Arrest Report - Friday - September 25, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, September 25, 2026:
Fall-Like Weather Settles Into Chattooga County For The Weekend
Residents across Chattooga County can expect a taste of fall this weekend, with cooler temperatures, lower humidity and plenty of sunshine before warmer weather begins returning next week.
The National Weather Service says a cooler air mass has settled across North Georgia and will remain in place through the weekend. After clouds dominated much of the area Thursday, skies will begin clearing Friday as winds shift to the northwest and the weather pattern responsible for the cooler conditions retreats.
Friday will be partly sunny in Chattooga County with a high near 78 degrees. Winds will be calm early before becoming northerly at around 5 mph during the afternoon. Friday night will be mostly clear and noticeably cool, with a low around 54.
Saturday should provide some of the best weather of the weekend. Skies will be sunny with a high near 80 degrees and light winds. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures falling to around 55.
Sunday will bring more mostly sunny skies and a high near 80. Sunday night will be mostly clear with a low around 53 degrees.
The National Weather Service says some locations in the higher elevations of North Georgia could fall into the upper 40s Saturday morning, making this one of the coolest stretches of weather the region has experienced so far this season.
Dry weather will continue as the new workweek begins, but temperatures will gradually climb. Monday will be sunny with a high near 83, followed by a low around 54 Monday night. Tuesday will be sunny and warmer with a high near 87.
Moisture begins returning later in the week. There is a 20 percent chance of showers Wednesday with a high near 88, followed by a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday as temperatures remain in the upper 80s.
For the weekend, however, rain chances are essentially nonexistent, making for favorable conditions for football, festivals, outdoor recreation and other weekend activities across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia.
Chattooga Hosts Gordon Lee As Trion Travels To Northview Tonight
Friday night football returns tonight with Chattooga at home against Gordon Lee and Trion making a long road trip to face Northview, and WZQZ will have coverage of both games.
For Chattooga, tonight marks the beginning of an important stretch of the schedule. The Indians host the Gordon Lee Trojans at The Little Big Horn, with kickoff at 7:30 PM.
Coach Roone Gable’s Indians are 0-4, but the last two games have been considerably closer than the first two. Chattooga fell 14-7 at Coosa before scoring a season-high 17 points in last week’s 27-17 loss at Ridgeland. Chattooga opened the season with losses to LaFayette and Model.
Gordon Lee enters tonight at 1-3 under head coach Josh Groce. The Trojans opened the season with a 36-7 loss at Trion, then defeated Ridgeland 21-7. Since then, Gordon Lee has lost 28-14 at Ringgold and 35-21 against Heritage.
The Trojans are coming off an 11-2 season in 2025 and a first-place region finish, but graduated personnel from that team. Before this season, Groce described the 2026 Trojans as a physical team and identified Dyllan Currie, Braxton Daniel, Sean Harms-Benafel, Eli Hasty, Logan Price and Will Slaton among his key leaders.
Chattooga entered the season with several experienced players, including Aiden Fletcher, Kane Baker, Ja’Vion Cotton, Jayden Foster, Major Blair and Jovanni Hill. More recent statistics published by MaxPreps list Cotton as Chattooga’s leading rusher among reported statistics and senior Colton McCary as the leading receiver.
Tonight’s game is also notable because Chattooga and Gordon Lee are both members of Region 7-AA, making this the beginning of region play for the Indians. Gordon Lee is also listed at 0-0 in region competition entering tonight.
Meanwhile, Trion takes a three-game winning streak on the road tonight.
Coach Sean Patrick’s Bulldogs are 4-1 after last week’s dominating 49-0 victory over Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Trion’s only loss came against Model, 31-7. Since then, the Bulldogs have beaten Ridgeland 38-17, Dade County 42-35 and LFO 49-0. Combined with the season-opening 36-7 victory over Gordon Lee, Trion has scored 165 points in its four victories.
