United Community Bank is inviting the community to join them for a special Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, May 2nd, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The event is a celebration of the bank’s 75th anniversary, marking its remarkable journey from a small-town institution to a regional banking powerhouse, and its 25th year serving the Chattooga County community. Lunch will be served at the Summerville Branch, providing a delicious opportunity for customers to connect with the bank’s team. In Trion, residents can register for a special anniversary giveaway, adding to the festive atmosphere. United Community Bank, originally founded as Union County Bank in Blairsville, GA, 75 years ago, has a rich history rooted in providing exceptional service to its communities and customers. From its humble beginnings, the bank has expanded to operate over 200 branches across six states, all while remaining steadfast in its commitment to its core values  of serving its customers and neighbors.

A Chattooga County man was arrested late Sunday night for reckless driving after allegedly being caught speeding excessively in a construction zone on Highway 27. According to the report filed by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on Highway 27 near Pleasant Hill Church Road at 10:56 PM.  A deputy clocked 22-year-old Ryan Kellar’s silver Dodge Ram traveling northbound at 92 miles per hour in a posted 55 mile per hour zone, which was also designated as a construction area with appropriate signage. The report states that after initiating a traffic stop, Kellar allegedly admitted to speeding, stating he was “tired and trying to make it home.” The deputy noted a newborn child in a child safety seat and a female passenger were also present in the vehicle. Kellar was taken into custody after a driver’s license check confirmed his identity but due to the excessive speed and the presence of a newborn in the car, Reynolds made the decision to arrest him for reckless driving.  A sheriff’s officer supervisor arrived on the scene and agreed with the deputy’s decision. The female passenger, who possessed a valid driver’s license, subsequently drove the vehicle away from the scene. Kellar was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident. He faces charges related to reckless driving.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, along with First Lady Marty Kemp and members of TCSG and the Georgia General Assembly, signed new laws this week to improve Georgia’s workforce at the TCSG Leadership Summit. These laws aim to help Georgians gain the necessary skills and knowledge for success, building on previous efforts to connect people with job opportunities.

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Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has released a statement addressing the recent Georgia Department of Agriculture inspection of the Chattooga County Animal Control facility and outlining ongoing efforts to improve operations and rebuild community trust. The inspection, a routine oversight procedure, identified areas needing improvement to ensure the facility meets the highest standards of animal care and compliance.

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Dawson Garrett Scherer, 19, of Chattooga County, was arrested early last Thursday morning on charges of DUI Under 21 and various traffic offenses following a single-vehicle accident on Airport Road.

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Jason Earnest Jones, a repeat offender, has been sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections after being found guilty of trafficking methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. A Catoosa County jury delivered the guilty verdict on March 20, 2025.

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Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable individual to fill a seasonal Naturalist position at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Chattooga County. This is a fantastic opportunity for nature lovers to share their passion for the outdoors with park visitors and contribute to the preservation of Georgia’s natural beauty.

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Georgia’s lottery-funded pre-kindergarten program was once considered the best in the nation, offering quality education for free, but enrollment began to decline after 2019, worsened by the pandemic. The National Institute for Early Education Research noted a long-term drop in enrollment for states like Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. In the last school year, Georgia’s program scored below other states, managing an 8 out of 10 due to large class sizes.

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