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Arrest Report - Wednesday March 3, 2021

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday March 3, 2021:

Summerville Resident Receives Leash Law Citation After Dogs Kill Cats

A Summerville man was issued a leash law citation last week after his two dogs escaped and killed at least one cat.

Last Saturday Summerville Police Officers received a call that two dogs, described as Pit bull Dogs, had a cat and appeared to be harming it. Officers arrived and located the dogs, however when Animal Control arrived the dogs had managed to run off.

Sometime later, a second call came into the City Police and stated that the dogs were on Pink Dogwood Circle and had killed a cat there. Animal Control was able to locate the dogs this time, and they were taken to the local animal shelter.

The owner was located and a citation was issued for a leash law violation.

Rep. Eddie Lumsden Gives Week 7 Update From State Capitol

In his weekly updated from the State Capitol, Rep. Eddie Lumsden highlights the bills in consideration to be voted on before the upcoming “Crossover Day”. Rep. Lumsden and his colleagues passed House Bill 307 which looks to extend telehealth services for health care providers. This bill will restrict insurances from requiring additional deductibles and co pays for these services, while striving to maintain current record keeping practices for telehealth visits. House Resolution 119, honoring retired U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, who served for 43 years, was unanimously adopted. The Resolution would dedicate the bridge on State Route 307 over the Georgia Ports Authority Mega Rail Site in Chatham County as the Senator Johnny Isakson Bridge. You can read Rep. Eddie Lumsdens’ full update below.

Legislative Update

Week Seven

On Monday, February 22, we returned to the State Capitol for the seventh week of the 2021 legislative session. Monday marked the halfway point of the session, and this week was our busiest yet as we geared up for the impending “Crossover Day” deadline. From expanding access to health care to looking after some of our more vulnerable residents, the House examined a myriad of legislative initiatives this week that are important to Georgians. At the beginning of the week, my colleagues and I passed House Bill 307 to authorize health care providers to continue to provide telehealth services from home and patients to receive telehealth services from their home, workplace or school even after the pandemic is over. This legislation would also allow for audio-only care via phone call under certain circumstances, such as a lack of broadband connection. To extend insurance coverage for telehealth services, HB 307 would prohibit insurers from requiring separate deductibles or an in-person consultation before paying for a virtual appointment and restrict insurers from requiring providers to use a specific telehealth platform or vendor. Likewise, insurers could not restrict the prescribing of medications through telehealth that are more restrictive than what is currently required under state and federal law for in-person prescribing. Further, this bill would require providers to maintain documentation of each virtual health care appointment in a manner that is as extensive and thorough as their documentation for in-person visits. Throughout the pandemic, health care providers across the country have utilized telehealth services to continue to treat patients while COVID-19 has limited in-person options, especially for mental and behavioral health treatment. Many Georgians have benefited from these safe and convenient types of appointments, and HB 307 would ensure that Georgians can continue to receive this type of care for years to come.

We honored a great Georgian this week through the unanimous adoption of House Resolution 119, which would recognize and honor retired U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, who served our state and country with distinction for 43 years. This bipartisan measure would dedicate the bridge on State Route 307 over the Georgia Ports Authority Mega Rail Site in Chatham County as the Senator Johnny Isakson Bridge. Senator Isakson’s commitment to growing our state’s economic footprint could not be more apparent than in his work to guarantee federal funding for the Port of Savannah. During his time as a leader in Washington, D.C., Isakson secured major federal funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and the Mason Mega Rail Yard, which has ensured the efficient movement of goods through the state. Renaming this bridge is an abundantly fitting way to pay tribute to this outstanding Georgian

who spent his life bettering our state through economic opportunities like the Georgia Ports Authority system.

Additionally, the House passed House Bill 437 to require gas station employees to dispense gas to vehicles that have a special disability permit displayed when the disabled driver is not accompanied by someone who can provide adequate assistance at the gas pump. Gas stations would be required to have a working phone number that answered by an employee during the hours of operation in order for customers to request assistance. If a request is made

when a second employee is not present, the gas station would not be required to provide assistance but would be encouraged to do so when able. A decal or sticker would be affixed to each pump across the state that clearly displays the international symbol of accessibility, a blank for the gas station to fill in the phone number to reach an attendant and wording to instruct these drivers to call for assistance. This legislation would help make these necessary trips to the gas station less burdensome and more accessible to some of our disabled drivers.

House Bill 442 was also passed by the House this week, and this legislation highlights the prevalence of social media in today’s society. Currently, Georgia’s child custody laws require one or both parents to be responsible with decision-making authority for a child’s education, health, extracurricular activities and religious upbringing. If parents agree, these matters should be decided jointly, or, if there is disagreement, they must together decide how to resolve the situation. HB 442 would require parents to also include social media management in their joint

parenting plan. As technology and social media have evolved, they have become much more customary in our children’s daily lives, and this bill would allow our child custody laws to remain relevant with the ever changing technology in our world.

My colleagues and I received news from Governor Brian Kemp this week that the state is poised to expand Georgia’s COVID-19 vaccine priority list to include teachers and school staff. Starting March 8, all of Georgia’s pre-k and K-12 teachers and school staff, as well as Department of Early Care and Learning staff, will join the state’s Phase 1A+ group, which currently consists of those who are 65 and older, first responders, health care workers and staffers and residents of long-term facilities. In addition to Georgia teachers and school staff, the state will also expand vaccination access to adults with mental and developmental disabilities and their caregivers and children with complex health issues plus their caretakers. The state also recently launched four state-operated mass vaccination sites across Georgia in Bibb, Dougherty, Fulton and Habersham counties. The governor and our state’s public health leaders have taken to heart the calls to expand vaccination efforts to more Georgians and have been advocating for

increased vaccine allocations from the federal government, which should also continually

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 House Bill 149 , which would allow Subchapter “S” corporations and partnerships to

make an irrevocable decision on an annual basis to pay income taxes at the entity

level instead of the individual shareholder or partner level;

 House Bill 150 , which would prohibit governmental entities from adopting any policy

that prohibits the connection or reconnection of any utility service based on the type

of energy or fuel source;

 House Bill 152 , which would allow the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education

Commission to use alternative methods to review renewal applications to operate

submitted by institutions that are in good standing with an accrediting agency

recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; such alternative methods would be

deemed appropriate by the commission’s executive director;

 House Bill 156 , which would require utilities and state and local governmental

agencies to report cyber-attacks to the director of the Georgia Emergency

Management and Homeland Security Agency; these reports would not be subject to

public inspection or disclosure;

 House Bill 161 , which would remove a provision in Georgia law that requires

downtown development authorities to exist in perpetuity;

 House Bill 179 , which would update the design for an existing license plate

supporting breast cancer related programs; create a specialty license plate supporting

the fight against cancer; and create a specialty license plate supporting members of

the armed forces;

 House Bill 210 , which would clarify the types of vehicles that are exempt from the

requirement of disclosing odometer mileage on title certificates;

 House Bill 218 , which would allow reciprocity for any state’s weapons carry license

as long as the holder carries according to Georgia’s laws, and the bill would update

the governor’s emergency powers in regards to seizing or prohibiting the possession

and sale of legal weapons and ammunition;

 House Bill 234 , which would be known as the “Self-funded Healthcare Plan Opt-in to

the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act” and would allow for self-funded

health care plans to annually elect to participate in the Surprise Billing Consumer

Protection Act; participating plans would notify the Department of Insurance (DOI)

and could join at the beginning of each year or first day of the plan, and the DOI
website would list these participating plans;

 House Bill 241 , which would allow the deduction of benefits paid from any

cancellation refund of a service contract to the customer, and it would permit

contracts for the replacement of lost, stolen or inoperable key fobs to cover excess

wear and use charges at the end of a lease;

 House Bill 245 , which would amend state law regarding fingerprint and criminal

background checks used for the practice of podiatry by requiring satisfactory results

from a fingerprint records check for new license applicants and reinstatements, not

license renewals;

 House Bill 271 , which would authorize the Department of Community Health to

assess one or more provider matching payments on a sub-class of ambulance services

as defined by the Board of Community Health;

 House Bill 273 , which would allow local jurisdictions to enact an ordinance that

would trigger a special election for whether the local jurisdiction should allow

applications for package stores that sell distilled spirits;

 House Bill 275 , which would require firefighters to submit to random drug testing at

least biannually for the first two years of being licensed or certified;

 House Bill 286 , which would prohibit counties and municipalities from reducing their

police force budgetary appropriations by more than five percent unless specified

conditions exist;

 House Bill 289 , which would allow for specified exemptions, such as military

service, to the requisite qualifications for receiving a Class D or Class C driver’s

license in Georgia;

 House Bill 292 , which would remove the requirement for a member of a county board

of equalization to complete 20 hours of instruction in appraisal and equalization

processes and procedures during the first year following the completion of each term

of office;

 House Bill 305 , which would change the definition of a board-recognized massage

therapy educational program to require that the program be approved by a national

massage therapy certifying organization or a similar entity approved by the Georgia

Board of Massage Therapy; continuing education for massage therapy would require

that instructors be approved by and in good standing with a national massage therapy
certifying organization;

 House Bill 306 , which would allow the board of directors of a corporation to hold

annual and special shareholder meetings by means of remote communication unless

otherwise provided by the corporation’s by-laws or articles of incorporation;

 House Bill 336 , which would make changes to hemp farming laws to ensure

compliance with federal laws and regulations, including requiring prospective

growers and processors to submit one set of classifiable fingerprints for the purpose

of conducting a search of records;

 House Bill 338 , which would clarify the qualifications for receiving a veterans’

driver’s license;

 House Bill 342 , which would prohibit any person from advertising as a master

plumber or journeyman plumber without first obtaining a license from the Division of

Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers;

 House Bill 354 , which would require that any complaints received by the State Board

of Cemeterians be investigated within 30 days of receipt, and if that investigation

finds any potential violations of state or federal criminal law, then the board would

provide notice of those potential illegalities to the attorney general’s office and the

local sheriff’s office within seven days;

 House Bill 362 , which would allow .30 caliber and larger guns to be used during

primitive hunts; allow for bag limits for the Deer Management Association program;

make clear hybrid varieties of different fish species are covered by Georgia

harvesting laws;

 House Bill 367 , which would provide the annual narcotics and drug update for

Schedules I, II, III, IV, and V controlled substances to capture new synthetic opiates

and synthetic marijuana;

 House Bill 370 , which would provide term limits for members of joint hospital

authorities of 12 years or three consecutive terms, including any partial term,

whichever is longer; this bill would only apply to the Fulton and DeKalb County

hospital authorities, and it would restrict these hospital authorities from utilizing

revenues to perform any power or duty delegated in a lease;

 House Bill 374 , which would amend Georgia law regarding exemptions from sales

and use taxes by adding an exemption for sales to an authority that provides public
water or sewer service;

 House Bill 384 , which would authorize law enforcement to issue a citation to a

vehicle owner, rather than the driver, in specified instances and when the vehicle

owner is present at the time of the citation issuance;

 House Bill 395 , which would enter Georgia into the Professional Counselors

Licensure Compact if required legislation is passed in 10 total U.S. states;

E

 House Bill 409 , which would establish the Judicial Legal Defense Fund Commission

to facilitate state-funded legal representation to justices of the Supreme Court and

judges of the Court of Appeals, the Georgia State-wide Business Court and superior

courts when such judges are sued for actions taken regarding their official duties;

 House Bill 449 , which would revise the “Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act” in

order to enhance the processes for location requests of underground utility facilities or

infrastructure; it also would require that 9-1-1 be contacted if an excavator damages a

gas or hazardous liquid pipeline;

 House Bill 455 , which would allow local boards of education to use small motor

vehicles that seat eight passengers or less to transport students;

 House Bill 458 , which would require all newly appointed board members of the

Georgia Composite Medical Board to participate in training and education to support

greater understanding of sexual misconduct, sexual boundaries and impacts of trauma

and implicit bias within three months of such appointment;

 House Bill 488 , which would raise the minimum salary and compensation of chief

magistrates and clerks of magistrate court;

 House Bill 509 , which would require every insurer delivering or issuing for delivery

comprehensive individual major medical health insurance policies in Georgia to make

at least one reasonably priced comprehensive major medical health insurance policy

available to residents in the insurer’s approved services areas of Georgia;

 House Resolution 77 , which would support the creation of a state cemetery for

veterans in Augusta-Richmond County;

 House Resolution 142 , which would create a conveyance resolution for certain state

owned properties located in Hall, Baldwin and Columbia counties;
 House Resolution 143 , which would authorize the granting of non-exclusive

easements for the construction, operation and maintenance of facilities, utilities and

roads on state properties in the following counties: Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Camden,

Chatham, Glynn, Harris, Macon, Montgomery, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Rabun,

Talbot, Troup, Walton, Ware and Washington.

In addition to passing legislation the House also take time to honor and remember the lives of

notable Georgians. Speaker David Ralston and I came to the Well of the House and recognized

the life of Chattooga County Resident and nationally know lawyer Mr. Bobby Lee Cook. His

passing brings sorrow but his remarkable life is a colorful chapter in the history of this great

state. His legacy will long be remembered.

As “Crossover Day” draws near, we will continue to vote on meaningful House

legislation before we start the process of reviewing Senate bills. I encourage you to reach out to

me with any comments or questions about legislation that is important to you, your family and

our community. My capitol office number is 404-656-7850, and you can reach me directly via

email at eddie.lumsden@house.ga.gov.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative for House District

12.

Eddie Lumsden
___

Catalytic Convertor and Oxygen Sensors Stolen From Car While Being Repaired

After being repaired, a Chattooga County womans’ car came back missing its’ catalytic convertor and oxygen sensors.

Last Saturday Chattooga County Deputies escorted two men to Gilreath Mill Road, Cloudland to inquire about retrieving a vehicle that was being worked on at a residence.

The vehicle, a Chevy Equinox, was being worked on by William Jones who had promised to have the vehicle completed in 3 hours but after 48 hours it was still not completed. Upon arriving, Jones was found to be working on the vehicle but promised to be done within 10 minutes so Deputies left.

A later call came in stating that the vehicle was not finished in 10 minutes, it actually took several hours later, and when picked up the Chevy broke down just several miles down the road. Arriving at the broken down vehicle, the owner started the SUV for Deputies to demonstrate the new, loud noise it was making. It did not make this noise prior to being repaired. Inspection by the Deputies discovered that the Catalytic convertor had been taken off, as well as oxygen sensors. The convertor had been replaced with a mesh type material that vented the exhaust straight out under the car, instead of out of the back.

Deputies went back to speak with Jones who stated he had no knowledge of what had happened to the car and he was not a thief. He invited Deputies to look around but they declined due to the state of the yard with several disabled cars. Deputies did search the immediate area where the SUV had previously been but did not find anything conclusive. Jones was the only individual in possession of the Chevy when the parts were removed.

Pine Ridge Is Hiring For The Spring Season

Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply is looking to hire additional help for the busy Spring Season.

Pine Ridge has posted an ad for help in the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce newsletter. Per the post:

We are looking for some temporary help ASAP for our busy Spring Season.

*Must be available Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat

*We cannot work around a school schedule.

*Transportation is required.

*We do random drug testing.

*You must be able to read.

*Heavy lifting is a must.

*Pay will depend on your abilities.

Come by Pine Ridge in Lyerly & fill out an application.

Health Inspection Scores For The Second Half Of February 2021

Here are the Health Inspection Scores from the second half of February 2021,

SUBWAY 13814

9880 COMMERCE ST SUMMERVILLE, GA 30747
Phone Number:
Permit Type: FS
Last Inspection Score: 92
Last Inspection Date: 02-26-2021
For More Information Call: (706) 857-3377

JAMES H. FLOYD STATE PARK
2800 SLOPPY FLOYD LAKE RD SUMMERVILLE, GA 30747
Phone Number:
Permit Type: TA
Last Inspection Score: 100
Last Inspection Date: 02-23-2021
For More Information Call: (706) 857-3377

SUMMERVILLE TRADE DAY CAFE
100 HENRY BRANCH RD SUMMERVILLE, GA 30747
Phone Number:
Permit Type: FS
Last Inspection Score: 82
Last Inspection Date: 02-23-2021
For More Information Call: (706) 857-3377

Should you ever have any complaint with any food service or tourist accommodation that operates in Chattooga County, you can register that complaint by calling the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department at 706-857-3377.

Tax Commissioner Sells 9 Properties On Tuesday

Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton held a tax sale, as prescribed by law, on the first Tuesday of March.

Out of 31 properties originally sent to the March 2021 tax sale, 9 properties were sold to the highest bidder, and 2 properties received no bids and were bid into the county.

$7167.70 was collected in taxes and fees from this sale, plus an additional $1791.99 in excess funds.

62 delinquent properties have been sent to the next tax sale, which will occur on April 6, 2021.

Trion Woman Being Investigated For Voter Fraud

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has named a Trion woman as one of several people across the state being investigated for voter fraud in the 2020 Election.

The Secretary of State maintains that there was no “wide-spread voter fraud” in Georgia, but that his office is investigating incidences of voter fraud that have been reported.

The Chattanooga Times-Free Press reported this week that Sherry Cook of Trion is being investigated for submitting a ballot to the Chattooga County Registrars Office that was in the name of her deceased husband, Donald Ennis Cook. Mr. Cook had died in August of last year at the age of 49.

The Chattooga County Registrars Office reported the fraudulent ballot to the Secretary of State’s office and to local law enforcement.

The investigation by the Secretary of State’s office is continuing.

Habitat 5K & Health Walk

Habitat for Humanity Coosa Valley Chapter is sponsoring a 5K and Health Walk. The Coosa Valley Chapter serves Chattooga, Floyd and Polk Counties. The fundraiser will be held on May 1, 2021 and will take place at the Rome Braves Stadium. Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization that provides affordable housing. To find out more, you can visit www.habitatcoosavalley.org

Trion Fire Department Recognizes Chief Lowe

To recognize the dedication of all the countless hours spent training and responding to emergencies, the Trion Firefighter with the highest percentage for each month receives a gift of appreciation. For the month of February, Trion Fire, was dispatched to a total of 30 calls and hosted 8 hours of in house training. Chief, Justin Lowe, answered 28 out of 30 calls dispatched and attended all 8 hours of training.

Trion Fire Department Facebook Page

One Person Dead In Cherokee County Fire

One person has died in a house fire occurring early Tuesday morning on County Road 632. County Road 632 is east of Cedar Bluff near the Floyd County, Georgia line.

Around 4:30 Alabama time, units of the Gaylesville, Broomtown, Cedar Bluff and Centre Fire Departments responded to reports of a structure fire at the location; the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Floyd EMS also responded.

Emergency personnel reportedly arrived to find the home already fully involved in flames.

Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald confirmed that the victim, whose name has yet to be released, was a female.

The State Fire Marshals Office and the Cherokee County Fire Investigator also responded to the scene. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

We’ll have more information as it’s made available.

GNTC Aviation Maintenance Technology Student Awarded Scholarship From Women In Aviation International

For a student trying to reinvent her career, a $2,500 scholarship can help pay tuition costs and allow Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) major Theresa Harper to focus on her studies.

Harper received word that she earned the Helicopter Association International Women in Aviation International (HAI/WAI) Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship in early February. The AMT student said the award is a relief as she continues her career transition from accounting to aviation repair.

The 41-year-old has spent most of her career in an office doing accounting work, until one day she decided it was time for a change.

“I have always loved looking at planes,” Harper said. “There was a US Air Force base behind my house as a kid and I would just sit and watch the planes in the sky.”

The aviation maintenance student discovered the field of aircraft repair in June of 2019 through a Delta Airlines mechanic who lived next to her sister. Steve Barding, who just celebrated his 30^th work anniversary at Delta, showed Harper how to replace landing gear parts on his personal plane and brought her along on a few flights.

“I had never done anything like that before, so it was a bit of a challenge,” she said. “It turns out it was something I really enjoyed doing.”

Later that year, Harper found a job at a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified repair station in Thomaston, Ga. She began spending her days using a grinder to remove corrosion from airplane parts, a big change from crunching numbers.

“The station manager said he would hire this career accountant to work in his hangar,” she said laughing. “I was having fun even though it was still really new to me.”

During her time working at the repair station, Harper began to consider making a career change from accounting to aviation maintenance and began looking into programs around the state. After driving to Marietta, she made the trip to GNTC to get more information on the program.

“I drove to Rome on a hunch and now I am at the best aviation school in the state,” Harper said. “I am in class full-time and while I do a few side gigs school is my life.”

The AMT student said she loves using tools and troubleshooting repairs in the GNTC Aviation Training Center labs. She has to do a little extra studying to make sure she stays on track, but considers herself fortunate to be able to focus solely on her technical training. After graduation, she hopes to get her pilot’s license and start a full-time career repairing aircraft.

“Theresa is a great student and is showing signs of being on-track for a very successful career in aircraft maintenance,” said Jon Byrd, director of Aviation Maintenance Technology at GNTC. “Theresa and her classmates are on track to meet their eligibility for the FAA Mechanic Certificate and Airframe Rating before the end of fall semester later this year.”

Byrd said this is the second year in a row an AMT student has received a scholarship from the WAI. In 2020, Stephanie Tarbous received a scholarship from the organization which helped pay for her tuition.

“What a lot of students don’t understand is scholarship money is out there and in some cases it goes unclaimed,” he said. “I am thrilled Theresa and Stephanie took the time to seek out the WAI scholarships and received recognition for their hard work.”

According to Women in Aviation International CEO Allison McKay, the organization has awarded over $415,000 to more than 100 recipients of all ages in 2021. WAI will recognize scholarship winners during the 32nd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, which will be held virtually, March 11-12.

“WAI scholarships have helped thousands of girls and women take significant steps toward making their aviation dreams a reality,” said McKay. “The scope of scholarships available spans all the aviation specialties, with awards available for WAI members of all ages and stages of life. We know that scholarships change lives, and we are thrilled to support more than 100 winners in WAI2021.”

The HAI/WAI Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship award provides $2,500 to applicants who are in training to become aviation maintenance technicians. Applicants must already be enrolled in a maintenance technician certificate program at an FAA-approved Part 147 school or international equivalent.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of Northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 11,820 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,591 students and an additional enrollment of 3,229 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Georgia Power Seeks To Reduce Outage Times

The average outage time for Georgia Power customers was 42% less than the national average in 2019, according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. With severe storm weather possible throughout the year, the company’s comprehensive storm response plans help ensure the readiness of critical personnel and facilities necessary to continue providing the safe and reliable energy customers expect and deserve.

“We prepare every year knowing it will be nothing like the year before,” said Georgia Power’s Storm Center Director David Maske. “Our teams know firsthand the impacts severe weather can have on our customers, and we remain prepared to respond whenever we are called upon.”

In 2020 alone, the company responded to more than 26 severe weather events that impacted Georgia in a record-breaking storm season, with the most impactful storm Hurricane Zeta, which caused significant damage to Georgia Power’s distribution system leading to over 5,700 cases of damage and impacting over 822,000 customers. Zeta’s impacts were severe and were exacerbated when a strong cold front with gusty winds quickly followed behind the storm, less than 12 hours later. More than 4,000 Georgia Power personnel, with assistance from out-of-state utilities, were mobilized as part of the company’s restoration effort. Throughout 2020, Georgia Power crews responded to more than 22,650 outage events and replaced or repaired 8,500 spans of wire equal to nearly 400 miles of power lines.

Storm Response Pandemic Preparations

Georgia Power teams are prepared to respond to service interruptions that might occur because of severe weather while taking proactive actions including special “distancing” and other precautions to help protect customers and employees from the spread of the virus.

In the field, the power restoration process includes these key steps:

Assessing Conditions – Responding crews – or in major storms, damage assessment teams – work to identify trouble spots and the resources needed to fix them, which could involve coming onto customers’ property. Crews will employ appropriate distancing efforts and customers are asked to keep children and pets indoors and maintain safe distances from crew members as well.
Making Repairs – Georgia Power crews focus on repairs that return power to the greatest number of customers in the least amount of time.

Regardless of the storm season, Georgia Power encourages customers to keep safety first, with the following tips:

Before a Storm: Stay aware and check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Make plans for vulnerable family members who might have difficulty in a power outage. Turn off large appliances as power surges can overload them and charge cell phones in case you lose power.

During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors of electricity – appliances, metal objects and water.

After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including telephone or TV wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off of power lines yourself or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage.

For additional tools you can use to stay prepared for severe weather, visit www.Georgiapower.com/storm.

CDC "Tips From Former Smokers" Interview With GNN

The CDC in Atlanta is kicking off its annual “Tips From Former Smokers” campaign. The goal of the campaign, now in its tenth year, is to motivate people to quit smoking as early as possible. The CDC achieves this goal by showing people telling their personal stories about living with the devastating effects of smoking-related disease and disability.

GNN’s Matt McClure speaks with Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP).

You can hear the interview with Dr. Hacker here:

Explore Georgia Awards Grants To Support Tourism

Explore Georgia, the tourism division within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced today that it has awarded $20,000 in tourism product development grants to four new and expanding projects across the state.

“Georgia is an incredibly beautiful state. From the mountains to the coast, and from small towns to metropolitan cities, Georgia has destinations and experiences to satisfy the needs of every traveler, and we’re eager to welcome visitors who are ready to get out and explore,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Safely welcoming more tourists to Georgia will make a significant difference in our economic recovery from COVID-19. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide our partners with this additional funding.”

Recipients and projects receiving tourism development grants include:

Food Truck and RV Park, Claxton – A Food Truck Park will be developed in downtown Claxton. Existing greenspace with mature oak trees will have new benches and lighting added to create a pleasant outdoor dining experience. The venue will host a food truck festival and serve as a stop on the 25th annual Cruisin’ in the Countryside bike tour. The 2021 bike tour will be held on November 13. The space will also offer electrical and water hookups for short-term RV visitors, creating lodging downtown.
“Love Where You Live” Hearts public art, Douglasville – The “Love Where You Live” heart public art project invites local artists to create designs on fiberglass heart sculptures placed around the community. The artists will install painted heart sculptures in high-traffic areas to create photo opportunities for visitors.
South Georgia Food & Wine Festival, Jeff Davis County – South Georgia Food & Wine Festival grew from three smaller food truck events in Hazlehurst. The event will feature Georgia Grown foods, craft beer, wine, and music. The 2021 event will be held April 16-17.
Alleyway Restoration, Toccoa – The Alleyway Restoration project will include restoration work in accordance with historic preservation standards to two alleyways in downtown Toccoa. The alleyways will have bistro lighting added to make the space an outdoor entertainment and event area.

“It’s as important as ever to create and grow tourism products to help aid the recovery of our tourism industry and the broader economy,” said Deputy Commissioner of Tourism Mark Jaronski. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help communities expand and boost their appeal as a destination for tourists, encourage spending in local businesses, create jobs, and restore economic activity.”

The grant’s review panel consists of members from the public and private sector, as well as fellow professionals who are experienced in the tourism industry or the type of grant being reviewed.

Georgia Gas Prices Continue To Rise

Georgia gas prices increased at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.57 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 6 cents more than a week ago, 33 cents more than last month, and 29 cents more than this time last year.

It now costs motorists $38.55 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $1.65 more than what motorists paid in January of 2020, when pump prices hit their peak of $2.46 per gallon.

“Because U.S. crude production was offline due to the Gulf Coast winter storm we can expect gas prices to be impacted,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Georgians should anticipate pump prices to rise this coming week.”

NATIONAL AVERAGE CLIMBS AS CRUDE PRICES INCREASE

Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by 9 cents to $2.72. The national average continues to increase as crude prices march higher. Gas prices have also increased from longer-than-expected refinery outages due to last week’s winter storm that impacted the Gulf Coast. As refineries restart and resume normal operations, supply is expected to increase in impacted areas and should bring stability to pump prices.

At the close of last Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 31 cents to settle at $63.52 — the highest settlement price since May 2019. Crude prices have increased this week due to growing market optimism that as vaccines become more available, crude demand will recover. Prices continue to increase despite the Energy Information Administration’s new weekly report revealing that total domestic crude inventories increased by 1.3 million barrels last week, bringing the supply level to 463 million barrels. However, if market optimism continues to increase, crude prices will likely end the week higher.

REGIONAL PRICES

Atlanta ($2.57)

Most expensive Georgia metro markets – Savannah ($2.62), Brunswick ($2.61), and Valdosta ($2.58).
Least expensive Georgia metro markets – Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.51), Rome ($2.52), and Athens ($2.53).
Area gas prices – Chattooga ($2.52), Floyd ($2.54), Walker ($2.55), Gordon, ($2.55), DeKalb, AL ($2.48), Cherokee, AL ($2.35)

Arrest Report - Tuesday March 2, 2021

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday March 2, 2021:

Fatal Accident On Redmond Circle In Rome

A two vehicle accident at the intersection of Redmond Circle and West Butler Street resulted in the death of a father and son on Sunday.

According to Floyd County Deputy Coroner John Hamilton, 61 year-old Pompilio Cornejo and his 18 year-old son Jose Cornejo were killed when they were struck head on by a Chevrolet Tahoe.

Reports added that the Cornejo’s were pulling out of West Butler Street, less than a mile from their home, on Redmond Circle when they were struck by the northbound Tahoe.

Both Cornejo’s will be sent to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy.

The investigation is ongoing.

Check back later as more details become available.

CVN

OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down To Prevent Falls In Construction

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced today that it has scheduled the eighth annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction for May 3-7, 2021. OSHA encourages construction employers and other stakeholders to join the event to promote awareness and training to address one of the industry’s most serious dangers.
“Workers suffer serious and fatal injuries from falls and have a devastating impact on families and businesses,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health James Frederick. “This important collaboration with the construction industry encourages employers to learn how to better control fall-related hazards and improve their safety and health programs.”

OSHA developed the fall prevention campaign, as part of the national safety stand-down and in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Occupational Research Agenda, and The Center for Construction Research and Training. Since 2014, this collaboration has helped train nearly 10 million workers on fall prevention.

OSHA encourages everyone to use #StandDown4Safety to promote the event on social media, and to share feedback after their events and obtain a personalized certificate of participation.

OSHA’s Fall Prevention Stand-Down webpage offers a wide range of compliance resources in many languages, including Spanish, Polish, Russian and Portuguese.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

Pet Food Bank Available For Those In Need

The Community Resource Center of Chattooga in cooperation with Animal Advocates of Chattooga County is providing a pet food bank to families in need.

Quantities are limited. To receive pet food you must complete an application. You can go to the CRC website https://www.crcchattooga.com or to the CRC Chattooga Facebook page for the application. Pet food pick-up will be the 1st Tuesday of each month.

You will be contacted by CRC if you are selected to receive pet food assistance and given a time to come pick up your food. CRC is located at 301 7th St, Summerville GA.

For further info or questions contact CRC at crcchattooga@gmail.com or 706-509-0529.