Arrest Report - Wednesday - April 24, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, April 24, 2024:

Traffic Stop On West Spring Creek Road Ends In Drug Arrests

A fifty-three-year-old man and a forty-two-year-old woman was arrested last week after a traffic stop in the Mountain View area.  According to a report, a sheriff’s deputy stopped the pickup truck being driven by Jason Darwin Baker.  Baker appeared nervous and admitted to deputies that there was a small amount of marijuana inside the vehicle.

While emptying the content of the bag with the marijuana inside, two hydrocodone pills fell to the ground.  Neither Baker nor his female passenger, Mandy Denise Lea, admitted to the pills, so both were placed under arrest.

Lea told deputies that she had only known Baker a few days and Baker said that the two had been fishing at Price Bridge nearby.

Lea was also found to have a pipe with around a gram of methamphetamine concealed in her bra.

Baker was charged with failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to maintain a single lane and possession of a Schedule II drug.

Lea was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a Schedule II drug and possession of a drug-related object.

Both were booked into the Chattooga County Jail on April 16th.

 

Trion Welcomes New Wrestling Coach

 

GNTC Hosts NC3 Signing Day

Eight northwest Georgia high school students committed to pursuing a technical education during a signing event hosted by Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC).

This year marks GNTC’s first time participating in the National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Letter of Intent Signing Day, which was held on April 18 at the Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.

During National Signing Day, 79 participating National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) Leadership Schools across the nation hosted high school students, parents, educators, industry partners, potential employers and others to watch students sign their letters of commitment to pursue a technical education at the college of their choice after they finish high school. GNTC also live-streamed the event.

“I’ve seen the difference technical education has made in people’s lives and witnessed firsthand the way technical education raises the standard of living here in northwest Georgia,” said Randall Fox, GNTC Alumnus, president of Fox Systems Inc. and a state board member of the Technical College System of Georgia, in his closing remarks. “This is why it’s so important for us to continue to strive for excellence in the technical college system not just here, but also across the state and country.”

Fox told signees that the Letter of Intent “is a symbol of your passion for learning. It’s evidence of your determination to pursue a career and make a difference in your chosen field and our community. You being here represents your willingness to spend countless hours working, studying and honing your skills. You will have to make sacrifices along the way, but today I congratulate each of you for making this commitment.”

“In fall 2023, GNTC was named Georgia’s first NC3 Leadership School,” Dr. Elizabeth Anderson, GNTC’s vice president of Academic Affairs, said. “Being able to participate in this national event is an exclusive membership benefit available to NC3 Leadership Schools, and GNTC is honored to be a part of this experience.”

Guest speakers were Bill Finn, NC3’s senior program manager for its partnerships with the Greenlee & RIDGID Brands, and Jim Walpert, industrial account manager for Snap-on Inc.

Finn explained to signees that “This (NC3 Leadership School) designation really signifies GNTC’s commitment to excellence, technical education and the dedication to preparing you all for successful careers.”

Finn reminded signees that their commitment to GNTC will be matched by GNTC’s commitment to them as they begin their technical education.

“I am on most of GNTC’s campuses every week, and I can promise you that the facilities are unrivaled, the instructors are all top-notch and the programs are top-notch, too,” Walpert said.

NC3’s mission is to train and educate future skilled workers for productive careers. NC3 certifications can be used across various CTE program areas including aviation, construction science and energy efficiency, digital literacy, health and safety, horticulture, manufacturing, transportation and welding. NC3 certifications also include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs.

Certiport, Copeland, Daniels Manufacturing Corporation, Dremel, Festo, Greenlee, Kubota Tractor Corp., Lincoln Electric, Palmer Hamilton, RIDGID, Snap-on Inc., L.S. Starrett Co., Swift, 3M, Thermo King, Tormach and Trane are global industry partners partnering with NC3. The organization also partners with the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of Workforce Boards and SkillsUSA.

Walpert said Snap-on was one of NC3’s original partners. GNTC was the first school in Georgia to offer Greenlee and RIDGID certifications, Finn said.

Listed below are the signees including the students’ names, high schools and intended programs of study:

Automotive Technology

Brayden Davis, Adairsville High School

Aviation Maintenance Technology

Ryan White, Villa Rica High School

Business Technology

Katlyn Griffith, Sonoraville High School

Cybersecurity Technology

Richard Ayden Cargle, Chattooga High School

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Janelle Yanuri Lopez, Sonoraville High School

Electrical Technician

Yahir Suarez, Gordon Central High School

Nursing

Ja’mia Rockella Flemister, Cedartown High School

Welding and Joining Technology

Kyra Leighann Fredrick, Phoenix High School

Anderson said that approximately 13 GNTC faculty members have a combined total of 165 NC3 certifications, and the college has issued more than 800 NC3 credentials to students.

