Arrest Report - Saturday- August 8, 2020

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, August 8, 2020:

Walker County Teachers Speak Against Reopening School

Several Walker County teachers spoke to the School Board about their concerns with opening schools under the threat imposed by COVID-19.  At a meeting on the millage rate Thursday night, teachers told the board they fear taking the virus home to family members who may be vulnerable due to pre-existing health conditions.

One of the four who spoke said the current re-opening plan does not do enough to protect students and staff.  Another said social distancing is not possible under the current plan – and asked the board to consider mandating face masks at all times.

A LaFayette High teacher told the board she feels that her life is “expendable”.

Those speaking also mentioned concerns that teachers were not asked for their input on the school opening plan… and suggested on-line learning until infection rates begin to drop.

School starts next Thursday in the Walker County school system.

WQCH

Judge Payne Showing Signs Of Improvement

Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne continues to be hospitalized in a Rome hospital after contracting COVID-19.  Judge Payne had been admitted to ICU earlier this week, but a family spokesperson says that Judge Payne is showing signs of improvement.  According to the family, “Judge Jon Payne is doing his best to make all of his goals in intense respiratory therapy. At this time he does not have a fever and is comfortable sitting in a chair”.  WZQZ continues to keep Judge Payne, and his family in our prayers.

Chattooga School System Releases Weekly COVID-19 Report

Chattooga County School Superintendent Jared Hosmer released a “Weekly COVID-19 Report” after the first full-week of school for the Chattooga County School System.  According to the report, five have tested positive for COVID-19 at Chattooga High School and one has tested positive at Sumerville Middle School.  Leroy Massey Elementary, Lyerly Elementary, Menlo Elementary and the county office have not reported any positive cases.  The reports include staff and students at each school.  You can see the complete weekly status report below:

Over 1500 Cast Votes Early In GOP Runoff Election

Chattooga County voters turned out in force to vote early in the Republican Primary Runoff Election that is scheduled for next Tuesday, August 11th.

More voters voted early in the runoff than they did in the Primary Election.  Election officials say that 1572 people cast their ballots in early voting that ended yesterday at 5 PM.

Voters are deciding the Republican candidates for Chattooga County Commissioner, Chattooga County Probate Judge and helping to select the Republican candidate for the 14th U.S. Congressional District.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday.  Polls will be open from 7 AM -7 PM on Election Day.

Lady Indians Defeat Armuchee

The Chattooga Lady Indians defeated the Armuchee Lady Indians on Friday evening in a game that was scheduled for Thursday but had to be delayed because of strong thunderstorms that struck the area shortly before the game was to be played.

Chattooga’s Clara Wyatt allowed only one run on five hits during six innings of play.  Wyatt struck out seven of Armuchee’s players and yielded no walks.

The Varsity Chattooga Lady Indians defeated Armuchee 13-1.

Congratulations on a great game to the Chattooga Varsity Lady Indians.

Summerville Man Arrested For Child Molestation

A seventy-six-year-old Mahan Road, Summerville man was arrested this week and charged with child molestation after an investigation by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mark Schrader told WZQZ News that James Bowen Sumner was arrested at his residence after an allegation that he had inappropriate contact with a child under the age of twelve.  Sheriff Schrader said that it was a single incident that was reported to the sheriff’s office.

According to Sheriff Schrader, Sumner was arrested in 2011 on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.

Sumner was released from the Chattooga County Jail on a $30,000 property bond under the condition that he have no contact with anyone under the age of 16.

Arrest Report - Friday August 7, 2020

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, August 7, 2020:

Warrants Issued For Calhoun Kidnapping Suspects

Warrants have been issued for three men and a woman in connection with an assault and kidnapping at the Love’s Travel Stop on Belwood Road in Calhoun that occurred back on July 2.

According to a Calhoun Police report, 48-year old Stanford Deas, 21-year old William Deas and Dylan Deas, all of Dalton, beat a 55-year old Oregon man as 35-year old Vanessa Harden of Chatsworth looked on.

The victim told police that Harden was his ex-girlfriend and he believes she “set him up.”

The victim also told police he was forced into a vehicle and was driven around for approximately four hours before being thrown into a hotel room in Dalton.

The victim’s truck was stolen in the process and he rented a U-Haul to get back to Oregon.

The victim sustained several injuries in the attack and he told police he waited to report the incident because he feared the suspects would kill him.

Last Day To Vote Early In GOP Runoff Election

According to the Chattooga County Registrars Office, more people have voted early in the August 11th GOP Runoff Election than voted early in the June 9th Primary Election.

As of 5 PM on Thursday, 1,379 people had voted early.

Today is the last day to vote in advance of the August 11th Runoff Election.  If you want to vote early, be sure to get to the Registrars Office at 10017 Commerce Street before 5 PM today.  Be sure to bring a picture ID when you come to vote.

Remember, if you voted in the Republican Primary in June – or you didn’t vote at all, you can vote in the Runoff Election.

Polls will be open next Tuesday from 7 AM until 7 PM for the Runoff Election.

Burglary Investigation In Lyerly

On Tuesday of this week, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office was called regarding a burglary complaint on Georgia Avenune in Lyerly.  The complainant told a responding deputy that someone had been inside her residence and had take a circular saw from the residence when no one was home.  The complainant could’t provide the names of any possible suspects.  The incident was turned over to an investigator.

Santa In Uniform Golf Tournament Scheduled

The third annual Clint Young Chattooga County Santa in Uniform Golf Tournament is scheduled for 8 AM until 8 PM on August 29, 2020 at the Trion Golf Course. It is a four-man team, best ball competition. A signup sheet will be located at the Trion Golf Course.  You can contact the Trion Golf Course at 706-696-0422.  There will be a morning and afternoon shotgun start.

Last year, the non-profit golf event raised $14,857 for children at Christmas.

BBB Issues Advisory About PPE Supplier

The BBB issued a consumer advisory for BLK Label Co. located in Atlanta, Georgia. BLK Label Co. is an online retailer of apparel and COVID-19 care products, specifically respirator valve masks.

Consumers allege purchased, ordered items, used for COVID-19, are of poor quality and requested refunds are not given.

BLK Label Co. has an F rating, the lowest of BBB’s scale, due to unanswered complaints.

After a review of complaints on file, BBB confirmed that BLK Label Co. is selling face masks geared toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer complaints indicate that once the face masks are received, they are of poor quality, are damaged or the specific amount ordered was not received.

One consumer stated they were a nurse and needed the face masks for work as they were only allotted one mask per week. They ordered four face masks at a total of $95.00 but only received two. The company has not been responsive to their requests for a refund and the consumer stated this was no way to treat people especially in these COVID-19 times.

Another consumer ordered three face masks during the pandemic, but they did not fit and had a horrible smell. Requests to BLK Label Co. have gone unanswered.

The address listed for BLK Label Co. appears to be an apartment. BBB requested the location of their firm and where their COVID-19 products were made. BLK Label Co. did not respond to BBB.

View BBB’s Business Profile on BLK Label Co.

Visit BBB’s Tips on Online Shopping.

BBB provides consumer tips and alerts on COVID-19.

City Of Summerville Virtual Meeting Instructions

The City of Summerville will have a virtual meeting for the regular called meeting this month.  All participants will be connecting remotely. Below is the information you can use to join the meeting.  There will be a Q&A session starting at 4:30PM with the Mayor and members of the public and media if you wish to attend early, and the meeting will start at 5PM. There will still be an opportunity at the close of the meeting for the media to ask questions as well.

CHS vs. Armuchee Softball Game Rescheduled

The Chattooga Varsity Softball game at Armuchee has been canceled for today and rescheduled for tomorrow, August 7th at 5 PM.  The game will be played tomorrow in Armuchee.

Special Weather Statement

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CHATTOOGA AND FLOYD COUNTIES
UNTIL 330 PM EDT...

At 302 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was near Rome...moving north at
10 mph.

  HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
           and heavy rain.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
           street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Some locations in the path of this storm include
Rome, Summerville, Shannon, Menlo, Cloudland, Berryton, Tidings,
Armuchee and James H. Floyd State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

GDA Releases New Online Tool For Unsolicited Chinese Seed Packets

Given the large quantity of inquiries regarding unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has developed an online resource for reporting and instructing on proper disposal of the seeds.

“Thankfully, our seed lab has not found anything nefarious in the mysterious packets so far, but that does not mean we should let our guard down,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black says.  “I urge anyone who receives a package, that they do not remember ordering, to treat it with care and caution.  And most importantly, do not plant, throw away or flush the seeds.”

Georgia residents who have received these unsolicited seeds are encouraged to visit  http://agr.georgia.gov/ to complete and submit a form and ship seed and packaging materials to USDA.  Recipients looking to destroy the seeds, even those that have already been planted, can follow the directions in the proper disposal document.

Seeds from unknown origins have the potential to be invasive or carry seedborne pathogens that can have the potential to cause disease in either seeds or the developing plants.

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GHSA Cancels Preseason Football Scrimmage

Scrimmage football games typically are allowed between schools up to two weeks before their first games. They would have been played the weeks of Aug. 21 and Aug. 28.

The GHSA also moved competitive cheerleading to winter and one-act play tentatively to spring.

GHSA executive director Robin Hines made the announcements in an email to member schools and the board of trustees around noon. They came after his weekly Wednesday meeting with the GHSA’s sports -medicine advisory council and address concerns expressed last week from Georgia Department of Health chairman Dr. Kathleen Toomey, who specifically cited football, cheerleading, chorus and band as higher-risk school activities.

The GHSA does not manage chorus or band, but one-act play sometimes involves singers and a chorus.

Read more in the AJC HERE

Arrest Report - Thursday - August 6, 2020

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, August 6, 2020: