Residents of Northwest Georgia should prepare for the possibility of severe thunderstorms this evening and overnight. The National Weather Service says a cold front expected to bring a line of storms through the region after 7 PM today. The greatest risk of severe weather lies in Northwest Georgia, where thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts and a few brief tornadoes. Hail is also a possibility. Before the storms arrive, the area will experience mostly cloudy skies gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. A light south wind will become a southwest wind blowing at 10 to 15 mph in the morning, with gusts potentially reaching 25 mph. There’s a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 PM. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly before 2 AM. The low will be around 66 degrees with a south wind around 5 mph, gusting up to 15 mph. An 80% chance of precipitation is predicted, with new rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible. The forecast for the rest of the week looks significantly calmer. Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 81. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 58. Thursday will be sunny with a high near 79. Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday has a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, May 20, 2025:

Georgia drivers are feeling a slight pinch at the pump this week as the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to $2.92, according to AAA. This figure represents a 4-cent increase compared to last week, although it’s still a penny lower than last month and significantly cheaper – 46 cents less – than this time last year.

Filling a 15-gallon tank now costs Georgians an average of $43.80, saving them nearly $7.00 compared to last year’s prices. “Nationwide, a surge in gas demand coupled with the climbing cost of crude oil has pushed prices higher at the pumps,” explained Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “The slump in crude oil costs kept the customary surge in spring gas prices at bay, but now, we find ourselves amid this anticipated increase as the Memorial Day weekend approaches.” The national average has also seen a rise, climbing 4 cents since last Monday to $3.17 per gallon. This increase coincides with the expected surge in travel as Memorial Day weekend approaches, with an estimated 39.4 million Americans planning road trips.

Despite the recent uptick, national average gas prices are still approximately 40 cents lower than last year. Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals a growing demand for gasoline, increasing from 8.71 million barrels a day last week to 8.79 million this week. Simultaneously, the total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 225.7 million barrels to 224.7 million barrels.

While the price fluctuations are subject to change overnight, the trend suggests that drivers can expect to pay slightly more as the summer driving season officially begins.

The most expensive metro markets in Georgia are Savannah ($2.99), Athens ($2.95), and Atlanta ($2.94).

The least expensive metro markets in Georgia are Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.83), Rome ($2.82), and Warner Robins ($2.79).

Area gas price averages – Chattooga ($2.74), Walker ($2.83), Floyd ($2.82), Gordon ($2.90), DeKalb, AL ($2.71), Cherokee, AL ($2.68).

Becky Hood, former chair of the Gordon County Commission, and her husband, Scott Hood, have both pleaded not guilty to child abuse-related charges stemming from a criminal investigation that has spanned over four years. Becky Hood was indicted in mid-March by a Gordon County Grand Jury on one count of first-degree cruelty to children. Scott Hood was indicted on one count of child molestation.

Both individuals entered their pleas on Friday in Gordon County Superior Court before Judge Ralph Van Pelt, Jr. The not guilty pleas mark the beginning of the legal process to resolve the case, which began in January 2021. At that time, the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) investigate allegations of sexual and physical abuse involving Becky Hood’s adopted children.

The Calhoun Times initially reported on the investigation in February 2021. However, the probe faced significant delays. Becky Hood’s position as an elected official led to a series of recusals by agencies, including the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office and the local district attorney’s office. The case was subsequently shuffled between various courts and agencies, further compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Becky Hood, who had served on the Board of Commissioners since 2006 and last ran unopposed in 2018, announced in February 2022 that she would not seek reelection. She was the board’s chair at the time of her departure.

The case was eventually assigned to the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office in 2024. This assignment reignited the investigation, culminating in the charges against both Becky and Scott Hood in October 2024. The case is now moving forward through the court system.

The Chattooga County School Nutrition Department is excited to announce the return of its annual Summer Feeding Program, providing free meals to all children under the age of 18. The program aims to ensure that children in the community have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school is out of session.

The Summer Feeding Program will operate from June 2nd until July 11th, offering a freshly prepared lunch each weekday, Monday through Friday, at various sites throughout the county. Children must be present and remain on-site to eat. In addition to lunch, the program will provide children with breakfast for the following day. On Fridays, children will receive breakfast and lunch for both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring they have access to food throughout the weekend.

Important Note: There will be no meal service during the week of June 30th to July 6th in observance of the July 4th Holiday. For more information regarding the Summer Feeding Program, including specific site locations and times, please contact Brandie Wooten, School Nutrition Director, at 706-859-3054 or bwooten@chattooga.k12.ga.us.

