Commissioner Andy Allen is facing a criminal warrant application filed against him in the Magistrate Court of Chattooga County. The application stems from an alleged incident that occurred on March 3, 2015, and was filed by William Wilson of Annville, KY.

According to the application, Wilson claims that Commissioner Allen “assaulted me by opening my truck door and trying to pull me out of my truck cause he had to wait for me to back in off road – tore my shirt about off me.” A Probable Cause Hearing is scheduled to determine whether the warrant should be issued.

The hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex, located at 120 Cox Street in Summerville. Due to a potential conflict of interest, Chattooga County Magistrate Judge Tracy Madeux has recused himself from hearing the case. A judge from another jurisdiction will preside over the Probable Cause Hearing.

The outcome of the hearing will determine whether a criminal warrant will be issued for Commissioner Allen in connection with the alleged assault.

Here is an arrest summary report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for April 25-28, 2025:

Northwest Georgia residents can expect mostly sunny skies today, with a high temperature near 81 degrees. A gentle southeast wind will blow between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 15 mph. Tonight will bring partly cloudy conditions and a low of around 60 degrees. The southeast wind will calm to around 5 mph. Tuesday will see mostly cloudy skies return, with a high again near 81 degrees. A south wind will be light, around 5 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 60 and calm winds. The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. While a strong storm or two is possible, severe weather is currently considered unlikely during this period. The potential for more widespread thunderstorm activity increases significantly on Friday. Forecasters advise residents to monitor weather updates closely, as a few strong or even severe storms cannot be ruled out at the end of the week.

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says that a family is searching for a missing teenager who was last seen in the Teloga area.  The girl’s name is Lindsey Bryson and she goes by “Lou”.  Her family believes she may be in Summerville, Trion or the Rome area.  Anyone with information should contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office at 706-857-3411.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, April 28, 2025:

The City of Summerville is soliciting sealed bids for the demolition of a house and subsequent site restoration at 20 University Circle, Summerville, Georgia 30747. The project, identified as RFB-2025-114-House Demolition, aims to clear the site for future development and improve the aesthetic appeal of the area. Sealed bids must be submitted to the City of Summerville, located at 120 Georgia Ave., Summerville, Georgia 30747, no later than 2:00 p.m. on May 9, 2025. All bids must remain valid for 60 business days following the bid opening. The bid opening will take place promptly at 2:00 p.m. on May 9, 2025, in the Council Room at City Hall. The contents of the bids will be made available to all interested parties, including the respondents. Detailed information and specifications regarding the project and bidding requirements are available within the official bid document. All submitted bids are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in that document. Potential bidders are encouraged to review the complete RFB documentation carefully before submitting their proposals. The City of Summerville looks forward to receiving competitive bids for this important project.

Chattooga County students interested in agriculture and animal husbandry are encouraged to sign up for the Chattooga County Young Farmers annual Pig Project. The deadline to apply is May 23, 2025. For a participation fee of $100, students will receive two piglets to raise and care for throughout the summer and fall. This hands-on project provides invaluable experience in animal management, responsibility, and the agricultural process. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their hard work at the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair in August during a special preview show. The pigs will then be judged and auctioned off at a final show and auction held in November. This event provides students with the opportunity to earn proceeds from their efforts and learn about the agricultural marketplace. Space is limited based on the availability of pigs, and preference will be given to students involved in 4-H and FFA programs. Interested students are encouraged to apply quickly. For more information and application details, contact Chattooga Young Farmer Director Lauren Jarrett at ljarrett@chattooga.k12.ga.us.

Cybercrime is increasing in Georgia and the U. S. Georgia moved from 13th to 11th place in internet-related complaints last year, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report 2024. Potential losses reached $420 million, a 40% rise from 2023.

Nationally, internet crime complaints rose to 859,532 in 2024, with losses exceeding $16. 6 billion, a 33% increase from the prior year. The most common cybercrimes reported were phishing/spoofing, extortion, and personal data breaches, with cryptocurrency-related losses being the highest.

Paul Brown from the Atlanta FBI noted that the main goal of cyber criminals is to steal money. Elderly Georgians are especially at risk, with complaints from adults 60 and over rising by 71% last year.

Those affected by cybercrime should contact local law enforcement or the Georgia Cyber Crime Center at 706-941-5400.

As the scorching summer months approach, residents of Northwest Georgia are undoubtedly turning their attention to cooling their homes. But for renters in the state, a critical question arises: Is your landlord legally obligated to provide air conditioning? With rent prices already straining budgets, the prospect of additional cooling costs adds to the financial pressure. The answer, unfortunately, is no.

In Georgia, landlords are not legally required to provide air conditioning or heating to their tenants. However, there is a crucial caveat: if the rental unit includes air conditioning or heating as part of the lease agreement, the landlord is responsible for maintaining and repairing those systems should they malfunction.

This news comes amidst the recent passage of the Georgia “Safe Home Act” in July 2024, aimed at ensuring habitable living conditions. While the Act represents significant progress in tenant protection, bringing Georgia in line with other states, it stops short of mandating AC or heat. The “Safe Home Act” does, however, establish a “minimum ‘duty of habitability’,” requiring landlords to provide housing “sufficient for habitation and free from health and safety risks.” Specifically, landlords are now legally bound to:

Maintain the building structure.

Keep the electrical and plumbing systems in working order.

Repair any appliances included in the rental unit.

Meet all local ordinances and minimum safety standards.

While the Act doesn’t guarantee a cool summer for all Georgia renters, it does provide a baseline of protection and ensures that landlords are responsible for basic necessities within their properties. Residents facing extreme temperatures are encouraged to explore resources for cooling assistance and to carefully review their lease agreements to understand their rights and responsibilities.

GPB contributed to this story.

Residents of Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, are reminded that the annual summer burn ban will begin on May 1st and end on September 30th. According to environmental regulators, this measure is essential for protecting air quality and lowering the risk of wildfires during the driest months. The burn ban prohibits burning yard and land-clearing debris, which is important to reduce smoke’s harmful effects on ozone levels, especially in urban areas. Ozone can worsen breathing problems, particularly for those with respiratory issues. The ban also addresses the increased risk of wildfires due to dry weather and wind, where even small fires can become uncontrollable. Human outdoor burning adds to this risk, making the ban necessary. Residents are encouraged to follow the ban and consider alternative ways to manage yard waste, like composting or mulching. Also, it should be pointed out that burning household garbage is illegal at anytime in all 159 counties in Georgia.

Big Lots is continuing its resurgence after recently emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with plans to open a second round of stores across the U.S. in May. This includes six Georgia locations, most notably in Fort Oglethorpe in Northwest Georgia. The expansion follows the company’s acquisition by Variety Wholesalers and represents a significant step in their planned revitalization. The grand re-openings are part of a broader strategy to relaunch a total of 55 stores nationwide by early June. The comeback trail officially began on April 10th, with nine stores in six states (Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) welcoming back customers. Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies expressed excitement about the relaunch. “We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” she said in a recent news release. The reopening of these Big Lots stores promises to bring value and variety back to communities across the country. Further details regarding specific opening dates and special promotions are expected to be announced soon.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff hosted the annual Georgia Military Service Academy Day this past Saturday at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, drawing a record-breaking crowd since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 1,000 prospective students and their parents flocked to the Marietta base to explore opportunities at the five U.S. Service Academies. The event, touted as the largest of its kind in the U.S., provided attendees with invaluable information and a glimpse into military life, according to a Dobbins spokesperson. Senator Ossoff, in collaboration with Georgia’s Congressional Delegation, organizes the event annually to inform Georgia high school students and their families about the application and Congressional nomination process for the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Naval Academy. Attendees had the unique opportunity to interact with Senator Ossoff himself, members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation, Georgia military leaders, admissions counselors, recruiters, and current cadets from all five service academies. Representatives from Air Force, Navy, and Army ROTC programs were also on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. The event included tours of various aircraft, offering a tangible connection to the potential future careers in service.

The City of Summerville will hold a called meeting coming up this evening at 5:30 PM.  The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year budget for the city.  This evening’s meeting will take place at the historic Summerville Depot, located on East Washington Street in Summerville, instead of the normal city council chambers at Summerville City Hall.  The public is welcome to attend this evening’s meeting.  You can see a copy of the agenda for the meeting below:

Northwest Georgia residents can expect warm and mostly dry weather to continue through much of the week as a ridge of high pressure settles over the region. Today will be partly sunny with a high near 79 degree. A light northeast wind will be blowing at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, skies will remain partly cloudy, with a low temperature hovering around 58 degrees. The northeast wind will ease to around 5 mph, shifting eastward after midnight. Monday will offer more sunshine, with a high near 80 degrees. The wind will shift to the southeast, blowing at 5 to 10 mph. However, the pleasant weather won’t last indefinitely. A late-week cold front is expected to bring increasing rain chances beginning Thursday and lasting into Friday. In addition to the rain, isolated thunderstorms are possible across Northwest Georgia on Tuesday and Wednesday. The threat of scattered thunderstorms will expand across portions of the area Thursday and Friday.  Highs will be in the upper 70’s to low 80’s and lows overnight in the upper 50’s to mid 60’s through next weekend.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, April 27, 2025:

Jamie Allison Smith, 38, of Alabama, was found guilty of homicide this past week by Floyd County, Georgia Superior Court Judge William F. Sparks in connection with a fatal car crash last June that claimed the lives of two individuals on Alabama Highway. Judge Sparks sentenced Smith to 15 years in prison, in addition to ordering her to pay a $2,500 fine and contribute $8,700 to the victim’s compensation fund.

The charges stemmed from a June 8, 2024, incident where Smith was charged with felony homicide by vehicle and serious injury by vehicle in the deaths of Rico English, 18, and Ashley Jackson, 31. The accident occurred around 8:40 a.m. when Smith, driving a white 2023 Acura eastbound on Alabama Highway near Halls Valley Road, veered into the opposite lane and collided with a Freightliner tractor-trailer. The impact of the initial collision caused the Freightliner to then strike a 2020 Nissan Altima driven by Ashley Jackson, carrying passengers Rico English and Jeremiah Jackson, 18. English and Jeremiah Jackson were reportedly best friends on their way to a football camp at Shorter University. Ashley Jackson was in a relationship with Jeremiah Jackson’s father.

Evidence presented in court revealed that Smith, who worked as a bar manager in Birmingham, Alabama, was driving home at the time of the crash. Furthermore, her driver’s license was suspended due to a prior DUI offense, and she had two additional DUI cases pending. Following the accident, a portable breath test indicated the presence of alcohol. Subsequent toxicology reports, taken from a blood sample while Smith was hospitalized, revealed acute levels of methamphetamine in her system.

Rome News Tribune

The Summerville City Council will hold a called meeting on Monday to discuss the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget.  The meeting will be held at the Summerville Depot and will get underway at 5:30 PM.  The public is invited to attend.

Georgia residents only have two weeks left to ensure their driver’s licenses or ID cards are REAL ID-compliant before the rapidly approaching May 7, 2025, deadline. Starting that day, a standard Georgia driver’s license or ID without the designated REAL ID star will no longer be accepted to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is urging residents to check their cards now to avoid potential travel disruptions next year. **How to Check Your ID:** Look at the top right corner of your Georgia-issued driver’s license or ID. If you see either a gold or a black star, you’re already compliant with REAL ID requirements and no further action is needed. “Both stars indicate compliance with federal REAL ID requirements,” stated DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. “The color only changed due to a card design update.” **What if My ID Doesn’t Have a Star?** If your ID card lacks a star in the upper right corner, you will need to visit a DDS center to apply for a REAL ID. You will need to bring documentation proving your identity, Social Security number, and Georgia residency. “Most Georgians already have a REAL ID, especially if your card was issued after 2012,” explains the DDS. However, it’s essential to verify your compliance now to avoid any inconvenience when the federal mandate takes effect. Don’t wait until the last minute! Head to your local DDS office to secure your REAL ID and ensure seamless travel and access to federal facilities after May 7, 2025.

The American Lung Association (ALA) has released its 2025 “State of the Air” report, painting a mixed picture of air quality across Georgia. While the Atlanta metropolitan area faces significant challenges, Chattooga County has earned an “A” grade, highlighting the stark disparities in air quality throughout the state. The report, which analyzed air quality data from 2021 to 2023, reveals that nearly half of the U.S. population resides in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. Atlanta fares poorly, ranking as the third worst in the Southeast for ozone pollution and the fourth worst for year-round particle pollution. Adding to the concerning trend, the Augusta area was ranked fourth-worst in the Southeast for soot. However, the report did highlight that some parts of Georgia remain among the cleanest in the nation for smog. Further south, the Savannah area saw its smog rating decline from an “A” to a “B,” indicating worsening air quality conditions. The ALA selected 19 counties across Georgia to represent different regions for the 2025 report. Chattooga County, representing Northwest Georgia, stood out with its exceptional “A” rating. The ALA urges residents and policymakers to take action to improve air quality for all Georgians.

Cyclists of all skill levels are invited to kick off their spring season with the 8th annual Honeybee Bicycle Ride, taking place on April 26th in LaFayette, Georgia. The Honeybee Bicycle Ride features routes catering to various levels of experience, offering 33, 52, and 74-mile options that wind through the area’s beautiful backroads. For families and casual riders, a 10-mile family fun ride through downtown LaFayette will also be available. Same-day registration will be offered for $85. Participants can pick up their packets at the LaFayette Recreation Center on Friday, April 25th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., or on Saturday, April 26th from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The first 250 paying participants will receive a special gift bag, including a free pass to the popular Rock City attraction! All routes will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m., with the exception of the 10-mile family fun ride, which will commence at 8:15 a.m. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the beauty of Northwest Georgia while enjoying a challenging and rewarding cycling event. For more information visit: https://www.bikereg.com/honeybeebicycleride