Arrest Report - Wednesday - May 18, 2022

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, May 18, 2022:

Man Arrested For Assaulting Another Over A Bag Of Potato Chips

Earlier this month, Summerville Police responded to a domestic dispute on Montgomery Street where witnesses said a man had hit someone else with a baseball bat after the two got into an argument over a bag of potato chips.

When police arrived on the scene and spoke with witnesses they told them that that sixty-nine-year-old Melvin Bailey had struck another man several times with a baseball bat.  Officers found the victim who said that Bailey got upset because the victim had got the last bag of potato chips.  Bailey began screaming at the victim and calling him names and then proceeded to strike the victim several times with the baseball bat.

Officers said that they observed where the victim had been hit with the bat.

When officers spoke with Bailey, he told them that he was “starving” and got angry because the victim had eaten the last bag of potato chips.

Bailey was charged with aggravated assault, simple batter and an additional charge of cruelty to children because the incident happened in the presence of several minor children.

Back To School Bash Planned For July

School isn’t even over with yet for Trion and Chattooga students, but Chattooga Family Connection is already making plans for a big Back to School Bash to be held later this summer.

Maisha Ludy with Chattooga Family Connection told WZQZ News that the event is planned to be bigger and better than ever before.

This year there will be a health fair with free vision, hearing, dental and nutritional screenings.  Also, required immunizations will be available that day for those who qualify.  There will also be free games, activities and school supplies – including backpacks, at the event.

The event is scheduled for July 21st from 4-6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located at 33 Middle School Road in Summerville and is sponsored by Primary Healthcare Centers and Chattooga Family Connection.

If you or your organization would like to be apart of the event by setting up to hand out free supplies and information, or would just like to donate items such as school supplies, bottled water, hotdogs, ketchup and mustard packs, chips, or any item, please contact chattfc@windstream.net

For more information, you can contact Maisha Ludy at 706-388-9849.

Lookout Mountain CASA Looking For Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to speak up for children from broken places. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are specially trained people from all walks of life, who advocate for the well-being of Georgia’s children that have suffered abuse and neglect.

CASAs are appointed to a case by the Juvenile Circuit Court judge to speak in a child’s best interest in their foster care case. Lookout Mountain CASA will begin training new volunteers monthly Monday through Thursday. The volunteers will help speak for children in Walker, Dade, Catoosa and Chattooga Counties.

For more information and to obtain a volunteer application call 423-402-0843 or email lookoutmtncasa@gmail.com.

Record-Breaking Early Voting In Georgia

Through Sunday, May 15th, over 380,000 people have early voted in Georgia—a 217% increase from the same point in the early voting period in the 2018 primary election and a 155% increase from the same point in the early voting period in the 2020 primary election.

Georgia has had a record early voting turnout since the first day of early voting this year, surging to nearly three times the number on the first day of primary voting in 2018 and double that of 2020, and has continued on that path since.

“The record early voting turnout is a testament to the security of the voting system and the hard work of our county election officials,” said Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger.

As of Monday of this week, there have been over 800 early votes cast in Chattooga County.  All early voting takes place at the Chattooga County Registrar Office located just south of the Courthouse on Commerce Street in Summerville.

There's Hope For The Hungry At South Summerville Baptist Today

In Georgia, 1 in 7 people live with food insecurity – not knowing where their next meal will come from.  There’s Hope for the Hungry is a Christian ministry, founded in prayer in 2003 and committed to evangelizing and feeding people who are in need.  The group is active in Chattooga County and will be distributing food next week in Summerville.

The organization describes their mission saying their “major goal is to feed the hungry; additionally, we believe our ultimate goal is to bring people to a place in their lives through short term food relief, salvation, and prayer to where they depend upon themselves and Jesus Christ for their short term, long term, and eternal needs.”

The food program There’s Hope for the Hungry will be at South Summerville Baptist Church today from 10 AM until 1 PM.  No ID is required.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Looking For Paid Intern

Man Arrested For DUI At Checkpoint

A fifty-eight-year-old Summerville man was arrested at a law enforcement checkpoint on Penn Bridge Road on May 14th after an officer observed an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

According to a report released from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the man came driving up to the checkpoint in a black Dodge Dakota.  When a deputy asked the man for his driver’s license and proof of insurance, the deputy observed an open container in the man’s lap.  The deputy asked the man what he was drinking and he replied….”beer”.

The deputy noticed that the man’s eyes were “glossy and appeared blood shot.”  The intoxicated man said that he had been visiting with friends and was driving home.

Mark Allan Evans was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and booked into the Chattooga County Jail.

Cancer Navigators’ In-Person Run, Daisy Drop Scheduled for June 5

With current fuel prices remaining high, area cancer patients need more help than ever getting assistance so they can make it to lifesaving treatments. Cancer Navigators is hosting virtual and in-person races this spring to raise funds specifically for the transportation program.

Cancer Navigators, established in 2006, serves as a complement to the medical expertise of cancer care providers by guiding those in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama affected by cancer toward a better understanding of diagnosis and care while connecting them with needed resources. The organization provides the following free services: social support, counseling, nutrition assistance, transportation assistance, medical supplies, wigs, hats and scarves, stress management and caregiver support.

Every $25 purchases a gas card or bus voucher to provide a cancer patient in crisis the opportunity to fight and increase their chances of survival. Signups for a virtual run, walk or biking event have already begun. Racers can run, walk or bike anywhere they want for either 1 mile or 3.1 mile (5K) virtual races.

You can go the distance all at once or in increments. Virtual Race Options: • 5K Registration – Receive T-shirt and medal ($30) • 5K Registration for 2020/2021 Racers – Receive T-shirt, medal, and $5 discount ($25) • 5K Team Registration – Receive t-shirt, medal, and $5 discount if registering as a group of 5 or more ($25) • 1 Mile Fun Run – Receive medal only ($15) In-Person Fun Run/Walk: The in-person 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will take place Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. at the Barron Stadium Track in Rome prior to Cancer Navigators’ Annual Daisy Drop at 3 p.m. All virtual racers are invited to participate in the June 5 event no additional charge.

In addition to helping a local cancer patient, all racers will be entered into a drawing to win a “Dinner for Two” gift card to Chipotle. “Every contribution benefits someone struggling with cancer, and has tremendous impacts, giving invaluable gifts of relief and hope to patients and their caregivers,” said Sarah Husser, Cancer Navigators Fundraising & Community Outreach Coordinator. Register online at www.cancernavigatorsga.org or by contacting the Cancer Navigators office at (706) 509-5040.

The deadline to register is June 5, which is National Cancer Survivors Day. On that day, the organization will also hold its annual Daisy Drop on the Chief John Ross Memorial Bridge at the Town Green from 3 to 4 p.m. Cancer Navigators staff will be onsite handing out complimentary daisies that attendees can drop into the river and pay tribute to loved ones affected by cancer. Those who can’t attend the June 5 event can stop by the Cancer Navigators office during the afternoon of Friday, June 3 to pick up daisies and plan their own event. Cancer Navigators is located on the third floor of the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center, 255 W. Fifth St. SW, in Rome.

Cancer Navigators’ 16th year sponsors include Atrium Health Floyd, Harbin Clinic, First National Community Bank, Hardy Realty, MSP Attorneys, State Mutual Insurance Company, The Lewis Chemical Company, Mount Vernon Mills, The UPS Store and Profile Custom Extrusions.

Arrest Report - Tuesday - May 17, 2022

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, May 17, 2022:

Presnell's Execution Temporarily Halted

Two Arrested For Smoking Pot Around Minors

Summerville Police arrested two men on Sunday after they were found smoking marijuana in the presence of minors. According to police records, officers found eighteen-year-old Charlton Edward Green and eighteen-year-old Logan Stacy King in possession of marijuana less than one ounce.  Officers said that both men were smoking marijuana around minor children.  Both men were jailed on the charges, according to the report.

Governor Kemp Campaigning In Rome Today

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp will be campaigning in Rome today.  His campaign bus is scheduled to be in downtown Rome at 10 AM.

Kemp is facing a challenge from Trump-backed candidate David Perdue along with Kandiss Taylor and two other Republicans in the May 24th Primary.  Former President Donald Trump still holds Kemp accountable for his loss of Georgia in the last Presidential election.  Trump became the first Republican to lose in the Peach State since Democrat Bill Clinton last carried the state in 1992 when he narrowly defeated George H.W. Bush.

The winner of next week’s Republican Primary will face off with Democrat Stacy Abrams in November.  Abrams has no Primary Election challenger.

Governor Kemp will be at 301 Tribune Street in Rome at 10 AM this morning.

Ongoing Feud Leads To Summerville Woman's Arrest

Summerville Police arrested a twenty-two-year-old Hawkins Drive woman for the second time in recent days in connection to an ongoing feud between the suspect and two other women.

Police received a call from sisters Jakyia and Jakerria Walker saying that the suspect had been stalking them by following them around town and harassing them.  The suspect had been arrested recently for crimes against Jakerria, according to the police report.

Officers spoke with the suspect, Torria Ludy when they found her at a residence on Hawkins Drive.  Officers told Ludy to give the infant child she was holding to her grandmother so they could talk with Ludy about the incident involving the Walker sisters.  At first Ludy, refused to do as ordered but eventually handed over the infant to her grandmother.

At that point, police say that they attempted to handcuff Ludy and she fell down on a couch and began to scuffle with officers.  At one point, officers say that Ludy attempted to strike them in the face.

Ludy was arrested and charged with obstruction of law enforcement and stalking.

Latest Health Inspection Scores - First Half Of May 2022

Here are the latest health inspection scores from the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department for the first half of May 2022:

Georgia Gas Prices Increase Again

Georgia gas prices increased at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $3.98 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 15 cents more than a week ago, 27 cents more than last month and $1.01 more than this time last year.

It now costs motorists $59.70 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline.

“Georgia statewide pump price average continues upward climb,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Unfortunately, crude oil prices remain above $105 a barrel, causing gas prices to rise higher this week.”

Volatile Crude Oil Prices Continue to Drive Gas Prices

Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by 16 cents to $4.47. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.6 million barrels to 225 million barrels last week. At the close of last Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $5.95 to settle at $105.71. The price of crude oil slid below $100 per barrel due to global market concern that crude demand will suffer as COVID lockdowns in China remain in place. However, crude prices reversed course because of growing market worries that Ukrainian and European Union actions against Russian oil-and-natural gas companies could spark retaliation by Russia, which lead to more market disruption and uncertainty.

Regional Prices

Atlanta– $3.98

Most expensive Georgia metro markets – Brunswick ($4.05), Valdosta ($4.03) and Savannah ($4.00).

Least expensive Georgia metro markets – Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($3.91), Rome ($3.92) and Gainesville ($3.94).

Area gas price averages – Chattooga ($3.94), Floyd ($3.94), Walker ($3.95), Gordon ($3.95), Dekalb, AL ($4.17), Cherokee, AL ($4.12)

Apartment Intruders Arrested

Summerville Police were summoned to an apartment complex over the weekend after the person living in the apartment reported that there were intruders inside their residence.

Two officers responded to the call on Northwest Congress Street on Saturday, shortly after 8 PM.  When the officers arrived on the scene and met with the complainant, they noticed that the front door of the apartment was standing open.

An officer went inside and found thirty-one-year-old Jacob Wooten coming down the stairs of the apartment.  Wooten was placed in handcuffs while officers continued to look around the apartment.  A further search of the residence turned up twenty-six-year-old Haley Nichole Nichols hiding inside a closet.

Wooten and Nichols were both arrested and charged with criminal trespass.

Last Week For Early Voting In Chattooga County

If you want to vote early in the May 24th Primary Election you have until Friday to do so.

Election Day will be one week from today.  All early voting takes place at the Chattooga County Registrar Office, located just south of the Chattooga County Courthouse on Commerce Street in Summerville.

According to the Registrar Office:

As of May 16, 2022 at 7:31 AM, there have been 82 Absentee by Mail Ballots Issued. Thirty-seven Absentee by Mail Ballots have been received/accepted. No Absentee by Mail Ballots have been rejected, cancelled, or spoiled. There are 45 outstanding Absentee by Mail Ballots. There have been 755 Advance Voting Ballots issued and cast. No provisional ballots have been issued.

Remember to bring a picture ID when you come to vote.

Northwest Georgia Candidate Disqualified From State Senate Race

One of the candidates in the Republican Primary for Georgia State Senate in District 52 is being disqualified. Up until this year, a small portion of Chattooga County was included in the 52nd District. 

Senator Chuck Hufstetler is the incumbent and was being challenged by former state representative Jeff Lewis and Luke Martin, a former Rome Circuit assistant district attorney and chair of the Floyd County GOP.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has moved to disqualify District 52 State Senate candidate Jeff Lewis from the race over charges that Lewis had not made the correct filings with respect to his campaign finances by the required deadline.

On Friday afternoon, Lewis told WBHF in Cartersville his legal team was already working on an appeal.

Ballots are preserved for 22 months in case court battles continue, and notices will be erected at polling places to alert voters of the ballot change. If Lewis’s disqualification sticks, no votes cast in his favor will be counted.

The 52nd District no longer takes in any portion of Chattooga County and is comprised of an area that includes parts of Floyd, Gordon and Bartow Counties.

WBHF / WRGA / Compiled Sources

"Trion Remembers" Memorial Day Event

The Town of Trion is inviting the public to their Memorial Day celebration to be held on Saturday, May 28th at 1 PM at the Trion Veterans Memorial located at 210 Simmons Street in Trion.  The program will include dedication of new pavers that have been added to the Veterans Memorial.  The keynote address will be from Greg Baker, First Sergeant – U.S. Army. The event is sponsored by Mayor Lanny Thomas, the Town of Trion and the Town of Trion Veterans Committee.  For additional information, you can contact the Trion Town Hall at 706-734-2332.