Freshly prepared meals may be picked up at the following sites:

Children must be present and remain on site while eating

Trion Veteran’s Memorial Park—239 Simmons St., Trion, GA 30753

• Monday-Friday: June 2 through July 11 from 11:50 until 12:20

East Trion Church of God—365 First St.,Trion, GA 30753

• Monday-Friday:June 2 through July 11 from 11:10 until 11:45 AM

Dowdy Park—170 University St., Summerville, GA 30747

• Monday-Friday: June 2 through July 11 from 11:00 until 1:00

Fields Walk Mobile Home Park–15 Fields Walk, Summerville, GA 30747

• Monday-Friday: June 2 through July 11 from 12:30 until 12:50

Summerville Gardens Apartments—231 Summerville Gardens Dr., Summerville, GA 30747

• Monday-Friday: June 2 through July 11 from 12:10 until 12:40

Fairway Recreation Center—81 Senior Dr., Summerville, GA 30747

• Monday – Friday: June 2 – July 11 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

Chattooga High School—989 Hwy 114, Summerville, GA 30747

• Monday-Friday: June 2 through July 11 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Lyerly Elementary School—150 Oak Hill Rd., Lyerly, GA 30730

• Tuesday-Friday: June 3-June 11 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Summerville Middle School—200 Middle School Rd., Summerville, GA 30747

• Tuesday – Friday: June 3-June 11 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Menlo Elementary School–2430 Highway 337, Menlo, GA 30731

• Tuesday-Friday: June 3- June 11 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Leroy Massey Elementary School—403 Dot Johnson Dr., Summerville, GA 30747

• Tuesday – Friday: June 3-June 11 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended a Tennessee man on Highway 27 North near Trion on May 10th after an off-duty state trooper reported a reckless driver. The incident, which occurred around 3:19 p.m., involved a white 2004 Dodge truck with Tennessee license plates reportedly driving erratically.

A deputy intercepted the vehicle at Underwood Dairy Road after activating emergency lights. The driver, identified as Brandon Samuels of Cleveland, Tennessee, initially claimed to be en route to a friend’s house in the area. Off-duty Georgia State Trooper Gant, present at the scene, informed deputies that he had followed Samuels’ truck from Highway 151. Gant reported witnessing numerous lane violations and estimated the vehicle reached speeds between 80-85 mph, narrowly avoiding hitting two pedestrians in Walker County before crossing into Chattooga County. Deputies observed suspicious behavior from Samuels during questioning, including physical tremors and rapid breathing. The presence of two children in the backseat heightened their concern, leading to suspicions of drug involvement.

After being confronted, Samuels allegedly admitted to possessing narcotics located in the vehicle’s center console. A subsequent search revealed a small plastic bag suspected to contain methamphetamine. The children were placed under the supervision of the Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS) until their mother arrived approximately two hours later. After verifying her identity and relationship to the children, they were released into her care. DFACS officials indicated that a referral would be made to Tennessee authorities.

Brandon Samuels was transported to the Chattooga County Jail and faces charges related to the incident.

Harbin Clinic is taking steps to protect patients whose personal information may have been compromised in a recent data breach affecting a third-party vendor, National Recovery Services Inc. (NRS). NRS, a company providing debt collection services for Harbin Clinic’s delinquent accounts, as well as services related to bankruptcies, lawsuits, and patient estate matters, experienced unauthorized access to its network between July 5 and 11, 2024. According to Harbin Clinic, certain files and folders were illegally copied during this period.

The potentially compromised information may have included patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial account information, guarantor information, and medical-related data. “Harbin Clinic apologizes that a vendor entrusted with personal information allowed this to happen and remains committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of the data of its patients,” stated a notification from Harbin’s communication office. Upon learning of the breach in February, and receiving confirmation of the potentially affected records in March, Harbin Clinic immediately blocked NRS’s access to its internal systems.

The clinic also engaged its privacy and cybersecurity teams to investigate the incident and ensure its own systems remained secure. To mitigate potential harm, Harbin Clinic is offering free credit monitoring and identity protection services to individuals whose personal information was potentially impacted.

Patients can access more information about the breach and the protective services being offered through a dedicated call center at 866-408-3081, operating weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or online at HarbinClinic.com/NRSnotice.

While NRS has stated it has no evidence to suggest identity theft or fraud related to the breach, Harbin Clinic is urging potentially affected patients to remain vigilant and take advantage of the offered protective measures.

Future basketball stars in Chattooga County, ages 5-10, have a chance to hone their skills at the Red and Black Basketball Camp, hosted by the Chattooga High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. The camp will be held on May 29th and 30th at Chattooga High School, running from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. each day. The Red and Black Basketball Camp focuses on developing fundamental basketball skills in a fun and engaging environment. Young athletes will learn the basics of dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork from experienced high school players and coaches. Registration for the two-day camp is $20 per camper. Scan the QR code in the flyer above or visit the Summerville Parks and Recreation Facebook Page.

The Trion Fire Department has released its call report for April 2025, outlining the department’s response to 27 alarms throughout the month. According to the report, the Trion Fire Department responded to three residential and three commercial fire alarms. The department also addressed three illegal burn complaints. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for four calls. Medical assists were the most frequent type of call, comprising nine incidents. Other incidents responded to included a power line/tree down, two natural gas leaks, a search and rescue operation, and a water rescue.

A Chattooga County man was arrested in Floyd County over the weekend after Rome Police performed a traffic stop on Martha Berry Highway.  According to Rome Police, 18-year-old Christyan Trent Cowart of Summerville was stopped due to a traffic violation.  Officers say that Cowart was in possession of THC products and was operating a vehicle without registration.  Cowart was charged with possession of THC, furnishing alcohol to a minor and DUI for Alcohol, in addition to operating an unregistered vehicle.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, May 19, 2025:

Residents of Northwest Georgia should get ready for several days of possible severe weather, with thunderstorms expected from Monday through Wednesday. While there may be scattered showers and storms during this time, the greatest risk for strong to severe storms is on Monday and Tuesday. The main dangers from these storms include strong winds and hail.

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown:

Today: There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 PM. The day will start cloudy but become mostly sunny with a high around 87 degrees.
Tonight: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected, mainly before 7 PM. The low will be around 67 degrees.
Tuesday: A 50% chance of showers after 2 PM with a high near 87 degrees. Winds may gust up to 20 mph. Tuesday night has an 80% chance of rain, with storms occurring before 2 AM. The low will be around 65 degrees.
Wednesday: A 30% chance of morning showers, becoming sunny with a high near 80 degrees.

Sunny skies and cooler temperatures are expected Thursday and Friday with a chance for rain and thunderstorms returning for the weekend.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit announced recently that it awarded a total of $53,800 in grant funding to 12 nonprofit organizations across the state of Georgia through its Community Mission Fund in 2023. These grants are designed to support vital community initiatives and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the region. Among the 2024 grant recipients was the Teloga Volunteer Fire Department, which received funding to purchase specialized woodland firefighting equipment.

This equipment will significantly bolster the department’s ability to combat wildfires and protect the community. “The new tools will significantly enhance our ability to respond quickly and safely to wildland fires,” said Captain Joe Croy from the Teloga Volunteer Fire Department. “This grant allows us to better protect the citizens of Teloga and the surrounding departments from Chattooga and Walker County, ensuring our firefighters are better equipped and more secure on the job.”

AgGeorgia Farm Credit’s Community Mission Fund aims to support organizations making a positive impact in areas such as rural development, education, and community health. AgGeorgia is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Community Mission Fund grants.

The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2025. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more and applying for a grant are encouraged to visit HERE.

Chattooga County residents in need of medical assistance will soon have easier access to care thanks to a temporary satellite clinic being operated by the Free Clinic of Rome. On Tuesday, June 17th, from 1-5PM, the clinic will be setting up shop at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center on Middle School Road in Summerville. This initiative aims to address the transportation challenges faced by many Chattooga County residents who currently travel to Rome to receive care. “We noticed a significant number of our patients coming from Chattooga County,” explained Renee Blackburn, Director of the Free Clinic of Rome. “By setting up a temporary clinic in Summerville, we hope to make healthcare more accessible to those in need.” The clinic will provide assistance for a variety of health concerns, including high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid issues, asthma, and other general medical conditions. To check eligibility and schedule an appointment, residents are urged to call 706-234-1331. While callers may reach a voicemail, leaving a message is highly recommended. Clinic staff will return calls to determine eligibility based on specific criteria. To qualify for services, patients must be uninsured and have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Clinic staff will outline the necessary documentation requirements during the initial phone call. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity for uninsured, low-income residents of Chattooga County to access quality healthcare.

Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has announced the appointment of Haedyn Mobbs as its new Deputy Clerk. Mobbs steps into the role following years of dedicated service within the County Tax Commissioner’s Office. She will succeed Jennifer Hampton, the previous Deputy Clerk.

According to Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen, Mobbs’s tenure with the county has been marked by unwavering dedication and professionalism. Her proactive approach to learning all aspects of county operations, combined with her steadfast commitment to public service, has made her an invaluable asset to the team. “Mrs. Mobbs has been and continues to be a great addition to the office staff,” Commissioner Allen stated. He further emphasized her positive impact on the county, noting her welcoming demeanor which ensures that every resident receives exceptional customer service when visiting the office.

Beyond her primary responsibilities, Mobbs has also demonstrated a strong willingness to support other departments, contributing to the enhanced efficiency of county operations as a whole.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is applauding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for its recent updates to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. These updates reflect recommendations made by Secretary Raffensperger earlier this year to enhance election integrity.

In February, Raffensperger penned a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, urging the expansion of SAVE’s capabilities to better support states in verifying citizenship for voter registration and list maintenance. “I’m proud to see DHS implementing the exact improvements we called for,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “Georgia continues to lead the nation in secure, fair, and accurate elections. This new bulk verification tool will make it easier to keep our voter rolls clean, while still protecting every eligible voter’s rights.”

Following Executive Order 14248, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of a bulk upload capability within the SAVE program. This new tool allows state election offices to submit multiple voter verification cases simultaneously, streamlining the previously manual process and reducing delays for election officials working to maintain accurate voter rolls. The update directly addresses Raffensperger’s recommendations, including implementing batch processing for SAVE cases, expanding allowed identifiers in verification requests (initially Alien Numbers or Naturalization Certificate Numbers, with plans to include Social Security Numbers), and waiving transaction fees for voter registration and voter list maintenance use cases.

“The integrity of our elections relies on both accurate voter lists and respect for the rule of law,” Raffensperger added. “These updates ensure that both are upheld. I thank DHS for listening to states like Georgia and taking meaningful action.”

The fourth annual Chattooga River Festival is gearing up to bring a day of family fun, outdoor activities, and environmental awareness to Lyerly Park on June 14th. The event, hosted by the Chattooga River Group, will run from 10 AM to 5 PM, offering free admission and parking to all attendees.

This year’s festival boasts a diverse lineup of entertainment, headlined by special guest “The Snake Guy” Jason Clark. Clark will be providing educational and engaging reptile demonstrations at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM, a popular feature from previous years. Beyond the reptile shows, attendees can enjoy free kayak paddling on the Chattooga River, live music performances throughout the day, and a competitive cornhole tournament. The cornhole tournament requires teams of two to register. While there are no age or gender restrictions, each team member receives a free festival T-shirt with their paid entry. The victorious team will walk away with a cash prize ranging from $50 to $100, and additional prizes may be awarded. A minimum of four teams and a maximum of twelve are required for the tournament. Families with young children can take advantage of the dedicated Kid-Zone, offering free entertainment.

Numerous arts and crafts vendors will also be present, alongside a selection of festival food options. The Chattooga River Group, organizers of the event, are dedicated to “beautifying, protecting, and enjoying” the Chattooga River, a vital natural resource for the region.

For more information about the festival, please visit ChatoogaRiverGroup.org or call 706-857-4033.

Longtime Summerville City employee Terry Tinney has resigned from his position as Public Works Director, effective last Friday, May 16, 2025. Tinney submitted his resignation to the Summerville City Council at their recent meeting as the city continues discussions regarding the restructure of the city’s public works department.

In his resignation letter, dated May 2nd, Tinney wrote, “To the mayor, council and city manager of Summerville, effective May 16, 2025, I tender my resignation as director at the City of Summerville. I thank you all for the opportunities I have been given here. I wish you all well.”

Summerville City Manager Jason Winters says that Tinney did not give any specific reason for announcing his resignation.

The resignation comes as the city is moving forward with a significant restructuring of the Public Works department. As part of the upcoming budget, the council is dividing the single Public Works Director position into three distinct departmental roles. “As we discussed during the budget, we are dividing the public works utility director into three department positions: street, gas, and water and sewer,” City Manager Winters explained.

The city will be considering applications for these new positions, both from internal candidates and external applicants. The restructuring aims to streamline operations and improve efficiency within the Public Works department.

As Americans prepare to kick off the summer grilling season this Memorial Day weekend, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging caution and reminding everyone to prioritize grill safety. With outdoor cooking becoming a popular way to celebrate the holiday and enjoy the warmer weather, the NFPA is offering essential tips to prevent fires and injuries.

“Cookouts and outdoor grilling can be a great way to spend time with friends and family, but they do present potential risks,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Over Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, we want everyone to be aware of where and when grilling fires tend to happen, along with steps they can take to help prevent them.” NFPA data reveals that between 2019 and 2023, gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires annually, with approximately 20% of these fires linked to uncleaned grills. Furthermore, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported an average of 21,682 emergency room visits each year from 2020 to 2024 due to grill-related injuries. To help ensure a fire-safe grilling season, the NFPA recommends the following:

• For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks. (Watch NFPA’s video on how to check for leaks.)
• Keep your grill clean. Make sure to remove all grease and fat buildup from the grills and the trays below.
• Place the grill far from your home, deck railings, eaves, or overhanging branches.
• Before lighting your gas-powered grill, always make sure the lid is open.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
• If you use starter fluid with charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire once it’s been lit. When you finish grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing them in a metal container.
• Never leave your grill unattended when in use.

For additional grilling safety information, check out the NFPA podcast episode, a blog post on fire code grill requirements, or a video on some lesser-known grilling safety tips.