Arrest Report - Thursday - December 5, 2024
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, December 5, 2024:
50 Georgia Counties At Risk For Landslides - Including Chattooga County
In Georgia, over half of the land in 50 counties is at risk of landslides, with 10 counties having over 90% risk. Landslides, caused by various factors like heavy rain and earthquakes, often occur in mountainous regions. The Geological Survey notes that weak earth on steep slopes is especially vulnerable.
Appalachia, with significant strip mining scars, faces high landslide risks. Population growth and logging contribute to landslide hazards, worsened by climate change.
Hazard maps from the Geological Survey help governments identify risks and prepare with drills and evacuation plans. Increased awareness allows people to make informed decisions about living in or visiting risky areas and to prepare for potential landslides.
According to a recent report on the 50 counties in Georgia at risk for landslides, Chattooga County ranks at number 36. Almost 65% of the county is susceptible to landslides, which equates to around 203 square miles.
Read more HERE
Summerville Police Investigating Stolen Gun
Summerville Police are investigating the theft of a gun on Allen Street. According to a report released by the police department, on Monday of this week, the victim called police and informed them that a Hi-Point Camo 9MM pistol had been stolen from their vehicle. The victim identified a possible suspect to police and the incident has been turned over to an investigator with the Summerville Police Department.
Red Cross Offering Gift Card With Each Blood Donation
As holiday celebrations continue into December, the American Red Cross encourages donors to keep the blood supply top of mind by giving blood or platelets this month. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to help ensure patients can continue to receive the care they need in the coming weeks.
Record-breaking November travel is expected to carry into the new year, which could cause some potential donors to put off blood donation until after the holiday season. In addition to millions of Americans traveling to spend holidays with loved ones, extended vacations are also surging in popularity at a time when fewer people may be available to give lifesaving blood products.
Bring joy to someone facing a medical emergency; give something that means something with a blood or platelet donation. Schedule an appointment this December by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
For a limited time, those who come to give Dec. 9-15, 2024, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Those who come to give Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. For details on both offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
Intoxicated Man Arrested At Thanksgiving Celebration
A Thanksgiving gathering ended in arrest for a Chattooga County man last Wednesday. Jacob Riley Smith, 33, was arrested for multiple offenses, including obstruction of law enforcement and disorderly conduct. The situation began around 7:50 PM when Chattooga County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to 606 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road after reports of a domestic dispute. The complainant stated that Smith, who had been invited to the celebration, arrived drunk around 3 PM and behaved aggressively towards other guests throughout the afternoon. Although Smith was not at the house when officers arrived, they searched for him and eventually found him hiding in brush near the residence. Smith refused to follow commands from law enforcement and resisted when deputies tried to help him out of the bushes. Deputies then restrained Smith, who continued to struggle while being transported to jail. Upon arrival at the Chattooga County Jail, he was placed in a restraint chair due to his ongoing combative behavior.
Christmas In The Park Tonight At Dowdy Park In Summerville
Children of all ages are invited to enjoy holiday cheer at The City of Summerville’s annual Christmas In The Park event in Dowdy Park. Christmas In The Park will take place on Thursday, December 5 from 6:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. Santa will arrive at the park at 6:00 p. m. to meet children and offer free photos. There will be a Best Dressed Elf Contest, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, live musical entertainment, and many fun activities planned for the evening. This year’s event will also feature vendors selling various crafts, food, baked goods, and other merchandise.
The official lighting of the tree will take place at 7:00 p. m. in Dowdy Park. The winner of The Best Dressed Elf Contest will light the tree with Mayor Harry Harvey. Complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn will be provided by the City of Summerville at the middle gazebo. A Holiday Bonfire hosted by the Summerville Fire Department will also be available.
At 7:45 p. m. , there will be special drawings for a girl’s bike, a boy’s bike, and a Christmas ham. Tickets for the drawings will be free and available at the big gazebo, with only one ticket per item allowed per person. Ticket holders must be present to win.
The Best Dressed Elf contest is open to all elementary-aged children, with registration from 6:00-6:30 p. m. Judging starts at 6:45 p. m. The Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest is open to all ages, with registration at 7:15 p. m. and judging at 7:30 p. m. The winner will receive a $50 cash prize. Free tours of the Couey House will also be given. For more information about Christmas In The Park, visit www. summervillega.org or the City of Summerville Georgia Facebook page.
Man Yelling Curse Words Arrested For Disturbing The Peace
Summerville Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Tuesday night after he was accused of disturbing the peace. Police were called to a Hunt Street address in Summerville, where Raymond Jordan Laney was reportedly being “loud and boisterous and belligerent”. Police say that Laney was yelling curse words and disturbing neighbors in the area. He was arrested around 10 PM and was taken to the Chattooga County Jail on disorderly conduct charges.
LaFayette High School Removed From List Of Low-Performing Schools
The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) corrected its list of low-performing schools eligible for the Georgia Promise scholarship voucher program on Tuesday. Five schools were removed from the original list – including LaFayette High School. Other schools removed from the list were Lee County High School, Fannin County High School, Richmond Hill Elementary School, and Jones Elementary School. Laine Reichert from GOSA explained that some schools had missing scores affecting calculations, requiring adjustments. Critics of the voucher program say that this incident underscores concerns about the plan that diverts public funds to private schools. Concerns have been raised about the program’s transparency and impact on local school systems.. State Sen. Jason Estevez, who opposed the program, highlighted these issues and emphasized that no parent or teacher wants their school on the list. The Georgia Promise Scholarship will accept applications starting in early 2025.
Georgia Public Service Commission Gives Green Lift For Battery Energy Storage System In Floyd County
The state Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power’s plan to build battery energy storage systems at four locations, including Floyd County. This plan will add 500 megawatts of generating capacity, enough to power 750 homes with one megawatt. One system in Floyd County will be on the site of decommissioned Plant Hammond. The Tesla Megapack 2 Xl installed there is expected to provide 57. 5 megawatts. These battery systems store energy generated from solar sources and will provide power during high demand. Georgia Power will also build facilities near Robins and Moody Air Force Bases and submit quarterly reports on progress.
Accident In Gore On Wednesday
An accident in Gore on Wednesday morning sent one person to the hospital with minor injuries. According to a preliminary report from the Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office, a SUV was pulling out of the parking lot at Dirt Town Deli and attempting to make a left-hand turn. As the SUV left the parking lot, it pulled into the path of a vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 27. The second vehicle struck the SUV in the left side. The driver of the SUV was transported to AtriumHealth-Floyd with minor injures. The accident is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol Post in Rome. More details will be released when the accident report is complete.
Arrest Report - Wednesday - December 4, 2024
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, December 4, 2024:
Commissioner-Elect Filling Several Positions Upon Taking Office
Chattooga County Commissioner-Elect Andy Allen says that he will be making several key appointments for positions in county government, but not until he takes office. Allen told WZQZ News on Tuesday that several administrative positions will need to be filled, but he won’t be making those decisions until after January 1, 2025. Allen said that he has someone to fill the position of county clerk, but that announcement won’t be made until after the first of the year due to contractual commitments in that person’s current employment. Allen said that he wants to make decisions about leadership positions in county government in a deliberate manner and wants to do so “in the best interest of the county”. Allen is attending required training this week in Athens as he prepares to take over the office of sole commissioner. The “Newly Elected Commissioners Conference” is being held at UGA’s Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. Attendance and participation at the conference are mandatory and required by state law for all newly elected county commissioners.
Mohawk Sues Companies Concerning PFAS
Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries has sued several companies, including 3M and DuPont, claiming they were not informed about the risks of PFAS in carpet stain-resistant products. The lawsuit, filed in Whitfield County Superior Court, accuses these companies of fraud and negligent misrepresentation by hiding the dangers of PFAS and providing false safety assurances. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, don’t break down readily in the environment or the human body. The chemicals have been linked to a number of health-related effects including some types of cancers. Mohawk seeks reimbursement for past and future costs related to settlements and PFAS remediation. They have also faced lawsuits over PFAS contamination in drinking water. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency set new water quality standards for PFAS, expected to be enforced by 2029, as these chemicals are linked to serious health issues.
Chattooga High School Football 2024: All-Region Players Announced
Chattooga High School is celebrating its standout athletes from the 2024 football season. The announcement of the All-Region players for Region 7A Division 1 came on Tuesday and recognizes the hard work of the Chattooga High School athletes. Leading the charge is Zayden Cook, named the Region 7A Division 1 Player of the Year. Cook had 2,935 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns this season. Named to the First Team are: Luke Reece on the Offensive Line, Matthew Bryant, a Defensive Back, and Kadin Fife on the Defensive Line. The Second Team includes: Quarry Gibson, who earned the Iron Man Award, Luke Busby on the Offensive Line, and Brayden Howard, a Linebacker. Honorable mentions go to: Koi Dodd, Stanton Peppers, and Corde Hill. Congratulations to all these Chattooga High School Athletes.
Henagar, Alabama Man Charged With DUI After Traffic Stop In Chattooga County
A 31-year-old man was arrested last Wednesday, following a traffic stop that revealed multiple drug-related offenses, including DUI and possession of marijuana. Trevor Alexander Cole Roady, a resident of Henager, Alabama, was pulled over by a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Deputy after the deputy observed his black SUV drifting across double yellow lines on Highway 27 near Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Road.
The deputy initiated the stop around 11:47 PM. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Wilks detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana. Despite initial claims from Roady that he had not consumed any marijuana, he later admitted to smoking shortly before the trip from North Carolina. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a variety of drug-related items, including a nearly burnt marijuana blunt, two THC vape pens, and a mason jar containing approximately half an ounce of marijuana. In total, the deputy collected 1.4 ounces of suspected marijuana from the vehicle. Additionally, a loaded Smith & Wesson MP pistol was found in the driver’s side door.
The deputy Officer noted Roady’s bloodshot eyes and signs of impairment during voluntary field sobriety tests, where multiple indicators of drugged driving were observed. Roady reportedly acknowledged that he was still under the influence of marijuana at the time of the stop. Following the arrest, Roady was read Georgia’s implied consent notice and agreed to undergo a state-administered urine test for substances. The vehicle was released to a passenger who was deemed fit to drive.
Roady received several charges, including DUI-drugs (misdemeanor), failure to maintain lane, possession of marijuana (felony), possession of drug-related objects, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Summerville Christmas In The Park To Be Held Tomorrow
Children of all ages are invited to enjoy holiday cheer at The City of Summerville’s annual Christmas In The Park event in Dowdy Park. Christmas In The Park will be presented to the public on Thursday, December 5 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Santa will arrive at the park at 6:00 p.m. to visit and offer free photos with children. There will be a Best Dressed Elf Contest, Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, Live Musical Entertainment and lots of fun scheduled for the evening. This year’s event will also highlight vendors on site with a wide variety of crafts, food, baked items, and merchandise for shopping.
The official lighting of the tree ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.in Dowdy Park. The tree will be lit by the winner of The Best Dressed Elf contest, accompanied by Mayor Harry Harvey. Complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn provided by the City of Summerville will be available in the middle gazebo to tempt the taste buds. A Holiday Bonfire will also be on site hosted by the Summerville Fire Department.
Special drawings for a girl’s and a boy’s bike, as well as a Christmas ham will close out the evening at 7:45 p.m. Tickets for the drawings will be available at the big gazebo at no charge. Only one ticket per item will be allowed per person. Ticket holders must be present to win.
Best Dressed Elf Competition
The Best Dressed Elf contest is open to all elementary aged children and sponsored by Summerville Main Street. Registration for “Elves” entering the contest will be held at the small gazebo in Dowdy Park between 6:00- 6:30 p.m. Judging is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. The contest winner will receive a trophy, be named “Head Elf”, and will do the honors of lighting the official park tree. The tree lighting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest is open to all ages. Registration begins at 7:15 at the small gazebo and judging begins at 7:30 p.m. Plenty of fun and Christmas cheer is expected from this contest, with the winner taking home a $50 cash prize. This contest is sponsored by Summerville Main Street.
Free tours of the Couey House will be given by the Chattooga County Historical Society. The house is furnished in period appropriate furnishing that would have been appropriate of Chattooga County families in the early 1840-1850’s. The house will be adorned with all natural Christmas Decor.
This free community event is hosted by The City of Summerville. For more information on Christmas In The Park and other upcoming events visit www.summervillega.org or visit City of Summerville Georgia Facebook page.
Armuchee Man Charged After Locking Child Out Of House
A 68-year-old Armuchee man was arrested on Monday of this week after authorities in Floyd County say he locked a 3-year-old child out of a residence on Hatfield Road for around 45 minutes in sub-freezing temperatures. Details of the incident were not immediately available, but Brian Lester Conway was charged with second-degree child cruelty in connection with the incident. Hatfield Road is located near the intersection of Old Summerville Road and Warren Road in the Armuchee Community.
Woman Hides Under Mattress To Avoid Arrest
In an incident that unfolded last Wednesday night, a local resident, Rebecca Sue Walcott, 48, was arrested on charges of obstruction of officers following after attempting to serve a warrant for shoplifting. Deputies were performing a routine warrant check at 324 North Ridge Estates when they encountered resistance while trying to locate Walcott.
Upon arrival at the scene around 9:36 p.m., one deputy made contact with a male individual inside a trailer on the property while another deputy sought to initiate contact with residents of a nearby camper. After failing to receive a response from the camper, deputies conducted a consent search of the trailer. During this time, they heard noises from within the camper, leading him to believe that someone was inside. Additional backup was requested, and a third deputy joined the scene to assist.
Once they were able to access the camper, deputies encountered a male who confirmed that Walcott was inside. When deputies entered the camper, they called for Walcott to show herself but received no response. Upon searching further, they discovered her wedged between the bed and the wall, partially concealed under a mattress. Deputies instructed Walcott to come out, but she remained unresponsive. In a bid to assist her, the deputies attempted to remove the mattress, which prompted Walcott to become increasingly non-compliant. After some effort, she was lifted onto the mattress and handcuffed. Despite the officers’ efforts to escort her from the bed, Walcott went limp, forcing the deputies to carry her to a patrol vehicle. She continued to resist during transport to the local jail, where jail staff also had to assist in bringing her into intake due to her non-compliance.
Walcott now faces two counts of obstruction of law enforcement. The incident was documented through body-worn cameras, ensuring a transparent account of the officers’ actions and Walcott’s resistance.
Tax Commissioner Reminds Taxpayers About Extension In Paying Property Taxes
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding Chattooga County property owners that they have until January 3, 2025 to pay their 2024 property taxes without penalties or interest. Hampton said that due to problems with bills being delivered on time, she made the decision not to assess any penalties or interest until after the first of next year. Hampton stated, “You can pay your 2024 bills by January 3rd without being counted late. Lots of folks didn’t receive their bill; lots are sick and lots are struggling. So if you need to wait until later in December to pay, it won’t count against you”.
2024 Summerville Christmas Parade Winners
