The American Legion LaFayette Post 339 will host the Honeybee Festival Classic Car Show on Saturday, May 31st, from 9 AM to 3 PM in Downtown LaFayette. This event will showcase beautifully restored classic cars and is part of the vibrant Honeybee Festival. Car enthusiasts can register their vehicles for $25, with gates opening at 8 AM. Spectators can attend the show FREE of charge. Exciting prizes will be awarded, including a $250 cash prize for First Place and the Mayor’s Choice Trophy, selected by LaFayette Mayor Andy Arnold. The event is sponsored by Jenkins Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep and Paul Thigpin Chevrolet along with Sallie McGinnis State Farm Insurance.

A man will serve nearly six years in federal prison after buying over 150 guns in Georgia and smuggling some to Mexico. Edson Areguillin received instructions from agents in Mexico and purchased weapons for them. He allegedly crossed the border with the guns. Attorney Chris Timmons stated that Areguillin acted as a straw buyer. He would receive a wire transfer from Mexico, use it to buy firearms, keep part of the money, and then smuggle the guns to Mexico, where they were later used in crimes. One gun purchased in Cherokee County was recovered in Mexico after being used in a shootout that killed eight and injured four. The U. S. attorney noted that Areguillin mainly bought 9 mm pistols and AR-style weapons, earning thousands on each trip. “Illegal firearms trafficking wreaks havoc in communities within and outside our district,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We are proud to stand alongside our federal law enforcement partners in helping to stem the unlawful flow of firearms to criminals.”

WSB / GNN / US Department of Justice

Gas prices continue to fall with local averages below $3.00 a gallon.  Statewide, Georgia drivers are seeing an average price at the pump of $2.87, according to GasBuddy. “While the national average didn’t fall quite as far as anticipated for Memorial Day, it was still one of the most affordable since 2021— and, when adjusted for inflation, among the cheapest in nearly a decade,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said. De Haan said he expected prices to stay stable through the summer and that he did not foresee prices dropping far below a $3 average for now.  Locally, gas is averaging $2.76 per gallon in Chattooga County.  That compares to $2.82 in Floyd County and $2.81 in Walker County.  Gordon County’s average was $2.86 per gallon as of Wednesday.  Across the state line in Alabama, gas was even lower at $2.73 per gallon in DeKalb County and Cherokee Counties.

The Floyd County Commission has approved a rezoning request for a new data center near Coosa High School, following a public hearing with mixed reactions from residents. Concerns were raised about the potential strain on resources and the heavy industrial zoning associated with the project. Residents questioned the data center’s water and power needs, with local residents highlighting existing water restrictions and worrying about increased water usage; others also urged the commission to consider the risks to the community, schools, and overall quality of life. The land was sold to the developer by the Floyd County Board of Education, and Superintendent Glenn White defended the project, assuring that it would not endanger student safety. County planning staff noted that data centers usually impact traffic minimally but require large amounts of utilities. Commissioner Scotty Hancock mentioned that the developers chose Floyd County due to its water resources and that there would be a limit on future data center projects. The approval includes conditions to reduce negative effects on the community, like restricting property use, limiting lighting, and maintaining buffers around the site.

WRGA contributed to this story

With the heat of summer just around the corner, health officials in Chattooga County emphasize the need to check on elderly family members and neighbors who live alone. A large part of the county’s population consists of senior citizens, especially those in single-person households, making them more prone to heat-related illnesses.

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The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported a significant increase in traffic fatalities during the 2025 Memorial Day holiday travel period, with a total of 14 incidents recorded. This figure surpasses last year’s total of 11 fatalities stemming from over 500 crashes investigated by state troopers during the same period. The Memorial Day holiday travel period, which began Friday, May 23rd, and concluded Monday at 11:59 p.m., saw law enforcement across the state responding to a concerning number of incidents. According to the DPS, officers addressed over 800 instances of distracted driving, filed 281 crash reports, and stopped 335 drivers suspected of driving under the influence. In addition to the fatalities, over 100 injuries were reported. “These dangerous behaviors are putting lives at risk as the holiday travel period continues,” the DPS stated, highlighting the ongoing concern regarding reckless driving practices. The department is urging drivers to remain vigilant and prioritize safety on the roads. While the holiday weekend is over, the DPS continues to encourage safe driving practices to prevent future tragedies.

The City of Summerville is looking for qualified Engineering Firms to help with upcoming federally funded projects tied to community and economic development. An Request for Proposals  and Request for Qualifications have been issued for services related to the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), Design Services, and Construction Administration. The city is looking for a firm that has successfully assisted local governments with the federal project process, including preliminary reporting, final design, and construction administration. This effort may involve various federally supported programs like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Employment Incentive Program (EIP) Projects, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) Projects, Economic Development Administration (EDA) Projects, among others. The main focus is to secure services for a FY2026 CDBG project. Interested firms should submit their qualifications and proposals and could be considered for future federally funded projects in the next 24 months. This is not a request for retainer services. For more details on the process, firms can contact the City of Summerville.

A heated exchange at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office led to police being called on May 13th, after a local businessman allegedly refused to leave following a contentious meeting.

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

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