Arrest Report - Tuesday - September 29, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, September 29, 2026:
Sunny, Warmer Weather Tuesday Before Rain Chances Return This Weekend
Sunshine and warmer temperatures are expected across Chattooga County Tuesday as dry high pressure remains in control of the weather.
The National Weather Service says Tuesday will be sunny with a high near 86 degrees. Northeast winds around 5 mph will become calm during the day. Tuesday night will be clear with a low around 57.
Very dry air will remain across North Georgia, with afternoon relative humidity potentially falling into the 25 to 30 percent range. Forecasters say those low humidity levels will continue to be monitored for possible increased fire danger.
Temperatures will climb even higher during the middle of the week. Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 89, while Thursday could reach 90 degrees. Those temperatures are well above normal for late September.
A change in the weather pattern is expected as the week comes to an end. Moisture will begin returning to the region, bringing a 40 percent chance of showers Friday and a 50 percent chance Saturday.
By Sunday, showers and thunderstorms are likely, with rain chances increasing to 60 percent and temperatures cooling to around 77 degrees.
The National Weather Service says Sunday will bear watching. Forecast models indicate the atmosphere could become more favorable for stronger thunderstorms, although forecasters note there are still differences between the models and details could change as the weekend approaches.
WZQZ News will continue to follow the forecast through the week.
EPD Investigating New Environmental Complaint At Chattooga County School Bus Garage
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is investigating a new complaint involving the Chattooga County Schools Transportation Department, while Superintendent Michelle Helie says a similar complaint earlier this year was investigated and ultimately determined to be unfounded.
According to information obtained from the Georgia EPD, complaint number 118381 was received September 23 and concerns the school system’s transportation facility and bus garage at 203 Penn Street in Summerville.
The complaint alleges that drainage from the facility’s bus wash bay and maintenance “change pit” flows through a pipe to a pond located off the school system’s property.
EPD categorized the complaint’s primary concern as an oil spill and its secondary concern as a diesel-fuel spill.
However, the existence of the complaint does not mean EPD has determined that oil, diesel fuel or another pollutant has actually been discharged from the facility.
As of the EPD report generated Friday morning, September 25, the complaint remained under investigation by the agency’s Mountain District, and no violation or spill had been confirmed.
The EPD information did not identify the person who filed the complaint.
Chattooga County School Superintendent Michelle Helie told WZQZ News Monday that the new complaint is similar to another complaint filed concerning the bus barn in the spring of this year.
Helie said the City of Summerville assisted the EPD in investigating the earlier complaint, and that investigation was closed after the complaint was determined to be “unfounded.”
A new investigation will now be conducted by EPD concerning the complaint filed last week.
Helie said she expects the latest investigation to have a similar outcome.
The Penn Street facility serves as the transportation headquarters for Chattooga County Schools. The school system operates 42 buses that collectively travel more than 400,000 miles annually transporting students and supporting school activities.
At this point, the allegations contained in the September 23 complaint remain allegations under investigation. EPD has not issued a finding that the school system violated environmental regulations in connection with the new complaint.
Chattooga County Uniform Service Proposals To Be Opened Wednesday
Chattooga County will open proposals tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, from companies interested in providing uniform rental and laundry services for several county departments.
The bid opening is scheduled for 10 AM at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office, 10102 Commerce Street in Summerville. The county began accepting sealed proposals earlier this month, with Wednesday at 10 AM serving as the submission deadline. Chattooga County
Under the request for proposals issued by Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen’s office, the selected company would provide rental and weekly cleaning of work uniforms for designated county employees. Services would also include sizing and fitting employees, initially issuing uniforms, maintaining an inventory of uniform items and repairing or replacing clothing damaged through normal use. Chattooga County
Uniforms covered under the contract could include work shirts and pants, jackets, coveralls, safety-rated clothing and other specialty items needed by individual county departments. Companies may also offer services involving mats, towels and related items. Chattooga County
Companies submitting proposals must have at least three years of experience providing uniform rental and laundry services and must demonstrate the ability to reliably serve multiple county departments. They are also required to provide references from at least three current or recent customers of similar size. Chattooga County
Proposals are to include detailed pricing, available uniform options and materials, delivery schedules, customer-service information and emergency-response capabilities.
The county says proposals will be evaluated based on cost and overall value, vendor experience and references, uniform quality and durability, reliability of cleaning and delivery services, and the company’s ability to meet county requirements. Chattooga County
An award is anticipated Friday, October 2. The county reserves the right to reject proposals, waive informalities or accept the proposal considered most advantageous to the county
Man Arrested After Allegedly Fleeing Traffic Stop In Summerville
A 46-year-old man was arrested after a Chattooga County deputy said he drove away during a traffic stop in Summerville earlier this month.
According to a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Travis Eugene Denton, 46, was arrested September 18 and charged with driving while license suspended or revoked and traffic offenses.
The incident began shortly after 8:15 PM when a Chattooga County deputy stopped at the Circle K on Commerce Street and recognized Denton from previous incidents. The deputy said he knew Denton did not have a valid driver’s license.
According to the report, Denton walked from the store toward a white 2007 Dodge Magnum at a gas pump and then drove away.
The deputy followed the vehicle onto Marvin Avenue. Denton allegedly pulled into an address on Scoggins Street, where the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop. According to the report, Denton then continued through the yard of the residence, left the roadway and drove back toward Marvin Avenue.
The deputy later located Denton and took him into custody. The Sheriff’s Office says dispatch confirmed that Denton’s license was suspended.
Denton was transported to the Chattooga County Jail. The report says a Georgia tag bearing a different number was found on the Dodge Magnum and was determined to belong to a vehicle that had been scrapped.
Moderate Drought Reaches Lookout Mountain In Northwestern Chattooga County
Dry conditions are worsening in Chattooga County, with a portion of the county now officially classified as being in moderate drought.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, September 24, and based on conditions through September 22, shows 3.1 percent of Chattooga County in D1, or moderate drought. The remainder of the county is classified as D0, or abnormally dry.
The moderate drought area covers a small section of northwestern Chattooga County on Lookout Mountain, from the Alabama state line and extending north into Walker County.
That’s a change from the previous week’s Drought Monitor, when none of Chattooga County was classified as being in moderate drought.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership involving the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA. The weekly assessment uses several indicators, including precipitation, soil moisture, streamflow and other measures, to determine drought conditions.
The latest national drought summary noted continued hot and dry conditions across portions of the South during the week leading up to the September 22 assessment, with temperatures well above normal in many areas and rainfall remaining uneven.
The worsening conditions come as Chattooga County and the rest of Georgia remain under a statewide Level 1 Drought Response.
Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division initially declared the statewide Level 1 response in April and announced in August that it would remain in effect. The declaration applies to public water systems using surface water or groundwater.
A Level 1 response focuses primarily on water conservation and public awareness. Water systems are required to provide customers with information about drought conditions and ways to conserve water.
Level 1 does not carry the more restrictive outdoor water-use requirements associated with higher drought-response levels. Under Georgia’s existing water-use rules, most outdoor water use is allowed between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each week, so the extent of the moderate drought area could change depending on rainfall, temperatures and other conditions.
For now, all of Chattooga County is considered at least abnormally dry, with the northwestern corner of the county on Lookout Mountain experiencing moderate drought conditions.
Nearly $933,000 Property Tax Rollback Credited To New Sales Tax Revenue
Chattooga County property owners will see nearly $933,000 in property tax relief this year, with the reduction tied to revenue from the additional sales tax approved by voters last year.
During Friday’s 2026 Tax Levy meeting, Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen announced a property tax rollback totaling $932,735. The county’s official meeting summary says the rollback was made possible by revenue generated through the new sales tax. Chattooga County
Allen also pointed to the amount of sales tax revenue being generated by people who do not live in Chattooga County. According to the county’s meeting summary, as much as 28 percent of the sales tax revenue comes from non-residents, meaning visitors, commuters and others making purchases locally are contributing to the revenue being used to reduce the property-tax burden on local property owners. Chattooga County
Friday’s meeting was held at the Hurley Community Development Center in Summerville, where Allen presented the county’s 2026 tax levy. The resolution included millage rates for both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Chattooga County. Chattooga County
Questions during the meeting included how this year’s property-tax revenue compares with the previous year. The county’s meeting summary says the $932,735 rollback accounts for that reduction in property-tax collections. Chattooga County
The figures also show how the additional sales tax can shift part of the local tax burden away from property owners. Unlike property taxes, sales taxes are collected not only from local residents but also from people who live elsewhere and spend money in Chattooga County.
The rollback applies to the county portion of property taxes. The Chattooga County Board of Education sets the school millage rate separately.
Chattooga County Man Arrested In Alabama After Stolen Chattooga County Truck Found At House Fire
A Chattooga County man is facing a long list of charges in neighboring Cherokee County, Alabama, after authorities say a truck reported stolen from Chattooga County was found at the scene of a house fire in the Broomtown community.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to assist firefighters after a man was reportedly acting suspiciously at the scene. Before deputies arrived, the man allegedly fled on foot through the woods.
Deputies were told that a truck at the scene had been reported stolen out of Chattooga County, Georgia. Authorities say the man had been attempting to leave in the stolen truck and had entered a firefighter’s vehicle in an effort to jump-start it.
The suspect was later located on County Road 97 near the fire scene and taken into custody. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office identified him as Douglas Obenoskey, 35, of Chattooga County.
Investigators searched the stolen truck and reportedly recovered several items suspected of having been stolen from the residence. Deputies also discovered a shed on the property that appeared to have been forcibly entered.
Obenoskey was charged with first-degree theft of property, fourth-degree theft of property, possession of burglary tools, two counts of third-degree burglary, first-degree receiving stolen property, unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to elude. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster shows Obenoskey was booked on September 24.
The fire itself occurred at a two-story residence on County Road 97. Fire crews reportedly had difficulty getting larger fire apparatus up the steep driveway and fought the blaze using brush trucks with limited water capacity. The house was reported as a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting with the case. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also thanked the Cedar Bluff Police Department and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for their assistance
Two Scholarship Deadlines Wednesday For Chattooga Mountain Education Students
Students at Chattooga Mountain Education have two scholarship deadlines coming up tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30.
The Chattooga campus calendar lists Wednesday as the deadline for both the Home Depot Path to Pro Scholarship and the Coca-Cola Scholarship. Both applications are available online, with the Coca-Cola scholarship deadline listed for 5 PM Wednesday.
The scholarship opportunities are among several college and career resources being promoted to students through the local Mountain Education campus.
Chattooga Mountain Education provides an alternative path for students working toward an accredited high school diploma. Mountain Education describes its program as a student-centered, self-paced, evening public high school, allowing students to work toward graduation outside the traditional daytime high school schedule.
The Chattooga campus is located at 302 Maple Drive in Summerville. The campus phone number is 706-230-8937.
Wednesday will also be a busy day on campus beyond the scholarship deadlines. The calendar includes a Course Completion Incentive and a Trailblazer Charcuterie Experience for September 30.
Students interested in either scholarship should check with Chattooga Mountain Education or use the online application information provided through the campus calendar before Wednesday’s deadlines.
Georgia Gas Prices Climb Again, State Average Reaches $4.19
Georgia motorists are paying more at the pump this week, with the statewide average for regular gasoline climbing to $4.19 per gallon.
According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, Georgia’s average is 10 cents higher than last week, 39 cents higher than a month ago and $1.31 higher than a year ago. A 15-gallon fill-up at the statewide average now costs approximately $62.85. Pasted markdown
Here in Northwest Georgia, prices vary somewhat by county but remain above $4 per gallon. Chattooga County is averaging $4.15 per gallon, while Floyd County is also at $4.15. Walker County is averaging $4.13, and Gordon County is at $4.18.
Across the state line in Northeast Alabama, prices are somewhat lower. DeKalb County is averaging $4.07 per gallon, while Cherokee County has the lowest average among the six counties at $4.01.
AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters says gas prices remain a challenge for Georgia families, particularly those who depend on their vehicles for work, school and everyday activities. AAA recommends reducing aggressive driving, keeping tires properly inflated and combining trips when possible to help stretch fuel dollars. Pasted markdown
Georgia’s current $4.19 average remains below the state record of $4.49 set in June 2022, but it is now just 30 cents shy of that mark.
Nationally, regular gasoline is averaging $4.47 per gallon, unchanged from last week and more than $1 higher than a year ago. Normally, the beginning of fall brings some relief at the pump as summer travel declines and stations transition to less-expensive winter-blend gasoline. This year, however, AAA says volatility surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and high crude-oil prices continues to put upward pressure on prices. September is on track to establish a new September record. Pasted markdown
For Chattooga County drivers, Monday’s $4.15 average is four cents below the Georgia average, but the continued high cost of gasoline means transportation remains a significant expense for households throughout the area.
Three Statewide Constitutional Amendments Will Appear On Georgia Ballots In November
Georgia voters will decide three proposed amendments to the state Constitution in the November 3 general election, in addition to local questions that will appear on ballots in individual counties.
The three statewide questions deal with conservation-use property, elections for probate court judges and funding for Georgia’s 9-1-1 system.
The first proposed amendment, House Resolution 32, asks voters whether Georgia should increase the maximum amount of property a single owner can qualify for Conservation Use Value Assessment, or CUVA, from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres. The program allows qualifying agricultural and timber property to be assessed based on its conservation use rather than its fair-market value. The General Assembly approved the proposal with a 168-5 vote in the House and 50-1 vote in the Senate. If voters ratify the amendment, related legislation provides for the new acreage limit to take effect January 1, 2027. Georgia General Assembly
That question could be of particular interest in rural counties such as Chattooga County, where agricultural and timberland make up a significant part of the county’s land base. The amendment does not automatically enroll additional property in CUVA; it changes the maximum acreage that can qualify under the program.
The second statewide proposal, House Resolution 251, asks voters whether all Georgia probate court judges should be elected in nonpartisan elections.
Probate courts handle matters including estates and wills, guardianships and conservatorships, along with other responsibilities established under Georgia law. Georgia law already permits nonpartisan probate judge elections in counties where they have been authorized, but the proposed constitutional amendment would establish nonpartisan elections for probate judges statewide.
For voters, that means candidates for probate judge would appear on the nonpartisan portion of the ballot rather than running with a Democratic, Republican or other party designation.
The third proposed amendment, House Resolution 1243, concerns Georgia’s emergency 9-1-1 system. It would authorize the General Assembly to dedicate certain existing revenues to a Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund, with the money restricted to expansion, maintenance and operation of emergency 9-1-1 systems.
Georgia has been working toward Next Generation 9-1-1, which modernizes the traditional telephone-based emergency communications network and can provide capabilities for transmitting data such as text messages, photographs and video. A legislative study committee previously recommended establishing a dedicated statewide fund and restricting the money to 9-1-1 purposes. Georgia General Assembly
These three questions are statewide, meaning voters in Chattooga County will see them along with voters throughout Georgia.
However, they will not be the only questions facing local voters on November 3. The Chattooga County ballot also contains local measures, making it important for voters to distinguish between the three statewide constitutional amendments and questions applying specifically to Chattooga County or individual municipalities.
Georgia voters can review their individual sample ballot through the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page, which shows constitutional amendments, local referenda and other contests applicable to the voter. Georgia Secretary of State
WZQZ News and ChattoogaInfo will take a closer look at the local Chattooga County ballot questions separately ahead of the November election.
Public Hearing Set For $1 Million Welcome Hill Water Improvement Project
Chattooga County residents will have an opportunity next month to learn more about a $1 million water improvement project planned for the Welcome Hill Road area near Trion.
Chattooga County has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, October 15, concerning the county’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant project. The hearing will focus on the approved activities associated with the Welcome Hill Road water improvements.
As WZQZ News previously reported, Chattooga County was awarded $1 million in CDBG funding for improvements to the water system in the Welcome Hill Road target area.
Welcome Hill is one of the older sections of the Chattooga County water system, making the project part of the county’s continuing effort to replace and improve aging water infrastructure.
According to information released with this year’s CDBG awards, the Welcome Hill project is expected to benefit 118 residents. Of those, 91 residents — just over 77 percent — are classified as low-to-moderate income.
The entire project is estimated to cost approximately $1.344 million. In addition to the $1 million federal grant, approximately $344,000 in matching and leveraged funds will be used for the project.
Community Development Block Grant money originates with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered in Georgia by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The competitive program is aimed primarily at helping smaller and rural communities pay for infrastructure, housing and public-facility projects that substantially benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
The Welcome Hill work follows another major CDBG-funded improvement to the county water system.
Chattooga County recently completed its Old Highway 27 Target Area Phase II water project. County records show that project served 131 people and used approximately $912,156 in CDBG funding along with $204,900 in local matching funds.
The upcoming Welcome Hill project will continue that effort to address older sections of the county’s water infrastructure.
The public hearing will be held Thursday, October 15, at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office, 10102 Commerce Street in Summerville. The county says the purpose of the hearing is to discuss the approved activities associated with the grant-funded project.
Additional details concerning the scope and timetable for construction are expected as the project moves through the grant and engineering process.
Retirement Drop-In Today For Longtime Chattooga County Extension Agent Rebecca Thomas
Friends, former 4-H members and community members will have an opportunity today to help celebrate Rebecca Thomas as she retires following 30 years of service with University of Georgia Extension in Chattooga County.
A retirement drop-in honoring Thomas will be held today, Tuesday, September 29, from 1 until 5 PM at the Chattooga County Ag Center, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville. Visitors can stop by during the afternoon for refreshments and fellowship and to congratulate Thomas on her retirement.
Thomas has served as Chattooga County Extension Coordinator and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, with her work over the years reaching across Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development and other Extension programs. UGA records recognizing her 25th year of service noted that she had addressed community needs in all three major Extension program areas.
For many local residents, Thomas is especially familiar through her work with Chattooga County 4-H, where generations of young people have participated in educational programs, leadership development and other activities. Her Family and Consumer Sciences work has also included areas such as food safety and home food preservation, along with educational programs designed to help local families.
UGA Extension works locally to provide research-based education and assistance in agriculture, youth development, family and consumer sciences and other areas. The Chattooga County office serves as a partnership between the University of Georgia, local government and other Extension resources.
Organizers are inviting current and former 4-H members, families, friends and others from the community to attend today’s drop-in and help recognize Thomas for three decades of service to Chattooga County.
Again, the retirement drop-in for Rebecca Thomas is today from 1 until 5 PM at the Chattooga County Ag Center in Summerville.
Free Family Morning At Oak Hill To Highlight Martha Berry’s Famous Friends
Families from across Northwest Georgia are invited to Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum in Rome next month for a free morning of hands-on history, activities and family learning.
Family Morning at Oak Hill will be held Wednesday, October 14, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. This year’s theme is “Martha Berry’s Famous Friends,” focusing on some of the notable people who influenced Martha Berry and supported the development of the Berry Schools.
Young visitors will be able to take part in activities inspired by well-known figures connected to Berry’s history, including Henry Ford, whose support helped advance Martha Berry’s educational mission and contributed to projects associated with the Berry Schools.
Family Morning is part of an ongoing program offered by Oak Hill several times during the year, often during school breaks. The free events are designed to introduce younger visitors to history through interactive activities rather than a traditional museum visit. Previous Family Morning programs have included scavenger hunts, art projects, STEM activities and other hands-on experiences tied to Berry’s history and campus.
Oak Hill itself is an important part of the Berry story. The Greek Revival home was built in the 1880s and became the childhood home of Martha Berry, who later lived there as an adult. The home remains preserved much as Berry left it in the 1930s. The surrounding estate also includes historic gardens and trails, the Original Cabin and other features connected to Berry’s life and work.
The Martha Berry Museum opened in 1972 on the Oak Hill estate and helps tell the story of the Berry Schools through historic artifacts, artwork and changing exhibitions. Its permanent collection includes items such as the first diploma issued by the Berry Schools, Martha Berry’s typewriter and tools used in construction of the Ford Complex.
Martha Berry began her educational work around the turn of the 20th century, teaching children from rural families near her home. That effort eventually led to the founding of the Boys Industrial School in 1902 and, over time, what became Berry College.
The October 14 Family Morning is free and open to families, with activities planned from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Kemp Suspends Georgia Gas Tax For 30 Days As Fuel Prices Surge
Georgia drivers will get a break at the pump beginning Tuesday after Governor Brian Kemp announced Monday that he is suspending the state’s motor fuel excise tax for 30 days.
The suspension takes effect at 12:01 AM Tuesday, September 29, and will remain in place through October 29. Kemp said the action is being taken because of global market volatility and rising fuel prices.
Georgia’s current motor fuel excise tax is 33.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon on diesel. The suspension does not guarantee retail prices will immediately fall by the full amount, since pump prices also depend on crude-oil costs, wholesale prices, transportation expenses and individual retailers. The administration says the delayed effective time gives retailers an opportunity to factor the change into pricing.
The announcement comes as AAA reports the average price of regular gasoline in Georgia at $4.19 per gallon, while diesel is averaging $6.24 per gallon.
Here in Northwest Georgia, Monday’s AAA averages showed Chattooga and Floyd counties at $4.15 per gallon, Walker County at $4.13 and Gordon County at $4.18. Across the state line in Alabama, DeKalb County was averaging $4.07 and Cherokee County $4.01.
Kemp also declared a state of emergency, which allows the state to suspend certain weight limits on commercial vehicles during the emergency period. The governor’s office says the move is intended to reduce transportation costs associated with goods moving through the state.
Kemp said his administration has used previous tax-relief measures to help Georgia residents during periods of high inflation and fuel costs and described Monday’s action as another attempt to reduce those expenses.
Lt. Governor Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns also issued statements supporting the suspension. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said higher diesel prices have been particularly difficult for farmers, who depend heavily on diesel fuel for tractors, trucks and other equipment.
Georgia has used temporary fuel-tax suspensions before. Previous executive orders have suspended collection of the motor-fuel excise tax during declared emergencies, including periods of supply-chain disruption and following Hurricane Helene. Office of Governor Kemp
The latest suspension begins Tuesday morning and runs through October 29.
Arrest Report - Monday - September 28, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, September 28, 2026:
Summerlike Heat Returns Before Wetter Weekend
A dry start to the week will give way to summerlike temperatures across Chattooga County before rain and thunderstorms return for the weekend.
Monday will be sunny with a high near 82 degrees and a light north wind. Monday night will be mostly clear and cool, with a low around 54.
The warming trend begins Tuesday with sunshine and a high near 86. Wednesday climbs to around 89 before temperatures reach near 90 degrees Thursday. The National Weather Service says temperatures across the region will run above normal for this time of year.
Despite the warmer afternoons, very dry air will remain in place during the first part of the week. Afternoon relative humidity could briefly fall to around 25 percent in some areas, increasing concerns about how quickly outdoor fires could spread.
The weather pattern begins changing later Thursday as high pressure weakens and winds become more southerly, allowing moisture to return to northwest Georgia.
There is a 20 percent chance of showers after 2 a.m. Thursday night, increasing to 40 percent Friday. Friday’s high should reach around 87.
Rain chances increase further over the weekend. Saturday brings a 50 percent chance of showers with a cooler high around 80. Saturday night also carries a 50 percent chance of rain.
Forecasters are paying particular attention to Sunday, when showers are likely along with the possibility of thunderstorms. The chance of precipitation is currently 60 percent, with a high near 77.
The National Weather Service says some forecast guidance indicates the atmosphere could become more favorable for stronger thunderstorms Sunday, although there remains disagreement among forecast models concerning how favorable the wind environment will be. It is still several days away, and the details will become clearer as the weekend approaches.
School Leaders Explain What E-SPLOST Renewal Means For Chattooga County Voters
When Chattooga County voters go to the polls in November, one of the local questions they will encounter concerns the continuation of a one-percent sales tax that has helped finance school construction, renovations, technology, security and other capital needs for nearly three decades.
Trion City Schools Superintendent Howard Hughes and Chattooga County Schools Superintendent Michelle Helie spoke with WZQZ News about the upcoming E-SPLOST referendum and said their goal is to make sure voters understand what the tax is, what it pays for and what would happen if the revenue were no longer available.
The referendum will appear during Georgia’s November 3 General Election. Georgia Secretary of State
A Tax That Dates Back To 1998
E-SPLOST stands for Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. It is a voter-approved one-percent sales and use tax dedicated to eligible educational capital projects. It is not unrestricted money that the school systems can spend for any purpose. eSPLOST FAQs
One point both superintendents want voters to understand is that the November referendum does not create an additional one-percent tax. According to the joint information prepared by the school systems, Chattooga County voters first approved an education SPLOST referendum on September 15, 1998. Successive E-SPLOSTs have been approved since then, but each is for a limited period and must be renewed by voters. eSPLOST FAQs
Hughes said that history is important because an increasing number of today’s voters were either children or not yet born when the tax was first approved.
“Things over time, they lose their history if you don’t keep reminding people about the history,” Hughes told WZQZ. He said voters can encounter complicated legal language on a referendum without necessarily knowing the history behind it. Pasted text
Helie said seeing the word “tax” can lead some voters to assume they are being asked to pay a new tax. The superintendents said that is one reason they prepared a joint list of frequently asked questions explaining the referendum. Pasted text
What E-SPLOST Can — And Cannot — Pay For
E-SPLOST money benefits both Chattooga County Schools and Trion City Schools, but it cannot be used to pay teacher salaries or simply supplement normal day-to-day school operating expenses.
The money is restricted to eligible capital purposes. Those can include construction and renovation of schools, classrooms and athletic facilities; technology; safety and security improvements; buses and other vehicles; equipment; land and site work; and debt associated with approved capital projects. eSPLOST FAQs eSPLOST FAQs
During the interview, the superintendents also discussed QBE — Quality Basic Education, the state funding mechanism for Georgia public schools. Helie described QBE funding as providing for the basic educational needs of students, while Hughes said E-SPLOST gives the systems a separate source for major capital needs that ordinary operating revenue may not cover. Pasted text
“We Have New Schools. Why Do We Still Need It?”
The superintendents also addressed a question they say they hear from residents: with newer school campuses and substantial improvements already completed, what remains to be funded?
Helie pointed to Menlo School, now in its third year in the new building, as a recent example. She said bonds supported by E-SPLOST revenue made construction possible without waiting years to accumulate enough capital money to pay for the entire project upfront. Pasted text
She also noted that not every building in the Chattooga County School System is new. Helie said Summerville Middle School will face major facility needs over the coming decade, while much of Lyerly School is considerably older. Pasted text
Hughes said even newer facilities require continuing investment. School buildings experience heavy daily use by students, employees and the public, meaning roofs, heating and cooling systems, technology, security systems, transportation equipment and other assets eventually require repair or replacement. Pasted text
Technology has become another major expense. Hughes noted that technology has a much shorter replacement cycle than traditional school infrastructure, while modern security needs have also added expenses that schools did not face to the same degree decades ago. Pasted text
E-SPLOST And School Construction Debt
Another important part of E-SPLOST is the ability to finance major projects through bonds rather than waiting until the entire construction cost has been accumulated.
Helie said Chattooga County Schools still has bond debt associated with Menlo School that is scheduled to be paid with future E-SPLOST collections. She said previous projects, including Chattooga High School and Leroy Massey Elementary School, were also financed using this type of structure. Pasted text
If the E-SPLOST is not renewed, the existing authorization would eventually end and the school systems would stop receiving revenue from it. Capital needs that otherwise would have been paid with those proceeds would have to be reconsidered or financed through other available sources. eSPLOST FAQs
Sales Tax Versus Property Tax
The superintendents also emphasized the distinction between E-SPLOST and property taxes.
Because E-SPLOST is collected on taxable purchases made within Chattooga County, people who live outside the county also contribute when they make taxable purchases here. That spreads part of the cost of school capital projects beyond local property owners. eSPLOST FAQs
During the interview, Hughes and Helie were careful not to claim that renewing E-SPLOST would reduce anyone’s property-tax bill. Hughes specifically said there is “no guarantee” that E-SPLOST will decrease property taxes. Their point was that without the sales-tax revenue, school systems would have to consider other available revenue sources to meet capital needs and existing obligations, potentially including property-tax revenue. Pasted text
Superintendents Say Their Goal Is Voter Education
Both Hughes and Helie stressed that their discussion with WZQZ was intended to explain the referendum rather than tell residents how to vote.
“This is definitely not any kind of a campaign or lobbying deal that we’re talking about,” Hughes said. “We’re talking about making sure that people understand” the funding and the needs it addresses. Pasted text
The superintendents also encouraged voters to read the complete referendum before casting their ballots. Hughes noted that the ballot language will not simply describe the proposal with the word “renewal,” which could make it less obvious to someone unfamiliar with E-SPLOST that the county has had the educational sales tax for decades. Pasted text
Georgia voters will decide the referendum along with other races and questions on the Tuesday, November 3 General Election ballot. The Georgia Secretary of State also provides voters access to sample ballots through the state’s My Voter Page.
Chattooga County CERT Adds 16 New Members Following Training
The Chattooga County Community Emergency Response Team has added 16 new members following a training class held recently in Summerville.
The class was held at the Chattooga County Community Resource Center on Eleanor Avenue and provided residents with training designed to help them assist their families, neighbors and professional emergency responders when disasters or other emergencies occur.
The Community Emergency Response Team, commonly known as CERT, is a FEMA-supported program that provides ordinary citizens with basic emergency-response skills.
Training includes disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, basic medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization.
The addition of 16 members significantly expands the number of locally trained volunteers who can potentially assist when emergency-response resources are stretched thin.
CERT volunteers are not intended to replace firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs or other professional responders. Instead, they are trained to work within the limits of their training and provide assistance until additional professional resources are available.
The program can be particularly valuable during widespread emergencies such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding, when emergency personnel may be responding to numerous incidents simultaneously.
Chattooga County’s CERT volunteers have already been called upon locally. During flooding in Summerville in April 2025, CERT members assisted emergency personnel when three people became stranded by floodwaters.
The local program is coordinated through Chattooga County Emergency Management, headed by Emergency Management Director Pamela Vaughn. The county says its emergency-management operation works with public-safety agencies, elected officials, nonprofits and government agencies in preparing for and responding to disasters. Chattooga County
Residents interested in future CERT training or learning more about the program can contact Chattooga County Emergency Management at 706-857-3400, option 2.
Chattooga County Millage Rate Drops As Tax Digest Climbs Above $912 Million
Chattooga County’s tax digest has grown by more than $133 million over the past year, but county government is expected to levy nearly $933,000 less in maintenance and operations property taxes for 2026.
Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen set the county’s 2026 maintenance and operations millage rate at 7.959 mills during a meeting held Friday afternoon at the Hurley Community Development Center in Summerville.
The new rate is down from 10.281 mills in 2025, a reduction of 2.322 mills.
The reduction comes as the value of Chattooga County’s total net property tax digest continues to grow. According to figures presented by the county, the total net digest increased from approximately $778.6 million in 2025 to $912.3 million in 2026. That’s an increase of approximately $133.6 million, or about 17 percent.
Despite the larger tax digest, the lower millage rate means county government is projected to collect less in maintenance and operations property taxes.
The county’s five-year levy history shows approximately $5.53 million in M&O property taxes will be levied for 2026, compared with approximately $6.46 million last year. That’s a decrease of approximately $932,735, or 14.43 percent.
For property in the unincorporated portions of Chattooga County, the county’s gross rate of 7.959 mills is reduced by a 2.572-mill rollback associated with Local Option Sales Tax and insurance premium tax revenues. That results in a net M&O millage rate of 5.387 mills for the unincorporated area.
The county projects approximately $3.62 million in M&O property taxes from the unincorporated area.
For incorporated areas, the county’s M&O millage rate is 7.959 mills, with approximately $1.91 million projected to be levied.
The figures presented Friday also illustrate how dramatically Chattooga County’s tax digest has changed in recent years.
In 2021, the county’s total net digest was approximately $438.2 million. Five years later, the 2026 digest stands at more than $912.2 million — more than double its 2021 level.
During the same period, the county’s gross M&O millage rate has fallen from 18.356 mills in 2021 to 7.959 mills this year.
The reduction in the county’s overall tax levy does not necessarily mean every property owner will see a lower tax bill. Individual bills can vary based on changes in assessed property values, applicable homestead or other exemptions, school taxes and other levies.
The Chattooga County Board of Education has already established its 2026 millage rate, while Friday afternoon’s meeting established the county government’s portion of the property tax levy.