Senior quarterback Linc Allen has been a major part of Trion’s production. MaxPreps currently lists Allen at 98.4 rushing yards per game with 10 total touchdowns. Junior TK Smith leads the listed receiving statistics at 43 yards per game, while linebacker Frank Carrillo leads the defense with eight tackles per game and senior Hudson Thomas is credited with 1.5 sacks.
Tonight’s opponent presents an unusual matchup. Northview is a Class AAAAA school from Johns Creek, while Trion competes in Class A. The Titans, coached by Mario Drayton, enter the game at 1-3. They lost 24-17 to Johns Creek and 26-7 to Drew before defeating Berkmar 20-12. Northview lost 56-21 to King’s Ridge last week.
Available Northview statistics show senior Drew Beane leading the passing game, with senior Cade Zeman the leading receiver and senior Omari Drayton leading the Titans in rushing. Junior linebacker Matthew Crotsley has been Northview’s leading tackler in the statistics reported to MaxPreps.
Both games kick off at 7:30 tonight.
WZQZ will have both Chattooga and Trion available live on the WZQZ Facebook page. Chattooga-Gordon Lee will also be tonight’s radio game on 99.1 FM, with Chris “Bubba” Wilson on play-by-play, Steiner Davis providing analysis and Mason Gilreath on camera. The Trion broadcast will feature Paul Cavin on play-by-play, Jeremy Burke providing analysis and Sam Kholer on camera.
Major Taylor Ridge Project Aims To Fix Decades-Old Highway Problem
A major Georgia Department of Transportation project planned for U.S. 27 over Taylor’s Ridge is intended to address a problem that has challenged highway crews for decades — an unstable mountainside where groundwater, steep slopes and the underlying geology have repeatedly contributed to movement of the roadway.
WZQZ News previously reported on the upcoming Taylor Ridge project, but a closer look at Georgia DOT records shows the work is considerably more than routine highway maintenance.
The project is officially designated PI No. 0015413, “SR 1/U.S. 27 at Taylors Ridge – Phase II.” GDOT classifies the work as slope repair and reconstruction/rehabilitation along approximately 0.21 mile of U.S. 27 in Chattooga County.
The reason for the project becomes clearer when looking at the history and geology of Taylor Ridge.
Government geological studies of the U.S. 27 cut through Taylor Ridge document layers of shale, sandstone and other rock, along with groundwater moving through the formations. In fact, drainage of the mountainside has been an issue for more than six decades. A Georgia geological study documented 83 horizontal drainage wells drilled into the rock above U.S. 27 specifically to divert groundwater away from the highway fill. Those wells were between 39 and 147 feet deep, and their discharge increased substantially following periods of heavy rainfall.
That groundwater is important because water moving through a steep road cut can contribute to weakening and movement of soil and rock surrounding the highway.
The problems aren’t new. By 2019, the north side of U.S. 27 on Taylor Ridge had again experienced significant movement. At the time, Georgia DOT said it was evaluating a permanent solution after a portion of the northbound roadway dropped several inches in a short period. Temporary paving, warning devices and lane restrictions were used while engineers studied a longer-lasting repair.
The state subsequently completed an earlier stabilization project. GDOT’s records show PI No. 0015412, described as slide stabilization on U.S. 27/SR 1 at Taylor Ridge, was awarded for approximately $1.59 million, with an April 2021 completion date.
The upcoming work is Phase II of the effort.
And GDOT considers the project significant from a transportation-resiliency standpoint. In the department’s Resilience Improvement Plan, the Taylor Ridge project received Class 3 ratings for criticality, vulnerability and risk and was placed in the plan’s first-priority category.
The scope and cost also illustrate that this isn’t simply another resurfacing job. GDOT’s current Statewide Transportation Improvement Program lists the total project cost at approximately $9.85 million, including about $8.75 million for construction, $500,000 for right-of-way and $100,000 for utilities. The project maintains the existing two-lane configuration rather than widening U.S. 27.
The project has now moved another major step toward construction. GDOT included PI 0015413 in its September 18, 2026 construction letting, identifying the U.S. 27 project in Chattooga County as approximately 0.208 mile long.
