Conuard Thomas “Tommy” Higdon, 70, of Trenton, was convicted of drug-related offenses, including Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine, by a Dade County jury on April 21, 2025, following a trial presided over by Judge Chris Arnt. The conviction stemmed from an investigation conducted by agents with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.
Boats are a critical need for an agency like the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), whether they are used for customer assistance, enforcement, education, inspection, emergency response or management efforts. Thanks to a generous donation from the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, the Georgia DNR now has three new boats for use on state waters.
Mother’s Day, celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May, is a cherished national holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring mothers. However, its origins are far more complex than the traditional cards and flowers suggest, stemming from a rich history of peace activism and social reform. The official establishment of Mother’s Day in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson marked the culmination of years of advocacy and grassroots movements. While the day is now associated with familial celebration, its early iterations were driven by powerful women seeking to unite mothers for a greater cause.
Summerville Police responded to a reported burglary on Seventh Street early Wednesday morning, May 7th, at approximately 3:40 AM. According to the police report, officers were dispatched after resident Arbie Loveless reported hearing a disturbance at the rear of her home. Ms. Loveless stated she was asleep on her living room couch around 2:30 AM when she was awakened by a noise coming from the back of the residence. Upon investigation, Ms. Loveless discovered that the windowpane bracing on her back door had been broken, and one of the windowpanes had been dislodged. Police investigation revealed that items placed in front of the screen door at the rear of the property had been moved and the screen door itself had been forced open, sustaining damage in the process. The exterior rear door, though locked, had been opened, granting access to the rear room of the residence. However, the perpetrator was unable to gain entry past the inner exterior door separating that room from the rest of the house. Authorities confirmed that nothing appeared to be missing from the residence. The investigation into the attempted burglary is ongoing.
The Summerville City Council will hold its monthly meeting tomorrow, Monday, May 11th, at 5:00 PM at Summerville City Hall. A major focus will be the first reading of the FY 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance, and the public is encouraged to review the attached document for details. Additionally, the council will appoint Kyle Krueger to the Tree Board for a two-year term to promote environmental care. They will also discuss sign permit approvals for local businesses, specifically 4 Seasons Portable Buildings and MJ Designs, LLC. Another important item is the vote on annual payments of $67,276. 82 for Volunteer Firefighters, reinforcing support for emergency services. Lastly, the council will consider accepting a $3,000 offer for property located at 138 Curran St. Residents are urged to attend this meeting for insights into decisions affecting Summerville’s future. The meeting will be preceded by a question and answer session with the mayor and council at 4:30 PM. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a $37. 7 billion budget for fiscal 2026, focusing on education and prisons. He stated the budget aims to meet the needs of Georgia without expanding government or increasing long-term liabilities. “(This) budget makes important investments to meet the needs of our growing state without growing government or adding to our long-term liabilities,” Kemp said during a signing ceremony at the Georgia Capitol. The budget provides $300 million to fully fund K-12 education and $108. 9 million for safety improvements in schools, along with $47. 9 million for student mental health programs following a school shooting incident. Additionally, $141 million is allocated for a new private-school vouchers program. To address a federal audit on prison safety, $200 million is set aside for hiring more correctional officers and increasing current salaries. The budget also plans to fund capital projects without borrowing money, which will save taxpayers $150 million annually. Lastly, Kemp directed lawmakers to ignore nine non-binding spending items in the budget. The fiscal 2026 budget will begin on July 1.
The Leapfrog Group, a leading independent patient safety watchdog, has released its Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades, revealing a mixed bag for Georgia hospitals. Nineteen hospitals across the state received the coveted “A” rating for their commitment to patient safety. However, the report also reveals a concerning trend: Georgia’s overall national ranking for hospital safety has plummeted in recent years. While in Spring 2019, the state ranked a respectable 15th, it has now fallen to 35th, signaling a growing need for improvement in patient safety protocols across the state.
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is intensifying pressure on the U.S. Postal Service to appoint a qualified Postmaster General capable of resolving the ongoing mail delivery issues plaguing Georgia. His call comes after the recent resignation of former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, May 10, 2025:
The free concert in Trion that was scheduled for tonight has been postponed. “Pink Houses”, a John Mellencamp tribute band, had been scheduled to perform. The event was to have been held outdoors and with the forecast of rain and thunderstorms, Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas says the event will be rescheduled for a later date.
