Residents of Northwestl Georgia can expect another day of warm temperatures, with highs reaching the mid-80s; significant cloud cover will likely keep temperatures from soaring even higher. A weather system approaching from the west is bringing increased cloud cover today, particularly in northern Georgia. The chance of rain will significantly increase across northern Georgia on Monday as a front stalls to the north. Forecasters are predicting that Monday afternoon will see the potential for scattered storms across northern Georgia as the front approaches and surface-based instability builds. While severe weather is not anticipated due to a lack of wind shear, a few strong storms could briefly develop before fading after sunset. The extended forecast anticipates the stalled front bringing rain to northern Georgia Monday night and Tuesday. With the low-pressure system remaining to the north, the front is expected to linger across Northwest Georgia, leading to continued rainfall along that boundary. Beyond Tuesday, expect daily rain chances throughout the week, with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms driven by diurnal heating. Rainfall totals from the Monday/Tuesday system are currently forecast to be around 1 inch.

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

The national cannabis holiday ‘4/20’ can mean high stakes on our nation’s roadways. Recent AAA research revealed an alarming statistic: about 85% of cannabis users admit to driving the same day after consumption.

“No matter the legality or medical prescription of cannabis, taking the wheel while impaired by its effects is not only unlawful but extremely dangerous,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Think about it – when cruising on cloud nine, your reaction time, sharpness, and judgment can take a serious hit. Zipping around in that zoned-out zone means you’re making the road unsafe for everyone else.”

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety used surveys to better understand cannabis consumers’ behaviors and perceptions of themselves. A few key themes emerged from survey respondents who are confirmed cannabis consumers:

• Daily and frequent consumption – 44.1% said they consume cannabis multiple times per day
• Driving regularly – 57.8% indicated that they drive daily
• Consuming then driving is common – 84.8% revealed that they drive the same day that they consume cannabis, with 53% saying they consumed an hour or less before driving
• Believe consumption has little effect on driving – 46.9% believe they either drive the same, a little better (14.7%), or much better (19.4%)
• Cannabis industry carries weight – 38.6% said they would trust messaging about cannabis use and safe driving from cannabis industry groups and cannabis brands/companies (37.3%)

“The road requires clear heads, not clouded minds,” said Waiters. “If you plan to celebrate 4/20, find a safe ride before taking any impairing substances. This is critical so drivers do not have to decide if they’re sober enough to drive.”

‘Crashes Hit Different’ Campaign 

The effort to educate drivers about the dangers of impaired driving and other risky behaviors behind the wheel is part of AAA – The Auto Club Group’s new traffic safety campaign, “Crashes Hit Different.” On average, someone is killed in a car crash every 12 minutes on our nation’s roads, primarily due to four factors: impaired driving, distractions, not buckling up, and speed. By partnering with roadway safety organizations, community groups, and drivers themselves, AAA aims to prevent these senseless tragedies.

Find more AAA information regarding cannabis-impaired driving here.

The Georgia Department of Education is recognizing 145 graduating seniors across Georgia as 2025 Georgia Scholars, announced by State School Superintendent Richard Woods.

GaDOE identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life through the Georgia Scholar program. Each honoree receives a seal for their diploma along with a graduation cord to recognize their achievement.

“Congratulations to the 145 outstanding students honored as Georgia Scholars this year!” Superintendent Woods said. “This prestigious recognition identifies students who go above and beyond in all aspects of life – both within the school walls and in the community. I wish them great success in their futures and can’t wait to see the impact they make on our state, nation, and world.”

Georgia Scholars carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school, performed excellently in all courses, successfully participated in interscholastic events within their schools and communities, and assumed leadership roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools. Click here to view the full program criteria.

The Georgia Scholar program is coordinated by GaDOE in partnership with local districts and schools.

The City of Summerville is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer with the Summerville Police Department. This vital role will involve protecting life and property, enforcing laws, and investigating crimes within the city.

The position requires a dedicated individual capable of responding to a variety of calls, including domestic disputes, burglaries, traffic accidents, and suspicious activity. Key responsibilities include patrolling assigned areas, writing detailed reports, apprehending traffic violators, providing first aid, conducting criminal investigations, and testifying in court when necessary. Officers must also be prepared to assist other law enforcement agencies, secure crime scenes, and perform public service duties such as assisting stranded motorists. The role involves arresting and processing prisoners, maintaining patrol vehicles and weapons, and serving warrants. The work environment can be demanding, requiring officers to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Exposure to potential hazards such as noise, dust, and potentially infectious diseases is possible.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma and have sufficient experience to understand the principles of police work, typically gained through an apprenticeship, internship, or similar position held for one to two years. A valid Georgia driver’s license is required, along with the ability to meet the standards set by the Police Standards and Training Council for the State of Georgia.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to serve and protect the Summerville community. Applications are available through the City of Summerville’s website HERE

Get ready for a weekend of thrilling rodeo action as Lowry’s 4L Ranch hosts its annual Back Rodeo on May 16th and 17th! The event kicks off at 8:00 PM each night at Lowry’s Covered Arena on Farmersville Rd, just off Hwy 27 South of Summerville. Presented by Harvey’s Southend Auto and Mathis Equipment, this year’s rodeo promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring exciting competitions and talented riders. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at a discounted rate. Adult tickets (12+) are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children’s tickets (ages 6-11) are $10 both in advance and at the gate. Children five and under are admitted free. Don’t miss out! Purchase your advanced tickets at the following locations: United Community Bank – Summerville & Mt. Berry Square Rome, Dirttown Deli – Gore, Southern Living Farm & Garden – Trion and Pineridge Outdoor Supply – Lyerly Gates open at 6 PM each night. Cash ONLY accepted at the gate.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report regarding the tragic plane crash that occurred on March 20th at Barwick-LaFayette Airport. While the report doesn’t name the individuals involved, it confirms the fatal incident that claimed the lives of Russell Edward Jones of LaFayette and Steven Boyd Powell of Cartersville during a training flight. According to the preliminary NTSB report, the Cirrus SR-22 aircraft took off around 2:21 PM and circled the runway twice. On the third circle, the plane reportedly encountered an unspecified issue, leading to the crash. The aircraft subsequently exploded and burst into flames. The NTSB is continuing its investigation into the cause of the crash. A final, comprehensive report detailing the findings and probable cause is expected to be released at a later date. The current preliminary report offers only a basic outline of the events leading up to the devastating incident.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Feeding Georgia, and the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the State Bar of Georgia are launching the 14th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, a two-week fundraising event for the state’s regional food banks. The competition will take place from April 14-25, 2025, and invites all members of the legal community, including law firms, legal organizations, corporate counsel, clerks, and judges. Since it started, the Legal Food Frenzy has raised $6. 7 million, providing over 26. 8 million meals to those in need. This year, the goal is to surpass previous totals and assist even more families, children, and seniors facing food shortages. Attorney General Carr encourages lawyers to donate the equivalent of one billable hour to help provide more meals. Each dollar raised supplies up to four meals for struggling Georgians. The initiative is vital as nearly one in eight children in Georgia is at risk of hunger. Registration for the 2025 Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is open until April 25th.

The Chattooga County Board of Education celebrated the district winners of the prestigious Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition at their meeting last night. The talented students, representing each grade level from Kindergarten through 12th grade, were recognized for their exceptional writing skills and creative expression. The FY’25 winners, representing schools throughout Chattooga County, include:

Kindergarten: Finn Swords, Menlo Elementary School

1st Grade: Kayson Bales, Leroy Massey Elementary School

2nd Grade: Santiago Torres, Leroy Massey Elementary School

3rd Grade: John Michael Brady, Menlo Elementary School

4th Grade: Brenleigh Radford, Lyerly Elementary School

5th Grade: Kamryn Carter, Menlo Elementary School

6th Grade: Payton Sizemore, Summerville Middle School

7th Grade: Bentilie Crowe, Menlo Middle School

8th Grade: Alexandria Thompson, Lyerly Middle School

9th Grade: Bluesy Harrell, Chattooga High School

10th Grade: Hannah Reynolds, Chattooga High School

11th Grade: Matthew Floyd, Chattooga High School

12th Grade: Loriana Miles, Chattooga High School

The Board commended each student for their dedication to the art of writing and their embodiment of literacy excellence within the Chattooga County School System. The Young Georgia Authors competition aims to encourage and celebrate student writing across the state.

Northwest Georgia residents can expect a warm Saturday, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 80s. While some cloud cover is present this morning, particularly across northern Georgia, the National Weather Service forecasts subtropical ridging to build into the area, bringing clear skies and sunny conditions for most of the day. Forecasters are keeping an eye on the possibility of patchy fog near bodies of water this morning.  Enjoy the warm, sunny weather while it lasts! A weather system approaching from the west is expected to bring increased cloud cover on Easter Sunday. While temperatures will remain pleasant, they are expected to be slightly cooler than Saturday. The chance of rain increases on Monday as the approaching system makes its way into the region.  Monday night, there is a 70% chance for showers and thunderstorms and the rain chances continue into Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

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

The City of Summerville is putting its surplus real estate up for grabs through a sealed bidding process, offering the public the opportunity to purchase properties acquired through tax sales, abandonment, and other legal means.

According to an official announcement from the Mayor and Council of the City of Summerville, bids will be accepted for amounts exceeding the city’s original basis in each property. Interested parties can find a comprehensive list of available properties, along with their respective minimum bid amounts, on the City’s website or by contacting Angie White at City Hall, located at 120 Georgia Avenue, Summerville, Georgia, 30747. The bidding process will operate as a weekly sealed auction.

The initial deadline for bids is set for May 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Subsequently, bids will be accepted every Friday at 10:00 a.m., in minimum increments of $500, until no further offers are received. All bids submitted by the deadline each Friday will be publicly opened at 10:00 a.m. The City Council will then review and approve the winning bid at their next regularly scheduled meeting. A record of all bids received will be available for public inspection for at least 60 days from the date the bids were opened. Currently, the list of surplus properties includes:

30 Peachtree Street – $7,205.96
325 Georgia Hwy 48 – $7,639.30
138 Curran Street – $5,388.84
307 Georgia Hwy 48 – $10,759.21

Anyone wishing to participate in the auction must submit sealed proposals marked with the property address to City Hall. The City of Summerville retains the right to reject any and all bids and reserves the authority to cancel the proposed sale at its discretion.

AdventHealth is committed to women’s health and is making breast cancer screening more accessible this May by offering convenient 30-minute 3D screening mammograms for just $30. This special offer is available to uninsured patients who qualify, providing a potentially life-saving opportunity at an affordable price. Annual mammograms remain the gold standard for breast cancer screening, allowing for the earliest possible detection of potential issues, often before symptoms even appear.

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S., underscoring the critical importance of regular screening. Early detection of breast cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes. Catching it early means: Therapies like breast conservation therapy will be most effective.  Treatment can begin early, potentially preventing the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.  Patients have the best possible chance of recovery. Medical experts recommend women begin annual mammograms at age 40, or earlier if there is a family history of breast cancer. Women between the ages of 20 and 40 should have a clinical breast exam by their doctor every three years.

The $30 mammogram promotion is valid for the month of May only and is available to patients aged 40 and above who are uninsured and qualify for a screening mammogram. To be eligible, screening mammograms must be scheduled at least a year and a day after the patient’s last mammogram.

Screening appointment times may vary. Don’t wait, 30 minutes could truly save your life. Schedule your mammogram at the AdventHealth Redmond Women’s Center today by calling 800-776-5102 or visiting GetYourMammoGA.com.

Trion High School and its wrestling program are thrilled to announce the hiring of Mr. Sean Hage as the new Head Coach of the Trion Bulldogs Wrestling program. Coach Hage brings a wealth of experience and an unparalleled wrestling pedigree to Trion.

A Georgia Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, Hage’s personal wrestling accomplishments are truly remarkable. He is a four-time Georgia State Champion, three-time AAU National Champion, six-time Junior National Champion, two-time Cadet National Champion, and the 1994 Junior World Champion.

At one point in his career, Hage reached the impressive ranking of 4th on the Olympic ladder. Beyond his high school success, Hage excelled at the collegiate level, earning both All-American and Senior All-American honors while competing on a full scholarship at West Virginia University. Coach Hage also boasts a successful coaching career. He has consistently led his teams to area and region championships and secured the coveted GHSA Duals State Championship as Head Coach at Lumpkin County High School. His consistent excellence has earned him Wrestling Coach of the Year honors on multiple occasions.

Trion High School is confident that Coach Hage’s experience, dedication, and passion for wrestling will be invaluable in developing the Trion Bulldogs Wrestling program and its student-athletes. The school and the community eagerly anticipate the upcoming season under his leadership.

The Georgia State Patrol has released more information about a devastating car crash in Walker County on Tuesday, April 15th, that claimed the lives of two teenagers and left another critically injured.

According to a Georgia Highway Patrol (GHP) report, the incident occurred when Brennon Beaver, 16, driving a Tacoma, veered left and struck the front of a Renegade driven by Cassiddy Mitchell, 19, causing the vehicle to overturn. Allyson Mitchell, driving a Rogue, then swerved to avoid the initial collision but collided with the driver-side rear of Beaver’s Tacoma. Brennon Beaver, a junior at Lafayette High School, and Cassiddy Mitchell, a 2024 graduate of the same school, both tragically died in the crash. Cooper Mitchell, 15, Cassiddy’s younger brother and passenger in Allyson Mitchell’s vehicle, was airlifted to a nearby hospital and remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

The father of Brennon Beaver, Monty Beavers, expressed his heartbreak for both families in a Facebook post, writing, “It just seems like a bad nightmare. I’m touched with every kind word, picture, or memory of how my son had such an effect on so many other lives in his short 16 years.” Lafayette High School’s Rambler Football page mourned the loss of Brennon Beaver, describing him as “a leader, a brother, and the heart of our locker room.” The post affirmed the team’s commitment to honoring his life and impact.

The community is rallying to support the Mitchell family. A Meal Train has been organized, and donations of restaurant or DoorDash gift cards are being accepted online to help them during this difficult time.

According to a press release issued this week by the district attorney’s office, earlier this year, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Don W. Thompson sentenced Christopher Blake Stansell to 30 years in prison , with the first 10 years in confinement. Stansell was found guilty of four counts of Aggravated Assault, Home Invasion 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, and two counts of Cruelty to Children 1st Degree. He had entered a non-negotiated guilty plea on November 21, 2024, and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered.

The sentencing hearing lasted two and a half hours, during which evidence was presented, including security camera footage and police body camera footage from the incident, along with testimony from Detective Ira Taylor and Officer Charles Dunn.

The incident occurred on Memorial Day 2023 when the Selimagic family hosted a celebration with friends. The Stansell family also had gatherings next door. Blake Stansell visited the Selimagics and later had a verbal altercation with David Lockhart and his sons, who were guests. Mr. Selimagic suggested the Lockharts leave, but as they drove away, Stansell approached their car and hit it. A physical fight broke out between the Lockharts and Stansell. Afterward, Stansell verbally threatened the Selimagic family and retrieved a 9mm handgun, shouting threats to kill them. He fired into their home, kicked in the garage door, and attempted to enter the house. After running out of ammunition, he was confronted by Officer Dunn, who used a Taser to subdue him.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Bruce Roberts. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller expressed that violent offenders have no place in the community and commended Officer Dunn for his bravery in the situation.