CHS Rising Freshmen Night Wednesday January 29th

Parents of current ChattoogaCounty Schools 8th-grade students should mark their calendars for Rising Freshmen Night at CHS. The event will be held Wednesday, January 29th, at 6pm in the CHS cafeteria. The event will allow parents and students to meet 9th-grade teachers, learn about the curriculum and tour the school. For more information contact CHS Counselor Mrs. Barbara Wallace at 706-857-2402.

Arrest Report - Tuesday January 21, 2020

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, January 21, 2020:

Suspects Returned From Alabama To Floyd County Jail

Two men involved in a police chase that began in Rome and ended in Cherokee County, Alabama in October are now back in Floyd County to face numerous charges.

According to Floyd County Jail records, thirty-nine-year-old John Thomas Duvall Jr. and forty-five-year-old Bradley Keith Land, both of Rome, threw a 9 mm handgun and methamphetamine out of the vehicle during the attempted traffic stop on Drummond Drive.

Charges against the two men include abandonment of dangerous drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, among others.

Both Duvall and Land have been jailed in Alabama since they were caught in the Newberry’s Crossroads community after striking the rear end of a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.

WRGA

Rising Freshman Night At CHS

If you have a student that will be a Freshman next year at Chattooga High School, you want to mark your calendars for an event that will be held on Wednesday, January 29th at Chattooga High School.  “Rising Freshman Night” is for parents and guardians as well as students.  Your incoming Freshman will be able to meet the teachers, review the curriculum and hear from CHS Principal Emily Mobbs.  Plus, there will be a tour of the campus.  The event will take place at 6 PM.  You can see all the information below:

Town Of Trion Veterans Committee Meeting

The Town of Trion’s Veterans Committee will have a meeting in the Town Hall Conference Room this evening at 6 PM. Mayor Larry Stansell says, “If you have any questions or comments, please contact me or the Town Hall Office and we will get the information you request.”

American Red Cross Blood Drive Today In Trion

The American Red Cross has extended its urgent call for donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets. With influenza escalating across the country and preventing some donors from giving, and winter weather threatening to cancel blood drives, the Red Cross now has a critical shortage of type O blood and urgently needs donors to restock the shelves.

O so needed:

Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of type O blood available for patient emergencies and medical treatments. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. While just 7% of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, it can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Give Blood Today:

There will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive today at the Trion Recreation Department at 90 Dalton Street in Trion from 2 PM – 7 PM.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Georgia Gas Prices Continue To Fall

Georgia gas prices continue to decline at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.40 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 4 cents less than a week ago, 2 cents more than last month, and 30 cents more than this time last year.

It now costs $36.00 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $5.10 less than what motorists paid in April of 2019, when pump prices hit their peak of $2.74 per gallon.

“A healthy and growing level of domestic gasoline stocks alongside decreasing demand are two factors helping to minimize gas price fluctuations,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This is a welcome relief to Georgia motorists.”

Stock Growth and Low Demand Push National Average Down

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.55 per gallon, which is 3 cents less than last week, and 31 cents more than a year ago. Last week, gas demand hit 8.56 million barrels, according to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The current rate of demand is in line with last year’s rate seen in mid-January, a time that typically brings lower demand due to winter weather. EIA’s data also revealed that total domestic stocks of gasoline grew by 6.7 million barrels last week, bringing the total to 258.3 million barrels. Growing stocks — amid lower demand — have helped ease pump prices, lowering the national average. The trend is likely to continue through the weekend.

Regional Prices:

Atlanta ($2.41)

• Most expensive Georgia metro markets –Brunswick ($2.52), Savannah ($2.47), and Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.46).
• Least expensive Georgia metro markets – Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.30), Rome ($2.31), and Dalton ($2.32).
• Area average gas prices – Chattooga ($2.33), Walker ($2.30), Floyd ($2.31), Gordon ($2.31), DeKalb, Alabama ($2.31), Cherokee, Alabama ($2.22)

Affordable Microchips Available For Your Pets

My Kids Have Paws mobile unit will be in Chattooga County tomorrow, offering low-cost veterinary services. You need an appointment for spays and neuters, but vaccines are available for your pets on a walk-in basis.  Also, My Kids Have Paws can microchip your pet.  Lost pets are a big problem in our area and a microchip can help solve that problem of lost pets.

You can get your pet “microchiped” for only $10 and don’t need an appointment.  My Kids Have Paws will be parked at Grateful Paws at 5871 Trion-Teloga Road tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22nd.

You can find out more by visiting  My Kids Have Paws Facebook Page.