Taken together, the records show why so much work has been required at Taylor Ridge over the years: U.S. 27 crosses a steep mountainside with complex rock formations and documented groundwater movement, and portions of the highway have a history of settling and sliding. The Phase II project is designed as a slope repair rather than another temporary paving fix.
U.S. 27 over Taylor Ridge is one of Chattooga County’s most important transportation links, carrying traffic between Summerville and Rome and serving commuters, commercial vehicles and emergency traffic every day.
WZQZ News will continue following the project as Georgia DOT moves from bidding into construction and more information becomes available about the work schedule and traffic impacts.
Berry College Ranked No. 1 For Best Value And Undergraduate Teaching In South
Berry College has earned top honors in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, including two No. 1 rankings among regional universities in the South.
The Rome college was ranked No. 1 for Best Value and No. 1 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. Berry also placed second overall among regional universities in the South, a category covering institutions across 13 states and territories.
Berry says its Best Value ranking reflects affordability efforts along with its LifeWorks program, which guarantees students up to eight semesters of paid, hands-on professional development experience. The college reports awarding more than $60 million in financial aid, with all undergraduate students receiving some form of financial assistance.
Berry’s undergraduate teaching recognition comes as the college maintains a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, which the school says allows for greater individual attention and mentoring.
Berry also received national recognition, ranking eighth in the country for service learning and remaining among the nation’s top 40 schools for first-year experience.
The rankings represent an improvement from previous years. In the 2024 U.S. News rankings, Berry was No. 2 for both Best Value and Undergraduate Teaching and fourth overall among regional universities in the South.
U.S. News says its rankings consider factors including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, graduate debt, earnings, faculty information and admissions data. Peer assessments from academics account for 20 percent of the methodology.
Chattooga County Commissioner To Set 2026 Tax Levy At Friday Meeting
Chattooga County’s 2026 tax levy will be the subject of a public meeting this afternoon as county officials move toward finalizing the property tax rates used for this year’s tax bills.
The meeting is scheduled for 1 PM today at the Hurley Community Development Center, 10050 Commerce Street in Summerville. Chattooga County’s official calendar lists the meeting specifically for the 2026 Tax Levy Resolution and says it will last as long as necessary.
Sole Commissioner Andy Allen serves as the county’s chief legislative and executive officer under Chattooga County’s sole-commissioner form of government.
Today’s action is important to property owners because the county’s tax levy determines the county government’s portion of the property tax rate. The millage rate is applied to taxable property values established through the assessment process to determine the amount of county property tax owed.
The meeting comes after property owners across Chattooga County received their annual notices of assessment this summer and had an opportunity to appeal their property values.
The Chattooga County Board of Education has already set its 2026 school millage rate at 8.518 mills. Today’s county action is separate from the school system’s levy and will establish the county government’s rate.
The county had not posted the new 2026 tax levy rate with its meeting announcement, meaning the final figure should become known following today’s meeting. The county’s online notice currently provides the meeting time, location and purpose but does not list a proposed millage rate.
The Tax Assessor’s Office establishes property values, while tax-bill questions are handled by the Tax Commissioner’s Office.
Longtime Georgia DNR Sergeant Ben Cunningham Dies Suddenly In Rome
Georgia DNR Sergeant Ben Cunningham, who supervised Game Wardens serving Chattooga County and other parts of Northwest Georgia, died suddenly Thursday following a possible medical episode while on duty in Rome.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said Cunningham was participating in a Law Enforcement Division physical fitness program when the medical emergency occurred.
Cunningham was a 27-year veteran of Georgia DNR and most recently served as a Region I Sergeant, supervising Game Wardens responsible for Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Floyd counties.
His career with DNR began with the Wildlife Resources Division in August 1999. He transferred to DNR Law Enforcement in December 2006, was promoted to Corporal in 2017 and to Sergeant in March 2021.
Cunningham also played a major role in training and mentoring other Game Wardens. He served as an instructor at the Game Warden Academy, as well as a Firearms Instructor, Wildlife Instructor, Field Training Officer and Field Training Officer Instructor. He also served with the DNR Peer Support Team and contributed to statewide succession training.
DNR officials said Cunningham was known for his dedication to protecting Georgia’s natural resources and for helping develop the next generation of Game Wardens.
Georgia DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon said Cunningham was more than a colleague, calling him a friend and valued member of the DNR family. Rabon offered prayers for Cunningham’s wife, Starr, daughter, Addy, and the rest of his family.
The department said Cunningham’s knowledge, experience and willingness to invest in others left a lasting impression on the Game Wardens he supervised and mentored throughout his career.
AAA: Most Georgia Children Checked Were Moved To Seat Belts Too Soon
New research from AAA shows a large percentage of Georgia children may not be properly protected while riding in vehicles, with many moving from booster seats to adult seat belts before they are physically ready.
According to AAA, 96.6 percent of Georgia children inspected during child passenger safety checks in 2025 had transitioned to an adult seat belt before the belt fit them correctly. Researchers also found 34.3 percent had moved to a booster seat too soon, while 84.3 percent of child restraints inspected in Georgia were being used incorrectly.
Among the most common problems found by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians were improper seat belt fit, loose harness straps and failure to properly use the top tether on forward-facing car seats.
AAA says moving a child to the next restraint stage too early can reduce the protection provided during a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, properly used car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers riding in passenger cars.
For parents wondering when a child is ready to leave a booster seat, AAA says age alone isn’t the deciding factor. A child should be able to sit with their knees naturally bending at the edge of the vehicle seat, while the lap belt rests low across the hips and upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder. The child should also be able to remain properly seated for the entire trip. If those conditions aren’t met, AAA says the child still needs a booster seat.
AAA also recommends that children younger than 13 ride in the back seat whenever possible, where they have greater protection in a crash and less risk of injury from a front passenger airbag.
Parents are encouraged to check their child’s restraint regularly. A properly installed car seat should move no more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path, harness straps should be snug, and the top tether should be used with forward-facing seats whenever possible. AAA also recommends having a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician inspect a seat when changing vehicles, purchasing a new seat or moving a child to the next restraint stage.
Sheriff’s Office Fundraiser Today Supports Three Community Programs
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to stop by for lunch today while helping support three programs that benefit local residents and Sheriff’s Office employees.
A Hot Dog Lunch and Bake Sale will be held from 10 AM until 2 PM today at the Sheriff’s Office, 533 Underwood Drive in Trion. For $7, lunch includes a hot dog, chips, drink and dessert. Additional baked goods and sweets will also be available for purchase.
Money raised today will be divided among three programs operated or supported by the Sheriff’s Office: Christmas Baskets, the Senior Well Check Program and the Health & Heart Hydration Fund.
The Christmas Basket program helps the Sheriff’s Office provide items to local residents during the Christmas season. Money from today’s fundraiser will be used to purchase items that go into those baskets, allowing the department to extend its community outreach beyond traditional law-enforcement duties.
The Senior Well Check Program focuses on maintaining contact with senior citizens in the community. The fundraiser will specifically help purchase prizes for seniors participating in the program, providing an additional way for the Sheriff’s Office to engage with and recognize the residents enrolled in the program.
The third program is the Health & Heart Hydration Fund, which directly supports deputies working on patrol. Money contributed to that fund is used to purchase hydration supplies and healthy snacks for patrol officers, particularly important for deputies who may spend long periods outside or responding to calls during hot weather.
The fundraiser gives residents a chance to help all three efforts with one purchase — supporting outreach to families at Christmas, the department’s connection with local senior citizens, and the health and well-being of officers working in the community.
The Hot Dog Lunch and Bake Sale runs from 10 AM until 2 PM today at 533 Underwood Drive in Trion.
Plenty To Do Around Chattooga County And Northwest Georgia This Weekend
The final weekend of September brings several events to Chattooga County, with antique farm equipment, outdoor activities and a community celebration all scheduled for Saturday. There are also several larger events just down the road in Floyd County.
Antique Tractors And Engines At The Summerville Depot
Agricultural and railroad history will come together Saturday at the Summerville Train Depot as Summerville Main Street hosts the Antique Tractor & Small Engines Show from 10 AM until 3 PM.
More than 39 antique tractor and small-engine exhibits are expected, including displays from the Chickamauga Antique Tractor Club and Peach State Antique Tractor & Engine Club. Much of the equipment dates to the early and mid-1900s, and live demonstrations are planned.
A featured exhibit will be a 1910 Woodpecker Hit & Miss Engine.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s 4501 steam locomotive is expected to arrive at approximately 12:45 PM, with visitors able to watch the locomotive being turned on the Joe Robert Norton Summerville Turntable.
Food and specialty vendors will also be on hand, and admission is free.
Outdoor Adventure Day At Sloppy Floyd
One of the area’s biggest outdoor events of the year takes place Saturday at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park.
Outdoor Adventure Day runs from 10 AM until 4 PM and includes a Kids Fishing Rodeo for youngsters 15 and younger. Fifty tagged fish will be available to catch for prizes, and participants should bring their own fishing poles and bait.
Other activities include archery, a birds-of-prey presentation, a climbing wall, a dunk tank and reptile programs. Food and refreshments will also be available for purchase.
Saturday is also National Hunting and Fishing Day and a Free Fishing Day in Georgia. Georgia residents can fish on public waters Saturday without a fishing or trout license.
Down Home Day Returns To Lyerly
The Town of Lyerly will hold its Down Home Day Saturday from 10 AM until 2 PM.
The event is centered around bringing the community together while supporting local vendors, makers and small businesses. Organizers have promoted this year’s event with the message, “Live local. Shop local. Support local.”
More Going On In Rome And Floyd County
For those heading toward Rome, the Rome Shakespeare Festival & Renaissance Fayre continues Saturday in downtown Rome. The festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Renaissance-themed activities at Bridgepoint Plaza.
Saturday is also the final scheduled day of the Ridge Ferry Park Farmers Market in Rome, running from 7 until 11 AM.
The Cave Spring Pig Out and Car Show takes place Saturday at Rolater Park in Cave Spring, featuring a barbecue cook-off, classic car and motorcycle show, arts and crafts vendors and family activities.
And throughout the weekend, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Fall Ramble is being held in Rome and Cave Spring. The September 25-27 event opens historic homes and significant sites that aren’t normally available for public tours. Saturday’s tours focus on Rome’s Between the Rivers Historic District and College Heights neighborhood.
With events in Summerville, Lyerly, Sloppy Floyd State Park, Rome and Cave Spring, there are plenty of options close to home as September winds down.
Georgia Power Nearing Completion Of Major Battery Storage Project In Floyd County
A major Georgia Power energy project in Northwest Georgia is nearing completion, with the company preparing to place a 57.5-megawatt battery storage facility in Floyd County into service later this year.
Georgia Power confirmed this month that construction of the Hammond Battery Energy Storage System is nearing completion. The project is being built at the site of the former Plant Hammond, west of Rome, and is currently scheduled to begin commercial operation in November 2026.
The project represents a new use for part of the former coal-fired power plant property. Plant Hammond’s coal-fired generating units were retired in 2019, but the location already had much of the electrical and transmission infrastructure needed to move electricity onto Georgia Power’s grid. The company says reusing that infrastructure allows the battery project to take advantage of existing transmission capacity rather than developing an entirely new generating site.
The battery facility is located on approximately 7.95 acres between Alabama Highway and the Coosa River, about 9.7 miles west of downtown Rome. The property was formerly used as a coal storage area at Plant Hammond.
Unlike a conventional power plant, the Hammond facility will not generate electricity. Instead, large-scale batteries will store electricity when it is available and then send that power back onto the grid when demand is higher. Battery storage can be particularly useful during periods of peak demand, such as extremely hot summer afternoons or cold winter mornings.
The Hammond project is designed as a four-hour battery system, meaning it can provide stored electricity for several hours when called upon. Georgia Power says battery storage gives the company another quickly dispatchable resource that can help maintain reliability as electricity demand grows.
