be directed.
For Georgia, the work has already been applied to a significant issue facing schools across the state: retaining special education teachers.
The National Comprehensive Center’s case study of Georgia’s work is titled “Measure Twice, Build Once: Georgia’s Plan to Retain Special Education Educators.” Georgia used the Learning Agenda process to examine the issue and build evidence before determining how best to address special education teacher retention.
That gives the statewide initiative relevance for local school systems such as Chattooga County Schools and Trion City Schools, since decisions made by the Georgia Department of Education about programs, priorities and resources ultimately affect school districts throughout the state.
State School Superintendent Richard Woods said the goal is to avoid adding programs and administrative requirements simply for the sake of doing more. Woods said Georgia’s participation is helping the state build better systems and establish stronger connections with teachers, students, families and other stakeholders as the department implements its priorities.
The playbook includes tools for identifying priorities, determining gaps in existing knowledge, developing specific questions, gathering evidence and then using the findings to make decisions.
Federal education officials say the objective is not simply to collect more data, but to produce better evidence that states can use to determine what works and direct resources toward programs most likely to improve student outcomes.
Georgia’s participation comes as the state is also placing increased attention on the particular challenges facing rural schools. The Georgia Department of Education is holding its first Rural Education and Innovation Summit today, Wednesday, September 16, in Tifton, with a second summit scheduled September 30 in Young Harris. Those meetings will focus on literacy, special education, college and career readiness, educator workforce development, artificial intelligence and other issues affecting rural schools.
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Receives $1.5 Million EPA Brownfields Grant
The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission has been awarded a $1.5 million federal Brownfields grant to help identify, assess and prepare properties across the region for potential redevelopment.
The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through its 2026 Brownfields program. The grant will support environmental site assessments, including 26 Phase I assessments and 16 Phase II assessments, as the Regional Commission works with communities throughout Northwest Georgia.
The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission serves 15 counties and 48 municipalities, including Chattooga County and its communities. Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen and Summerville Mayor Rickey Hughes both serve on the Regional Commission Council.
Brownfields are properties where actual or potential environmental contamination can complicate redevelopment or reuse. EPA funding can be used to determine whether contamination exists and what steps may be needed before a property can move forward toward redevelopment.
The $1.5 million award is part of a larger $6 million Brownfields investment being highlighted in Northwest Georgia this week.
That total also includes $4 million for cleanup of the former Crystal Springs Print Works property in Chickamauga and $500,000 for the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority to expand its inventory of brownfield properties and conduct assessments.
EPA officials and 14th District Congressman Clay Fuller are scheduled to highlight the regional funding during an event Friday at the Chickamauga Civic Center.
The Brownfields program is designed to help communities address contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, remove barriers to redevelopment and return unused or underused sites to productive use.
DeKalb County Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash Near Fort Payne
A 62-year-old DeKalb County man was killed Tuesday morning when the small plane he was piloting crashed near Fort Payne.
The victim has been identified as Douglas Emge of DeKalb County, Alabama. DeKalb County EMA officials said Emge was the only person aboard the aircraft when it crashed on September 15.
The crash occurred near the 4700 block of County Road 3 in the Whiton community, near the Whiton water tank.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported the crash at around 8 AM Tuesday and asked the public to avoid the area as emergency crews responded.
Federal Aviation Administration records list Emge as the registered owner of the aircraft, identified as N469TW.
Residents near the crash site reported hearing the crash and seeing flames and smoke from the wreckage. Some neighbors said they had known Emge and his family for years and were saddened by his death.
Emge’s family has been notified.
The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene and is investigating the crash.
Red Cross Blood Drive Coming To Berry College Thursday
The American Red Cross is asking Northwest Georgia residents to help maintain the nation’s blood supply by donating blood this week at Berry College.
A Red Cross blood drive will be held Thursday, September 17, from 2 until 7 PM at the Krannert Center, located at 2277 Martha Berry Boulevard in Mount Berry.
The Red Cross says the nation’s blood supply remains vulnerable following critically low levels during a summer blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure hospitals have blood products available for patients.
Berry College has a long history of supporting blood donations. The college’s Blood Donor Program was started by students in 1974, and Berry says Red Cross and Blood Assurance visits typically collect more than 450 units of blood annually. The Berry College Red Cross Club assists with blood drives on campus.
There’s also an incentive for Thursday’s donors. Those who give blood through September 20 can receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last.
Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or through the Red Cross website.
Greg “Hawk” Hawkins Appointed Deputy Coroner In Chattooga County
Greg “Hawk” Hawkins has been appointed Deputy Coroner of Chattooga County, continuing a long career of service in local emergency services.
Hawkins was sworn in Monday by Judge Gary Woods, with Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and Senior Deputy Coroner Earle Rainwater in attendance.
A longtime resident of Menlo, Hawkins has served Chattooga County for many years in emergency medical services. He worked as a paramedic and supervisor with Redmond EMS, building decades of experience responding to emergencies throughout the county.
Hawkins is also a 2018 graduate of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Chattooga class.
Earlier this year, Hawkins received regional recognition for his service in emergency medicine. In March, he was honored as the EMS Pioneer of the Year by the Northwest Georgia Regional Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.
His appointment as Deputy Coroner adds another chapter to a career centered on public service and emergency response in Chattooga County.
Man Arrested After Report Of Cursing At People Along Summerville Street
A man was arrested for public intoxication after Summerville Police responded to a report of a man allegedly cursing at people while walking along a city street.
According to a Summerville Police Department incident report, Officer Ibzan Ramirez was dispatched to 215 State Street on September 9. When the officer arrived, he reported seeing a man walking on State Street toward Hawkins Drive.
Police identified the man as Fernando Powell. According to the report, Powell gave unclear answers when asked what was going on and said he was walking to his aunt’s residence.
The officer reported detecting an odor of alcohol coming from Powell’s breath and said Powell had bloodshot and watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech. Police also reported that he was unsteady while standing and walking.
A consent search reportedly found only a black cell phone and green lighter.
The officer determined that Powell was allegedly under the influence of alcohol to the extent that he was unable to safely care for himself in a public place.
Powell was arrested for public intoxication and transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident.
AdventHealth Challenges Community To “Light Your Porch Pink” For Breast Cancer Awareness
AdventHealth Georgia is once again asking residents across Northwest Georgia to turn their porch lights pink during October in support of breast cancer awareness.
The annual “Light Your Porch Pink” campaign encourages residents to place a pink light bulb in their front porch light throughout October as a visible reminder of the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection.
AdventHealth says breast cancer affects about one in eight women, but outcomes can be significantly improved when the disease is detected early. Along with the pink-light campaign, AdventHealth is encouraging women to schedule their annual mammograms. The health system offers 3D mammograms in Rome, Calhoun and Chatsworth, with screenings that can be completed in about 30 minutes.
Thousands of free pink light bulbs are being distributed across Northwest Georgia while supplies last.
For residents in Chattooga County, bulbs are available at two locations:
AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Trion
160 Central Avenue, Trion
AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care and Urgent Care at Summerville
9777 Rome Boulevard, Summerville
Additional bulbs are available at AdventHealth locations in Rome, Calhoun, Chatsworth, Cedartown, Cartersville and Rockmart.
Residents who participate are encouraged to take a photo of their pink porch light and share it on social media using #PinkPorchGA, along with their reason for supporting breast cancer awareness. The message could honor someone who has battled breast cancer, celebrate a survivor or reflect on a personal experience with the disease.
“Seeing our community light up in pink is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of those impacted by breast cancer,” said Josefer Montes, executive director of marketing and brand at AdventHealth Georgia. “We hope this visible show of support continues to spark conversations and encourage loved ones to prioritize regular screenings.”
The pink light bulbs became available beginning September 14 and will be distributed while supplies last.
More information about the campaign and scheduling a mammogram is available at PinkPorchGA.com.
17 Chattooga County Students Earn Academic Honors At GNTC
Seventeen Chattooga County students have earned academic honors at Georgia Northwestern Technical College for the summer 2026 semester.
GNTC announced its President’s and Dean’s Lists Monday. To qualify for the President’s List, students must maintain a GPA of 3.8 or higher while carrying at least 12 credit hours. The Dean’s List recognizes students maintaining a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79 with at least 12 credit hours.
Twelve Chattooga County students were named to the President’s List: Jonathan Bean, Jared Campbell, Melisa Cargle, Raven Dallas, Molly Jeon, Derek Mitchell, Jerry Morris, Amanda Parker, Courtney Trammell, Alyssa White, Mayahuel Yaoapoqa and Sueann Yaoapoqa.
Five Chattooga County students were named to the Dean’s List: Tammy Chandler, Darby Hall, Isis Hines, Stephanie Smith and Adam Tallman.
Students from across GNTC’s Northwest Georgia service area were recognized for their academic achievement.
The complete President’s and Dean’s Lists, including students from Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker and Whitfield counties, can be viewed on the GNTC website: View The Complete GNTC President’s And Dean’s Lists
Community Health Fair Set For Friday In Summerville
A Community Health Fair will be held this Friday evening in Summerville, offering free health screenings, food and health information to area residents.
The event will take place Friday, September 18, from 6 until 8 PM at the Fairway Recreation Center, 81 Senior Drive in Summerville.
The health fair is being presented by the Summerville Seventh-day Adventist Church and will feature Dr. Thomas Jackson, who will share information drawn from 48 years of gospel-medical missionary work. Topics will include managing diabetes and high blood pressure.
The evening will include free health screenings, an informative health seminar, an interactive health fair, complimentary food, music and giveaways.
Organizers say seating is limited and an RSVP is required. Those interested in attending may contact Christie Williams at 706-859-1140.
The event is designed to provide practical health information while giving local residents an opportunity to learn more about taking charge of their health.
Armuchee Woman Charged With Cruelty To Children
An Armuchee woman was arrested over the weekend following an alleged incident involving a minor family member.
According to Floyd County Jail records, 52-year-old Patricia Katherine Gonzalez was arrested at her residence on Tency Lane and charged with first-degree cruelty to children and simple battery.
Authorities allege Gonzalez grabbed the minor by the hair and pulled her down by it.
Jail records also state that Gonzalez grabbed the victim by the arm, leaving a visible red mark.
Gonzalez was taken into custody on the two charges.
Former Berry College Student Found Dead On Campus Tuesday
A former Berry College student was found dead on the college campus Tuesday afternoon following a search that brought a large law enforcement presence to the area.
According to information provided to WZQZ News, the victim was a former Berry student who attended the college more than 10 years ago and was visiting the campus Tuesday.
The Floyd County Police Department SWAT Team was conducting training in the area when officers received the call concerning the missing person at around noon Tuesday.
Officers began searching for the individual and located the victim at approximately 2 PM. The victim was found with what authorities described as a self-inflicted wound.
The incident explains the significant law enforcement presence reported at Berry College during the afternoon.
The victim’s identity has not been released.
Teloga Community Food Drive Set For Saturday
Residents in the Teloga area are invited to take part in a Community Food Drive this Saturday, September 19, aimed at helping local families and strengthening the community.
The food distribution will be held from 10 AM until noon, or until supplies run out, at Beersheba Presbyterian Church, located at 9977 Highway 337 in Summerville.
Organizers say no identification is required to receive food. Those planning to attend are asked not to line up before 9:30 AM.
The event is being held under the theme “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” and is designed to provide food assistance to people and families in the community.
Volunteers are also needed to help with Saturday’s distribution.
The Teloga Community Food Drive is being made possible with support from the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Helping Hands Food Support Community.
Organizers say the goal is simple: bring neighbors together to support one another and help build a stronger Teloga community.
Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash Near Fort Payne
A pilot was killed in a small plane crash near Fort Payne in DeKalb County, Alabama, Tuesday morning.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported the aircraft went down near Fort Payne. The pilot was the only person aboard the plane and was killed in the crash.
The crash was reported in the area of Isbell Field, Fort Payne’s municipal airport. Isbell Field is located about two miles north of Fort Payne.
The identity of the pilot had not been released in initial reports.
Information about where the aircraft originated, its intended destination and what may have caused the crash was not immediately available.
Federal aviation authorities are expected to investigate the accident.
Scouting America Troop 7 To Host BBQ Plate Fundraiser September 21
Scouting America Troop 7 is inviting the community to enjoy a barbecue dinner while helping support local Scouts during a fundraiser next week.
The Troop 7 BBQ Plate Fundraiser will be held Monday, September 21, from 6 until 8 PM at Summerville First United Methodist Church.
Plates are $12 each and include barbecue, a bun, green beans, potato salad and dessert. Both dine-in and carry-out will be available, with drinks provided for those eating at the church.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help support Troop 7 Scouting activities, including outdoor adventures, leadership development programs and community service projects.
Troop leaders say community support plays an important role in helping Scouts develop leadership skills, character and a commitment to service.
Tickets are available from Troop 7 members and will also be sold at the event while supplies last.
Arrest Report - Tuesday - September 15, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, September 15, 2026:
Hot, Sunny Weather Continues Across Chattooga County This Week
Chattooga County will remain hot and mostly dry through the rest of the workweek, with afternoon temperatures staying well into the 90s and rain chances largely absent until the weekend.
Today will be sunny with a high near 94 degrees. The heat index could reach 99, making it feel several degrees hotter during the afternoon. Winds will be light, becoming southeast around 5 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 70.
The National Weather Service says an upper-level ridge remains dominant across the region, keeping temperatures above normal and limiting opportunities for rainfall.
Wednesday will bring more sunshine and another high near 94, with a heat index approaching 98. Wednesday night should be mostly clear with a low around 68.
The stretch of hot weather continues Thursday through Saturday. Thursday’s high will be near 94, followed by 95 degrees Friday and Saturday. Overnight lows will generally remain in the upper 60s to around 70.
Despite the continued heat, somewhat drier air moving into the region should make conditions feel a little less oppressive later in the week.
Rain chances begin returning late in the weekend as the persistent ridge starts to weaken and moisture increases. Sunday currently carries a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 93.
A more noticeable change could arrive Monday, when showers and thunderstorms become likely. The chance of rain increases to 60%, and the additional clouds and precipitation should finally knock temperatures down somewhat, with Monday’s high forecast near 88 degrees.
Overall, the forecast calls for above-normal temperatures and largely dry weather through Saturday, followed by increasing opportunities for showers and thunderstorms Sunday and Monday.