A vote for Georgians who participate in a federal program that provides free cell phone service to low income residents to pay $5 has been postponed by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Approved residents are given a cell phone with up to 500 minutes per month.

The PSC announced in February the proposal to implement the $5 fee.

Providers have complained about the service saying that the free service could put them out of business.

The National Association of Wireless companies have also filed a lawsuit saying that the PSC does not have the legal authority to regulate wireless rate.

Mount Berry Square mall is excited to host the GNC Health Fair this Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m..m. Stop by the mall to speak with professional athletes, test out some of GNCs latest products and sit down with some local health professionals. The Health Fair will include blood pressure testing, body fat analysis and overall health screenings. Redmond Regional Medical Center will be bringing both their Outpatient Rehab Clinic and Emergency Medical Center. Harbin Clinic will be giving out information and handing out free one-month passes.

Be sure to stop by the GNC tables to enter to win one of two gift baskets full of GNC vendor products. There will be one male basket and one female basket.

The Health Fair will also be an opportunity to speak to local chiropractors, gyms and wellness centers.

For more information, please call Tricia at 706-993-6517.

Walker county commissioner Bebe Heiskell confirmed Monday that the local legislative delegation passed legislation through the general assembly last week, concerning the board structure and financing of Erlanger at Hutcheson.

"Heiskell said under the local legislation, representation on the hospital board will now include 4 members from Walker county, 4 from Catoosa, and 1 member from Dade county. 'That's fair representation according to population', Heiskell said.

“However, if the Dade County Commission agrees to guarantee 20-percent of the hospital's short-term funding, they will get to appoint 2 members to the hospital board.

"Dade, in the recent past, has refused to help Hutcheson with any guarantee of financing, leaving Walker and Catoosa to split financing guarantees 50-50." 

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The Town of Lyerly and the City of Summerville have been awarded a portion of $1.66 million The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR)  has recently awarded in grants for trails around the state. 

Lyerly will use use its money for a  Lower Chattooga River Canoe/Kayak Trail.  According to the Coosa River Basin Initiative, the Chattooga River was once heavily polluted, but is now recovered and is an inviting place for paddling. Lyerly will capitalize on that by drawing kayakers and canoeists and will use the DNR’s recommended grant of $99,700 in enhancing existing launch points and constructing an entirely new river trailhead. No word yet on where that trailhead will be. Mayor Josh Wyatt is in the process of trying to purchase property. 

The City of Summerville will receive a recommended grant of $100,000 to assist with the development of the Willow Springs Trail, which will connect two of the city's most historic resources — Willow Springs Park and the Summerville Depot. 

Summerville City Councilman David Ford helped spearhead the Willow Springs Trail project. He said the trail will go under Highway 27 and come out at the base of the spring with a deck behind Tad's Quick Lube. He said there is a possibility that an area behind the depot will be squared up and there will be another deck. Right now preliminary work is being done to begin the work on the trail.

Funding for the Recreational Trails Program is appropriated by Congress in the national highway legislation, and is overseen by the Federal Highway Administration. The DNR administers the grant program under the guidance of the Federal Highway Administration.  Each year, the DNR holds a competition for the grants. Agencies of state, federal and local government are eligible to compete. Every recipient is required to match the grant by providing at least 20 percent of the cost of the project.

Listed on the April 3 Arrest Report at the Chattooga County Jail are:

Mark Anthony Bryson — Child Supprort

David Daniel Rich – Child Support

Brandon Lebron Wells — Probation Violation 

Eyewitnesses tell AM 1180 that it appears a car has flipped on Highway 27 on the north side of Taylors Ridge on Highway 27.  Traffic was still moving, however emergency personnel were on the scene.  We will have more information as it becomes available.

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Chattooga County Water Department Superintendent Lance Stowe said that residents on Highway 157, Gillreath Mill and Stateline Roads at Cloudland will experience low water pressure on Thursday morning.

The water department is installing a generator at the pressure tank located on Highway 157 on Thursday morning between 9 AM and noon.  Low water pressure can be expected while the power is turned off at the pressure tank Thursday morning.