Georgia gas prices increased at the pumps compared to a week ago. Georgians pay an average price of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline (subject to change overnight). Monday’s state average was 3 cents more than a week ago, 1 cent more than a month ago, and 1 cent less than last year. It costs drivers an average price of $43.95 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. Georgians now pay approximately 15 cents less to fill up at the pump than a year ago.

“This month, oil prices increased unexpectedly due to speculation that China’s demand would surge, which likely contributed to an uptick in gas prices across the U.S.,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Unpredictable global moves and threats of extreme weather could cause gas prices to ebb and flow for the coming weeks.”

Nationally:

U.S. Keeps Global Oil Production Crown

Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has held steady at $3.06 (subject to change overnight). According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand rose from 8.16 million barrels a day last week to 8.48. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks soared from 231.4 million barrels to 237.7, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 8.9 million barrels daily. The retail price for regular-grade gasoline averaged $3.30 per gallon in 2024, 21 cents less than in 2023.

The EIA also reported that the United States produced more crude oil than any other nation in the six years 2018-2023. Last year’s numbers are still being crunched, but the trend will likely continue. Crude oil production in the United States averaged 12.9 million barrels daily in 2023, breaking the previous U.S. and global record of 12.3 million in 2019. The EIA says the 2023 oil production record is unlikely to be damaged by another country anytime soon.

Electric:

Meanwhile, today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained at 34 cents, the same amount for almost 5 months.

Drivers can find electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.

Regional Prices:

The most expensive Georgia metro markets – are Savannah ($3.02), Athens ($2.97), and Atlanta ($2.96).

The least expensive Georgia metro markets – are Brunswick ($2.87), Augusta-Aiken ($2.85), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.82).

Area gas price averages – Chattooga ($2.78), Walker ($2.77), Floyd ($2.88), Gordon ($2.86), DeKalb, AL ($2.75), Cherokee, AL ($2.76).

As the Georgia General Assembly convened yesterday, veteran lawmaker, State Representative Eddie Lumsden, a Republican from Armuchee, will once again chair the Georgia House Insurance Committee. Lumsden first took office in January of 2013 after defeating longtime Democratic State Representative Barbara Massey Reece of Menlo. He, along with his wife Theresa, operate a State Farm insurance agency in Floyd County, close to Mount Berry Mall. Lumsden, who served in the United States Air Force is also a retired Georgia State Trooper and a graduate of Armuchee High School. He also attended Floyd College (now Georgia Highlands) and received a bachelor’s degree from Berry College. The 12th District, that Lumsden represents, is comprised of all of Chattooga County and a portion of Floyd County. Committee assignments for the 2025 legislative session will be decided this week.

In recent weeks, several citizens of Chattooga County have voiced their concerns regarding the abrupt disappearance of the county government’s official social media account from Facebook following the departure of the previous commissioner. This has sparked a conversation about transparency and the importance of maintaining accessible public records in the digital age.

According to Georgia law, social media pages created by governmental officials are considered part of the official public record. The Georgia Open Records Act governs the management of such records, mandating that government agencies preserve public documents, including “computer-based or generated information.” This includes various forms of electronic communication, such as emails, text messages, and social media posts. The Open Records Act defines “public record” broadly, encompassing all documents, data, and materials prepared, maintained, or received by an agency. This stipulation extends to social media records, clearly designating them as public records subject to legal oversight. The importance of these records has been underscored by guidelines issued by the State Attorney General of Georgia, which reaffirm that “computer records” fall within the parameters of public records as outlined by the law. This clarity has raised questions among residents about the accountability and accessibility of government communications through social media platforms.

In response to the concerns, current Commissioner Andy Allen has stated his intentions to utilize the county Emergency Management Agency’s social media page alongside local media outlets to disseminate information to the public during emergencies. Allen emphasized the importance of keeping residents informed and engaged, especially in critical situations.  Commissioner Allen stated, “We are going through the process to get the commissioner’s office back on Facebook.  But government pages have a few more hoops to jump through”.  Allen added, “Anything my administration builds belongs to the county and will remain county property after I am gone”. 

As the discussion continues, residents are calling for greater transparency in how the county manages its social media presence and public records. The hope is that moving forward, the county government will take steps to ensure that such essential communication channels remain open and accessible for all citizens of Chattooga County.

The Chattooga High School classes of 1969, 1970, and 1971 are set to have a joint reunion on Saturday, May 3rd, at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located on Middle School Drive in Summerville. The event will start at 3 PM. and will include activities for reconnecting and enjoying catered food from Varsity. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7 PM. Attendees should wear casual clothes for a relaxed atmosphere. The cost to attend is $25 per person, and early reservations are recommended, with a deadline of March 15 for planning purposes. Checks should be made out to the respective class year and sent to the contact person for each class. For the Class of 1969, contact Phyllis Marks Brown at 706-859-2792 or pbrown5113@yahoo.com. The Class of 1970’s contact is Rosita Chevremont McWhorter at 706-217-5228 or mewhorterrosita@gmail.com. For the Class of 1971, reach out to Wayne Lewis at 706-506-5005 or lewis295@comcast.net. Further details will be sent out soon.

Summerville Police were called to McGinnis Circle on Sunday after two men were observed fighting in the street.  According to police, the incident was caught on video by witnesses.  Police say that 20-year-old Evan Adams came to the residence of 36-year-old Zachery Black and began yelling and cursing and calling Black out to fight.  Black obliged and video evidence shows him striking Adams twice during the physical altercation.  Adams and Black were each charged with disorderly conduct and transported to the Chattooga County Jail.  Police say that there is an ongoing feud between the two men.

Chattooga 4-H is celebrating the remarkable achievement of one of its own, Grace Winder, a student at Trion High School, who has been selected to join the 2025 class of Youth LEAD Georgia. This esteemed statewide leadership program, facilitated by the University of Georgia (UGA), aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders across the state. Grace is among 30 exceptional 10th- and 11th-grade students chosen from a competitive pool of over 340 nominations received by UGA, representing 29 different counties.

An external committee conducted the selection process, ensuring a diverse and talented group of youth to participate in the program. Youth LEAD Georgia, a collaboration between UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, Chick-fil-A, Inc., and The Same House organization, launched its inaugural class in 2024. The program is designed to equip young participants with essential leadership skills and knowledge, preparing them to become influential leaders in their communities and beyond. “Building on last year’s inaugural class, we saw an even greater level of interest for the 2025 program,” stated Lauren Healey, senior public service faculty member at the UGA Fanning Institute. “That interest created a very competitive selection process through which we aim to reflect our state. We are excited to welcome these young people to Youth LEAD Georgia.”

The initiative has received significant financial backing, including a generous $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A, which supports both Youth LEAD Georgia and an annual youth leadership summit. Thanks to this funding, the program is offered at no cost to participants, removing financial barriers and allowing a diverse group of youth to engage in leadership development. Starting in January, the 2025 class will embark on an enriching journey that includes four weekend retreats held in various communities across the state, culminating in a four-day summer bus tour of South Georgia. This hands-on experience promises to be transformative, providing Grace and her peers with valuable insights and networking opportunities.

As Grace Winder prepares to take this exciting step in her leadership journey, the Chattooga 4-H community stands behind her, eager to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in the future.

On January 9, 2025, officials confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a small flock of 13 chickens and ducks in Clayton County, Georgia. This marks the third case in a backyard flock and the fourth overall since the outbreak began in February 2022.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the importance of strict biosecurity to protect the state’s poultry, as the outbreak has affected over 133 million birds nationwide, with only a small fraction from Georgia.

In late December 2024, the flock owners reported an increase in deaths among their birds. The testing of carcasses confirmed the presence of HPAI on January 8, 2025. Additional genomic sequencing is being conducted for further analysis. Following the discovery, officials took immediate action to depopulate, clean, and disinfect the area to prevent further spread of the disease, likely transmitted through interaction with wild birds.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is collaborating with public health officials to monitor those who had contact with the affected birds. Poultry owners are advised to watch for sick birds and report any issues to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850. More resources on biosecurity are available on the Department’s website.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, January 13, 2025:

Education will be on the agenda for lawmakers when they gather under the gold dome in Atlanta this week for the 2025 legislative session. Georgia State Superintendent Richard Woods aims to modernize the education funding program known as the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, which was established over forty years ago.

This program considers factors like student numbers, costs based on grade or program, school expenses, and teacher qualifications. The Georgia Department of Education plans to update this formula as part of its legislative priorities for 2025.

A new school voucher program linked to QBE will provide $6,500 annually for private school or homeschooling for students in the lowest-performing public schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. House Speaker Jon Burns highlighted the significance of education for all children in Georgia during a press conference.

However, critics argue that vouchers take funds from public schools, favor wealthy families, do not improve student performance, increase segregation, violate religious freedom, and may harm the poorest children.

Applications for the voucher program will be accepted from January 21 to February 21, 2025.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia says we will see a slight rebound in temperatures this week, providing residents of Northwest Georgia a brief respite from the recent winter weather and before this coming weekend’s anticipated rain.

With high pressure settling over the southeastern United States, temperatures are expected to rise to seasonal levels, reaching highs in the 40s, 50s, and even the low 60s as the work week progresses. While this warming trend is welcome news, residents should be prepared for gusty winds throughout the week. A weak upper-level disturbance will bring increased wind speeds, with gusts ranging between 15 to 20 mph expected.

High temperatures will be in the 40-50 degree range and lows overnight will be in the teens to mid-20’s until week’s end.

However, forecasters are closely monitoring an approaching weather system set to arrive toward the end of the week. While initial reports suggest this system will primarily bring rain, any potential frozen precipitation is likely to remain well north of Georgia’s northern borders. But, the cooler air in place will mean forecasters will be watching this weekend’s weather system closely.

Unity Christian School (UCS) in Rome has been officially approved as a participating private school for the Georgia Promise Scholarship. Starting in the fall of 2025, this program will provide up to $6,500 per student each year to help cover costs related to nonpublic education, such as private school tuition.

Dr. John Barge, Head of School, mentioned that many families plan to use the scholarship to enroll their children at UCS this fall, allowing parents to choose the best educational model for their kids.

UCS is one of only six schools accredited by both Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) to receive the Georgia Promise Scholarship. UCS serves students from PreK3 to 12th grade and currently enrolls 369 students from seven counties in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama, with an average SAT score of 1141 for 2024, the highest in Floyd County.

The scholarship is available to Georgia residents attending public schools or entering kindergarten in areas identified as “lower-performing schools. ” Eligibility is not based on income or past academic performance. The application period starts on March 1, 2025, and can be submitted at www. mygeorgiapromise.org.

The Community Resource Center of Chattooga Inc. will host a Healthy Kickoff Dinner on Tuesday, January 28, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Chattooga County Ag Building, located at 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.  This event aims to help people start the new year on a healthier path.

Attendees will receive valuable resources to encourage a health-conscious lifestyle. The event features expert-led sessions providing healthy eating tips, techniques for maintaining a balanced diet, and advice on creating a personal fitness program. Additionally, free health screenings such as blood sugar and cholesterol tests will be available, helping participants better understand their health as they begin their wellness journey.

The evening will focus on inspiration, education, and community support, inviting residents of Chattooga County and nearby areas to join in. The Healthy Kickoff Dinner is a chance to gain the tools for lasting health changes. For more information or to reserve a spot click HERE

The Menlo City Council will hold a called meeting this coming Thursday evening, January 16, 2025.  The meeting will be held at Menlo City Hall and will convene at 6 PM.  The mayor and council will be discussing the city’s finances.  The public is welcome to attend.

The City of Summerville will hold a regular meeting on coming up this evening at 5 PM, following a Question and Answer session at 4:30 PM at City Hall, located on Georgia Avenue in Summerville, across from Summerville First Baptist Church.

Summerville Mayor Harry Harvey will recognize the Employee of the Year, Stephanie Smith, and highlight two Summerville businesses,  Deed and Son’s Barber Shop and Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Various department heads will report updates, including the Fire Chief, Police Chief, and others. Important business matters on the agenda include approving past meeting minutes, a payment of $36,095. 08 to William D Patty Construction, and discussing budget ordinances.

The council will also address changes in Worker’s Comp Insurance and an agreement between Summerville Parks & Recreation and Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

You can see a complete copy of tonight’s agenda below:

Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen is summoning mayors from all four municipalities to his office today at 10 a.m. to discuss the importance of the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax  (SPLOST) vote in March.

“This is not a new tax; it’s just a renewal of the existing SPLOST that we already have,” Commissioner Allen stated. He emphasized the urgency of getting the measure on the ballot, and will be presenting local municipalities with information this morning concerning the special local option one-cent sales tax.

The SPLOST, which was initially approved by voters in 2019, generates approximately $3.8 million annually for the county. This revenue is essential for local operations, special projects, and funding for municipalities within the county. Without voter approval for the renewal, Allen warns that both the county and its cities could face dire financial consequences.

Commissioner Allen says he is committed to ensuring that the community is informed and engaged in the process. Voter participation in the March 18 election is crucial to maintain the current funding structure and support future projects that benefit all residents, according to the commissioner.

The meeting today is open to the public and will be held at the commissioner’s office on Commerce Street in downtown Summerville.

Attorney General Chris Carr announced that the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has secured four new convictions in the metro Atlanta area.

Raphel Olivia Sewer, Courdale Thayer, and Jahaundria Seabron were convicted for trafficking a 14-year-old girl in Fulton, County. Thayer was also convicted for trafficking a 16-year-old in DeKalb, where Seabron was additionally charged and had pleaded guilty earlier. Carr highlighted the team’s dedication to rescuing children from trafficking, recalling how they successfully recovered a 14-year-old victim who had been missing for seven weeks.

This year, the unit has achieved 22 new convictions, all resulting in prison sentences. Following a 10-month investigation triggered by a missing persons alert, Sewer, Thayer, Seabron, and Jody Netter were indicted. Details include sentences ranging from 30 to 40 years for the defendants, with mandatory registration as sex offenders. The ongoing case against Netter continues. The unit is currently managing 39 defendants under indictment for trafficking, with some facing multiple charges across different jurisdictions.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, January 12, 2025:

Residents of Northwest Georgia should expect possibly patchy dense fog this morning, especially in areas affected by recent snow and ice melt. The National Weather Service reports that low moisture, fair skies, and light winds are favoring fog formation until 10 AM. At 3 AM, significant fog was not observed, but satellite images showed patches in northwest Georgia and over larger reservoirs.

Commuters should be careful, as black ice may remain from melting snow and ice. The forecast also predicts widespread sunshine and high temperatures between 39 and 44 degrees, which will help reduce remaining snow and ice.

From Monday night through Saturday, temperatures are expected to rise, with highs during the day reaching into the 40’s and 50’s. Lows overnight will start off in the teens at the first of the week and be to the mid 30’s by week’s end. There will be gusty winds, and as the next system approaches late in the week, rain is likely, with frozen precipitation more confined to areas north of us.

Residents should stay updated on changing weather conditions.