The Floyd County project is part of a much larger expansion of battery storage across Georgia. Georgia Power announced September 15 that its new 128-megawatt Robins Battery Facility near Warner Robins is now commercially operating. The company says battery projects already completed in Cherokee and Lowndes counties total 579.5 megawatts, while Hammond is nearing completion.
The Georgia Public Service Commission has also approved nine additional battery storage facilities across eight sites, representing more than 3,000 megawatts of additional storage capacity.
For Northwest Georgia, the Hammond project also represents a significant reinvestment in a former industrial site. Floyd County officials have identified the project as one that will help strengthen the local tax base following the retirement of the coal-fired plant.
Construction of the Hammond facility is being handled by Crowder Industrial Construction, with commercial operation currently projected for November.
Tooga Theater Renovation Project Re-Bid After Contractors Ask For More Time
Chattooga County is re-advertising the first phase of the Tooga Theater renovation project after contractors interested in the work said they needed additional time to prepare their bids.
Sole Commissioner Andy Allen told WZQZ News that only two contractors were prepared to participate by the original bid deadline. Both had toured the aging downtown Summerville theater earlier this month and got a firsthand look at the extent of the work that will be required.
Allen said the building has significant structural and cosmetic issues that must be addressed, and the contractors told him they needed more time to evaluate the building and prepare accurate bids. Rather than proceed with the limited response, Allen decided to re-let the project, giving those contractors — and potentially others — additional time to submit proposals.
The new solicitation was posted Wednesday, September 23, and sets a new bid deadline of October 23. The project is being undertaken by Chattooga County with funding assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission and oversight from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Phase I calls for demolition and interior renovations, including work in the back portion of the theater, renovations to the ticket booth and front entrance, and installation of audio-visual and information technology equipment, furnishings and fixtures. Contractors must also provide the labor, materials, equipment, permits and other work necessary to complete the project.
The project carries additional requirements because federal funding is involved, including federal prevailing-wage requirements and performance and payment bonds for the contractor ultimately selected.
Renovating the Tooga has been identified by Chattooga County as a major economic-development project. The county’s current five-year Community Work Program estimates the overall revitalization effort at $1.5 million and lists Appalachian Regional Commission funding as the funding source.
The theater dates to 1947 and was purchased by Chattooga County in 2015. Its most recent theatrical production was Chattooga Curtain Call’s The Lion King Jr. in 2019. Plans call for the renovated Tooga to eventually serve as a multipurpose facility for performances, movies, community gatherings, conferences, concerts and other events.
The county’s decision to allow additional bidding time means construction will not move forward under the original schedule, but Allen said the additional time should allow contractors to better evaluate what will be required inside the nearly 80-year-old building before submitting their prices.
New bids for the Tooga Theater Phase I Renovation Project are due October 23.
AdventHealth Georgia Leader Named To State Rural Health Advisory Council
An AdventHealth Georgia leader has been appointed to a statewide council that will help guide efforts to improve healthcare access in rural communities — including Chattooga County and other parts of Northwest Georgia.
Scotty Hancock, executive director of community advocacy for AdventHealth’s Georgia Market, has been selected to serve on the Georgia Department of Community Health’s GREAT Health Advisory Council.
The 20-member council is part of Georgia’s GREAT Health Program — Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health — a five-year effort aimed at strengthening rural healthcare systems, expanding access to care and improving health outcomes.
The program has significant funding behind it. Georgia received federal approval for approximately $218.9 million for the first year, and the Department of Community Health announced last month that all Year 1 awards had been committed. Those investments support rural hospitals, healthcare workforce development, technology-enabled care and other efforts intended to improve healthcare delivery in rural Georgia.
There is a direct local connection. Chattooga County is specifically included in Region 3 of the GREAT Health Advisory Council, along with neighboring Floyd, Gordon, Walker and Dade counties and other communities across North Georgia.
Council members are responsible for providing feedback on GREAT Health strategies and milestones, offering expertise on rural healthcare issues and reviewing program data and progress. The council held its inaugural meeting August 31.
Hancock said he looks forward to working with other leaders to advance efforts that strengthen healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities throughout Georgia.
AdventHealth operates AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, which serves patients from throughout Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County.
Northwest Georgia Employment Reaches Record High As Unemployment Edges Up
Northwest Georgia added workers during August, with both the regional labor force and the number of people employed reaching all-time highs, according to new figures from the Georgia Department of Labor.
The 15-county Northwest Georgia region, which includes Chattooga County, recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in August. That was up slightly from 3.1 percent in July, but remained below the 3.6 percent recorded in August 2025.
The region’s labor force increased by 1,933 people during August to a record 461,334. The number of employed residents increased by 1,173 to an all-time high of 446,318. Compared with a year ago, Northwest Georgia has nearly 10,800 more people in the labor force and almost 11,800 more people employed.
Initial unemployment claims also declined across the region. Claims fell by 598 during August to 1,358, and were 381 lower than during August of last year.
Nearby Floyd County, which makes up the Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area, also posted gains. Rome’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in August, while the number of employed residents increased to 47,007. Payroll jobs in the metro area increased to 46,900.
For Chattooga County, the latest county-level figure showed an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, while the broader Northwest Georgia region stood at 3.3 percent in August.
Statewide, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in August, with both the labor force and total employment reaching record levels.
The new numbers show that while unemployment ticked up slightly in Northwest Georgia during August, more people were entering the workforce and more residents were employed than at any previous point measured by the state.
Firearms Deer Season Just Weeks Away In Georgia And Alabama
Georgia deer hunters are already in the woods for archery season, but the opening of the state’s regular firearms deer season is now just a few weeks away.
The 2026-27 Georgia firearms deer season opens Saturday, October 17, with the statewide season generally continuing through January 10, 2027, although regulations and opportunities can vary by county and on public lands. Georgia’s primitive weapons season runs October 10 through October 16. During that week, youth hunters under age 16 may use any legal deer firearm.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources sets the statewide season limit at 12 deer. Of those, no more than 10 may be antlerless and no more than two may be antlered. At least one of the two antlered deer must have four points measuring at least one inch long on one side of the antlers, or an outside antler spread of at least 15 inches.
The 10-antlerless limit does not mean hunters may take antlerless deer throughout the entire firearms season. Antlerless deer may only be taken during designated either-sex or antlerless opportunities, and those dates vary by area. Hunters should check the regulations for the county and property they plan to hunt before heading into the woods.
Hunters also need to remember Georgia’s harvest-reporting requirements. All deer hunters must have a current-season Harvest Record, and every harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.
Special regulations may apply on Wildlife Management Areas, federal lands and other public hunting properties, where season dates, bag limits and either-sex opportunities can differ from the general statewide regulations.
With firearms season approaching, hunters are also encouraged to inspect tree stands and safety equipment, identify their target and what lies beyond it before firing, and wear the required fluorescent orange or blaze pink during applicable firearms seasons.
The complete 2026-27 Georgia hunting regulations became effective July 1 and remain in effect through June 30, 2027.
Arrest Report - Thursday - September 24, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, September 24, 2026:
Thursday Weather: First Real Taste Of Fall Arrives
A noticeable change in the weather settles into Northwest Georgia today as cooler and much drier air moves into the region, bringing what will feel like the first real taste of fall.
Today will be partly sunny with a high near 78 degrees. An easterly breeze around 5 mph will accompany the cooler air. Dew points will continue dropping, making conditions feel considerably less humid than earlier this week.
Tonight, look for partly cloudy skies and a low around 59.
The pleasant weather continues Friday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 79. Friday night could be one of the coolest we’ve seen in months, dropping to around 55 degrees.
The weekend looks excellent. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 81, followed by a low around 56 Saturday night. Sunday will be mostly sunny and near 81, with another overnight low around 56.
Temperatures begin warming again next week. Monday should reach 84, with Tuesday climbing to around 87. Rain chances remain very low until Tuesday night, with a better chance of showers and thunderstorms arriving Wednesday.
The cooler weather is the result of a wedge of cooler, drier air moving south along the Appalachians, with significantly lower humidity spreading into Georgia. Dew points could fall into the 40s in parts of the region by Friday morning.
For Chattooga County, that means several days of comfortable temperatures, cool mornings and very little chance of rain — a welcome early taste of fall.
Chattooga County Millage Rate To Be Set Friday; School Board Rate Drops To 8.518 Mills
Chattooga County property owners now know one major part of their 2026 property tax calculation, while another will be determined Friday.
The Chattooga County Board of Education has set its 2026 millage rate at 8.518 mills, a reduction of 1.531 mills from last year’s rate of 10.049 mills.
The school system’s five-year tax history shows the rate has declined considerably in recent years. The net school millage was 12.404 mills in 2021, 12 mills in 2022, 10.898 mills in 2023, 10.597 mills in 2024 and 10.049 mills last year before dropping to 8.518 mills for 2026.
However, the value of property on the school tax digest has increased substantially. The school system’s net digest value increased from approximately $727.9 million in 2025 to $928.5 million this year.
As a result, even with the lower millage rate, the school system’s notice projects $7,908,923 in maintenance and operation property taxes, compared with $7,314,460 last year — an increase of approximately $594,462, or 8.13 percent.
Attention now turns to the Chattooga County government’s millage rate.
Sole Commissioner Andy Allen will set the county government’s 2026 millage rate during a public meeting Friday at 1 PM at the Hurley Community Development Center, 10050 Commerce Street in Summerville. The county will also adopt its 2026 Tax Levy Resolution.
Allen has not released the county’s proposed rate ahead of Friday’s meeting.
The school and county millage rates are separate components of a property owner’s tax bill. The amount an individual property owner ultimately pays also depends on the property’s taxable value and applicable exemptions and rollbacks.
WZQZ News will have the county’s new millage rate following Friday’s meeting.
Man Arrested After Returning To Sixth Avenue Home Despite Trespass Warning
A Summerville man was arrested after police say he returned to a Sixth Avenue residence despite having previously been told by law enforcement not to return.
According to a Summerville Police Department report, an officer was dispatched to 409 Sixth Avenue at approximately 2:19 PM on September 18 regarding a domestic incident in progress.
Police identified the man as 55-year-old Torre Perez Darden. E-911 advised the officer before arrival that Darden had previously been verbally trespassed from the residence.
When police arrived, Darden was reportedly on the front porch throwing clothing onto the ground. He told the officer he was trying to get his mother to wash his clothes.
The officer then spoke with Darden’s mother, Bertha Lee Darden, and asked whether she had invited him to the residence or allowed him to stay there. According to the report, she said she had not allowed him back at the residence since the previous incident.
Police arrested Torre Darden for criminal trespass.
During a search before transport, the officer reported finding two small rolled-up joints in Darden’s right front pocket. Darden allegedly admitted the joints contained marijuana and also told the officer he was on probation.
Darden was transported to the Chattooga County Jail and booked without incident.
Man Arrested After Allegedly Ignoring Ban From Summerville Housing Authority Property
A man was arrested on a criminal trespass charge after Summerville Police say he returned to a Summerville Housing Authority property despite previously being banned from the property.
According to a Summerville Police Department incident report, an officer was called to the Housing Authority’s Scoggins Street property at approximately 11:22 AM on September 18 after staff reported that Timothy Swann was inside one of the units.
Police said Housing Authority staff had previously banned Swann from the property and that he had also received a verbal trespass warning from city officers during an earlier incident.
After receiving no response at the door, Housing Authority staff used a key to enter the unit so police could determine whether anyone was inside. According to the report, officers found Swann in a bedroom on the left side of the hallway.
Swann reportedly told officers he had not known he was banned from the property and said he had not heard Housing Authority employees knocking because dogs were barking.
Police said Housing Authority staff confronted Swann outside the residence about the previous ban. While Swann continued to deny knowing about the ban, E-911 confirmed that a trespass warning had been issued to him on August 24, 2025.
Based on the active Housing Authority ban and confirmation of the previous warning, police arrested Swann on a charge of criminal trespass.
He was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident.