A Northwest Georgia victim lost thousands of dollars from her bank account after becoming the victim of identity theft. A Savannah woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing $20,000 from a woman residing in Rome. Tomisha Lashan Heath, 31, is accused of illegally accessing the victim’s bank account on eleven separate occasions. According to arrest warrants and Floyd County Jail records, Heath utilized a computer or computer service to gain unauthorized entry into the victim’s account. Further investigation revealed that Heath allegedly created and altered the victim’s financial records, adding her own name to the signature card. This allowed her to access and misappropriate the funds. Heath is now charged with felony theft by taking, as well as eleven counts each of computer theft, computer trespass, and computer forgery. She is currently being held at the Floyd County Jail pending further legal proceedings. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.
The Town of Trion will hold a regular workshop and council meeting coming up this Thursday, May 22, 2025. The workshop begins at 6 PM, with the regular meeting following shortly thereafter. The meeting will be held at the Town Hall Conference Room. Anyone with questions may contact Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas or the Trion Town Hall Office.
MR. GENE HURLEY, age 95, of Alcoa, Tennessee, former Owner/Operator of the Summerville Hurley’s Grocery Store, passed away Friday evening, May 16, 2025, in Louisville, Tennessee. Mr. Hurley was born in Summerville, Georgia on February 11, 1930 to the late Tollie Ross and Annie Laura Elsberry Hurley. He was longtime member of South Summerville Baptist Church; in addition to Parents was preceded in death by his wife the late Clara Marceline Mobbs Hurley and brother the late Tollie Fay Hurley.
Surviving are daughters, Sherry Reeves and Cecelia Berry; son, David Hurley; grandchildren, Sean Reeves, Tisha Cox, Carrie Daniels, and Marta Bridges; Three Great Grandchildren, several Nieces and Nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 19th, at 2:00 P.M. from the South Summervile Baptist Church with Dr. Jerry Mahan officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Sean Reeves, Phillip Cox, Levi Cox, Matthew Cox, and Connor Daniels. The Family will receive friends Monday from 1 P.M. until the hour of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Mr. Hurley’s memory.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Gene Hurley.
Mr. Billy Ray Nelson age 88 of Gaylesville, AL passed away Friday, May 16, 2025 at a Rome, GA hospital.
Mr. Nelson was born September 29, 1936 to the Late William Belton and Jessmer Nelson. He served his country in the Army National Guard and was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church for 22 years. He enjoyed fishing and Alabama Football.
Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his wife of 20 years, Mary Ann McGinnis Nelson; and sister, Ruby Nell Scrivner.
Survivors include his brothers, Lawrence (Cheryl) Nelson, William A. Nelson, James R. (Kim) Nelson; step-son Bobby Joe (Marquetta) McGinnis, Jr; granddaughter, Laci (Nate) Smitherman, Mahayla (Austin) McGraw; great-grandchildren, Regan, Zack, and McKenna Jo; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mr. Nelson will take place at 1:00 PM EST (12:00 AM CST) Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Faith Baptist Church in Gaylesville, AL with Rev. Clay Mooreland officiating. Interment will follow at Moseley Cemetery with nephews and friends serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Tuesday at the church from 12:00 EST (11:00 CST) until the service time.
To share your condolences with the family, please visit www.MasonFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral home, Summerville, GA.
A City of Summerville employee has been terminated following an arrest stemming from a domestic altercation at his home in the Armuchee community three weeks ago. Christopher Larry Tuggle, 48, was dismissed from his position by Summerville City Manager Jason Winters due to a violation of city policy. According to Floyd County law enforcement reports, Tuggle and Keri Ann Mullins, 29, were both arrested at their residence on Warren Road on April 25th, after a verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation. Police reports indicate that Mullins sustained a bruise on her lip and a bump on the back of her head, while Tuggle suffered cuts to his cheek, neck, and left hand. Both individuals were charged with battery. City Manager Winters cited Tuggle’s arrest as a clear violation of city policy, leading to the decision to terminate his employment. Tuggle has retained Summerville Attorney Steve Miller to represent him in appealing the termination decision.
Just over five months remain until the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and other top aviators take to the skies of Rome, Georgia for the 2025 Wings Over North Georgia air show.
The Summerville Main Street program has postponed the Ducky Derby, planned for today, due to safety concerns over severe weather. Summerville Main Street Manager Susan Locklear announced this decision after seeing forecasts for heavy rain and thunderstorms. The event will now take place on Saturday, June 7th, alongside the Double Steam Engine Train arrival and Cowboy Western Heritage Festival.
Law enforcement officials in Georgia are urging residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman was defrauded of over $47,000 in a sophisticated scam originating from a seemingly harmless online crossword puzzle. According to the Johns Creek Police Department, the victim was completing a crossword puzzle online when a pop-up message directed her to call a specific phone number.
Multi-State Cattle Theft Ring Busted; Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Urges Victims to Come Forward
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper announced this week an active investigation into a large-scale, multi-state cattle theft scheme, urging potential victims to contact authorities immediately. The Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement is seeking information on any individuals who may have been defrauded by Garrett Hill, also known as Jared Smith.
Georgia-Pacific announced it will permanently close its containerboard mill in Cedar Springs, Georgia, leading to the layoff of all 535 employees, with most job losses occurring by August 1. There is no fixed schedule for the shutdown, as production will continue to fulfill customer commitments until a safe closure is achieved.