“Technical education unlocks endless possibilities and paves the way for a brighter future,” Anderson said.

Caption for photo –

Katlyn Griffith signs her Letter of Intent to study Business Technology as GNTC instructors (from left) Leyner Argueta, director and instructor of Business Management; Regina Casteel, instructor of Business Management; and Lisa Hunt, director of Business Healthcare Technology, look on.

Accused Child Molester Threatened To Kill Victim

A thirty-year-old Rome man was booked into the Floyd County Jail Monday on charges of child molestation, terroristic threats and acts, and 1st-degree cruelty to children.

According to the arrest warrants:

Mark Paul Dawson Sr., of a Dodd Boulevard address, molested a child in December of 2022 at a location on Doyle Road in Cedartown.

He also threatened to kill the victim if she told anyone.

Dawson is also charged with sexual battery against a child under the age of 16 and a felony count of failure to appear in court.

WRGA

Governor Signs Education Legislation

On Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp, accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, members of the General Assembly, and state and local leaders, signed a comprehensive package of education legislation into law, including SB 233 – providing Georgia students in underperforming schools with greater freedom and choice in their education.

Sponsored by Senator Greg Dolezal, signed by Senators Matt Brass, Shawn Still, Ed Setzler, and Steve Gooch, carried in the House by Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, and heard in the House Committee on Education by Chairman Chris Erwin and the Senate Committee on Education and Youth by Chairman Clint Dixon, SB 233 creates a promise scholarship of $6,500 for each participating student that can be used towards qualified education expenses including tuition, fees, textbooks, and tutoring among others.

Students qualify for the scholarship if they meet requirements including having been enrolled in a public school for two consecutive enrollment counts (unless they would be entering kindergarten), being zoned for a school in the lowest 25 percent of all public schools, with priority for participation being given to economically disadvantaged students and students who were previous participants.

“There is nothing more important to the continued success of our state than safeguarding and strengthening the lives, education and future of our students, and that can only be accomplished by ensuring Georgia students have access to as many opportunities and choices as possible that will set them up for success” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As I stated in my State of the State address, we can and must take an all-of-the-above approach to K-12 education, and thanks to Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones and Senator Greg Dolezal keeping this issue a priority, Georgia is affording greater choice to families as to how and where they receive their education, while also continuing our efforts to strengthen public schools, support teachers, and secure our classrooms. This could not have been accomplished without their diligent work and the support of our additional partners in the General Assembly.

In addition to the creation of the Promise Scholarship, SB 233, among other things, also allows students to attend a public school outside of their resident system without needing the approval of said system and increases the tax credit for donations to the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. The maximum amount of tax credits allowed is raised by $10 million with the requirement that all of these additional funds must go to the schools who have performed in the lowest 25 percent.

Along with SB 233, Governor Kemp signed six additional pieces of legislation included below:

HB 318, sponsored by Representative Scott Hilton, signed by Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones and Representatives Matt Dubnick, Brad Thomas, Mesha Mainor, and Todd Jones, carried in the Senate by Senator Shelly Echols, and heard in the House Committee on Education by Chairman Chris Erwin and the Senate Committee on Education and Youth by Chairman Clint Dixon, moves the Office of Charter School Compliance from the Georgia Department of Education to the State Charter Schools Commission and allows them to assist local school systems in their role as charter school authorizers. Additionally, the criteria for low-wealth capital outlay grants are changed to give districts more time to plan their use of the funds.

HB 318 also included attached legislation sponsored by Representatives Tim Fleming and John Corbett.

HB 409, sponsored by Representative Lauren Daniel, signed by Representatives James Burchett, Trey Kelley, Matt Reeves, Rob Everett, and Stacey Evans, carried in the Senate by Senator Rick Williams, and heard in the House Committee on Government Affairs by Chairman John Lahood and the Senate Committee on Education and Youth by Chairman Clint Dixon, directs school systems to consider not having stops where a student would have to cross a roadway with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or greater. It also increases the penalty for passing a stopped school bus to $1,000, following the death of 8-year-old Addy Pierce who was struck by a motorist as she boarded her school bus.

The bill also allows charter schools to utilize teachers or other staff who are employees of an education service provider as long as the school’s board maintains the authority over their selection and dismissal.

Ashley Pierce, the mother of Addy Pierce, passionately advocated for and was instrumental in the passage of this legislation.

HB 1122, sponsored by Representative Scott Hilton, signed by Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones and Representatives Matt Dubnick, Bethany Ballard, Segun Adeyina, and Todd Jones, carried in the Senate by Senator Matt Brass, and heard in the House Committee on Education by Chairman Chris Erwin and the Senate Committee on Education and Youth by Chairman Clint Dixon, provides state charter schools that have over 1,000 students, funding for a superintendent. State and local charter schools will also receive funding for principals. It also allows for children of part-time charter school employees to attend the school their parent teaches at and low-level local system employees to serve on the board of a state charter school.

SB 351, sponsored by Senator Jason Anavitarte, signed by Senators Randy Robertson, Matt Brass, John Kennedy, Steve Gooch, and Shawn Still, carried in the House by Representative Scott Hilton, and heard in the House Committee on Education by Chairman Chris Erwin and the Senate Committee on Education and Youth by Chairman Clint Dixon, requires the Department of Education and local boards to adopt policies on social media, cyberbullying, and internet usage. It requires that social media companies verify that their users are at least 16 years of age or older unless they receive approval from an individual’s parents to use the service. It also requires websites whose content is comprised of over a third of material that is harmful to minors to verify that their users are age 18 or older.

SB 351 was a priority of Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and also included attached legislation sponsored by Representatives Chris Erwin and Rick Jasperse.

SB 395, sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon, signed by Senators Sam Watson, Larry Walker, Brian Strickland, and Sonya Halpern, carried in the House by Representative Derrick McCollum, and heard in the House Committee on Education by Chairman Chris Erwin and the Senate Committee on Education and Youth by Chairman Clint Dixon, states that no school visitor or personnel can be prohibited from possessing an opioid antagonist such as Narcan and directs schools to maintain a supply. It also allows opioid antagonists to be sold in vending machines and directs certain government buildings to maintain a supply of at least three doses.

A portion of this bill is named Wesley’s Law, named after Wesley Gay and was advocated for by Wesley’s parents, Laura and Larry Gay.

SB 464, sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon, signed by Senators Chuck Payne, Shawn Still, Shelly Echols, and Jason Anavitarte, amended by Senator Billy Hickman, carried in the House by Representative Bethany Ballard, and heard in the House Committee on Education by Chairman Chris Erwin, creates the School Supplies for Teachers Program to financially and technically support teachers purchasing school supplies online; creates an executive committee of five voting members within the literacy council; and limits the number of approved literacy screeners to five with one being the option available to schools for free.

Governor Kemp extends his appreciation to all of those whose diligent work and efforts led to him being able to sign these bills.

Judge Woods Message To Voters

Early voting for the 2024 General Primary Elections starts next week. Chattooga County Probate Judge and Election Supt. Gary Woods is reminding voters about polling place rules and early voting information.

With early voting beginning Monday, April 29, 2024, I wanted to remind voters and the public of the following laws concerning any location designated as a polling place.

1) No person, except a certified peace officer, may carry a weapon within 150 feet of a polling location.( O.C.G.A § 21-2-413(i).

2) Certain activity is restricted within 150 feet of any polling location. If the line of voters extends beyond 150 feet, this boundary is moved to 25 feet within any person in line.

These restrictions include, no solicitation of votes, no hat or article of clothing displaying a candidate or issue appearing on the ballot , no display of any signage (including car magnets and window/yard signs ) . Additionally, the distribution of gifts, including food and drink to a voter is prohibited within this designated space Also, no person shall solicit signatures for any petition. (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-414).

3) Within a polling location when voting is occurring, no person shall use photographic or other electronic monitoring or recording devices, cameras, or cellular telephones (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-413(e).

Early voting will be held at the Registrar’s office located at 10017 Commerce Street, Summerville, GA beginning April 29th through May 17th, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Saturday voting will be held on May 4th and May 11th from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Election day will be May 21st from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. Voting on May 21st will take place at your regular precinct and not at the registrar’s office.

Judge Gary Woods

GSP Releases Name Of Driver In Tuesday's Pedestrian Accident

A pedestrian was struck by an oncoming vehicle on Tuesday morning in Summerville.  According to Summerville Police, the driver of the vehicle left the scene without stopping.  The pedestrian was transported by ambulance to a Rome hospital.  A short time later, the Georgia State Patrol arrested the driver of the vehicle that had struck the pedestrian.  Georgia State Patrol SFC Chris Harris told local media on Tuesday afternoon that Jerry D. Holbrook had been arrested and charged with hit and run, failure to report an accident involving serious injuries, serious injury by vehicle and failure to maintain single lane.  The name of the victim has not been released and their condition is not known at this time. WZQZ will have more information as it becomes available.

Georgia's CTAE Graduation Rate Rises To 97.75%

The graduation rate for Georgia students involved in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) has risen to 97.75%.

This rate – which applies to students who complete a Career Pathway – exceeds the overall state graduation rate by 13.35 percentage points, underscoring the relevance and effectiveness of CTAE opportunities. The 2022 CTAE graduation rate was 97.12%.

“Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education exemplifies our mission of preparing all students for life,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The graduation rate for students who engage in CTAE opportunities continues to show how these programs engage students in their education and prepare them for their next steps after high school. We will continue to invest in CTAE and the relevant, industry-recognized skills it provides for our students.”

CTAE in Georgia delivers a high-school experience that prepares students for their lives after high school. Students can learn skills for real-world careers in 144 Career Pathways – from financial technology to flight operations – while earning recognized industry credentials and participating in work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities.

“Completing a CTAE pathway is an opportunity for Georgia students to gain real-world, relevant experience for future careers,” State CTAE Director Dr. Barbara Wall said. “The CTAE graduation rate is an indicator both of students’ future workplace success, and of the future economic health of our state.”

Career Pathways are for all students, no matter which path they plan to take. Pathway completers are prepared to pursue higher education, enter the military, accept an apprenticeship opportunity or immediately begin their career.

“Being a double pathway completer in healthcare science and early childhood education has impacted my high school experience in a great way,” said Alma Morales, a 2023 graduate of Johnson High School in Hall County. “The healthcare science pathway helped to clarify whether I wanted to continue to pursue a career in the healthcare field before committing to taking classes for it in college. Now that I am in college, being exposed to some healthcare concepts has helped me understand the basic material, and being a pathway completer in early childhood education has helped me to understand that specializing in pediatrics is what I want to do.”

Career Clear awareness campaign shines a light on CTAE opportunities

To ensure students, educators, and parents are aware of the myriad benefits and opportunities provided by CTAE pathways, the Georgia Department of Education and Technical College System of Georgia have partnered to launch the Career Clear awareness campaign.

The campaign underscores the importance of career education in fostering a skilled workforce for the future and the versatility and depth of CTAE, which encompasses 144 distinct pathways leading to a wide array of career opportunities.

The initiative highlights how CTAE courses are tailored to meet the evolving needs of Georgia’s businesses and industries, ensuring that the education provided is both relevant and practical. The campaign is set to leverage digital platforms extensively, aiming to inspire a new generation to explore careers that align with their talents and interests, while closing the skills gap in the state’s workforce.

Learn more at www.careercleargeorgia.com.

 

Pedestrian Struck In Summerville

Summerville Police say that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle near Marvin Avenue on Tuesday morning. Police Chief Harold Tucker told WZQZ News, the vehicle, a red Toyota 4×4 pickup left the scene. The pedestrian was taken by ambulance with injuries. The driver was tracked down and arrested. The incident was investigated by the Georgia State Patrol at the request of the Summerville Police Department. More details as they become available

Arrest Report - Tuesday - April 23, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, April 23, 2024:

Georgia Power: April Is Safe Digging Month

With April recognized as Safe Digging Month across the country, Georgia Power is marking 50 years of helping keep Georgians safe through its longstanding partnership with Georgia811. The company was a founding member of Georgia811, alongside seven other companies, following a tragic 1968 incident which claimed the lives of several people at a daycare in Hapeville, Georgia.

The first locate tickets were issued in 1974, and fifty years later, Georgia 811 now has over 850 utility members and processes more than 1.3 million tickets annually. Georgia 811 continues to provide notification services and educational resources to promote damage prevention of underground utility facilities. Read more about the history of Georgia811 here.

In 2023, Georgia Power alone completed over 700,000 service tickets throughout the state and over 4.1 million in the past five years. To prioritize safety and navigate the complexity of underground infrastructure, both customers and excavators should call 811 at least three business days before starting any digging projects.

“Safety is a core value at Georgia Power, and across the Southern Company system, and an intentional focus for our thousands of team members working in our communities to serve customers every day,” said John Cornelius, vice president of Distribution Field Operations at Georgia Power. “Nothing is more important than safety and, as Georgians get out in the yard this spring to garden or landscape, we encourage them to use the Georgia811 service and have utilities marked before they dig.”

The company works every day to help educate and inform customers about the importance of calling before you dig through public service announcements like this one featuring Georgia811 mascot Digger Dog.

When customers call or visit online, they will be connected to their local 811 center. Georgia Power and other utilities will receive details about the project and proper next steps will be explained. Professional locators will mark the areas of underground facilities with spray paint or flags to help prevent damage and injury.

To learn more, visit www.georgiapower.com/dig.

 

Chickamauga Man Sentence For Selling Meth To Teens

On March 19, 2024, Defendant David Broadrick pled guilty without a sentence recommendation on the eve of trial to Distribution of Methamphetamine, Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, Illegal Use of a Communication Facility, two counts of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property and two counts of Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

He was sentenced by Judge Brian House to a thirty-year sentence with the first fourteen years to be served in the Department of Corrections. Broadrick began selling methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana to a thirteen-year-old Catoosa County resident starting in 2022.

In Broadrick’s last sale of methamphetamine to the teenager, Broadrick advised the teenager to use the methamphetamine by putting it in his anus in order to get high faster. As a result, the teenager overdosed in January 2023 and was on life support for days before his eventual recovery.

The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case including Detectives Zach Roden, Josh Moore and Chris Lyons. The Department of Community Supervision, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest of Broadrick.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Beth Evans with the help of Victim Advocate Shelby Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant Rachel Moon, and Investigator Eric Sliz.

“Fighting the methamphetamine and opioid epidemics by going after the people selling this poison is a top priority of mine,” said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. “If you sell poison to kids in our community, me and our law enforcement partners will put you in the one place you belong: Prison.”

Red Cross Needs Blood Donors

As May approaches, the American Red Cross reminds eligible donors to keep the blood supply stable by racing to give blood in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types – especially type O blood donors – are crucial to keeping shelves fully stocked with blood products throughout the month.

Right now, there’s no letting off the gas when it comes to lifesaving care. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients who count on transfusions every single day.

Book a time to give lifesaving blood now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts, all who come to donate April 29-May 31 will get a coupon for a free haircut by email. Plus, those who come to give April 29-May 19 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two and VIP racing experience to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Races at Darlington Raceway Labor Day weekend, including entry to the Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent and a $1,000 gift card. Additionally, those who come to give April 29-May 19 will also get a bonus $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/racetogive for more details.

Trion Baseball 2024 All Region

Man Arrested In Jim's Restaurant Parking Lot

A twenty-two-year-old Summerville man was arrested in the parking lot of Jim’s Restaurant on Saturday.  According to Summerville Police, Carl Lonnie Hicks was walking down the Lyerly Highway and several people reported to police that he might be impaired.  When questioned by officers, police believed Hicks to be under the influence of a stimulant.  Hicks told officers that he had done meth “three weeks ago”. Hicks was arrested and charged with public intoxication and was booked into the Chattooga County Jail.

Armuchee Man Charged With Meth Possession

An Armuchee man was arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop on Technology Parkway Saturday.

According to Floyd County Jail records:

40-year old Joseph Lee Alexander Costlow had three baggies of suspected methamphetamine and a digital scale.

He is charged with possession of meth, possession with the intent to distribute, and possession of drug-related objects.

WRGA

Georgia Gas Prices Decrease Slightly

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Georgia gas prices saw a minimal decrease at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgians are paying an average price of $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline (subject to change overnight). Monday’s state average was 1 cent less than a week ago, 6 cents more than a month ago, and 4 cents more than this time last year. It costs drivers an average price of $51.30 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. Georgians are now paying almost $1.00 more to fill up at the pump compared to a year ago.

“Crude oil prices dropped slightly but not significant enough to put a dent in prices at the pump,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “High gasoline demand, amid tight supply, has led to higher pump prices nationwide. AAA continues to encourage drivers to take advantage of the money-saving gas tips listed below.”

Regional Prices:

Atlanta- $3.43

The most expensive Georgia metro markets – are Savannah ($3.50), Brunswick ($3.46), and Columbus ($3.44).

The least expensive Georgia metro markets – are Rome ($3.35), Warner Robins ($3.33), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($3.29).

Area gas price averages – Chattooga ($3.29), Walker ($3.29), Floyd ($3.34), Gordon ($3.36), DeKalb, AL ($3.20), Cherokee, AL ($3.17)

Woman Arrested After Domestic Incident

A forty-eight-year-old Summerville woman was arrested on Saturday after being involved in a domestic incident on Highland Avenue.  According to a report from the Summerville Police Department, Kimberly Joyce Perry admitted to police that she had four shots of liquor before being involved in the incident.  Police say that Perry was stepping into the roadway and into the path of oncoming vehicles multiple times while officers were on the scene.  Police also said that Perry was using profanity towards police and others. She was arrested and taken to the Chattooga County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Arrest Report - Monday - April 22, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, April 22, 2024: