Stolen Turbo Tax Card Leads To Complaint.
A reported stolen Turbo Tax Intuit card has lead a Summerville woman to file a complaint with the City of Summerville Police.
Britney Silvers filed a complaint about a stolen Turbo Tax Inuit card. She states that Austin Campbell has stolen the card and made at least 4 fraudulent transactions. Two transactions for $40 each, another transaction for $20 and one more for $25.
Silvers also states that Campbell has been harassing her and threatening to take their children from her. Silvers was advised of what she could do regarding the harassment.
Cancer Coalition Focus Group For Fathers
The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition is hosting a virtual focus group for fathers of children aged 11-18 at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 20 to gather thoughts on how to best serve fathers and their children when it comes to cancer awareness and prevention. Each participant will receive a $25 Walmart gift card. To register, email aagnew@nwgacancer.org.
The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition, Inc. is a collaboration of fifteen counties in Northwest Georgia whose vision is to build a model of comprehensive rural cancer control. Our mission is to develop programs of excellence in cancer-related education, communications, prevention, early detection and screening, treatment, and research in this region.
The Northwest Georgia Cancer Coalition brings resources and programs to the Northwest Georgia community in an effort to effectively fight cancer in the Northwest Georgia region.
Georgia Power Warns About Scammers
With a recent increase in reports regarding scams and fraud by criminals posing as Georgia Power employees, the company is reminding customers to be aware and follow simple tips to avoid being a target.
Georgia Power urges customers to be cautious when contacted by an unverified person claiming to be a Georgia Power representative. The company will never ask a customer to provide a credit card or pre-paid debit card number over the phone. Additionally, the company will never send employees into the field to collect payment in person or ask a customer to pay anywhere other than an Authorized Payment Location (APL).
Georgia Power also provides the following guidance to customers:
- If an account becomes past due, Georgia Power will contact the customer via a pre-recorded message to the primary account telephone number or by letter requesting that the customer call Georgia Power to discuss the account.
- If a customer receives a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from Georgia Power and demanding payment to avoid disconnection, the customer should contact the company’s customer service line at 888-660-5890. As scammers have tried to promote the use of fraudulent 800 numbers, customers should always check to make sure they are calling the correct Georgia Power customer service line at 888-660-5890, which can be verified at www.georgiapower.com
- Delete all emails that demand immediate payment or personal information or that are from a company that is not Georgia Power.
- If an employee needs to visit a customer’s home or business for a service-related issue, they will be in uniform and present a badge with a photo, their name and the company’s name and logo. They will also be in a vehicle marked with the company’s logo.
Georgia Power continues to work with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to identify and prosecute criminals who pose as Georgia Power employees in order to defraud customers.
To learn more about how you can defend yourself against scammers and avoid falling victim to common mistakes, watch the company’s latest public service announcements (PSA) on the company’s YouTube channel.
Additional information about frequent scams and how the company works to protect customers is available at www.georgiapower.com/scam.
Georgia Reclaims #1 Spot As Top Pecan Producer
Photo Credit: WALB
Georgia has now reclaimed the number one spot for pecan production in the U.S., according to a recent report by the USDA. This comes as Governor Brian Kemp declared the pecan as Georgia’s official state nut Friday.
Governor Kemp signed SB 222 Friday in Vienna, Georgia at Ellis Brothers Pecans, making the pecan the official nut for the State of Georgia.
But what about Georgia’s other favorite, the peanut? Well, it’s actually not a nut but listed in the pea family and because of this and the big bucks that pecans bring to Georgia, Senator Carden Summers and many more pushed to have the pecan named the official nut.
“Well, we did our homework, we got out and told people what the facts were, how much pecans mean for the economy,” said Summers.
Kemp said he’s doing more for pecan farmers than just declaring it the state nut. He said he’s helping farmers, like pecan producers, by diversifying and creating economic development for rural Georgia, along with getting broadband internet to those rural farms.
The governor is counting on good marketing from the state level and people supporting Georgia, both domestically and internationally.
“I’m very hopeful about the position that Georgia’s in from an economic development perspective and agriculture. I mean, I fully understand how tough it has been on the farm for many years now,” said Kemp.
Read more from WALB
City of Summerville April Meeting Set For Monday
The monthly meeting for April will be held Monday April 12th at 5 p.m at City Hall.
On the agenda are several items including multiple payment and bid approvals including a payment to William D. Patty construction for $9,911.30. Also a payment to to Hand Service company of over $89,000 for test work on wells 3, 4, and 5.
They will also appoint Lynn Rowland as a new member of the Main Street Board. A consideration for a Quit-Claim deed between the City of Summerville and Son Rise Community Church is on the agenda.
This months meeting can be attend in person or via virtual login. The instructions for attending the meeting virtually is listed below.
You may join via computer, smart phone, and telephone. Participants will be muted upon joining the meeting, and will be given the opportunity to speak in sections of the meeting for public comments and questions.
Meeting ID: 823 6402 6141
Password: 038683
To join by computer or smart phone:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82364026141?pwd=cDhnVFZ0b2hneXk5VFBQWG11dUlnZz09
To join by telephone:
Call 1-646-876-9923 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted
Arrest Report - Saturday - April 10, 2021
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, April 10, 2021:
National Park Service: Enjoy Little River Safely
The National Park Service is preparing for the influx of visitors to Little River Canyon National Preserve during the spring and summer. Each year over hundreds of thousands of people visit the area located on Lookout Mountain, and far too many people have lost their lives in the sometimes dangerous waters of Little River.
The Little River Canyon National Preserve saw a record number of visitors in 2020. The National Park Service released their visitation numbers for Little River Canyon in 2020 and the numbers of visitors are up drastically from 2019. 649,986 people visited in 2019 and about 802,375 people visited in 2020.
Little River is primarily a rain-fed river, with miles of river north of the park and numerous tributaries along the length of the river. Because of this, water levels can change rapidly and with little warning, as storms may be occurring up-river from the park sight unseen.
Your safety while in, on, and around the Little River is our concern and your responsibility – here are some water safety recommendations for you to practice during your visit:
Water Safety Tips:
- Wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) – they can save your life!
- Don’t leave children unattended. They often don’t recognize danger – young children can drown in relatively shallow water.
- Always wear sturdy shoes – trails and rocks may be loose or slippery, and there may be sharp objects in the water that will cut bare feet.
- Do not mix swimming with drinking alcohol – approximately half of all swimming deaths involve alcohol. Alcohol is prohibited at Little River Canyon National for your safety and to maintain a family friendly atmosphere.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat even on cloudy days.
- Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water.
- Check the water level before you come – the river can rise quickly and without warning from storms up-river. While the water level can rise quickly, it is slow to come back down. Typical summer flows on the river can range from 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) down less than 1 cfs. 1 cubic foot of water is the equivalent to 7.5 gallons. The United States Geological Survey operates a river gauge at Canyon Mouth Park. Data may not accurately represent what the river is doing at any point upstream of Canyon Mouth Park but can be a good guide as to what river conditions are like.
- It only takes 6 inches of fast-moving water to sweep an adult off their feet.
- Check the weather before you come – severe weather can move in quickly and you may not receive an alert on your cell phone due to poor cell signal in the canyon. Check the National Weather Service Huntsville office website at weather.gov/hun
- In the event of severe weather, such as strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning, get away from the river as soon as possible and seek shelter.
- There are drop-offs, strong currents, and hydraulics (undertows) all along the Little River.
- Do not swim alone and travel together – there is safety in numbers.
- Exposure to cool air and cold water can lead to hypothermia, even when temperatures are above freezing.
- Be safe on the riverbanks – accidents often happen to waders and “rock-hoppers”.
River Etiquette:
- Pack out what you pack in – help keep the Little River clean and dispose of your trash properly!
- Be health conscious – restrooms are located at the Little River Canyon Center, Little River Falls parking lot, Eberhart Point parking lot, and Canyon Mouth Park. Do not use the river as a restroom!
- Respect the rights of private property owners along the river and creeks.
First Responders
Little River Canyon National Preserve has a small staff – when an incident occurs, regardless of a staff members official job title, everyone pulls together and participates during an emergency in the following ways:
- Assisting the injured person
- Clearing the area of bystanders
- Clearing parking areas for first responder/helicopter access
- Traffic control
- Rope/litter teams
A swift and successful treatment/rescue/recovery operation would not be possible without the cooperation of the highly trained professionals of the following agencies:
Local Agencies:
- Fischer Rescue Squad
- Fort Payne Fire Department
- DeKalb Ambulance Service
- Floyd Emergency Medical Services
- Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department
- Dogtown Volunteer Fire Department
- Broomtown Volunteer Fire Department
- Tuckers Chapel Volunteer Fire Department
- Cherokee County Rescue Squad
- Morgan Country Rescue Squad
- DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
- Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
- Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency
- DeKalb Emergency Management Agency
State Agencies:
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- De Soto State Park
Additional Facts
According to a Forbes article from December 2, 2020, Little River Canyon National Preserve made a list of the “Deadliest Parks in America” in the #5 position (average deaths per 10 million visitors).
There have been 16 Loss of Life incidents at Little River Canyon National Preserve since 2016
- 11 of those were drownings
- 6 Hispanic
- 4 White/Non-Hispanic
- 1 Black/African-American
UGA Says "Brood X" Cicadas Returning This Year
It has been 17 years since a set of billions of periodical cicadas emerged from their underground chambers and filled the air with boisterous buzzing and desperate mating calls. Brood X (pronounced ten), the largest emergence of the dozen periodical broods, makes its highly anticipated return just in time to shake up the spring in various regions spanning from northern Georgia all the way to Pennsylvania.
“The average person only gets about four or five opportunities during their entire lifetime to experience Brood X,” said Nancy Hinkle, cicada enthusiast and professor of veterinary entomology at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “It is just amazing that you have this large number of the same species of insect emerging at the same time.”
Secretary Of State Defends Georgia's New Voting Law
Georgia’s Secretary of State is supporting the new voting law passed by the Georgia General Assembly, while still defending the integrity of the 2020 election he oversaw.
In comments made this week to NPR, Brad Raffensperger called the new changes, “positive, solid, measured election reforms.” Raffensperger praised the parts of the law that add new ID requirements for absentee voting, expanded access to early in-person voting, shorter runoff period times and reduced wait times.
“It’s really something that is a very broad-based, uniform process and is going to, I think, ensure that we have faster runoffs and making sure we have very objective measures for absentee ballots, for identification of those voters, so that it restores confidence,” Raffensperger said.
Breaking And Entering Causes Property Damage
On Tuesday of this week, Chattooga County Sheriff Deputies responded to a potential breaking and entering in Cloudland.
Deputies responded to a call at an Atlanta Ave address where they met with Thomas and Whitney Bass who stated that someone had broken open the front door to their home. When they left Whitney stated that she had shut and locked the door, and turned off the lights. Deputies noted a footprint on the front door along with a damaged door frame, as if someone had attempted to kick the door in.
Inside the home both Thomas and Whitney stated that some cabinets and a bookcase had been looked through, but initially nothing appears to have been taken. Deputies asked the Bass’ to check the home more thoroughly to make sure that nothing had been taken and to let the Sheriffs office know if they discovered anything. A report was placed on file and extra patrol requested for that area.
Non Working Trailer Lights Leads To Arrests For Methamphetamine
A trailer with no working taillights lead to the arrest of two people for possession of Methamphetamine earlier this week.
This past Wednesday, while out on patrol Chattooga County Sheriff Deputies observed an SUV pulling a trailer that had no working taillights on it. After stopping the SUV near Tate Road in Trion, Deputies spoke with the driver, Mr. Billy Ray White who appeared visibly nervous while speaking with Deputies. After running both White and the passenger, Jill Nevada Nichols, information through GCIC/NCIC it was determined that Billy White was on probation so Deputies asked permission to search the SUV. White stated it wasn’t his vehicle but instead belonged to Jill Nichols. Nichols gave Deputies permission to search which lead to a discovery of a clear, crystal like substance scattered across the drivers seat. Deputies also discovered a similar substance on Nichols hands when placing her under arrest. After trying to claim it was candy, both substances field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Deputies placed both White and Nichols under arrest and transported them to the Chattooga County Jail. The SUV and trailer were towed.
GA DOT Says Lane Closures On Taylor's Ridge Will Continue Next Week
WHAT: Weather permitting, crews will continue to repair the roadway at Taylor Ridge on Highway 27. The work next week will require a lane closure with traffic being led by a pilot car.
WHEN: Monday, April 12 through Friday, April 16, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. each day.
WHERE: The southbound lane of Highway 27 at Taylor Ridge will be closed. Traffic will be paced in each direction through the area with a pilot car.
- Advisory: Motorists are advised to expect delays, exercise caution, and reduce their speed while traveling through work zones. Before heading out, get real-time information on work status and traffic conditions. Call 511, visit 511ga.org, or download the Georgia 511 app. Our maintenance team members who repair roads and bridges and our project teams who oversee construction projects are continuing their essential work, while following sanitary work practices prescribed by health agencies to protect themselves and the public from the coronavirus, as are most state DOTs in the U.S.
DPH Halts Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccinations At One Georgia Site
Out of an abundance of caution, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the North Health District are pausing COVID vaccinations using the J&J (Janssen) vaccine at the Cumming Fairgrounds site. Eight people experienced adverse reactions after being vaccinated on Wednesday. One person was evaluated at a hospital and released, the others were monitored at the site and sent home.
The reactions were consistent with common reactions in adults being vaccinated with any vaccine, but due to the number of individuals affected, the site stopped the J&J vaccinations to evaluate. There were 425 J&J vaccines administered at the site on Wednesday, and tens of thousands of J&J doses have been given statewide with no adverse reactions.
“There is no reason to believe there is anything wrong with the vaccine itself, and other individuals who have received the J&J vaccine should not be concerned,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., DPH commissioner. “We are looking into what happened and what may have caused the reactions, including the conditions at the fairgrounds such as heat and the ability to keep the site cool.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is evaluating the incidents in Georgia and three other states – Iowa, Colorado, and North Carolina. CDC has analyzed the vaccine lots and has not found any reason for concern.
For updates on COVID-19, follow @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook.
Ricky Skaggs Receives High School Diploma - 50 Years Later
Earning 12 #1 hit singles, 15 GRAMMY® Awards, 13 IBMA Awards, nine ACM Awards, eight CMA Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), two Dove Awards, the ASCAP Founders Award, three honorary Doctorate degrees, inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame, IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, National Fiddler Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, and GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the 2013 Artist-In-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in the Instrumentalist category along with countless other awards, Ricky Skaggs is truly a pioneer of Bluegrass and Country music. Since he began playing music over 60 years ago, Skaggs has released more than 30 albums and has performed thousands of live shows. He started his own record label, Skaggs Family Records, in 1997 and has since released 12 consecutive GRAMMY®-nominated albums. His latest release, Hearts Like Ours, with his wife, celebrated artist Sharon White of The Whites features the couple dueting on handpicked country love songs. And the Grand Ole Opry member has released his first-ever autobiography, “Kentucky Traveler.” The book details the life and times of Skaggs and provides a descriptive history of Country and Bluegrass music, as told by the master himself. In addition to his regular touring schedule with his band, Kentucky Thunder, he has added country tour dates as he plugs in and plays full shows of his chart-topping hits. Skaggs was a 2020 recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government.
For more information on Ricky Skaggs, visit rickyskaggs.com.
Arrest Report - Friday - April 9, 2021
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, April 9, 2021:
BBB Warns Of Stimulus Check Scam
The Better Business Bureau also warns scammers are looking to play on your COVID-19 fears, including stealing your stimulus check.
Criminals are posing as a representative calling from the Social Security Office. The BBB warns the bad guys know how to trick your caller ID. So while the call may look legitimate, remember no one from the Social Security Office, law enforcement, or the Internal Revenue Service is going to call you and ask for personal information over the phone.
When it comes to emails and text messages, consumers should be leery of any that have instructions encouraging you to click a link to “request benefit payments,” according to the Better Business Bureau. Also be wary of any messages asking you to “verify” your personal information, according to the BBB.
Anyone who suspects they’re being targeted by scammers should report it to both authorities and the BBB.
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Could Open In Georgia Under New Law
The Atlanta Journal- Constitution reported yesterday that thirty medical marijuana oil dispensaries could open across Georgia once companies start producing the drug, under a bill that passed the General Assembly.
The legislation would set a limit on the number of dispensaries for the first time as companies prepare to begin producing medical marijuana oil in Georgia. Senate Bill 195 is awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature or veto.
The bill would bring Georgia one step closer to providing a legal way for about 15,000 registered patients to buy a medicine that they’re already allowed to consume. State law has permitted use of medical marijuana oil since 2015, but it remained against the law to purchase it.
The bill was one of the last approved by the General Assembly before it adjourned March 31. It passed the Senate 43-9, and the House voted 164-2.
AJC / GNN
Commissioner Says New Menlo Dump Site In The Works
Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry says that a new site for a trash drop-off convenience center is in the works for residents in the Menlo area.
Earlier this year, Commissioner Elsberry announced that the Menlo dump site would be closed. At first, it was thought the site would close at the end of February, but Commissioner Elsberry was able to get an extension to the end of March. The site on Highway 48 across from the Menlo Barn Dance closed on March 31st.
The commissioner says that he has a new site for the convenience center, but it will take about a month to finalize plans for the new facility. The exact location has not been disclosed.
In the mean time, residents in the Menlo and Cloudland areas will need to bring their trash to the county transfer station located on Stockade Road in Summerville.
Drug Task Force Bust
An investigation at a home in the Villanow area netted the seizure of four pounds of meth and three arrests, according to reports from law enforcement.
Agents with the Drug Task Force, LaFayette Street Crimes Unit and the Dalton Narcotics Unit entered a house on Joe Roberson Road Monday, finding ecstasy, marijuana and a stolen truck out of Meigs County, Tennessee.
Thomas Garrison, 73 of Dalton, was charged with trafficking meth and possession with intent to distribute
Michael Lynch, 33 of Chatsworth, was charged with possession of meth and marijuana with intent to distribute and theft by receiving stolen property
Donald Mark Brown, 49 of LaFayette, was charged with meth possession.
Additional charges are pending.
T Graham Brown To Perform In Bremen, Georgia Saturday
“Mr. Country Soul” T. Graham Brown will be in concert this weekend at Milltown Music Hall in Bremen, Georgia. The iconic country crooner spoke with WZQZ Radio this week about the upcoming show and shared his excitement about performing after a year of social distancing shut down live music venues across the country.
Brown said, “You know, it’s been a strange time to be a performer. About this time last year everything dried up and we weren’t able to get out and get on the road to perform for folks. So I’m just thrilled that this weekend we will be back in Georgia and playing before a live audience.” Brown made the comments to WZQZ as he prepared for the upcoming show on Saturday. He added, “I always look forward to coming home to Georgia and performing, but this year its even more exciting because of all we’ve all been through over the past year.”
T. Graham, a Georgia native who now spend most of his time in Nashville, said that he has played Mill Town Music Hall several times in the past, and usually he was paired with Jimmy Fortune, formerly with The Statler Brothers, but this year’s show in Bremen has him teaming up with another country music star. Brown said that he excited to be on the same stage as Lee Roy Parnell this weekend. Parnell is known for his string of over 20 Billboard-charted country hits like “The Rock”, “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am” and “Tender Moment.”
T. Graham Brown is no strange to the top of the country music charts himself. He has charted over twenty top-twenty country hits in his career.
There are only a handful of tickets left for Saturday’s performance at Mill Town Music Hall. You can find out more information here.