Northwest Georgia Corn & Soybean Production Meeting Scheduled

Agriculture is a driving force in our state’s economy, and all of Georgia’s 159 counties have agricultural producers that make agriculture the largest industry in our state.  Farm-gate values are the dollar amounts put on agricultural products, and here in Chattooga County our farm-gate values exceed $38 million.  The largest segment of agriculture in Chattooga County is beef cattle, followed by poultry, but row crops such as corn and soybeans are also a major contributor to the county’s farm-gate values.  Around 1,554 acres of corn are grown in Chattooga County and 1,198 acres of soybeans are planted.

A Northwest Georgia area corn and soybean production meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 3rd  from 9:30 AM – 2 PM at the Olim Tatum Agricultural Building, 320 W. Cherokee Ave. in Cartersville.

Bartow County Extension will host UGA specialists presenting topics including: corn and soybean plant disease management, weed management, insect pest management and agronomic practices. Pesticide credits will also be offered.

Pre-registration (lunch included) is due to Bartow County Extension by January 30the. There is no cost for the update.

To register or for more information contact Bartow Extension at 770-387-5142 or uge1015@uga.edu.

Work At Sewer Treatment Plant Nearing Completion

Photo Credit: The Summerville News

Back on January 3rd, Summerville Public Works Director Terry Tinney was called to the scene of a sinkhole that developed on Red Oak Road in Summerville near the Summerville Wastewater Treatment Plant.  It turns out, the sinkhole was caused by a collapsed 30-inch sewer line.  Tinney says that the old metal pipe had corroded and collapsed, causing a major problem for the City of Summerville.

The collapsed sewer line and manholes near the sewer line all had to be prepared, but quick thinking by Tinney saved the City of Summerville from a costly sewage spill.  Summerville City Manager Janice Galloway commended Tinney and his crew for being able to divert the sewage from the collapsed pipe to the wastewater treatment plant.  All of this problem is coming with a hefty price-tag for the city.

Terry Tinney told WZQZ News on Monday that he hasn’t added up how much the problem is going to cost the city, but at last count the bill was well over $170,000 – and that doesn’t include the overtime pay for city employees who manned the temporary pumps 24-hours a day.

The good news is the work is wrapping up at the site.  Tinney told WZQZ News on Monday, “It’s about 95% complete.  We just have some clean up left to do and we will have it complete.” Tinney said Red Oak Road off of Highway 100 will be reopened today, which means there will be access to the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.

The Animal Shelter has been closed for over two weeks and has been operating out of the offices of Chattooga County Public Works on Stockade Road until the repairs could be completed on Red Oak Road.

Arrest Report - Monday - January 20, 2020

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, January 20, 2020:

New Chattooga BOE Chair Not Sure If He's Running For A Full Term

Last week, the Chattooga County Board of Education voted to make Eddie Elsberry chairman.  Elsberry was elected by a 4-1 vote with board members Brad Hayes, Sammy Ballard and former Board Chair John Agnew voting in favor and Dr. Julia Houston opposing.  Elsberry, the only Democrat on the Board, told WZQZ News that he is looking forward to helping the school system and the board of education, but he’s still not sure if he will run for a full term in this year’s election.

Elsberry told WZQZ News that when he was appointed by the board to fill the unexpired term of John Turner, who abruptly resigned his post in 2019, his goad was to help the board find a new school superintendent and aid the current board with his previous experience on the board of education.  Elsberry had served on the Board of Education but chose not to seek re-election in 2012.

Elsberry says that he will make a decision about running for a full term in the upcoming days.

John Agnew will also have to make a decision about running for re-election this year.  Qualifying runs March 2 – 6th.

Colder Air Settles In Northwest Georgia

The last two weeks have been a mixed bag of stormy weather, rain and spring-like temperatures, but it looks like Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama are in for some colder, more January-type weather this week.

Much colder air settles into the area yesterday and it will stay in place through mid-week. A cold core upper low will swing through the region tonight and Tuesday morning. There is the chance that it might squeeze out one or two snow flurries, but the air will be extremely dry and if that happens there will be no impact.

Otherwise, look for sunny days and clear nights through Wednesday. Next chance of rain comes toward the end of the week… Thursday night and Friday.

If you’re looking for any snow or ice, you probably won’t see it for the rest of January, according to the long-range forecasts.

GNTC Instructors Nominated For Rick Perkins Award

Faculty and staff at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) have nominated seven of their peer instructors for the Rick Perkins Award of Excellence in Technical Instruction competition.

The Rick Perkins Award honors the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

Listed are the nominees for the 2020 award, including instructor’s name and program.

• Susan Bowman, Health Information Management Technology
• Donna Estes, Health Information Management Technology
• Wayne Henderson, Welding and Joining Technology
• Mandy Jones, General Education- English
• Gina Stephens, Business Technology- Healthcare
• Dick Tanner, Instrumentation and Controls
• Tracy Wimberley, Early Childhood Care and Education

“We are fortunate at Georgia Northwestern Technical College to have instructors who care so much about the students and the learning process,” said Beverly Padgett, GNTC Rick Perkins Coordinator. “These nominees continuously go beyond what is expected of them to not only meet but to surpass the needs of their students.”

Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the award was renamed in honor and memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death.

The Technical College System of Georgia provides oversight for the Rick Perkins Award programs through the system’s office, the college presidents’ Academic Affairs Committee and the state planning committee.

A screening committee at GNTC reviewed each of the nominated instructors and conducted personal interviews with the nominees. From the screening committee interviews, a winner will be chosen to represent the college as GNTC’s 2020 Rick Perkins winner and move on to the regional competition.

The winning instructor will be announced at the GOAL, Rick Perkins and EAGLE Presentation Awards Luncheon held Tuesday, Jan. 28, at noon at the Coosa County Club. The luncheon is sponsored by The Seven Hills Rotary Club, Rome Floyd Chamber and Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Low-Magnitude Earthquake Recorded In Northwest Georgia Sunday

Prison Sentence For Man At Fault In Accident That Killed Trion Man

A Shannon, Georgia man was sentenced to prison last week after pleading guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide in a 2018 wreck that killed a Trion resident.

Sixty-four-year-old Earnest Irvin Greenleaf entered the plea in Floyd County Superior Court.  On January 9, 2018, Greenleaf was the driver of a vehicle that struck another vehicle driven by Trion resident Charles E. Buddy Hammonds.

The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 27 and Highway 140 in Floyd County.  At the time of the accident, law enforcement said that Greenleaf was under the influence of alcohol and they found numerous beer cans inside the pickup truck driven by Greenleaf.  Subsequent blood-alcohol tests revealed Greenleaf’s blood-alcohol level at .0999 – well over the legal limit.  Greenleaf was charged with DUI, open container and serious injury by vehicle and failure to yield the right-of-way at the time of the accident.  He was later charged with vehicular homicide.

Greenleaf was sentenced to fifteen years in prison and must serve at least five of those years in a Georgia State Prison.

Greenleaf is charged with DUI, open container, serious injury by vehicle and failure to yield the right of way.

New Bill Would Give Preference To Georgia-Based Medical Students

The Georgia General Assembly will be considering a bill this year that would give preferential treatment to native Georgia residents that want to pursue a degree in medicine.  The state currently has nine-counties that do not have any physicians and many counties that lack medical specialists.

According to statistics, more than 380 doctors in rural Georgia plan to retire in the next five years.  In fact, Georgia will have to replace around 1,500 doctors in the next ten to fifteen years due to retirement.

State Representative Rick Jasperse, a Republican from Jasper, Georgia, has introduced a bill that would give added preference to native Georgians in state-funded residency programs.  The idea behind the bill is to retain medical students who graduate from high school and attend college in Georgia, but do their residency out-of-state; which often means the doctors never come back to Georgia.

While none of the counties that don’t have physicians are located in Northwest Georgia, Chattooga County has no full-time pediatric or OB-GYN doctors.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Today

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a Federal Holiday and banks and post offices along with most governmental offices will be closed today.  Also, Chattooga County Schools and Trion City Schools will be closed for the holiday.

Known as a “day of service”, MLK Day has seen a surge of volunteerism over the years.  However, Dr. King’s home city of Atlanta and home state of Georgia, rank rather low when it comes to volunteerism, that according to The Corporation for National and Community Service.  Barbara Stewart, the CEO of The Corporation for National and Community Service says Atlanta ranks number thirty-five in the nation when it comes to community service, and Georgia comes in at fort-four out of fifty states.

The Corporation for National and Community Service does encouraging people to look at MLK Day as a day “on” serving your community instead of a day “off.”

Yesterday, an ecumenical service was held at Cedar Springs Baptist Church in the Holland Community, honoring Dr. King.  There is a Freedom March scheduled for today in Rome with participants gathering at first street at 11 AM for the march at 11:30.  A program will follow at the Rome City Auditorium.

Kathy Floyd Appointed To Housing Authority Board

Former educator Kathy Floyd was appointed by the Summerville City Council to serve on the Housing Authority of the City of Summerville at last week’s City Council meeting.  Floyd will take over and fill the unexpired term of her father, the late Robert H. Floyd who passed away last September.  Ms. Floyd will serve the remainder of her father’s term which will end August 15th of this year.  The vote to appoint Ms. Floyd to the position was unanimous.

Arrest Report - Sunday - January 19, 2019

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, January 19, 2020: