Georgia drivers are catching a slight break at the pump as the state’s average gas price has dipped slightly compared to last week. Georgians are now paying an average of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline (subject to change overnight), according to AAA – The Auto Club Group. This price represents a decrease of 1 cent from a week ago, 11 cents from a month ago, and a significant 46 cents from this time last year.

Filling a 15-gallon tank now costs approximately $43.35, a savings of nearly $7 compared to last year’s prices. “Dipping crude oil rates, a mismatch of supply and demand, and concerns about the economy’s direction could significantly influence fuel prices in the months ahead,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA- The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “AAA encourages drivers to use money-saving gas tips to maximize their fuel efficiency.” Across the nation, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has decreased by 1 cent since last Monday, settling at $3.07 (subject to change overnight). This price drop occurs despite increased gasoline demand as spring break travel gets underway. Many drivers may find prices below $3 per gallon in several states. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that gasoline demand increased from 8.87 million barrels daily to 9.18 million barrels. However, the total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 246.8 million barrels to 241.1 million barrels, slightly below seasonal averages. Gasoline production also declined last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil increased $1.43 in Wednesday’s trading session, settling at $67.68 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.4 million barrels from the previous week. At 435.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are approximately 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

The most expensive Georgia metro markets are Savannah ($2.98), Atlanta ($2.94), and Athens ($2.93).

The least expensive Georgia metro markets are Dalton ($2.77), Albany ($2.76), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.68).

Area gas price averages: Chattooga ($2.80), Walker ($2.69), Floyd ($2.82), Gordon ($2.79), DeKalb, AL ($2.67), Cherokee, AL ($2.65).

The National Weather Service reports that a low-pressure system affecting the Southeast is moving out, currently located over southern Virginia and heading northeast. A high-pressure system is coming in from the west, bringing relief. This transition will result in gusty winds of 25 to 30 mph this morning, calming down by late afternoon. Highs today will be in the lower 60’s and lows over night will be in the mid-30’s.  On Tuesday, lighter winds are expected as the high-pressure system moves overhead, ensuring stable weather.  Daytime temperatures will warm to the low-70’s. Looking ahead, a weak cold front on Thursday will bring another chance for rain and possible thunderstorms. There will be concerns for fire weather due to dry conditions and gusty winds. Residents are advised to monitor the Fire Weather Forecast closely. Wednesday’s temperatures may reach the mid to upper 70s, with some areas near 80 degrees. The front on Thursday could bring light rain, mainly along and north of Interstate 85, and low humidity values will raise fire weather risks following the front’s passage.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, March 17, 2025:

Voters are being asked to vote on the Special Local Option Sales Tax on Tuesday.  You can read the ballot question to be voted on below:

NOTICE OF ELECTION
TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF CHATTOOGA COUNTY, GEORGIA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the 18th day of March, 2025, an election will be held at the regular polling places in all the election districts of Chattooga County, Georgia (“the County”), at which time there will be submitted to the qualified voters of the county for their determina- tion the question of whether a one percent county special purpose local option sales and use tax (the “SPLOST”) shall be reimposed on all sales and uses in the special district created in the County for a period of 24 calendar quarters for the raising of approximately $20,500,000 for the purpose of funding capital outlay projects (“the Projects”) specified in the form of the ballot set forth below.

Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district of Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed twenty-four calendar quarters and for the raising of an estimated amount of approximately $20,500,000 for the purpose of funding (i) for the County (A) acquisition of rights of way for roads, streets and bridges, and expansion, modern- ization, maintenance, construction and improvement of roads, streets and bridges, (B) expan- sion, modernization and improvement of water distribution and supply system, equipment and facilities, and (C) expansion, modemization and improvement of county buildings and facilities (collectively, the County Projects); (ii) for the Town of Lyerly, (A) acquisition of rights of way for roads, streets and bridges, and expansion, modernization, maintenance, construction and improvement of roads, streets and bridges, (B) acquisition, construction and equipping of capital outlay projects for recreational, historical or cultural facilities or any combination thereof; (C) water and sewer expansion, modernization or improvements, and (D) acquisition, construction, modernization and improvement of municipal-owned facilities; (ii) for the Town of Trion (A) acquisition of rights of way for roads, streets and bridges, and expansion, modernization, maintenance, construction and improvement of roads, streets and bridges, (B) acquisition, con- struction and equipping of capital outlay projects for recreational, historical or cultural facilities or any combination thereof; (C) water and sewer expansion, modernization or improvements, and (D) acquisition, construction, modernization and improvement of municipal-owned facilities; (iv) for the City of Menlo (A) acquisition of rights of way for roads, streets and bridges, and expansion, modernization, maintenance, construction and improvement of roads, streets and bridges, (B) acquisition, construction and equipping of capital outlay projects for recreational, historical or cultural facilities or any combination thereof; (C) water and sewer expansion, modernization or improvements, and (D) acquisition, construction, modernization and improve- ment of municipal-owned facilities; (v) for the City of Summerville, (A) acquisition of rights of way for roads, streets and bridges, and expansion, modernization, maintenance, construction and improvement of roads, streets, and bridges, (B) acquisition, construction and equipping of capital outlay projects for recreational, historicall or cultural facilities or any combination thereof; (C) water and sewer expansion, modernization or improvements, and (D) acquisition, construction, modernization and improvement of municipal-owned facilities.

The several places for holding said election shall be at the regular and established voting pre- cincts of the election districts of Chattooga County, Georgia, and the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the date fixed for the election.

Those residents of Chattooga County qualified to vote at such election shall be determined in all respects in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia.

This notice is given pursuant to a resolution of the Sole Commissioner of Chattooga County and an order of the Board of Elections and Registration.

Andy Allen, Sole Commissioner of Chattooga County

Sheena Weaver, Election Supervisor, Chattooga County

A Gordon County man, Amar Diablo Bodrick, 43, has been indicted by the Chattooga County Grand Jury in connection with a November 2024 incident that involved a high-speed chase and the alleged trafficking of methamphetamine. The incident began on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at approximately 8 PM when the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force (DTF) attempted to arrest Bodrick at the Dollar Store in the Gore area on charges of Trafficking Methamphetamine.

Bodrick, driving a gold Chevrolet SUV, allegedly fled the scene, ramming a DTF vehicle and causing front-end damage. The chase continued onto Highway 27, heading south towards Floyd County, with DTF vehicles in pursuit. Bodrick allegedly refused to stop, reaching high speeds before abruptly making a U-turn at the Gore Firehall. He then traveled north on Highway 27, where he allegedly struck another DTF vehicle, causing minor damage. According to authorities, Bodrick slowed at one point to push a male passenger out of the vehicle, claiming the passenger was unaware of his criminal activities. During the pursuit, agents allege that Bodrick threw four bags of methamphetamine, along with a black bag containing cocaine and other drug paraphernalia, out of the vehicle window.

The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office joined the chase, which continued into Summerville. Summerville Police Department assisted by deploying spike strips, which successfully disabled Bodrick’s vehicle after flattening three tires in downtown Summerville. Bodrick was apprehended and transported to the Chattooga County Jail.

He was indicted on the charges on March 3rd and will be facing trial in Chattooga County Superior Court.

Last week, Summerville Police responded to a call at Oakview Nursing Home on Monday.  Officers met with staff from the nursing home who reported that a resident had stabbed another resident with a pen several times.  The resident also assaulted a male nursing home employee by punching him in the chest.  The 62-year-old assailant was also accused of ripping out all the call buttons from the room. He was transported by Floyd EMS, according to the report.  The report did not indicate if any charges would be filed in connection with the incident.

Dr. Robert Burkich, a physician based in Chattanooga with offices in Northwest Georgia,  has settled claims under the False Claims Act, resolving allegations that he submitted false Medicare claims for unnecessary chelation therapy.

His practice, Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc., located in Ringgold, Georgia, was at the center of the accusations, facing allegations of falsely certifying that services provided to patients were medically necessary when they were not. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dr. Burkich allegedly billed Medicare from September 2009 to January 2017 for administering edetate calcium disodium (EDTA) to patients who did not have lead poisoning. Medicare rules dictate that EDTA reimbursements are only permitted in cases of lead poisoning. Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that such fraudulent actions waste valuable Medicare resources. Kelly J. Blackmon, of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), added that healthcare providers who prioritize profit over patient care undermine the integrity of federal health programs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office pursued legal action against Dr. Burkich for violating the False Claims Act. As a result of the allegations, Dr. Burkich and his practice will pay $700,000 to the government as restitution to Medicare. This settlement was reached under the Department of Justice’s ability-to-pay guidelines, which consider a defendant’s financial capacity to settle a case. The allegations in the case, titled *United States v. Burkich et al.*, are not a determination of liability.

For further information, the public is encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office.

Chattooga County voters are being asked to return to the polls tomorrow to vote in the Special Local Option Sales Tax election that will take place from 7 AM until 7 PM.

The one-cent sales tax has been in place for decades and provides funds for infrastructure projects like road paving and maintenance for the county and the county’s four municipalities: Summerville, Trion, Menlo and Lyerly.

Polls will open at 7 AM on Tuesday and remain open until 7 PM. Voting will take place at the regular polling places in each precinct. A reminder: Lyerly voters are now voting at the Lyerly Community Center instead of the fire department at Lyerly Town Hall.

Be sure to bring a picture ID when you come to vote.

Here are the latest health inspection scores from the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department for the first half of March, 2025:

A Chattooga County woman was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI)  following a near-miss incident at a license and safety checkpoint. According to reports from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at approximately 11:31 PM on March 8th at the intersection of West Spring Creek Road and the Baptist Church. Deputies were conducting the checkpoint when a blue vehicle, driven by Lacy Adele Trammell, allegedly nearly struck Deputy Garmany due to delayed braking. Trammell was directed to pull into the nearby church parking lot. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies detected a strong odor of alcohol. Trammell reportedly admitted to consuming four beers since 5:30 PM in celebration of her birthday. An attempt to administer a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) was unsuccessful. Trammell was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI/Alcohol and informed of her Implied Consent rights. She refused a blood draw. Lacy Adele Trammell was then transported to the Chattooga County Jail and charged with DUI and other related infractions.

The Trion Band Boosters held the Ms. Trion Pageant on Saturday.  Congratulations to Lexi Pearson who was named “Ms. Trion” 2025.  You can see more winners below:

The National Weather Service predicts a 30% chance of showers today, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 PM, with a high near 69 degrees. Southwest winds will be blowing between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts potentially reaching as high as 30 mph. Tonight, the skies will be mostly cloudy with a low around 35 degrees. West winds will be lighter, between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Patchy frost is possible Monday morning; otherwise, Monday will be sunny with a high near 60 degrees. North winds will be between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The overnight low Monday will be around 34 degrees under clear skies. Looking ahead, the long-term forecast indicates generally pleasant conditions with high temperatures in the 70s and overnight lows falling into the mid-40s. Dry air is expected to return to the area Monday through Wednesday. Authorities are advising caution as low relative humidity and gusty winds across North Georgia may approach fire weather criteria. A weak cold front is expected to move through on Thursday, bringing the next round of rain and slightly cooler temperatures in the 60s before rebounding by the weekend. Forecasters anticipate minimal instability associated with the front, suggesting that the rainfall will be light, with current estimates predicting less than a tenth of an inch. A rumble of thunder is possible but not likely. Following the brief cool down, the weather is expected to return to pleasant conditions for the weekend, with temperatures gradually increasing back into the 70s and overnight lows comfortably in the 50s.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, March 16, 2025:

Severe storms swept through Georgia Saturday night and into Sunday morning, leaving a trail of power outages in their wake. While Chattooga County has largely avoided widespread blackouts, downtown Summerville is experiencing significant disruptions to its power supply. As of this morning, Georgia Power is responding to outages reported on Union Street, Northwest Congress Street, West Washington Street, Martin Street, and Senior Drive, as well as numerous other areas within the downtown core. A smaller outage is also affecting the Cloudland area, located off Highway 157 near the Walker County line. Georgia Power crews are currently assessing the extent of the damage and working to restore power to affected residents and businesses. No estimated time of restoration has been released, but residents are advised to stay informed through the Georgia Power website

A new Women’s Imaging Suite that officially opened Thursday at Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center provides women in northeast Alabama easier access to lifesaving mammograms and also represents Atrium Health Floyd’s continued commitment to expand services at the rural hospital.

“We have been successful in this era when rural hospitals are closing everywhere,” said Kurt Stuenkel, Atrium Health Floyd president.

His remarks were made during the ribbon-cutting for the new, $1 million suite that also provides DEXA
scans, which measure bone density, an important diagnostic tool in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Atrium Health Floyd has managed the hospital since June 2018, investing more than $15.5 million in the facility and Emergency Medical Services in Cherokee County.

“If it were not for Atrium Health Floyd, we would not still have a hospital,” said Joy Perry, executive director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. “We are truly, truly grateful, and this probably makes the third or fourth time I have been out here for a ribbon-cutting.”

Perry pointed out that, for her, the suite has a personal impact. It means she will no longer have to drive to Rome from Cherokee County to get a mammogram.

Kay Chumbler, a lifelong Cherokee County resident and chair of hospital board, referred to the new suite as a dream come true.

“As a lifelong resident of this county, I can only say to you that ‘grateful’ is the operative word for the day,” Chumbler said. “In 2018, when Floyd Medical took over this campus, our hospital was less than a month from closing. When so many rural hospitals are closing, ours is growing, expanding, offering new lines of service and that is another thing to be grateful for as well.

Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States, and an estimated 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

“What we have installed here is the newest, latest and greatest 3D mammography machine,” said Aimee Griffin, vice president of professional services at Atrium Health Floyd. “This unit brings the most advanced breast screening technology available to the residents of Cherokee County.”

“We also added a bone densitometry unit,” Griffin continued. “Another really common thing that impacts women as they age is osteoporosis and the risk of having spine fractures, hip fractures and wrist fractures if they have a fall. So, it is really important that we are watching their bone density. There are lots of different therapies we can do to help preserve that.”

Griffin said a month after the suite’s opening, it has already performed 150 screening mammograms. Of those 150 mammograms, nine women were told that their screening was abnormal.

“I am thankful to say so far we haven’t found any breast cancers, and we were able, within 24 hours, to get those screening results back to the women,” she added.

Griffin said the suite is committed to honoring the same “Know in 24” promise pledged by The Breast Center at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center.

Paul Brock, M.D., a general surgeon with Harbin Clinic who was instrumental in the creation of The Breast Center, told the crowd that diagnosing breast cancer has come a long way.

“When I first started practicing in the late 1980s women would get to me usually four to six weeks after they had been told they had an abnormal mammogram.

“It occurred to me at the time there had to be a better way to do this,” Brock said. “One of the biggest obstacles was finding a way to get the components of the mammogram and the clinical breast exam as close together as humanly possible.”

The new suite at Cherokee represents the continued success of the Know in 24 pledge, Brock said.

To make an appointment at the suite, call The Breast Center at Atrium Health Floyd at 706-509-6840.

In November 2023, Dana Barr, a professor at Emory University, was invited to a community center in Rome, Georgia, to inform residents about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals. ” An investigation revealed that most of the attending residents had higher PFAS levels in their blood than the national average. Barr was moved by their concerns and recognized the importance of providing accurate information about PFAS exposure and its health effects.

Feeling a sense of responsibility, Barr collaborated with colleagues Melanie Pearson and Noah Scovronick to gather more information about PFAS issues in Rome and Calhoun, along with previous environmental data from local groups. This effort led to securing funding for a larger human exposure study through the HERCULES Exposome Research Center, a partnership between Rollins and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

In January, just over a year after the initial discussion, around 200 adults from Rome and Calhoun volunteered to participate in the blood sampling study. Many community members expressed their desire to understand their PFAS exposure levels, with Judy Peterson stating that knowledge is essential for addressing health concerns. Community interest was strong, resulting in nearly 400 applications, although eligibility was limited to residents over 18 who had lived there for at least three years.

Local residents, including Alvin Jackson and Lisa Martin, joined the study to better understand their health and contribute to broader implications for communities facing PFAS issues. Researchers found it meaningful to hear the residents’ personal stories, emphasizing the human impact of their scientific work.

The study aims to compare PFAS levels among participants with national averages but will not directly link exposure to specific health problems. The researchers aim to provide valuable information to help residents improve their health. Results are expected in several months, with further studies possible depending on community interest and initial findings.

As the study concluded at the community center, Barr felt proud of the efforts to conduct impactful research. The enthusiasm from the residents reinforced the significance of the study and highlighted the importance of addressing community health concerns.

For Georgia’s microbreweries, a “beer run” is more complicated than it seems. A strange state law requires them to make long drives to deliver their craft beer to local restaurants. When a restaurant wants to order more than a small amount, like a keg, the brewery cannot deliver it directly. Instead, a distribution driver must take the keg from the brewery to a warehouse in Atlanta and then deliver it back to the restaurant in the same city.

Microbreweries in Georgia have called this situation absurd, explaining that the beer travels unnecessarily between locations instead of going directly to the restaurant.

To address this issue, the Craft Beer and Local Economy Revitalization Act was proposed to allow microbreweries to sell directly to restaurants. Supporters argued this would benefit both small breweries and local restaurants that prefer local products. However, the bill failed in committee last week, leaving advocates very disappointed. S

tate Senator Chuck Hufstetler, a cosponsor, criticized the current law as benefiting monopolies that resist competition. Proponents of the bill believe it would enhance efficiency and competitiveness, while distributors argue it would burden retailers and hinder small breweries.

Advocates hope to revisit the issue next year or connect it to other legislation as the push for better beer distribution continues.

A tragic shooting in northwest Georgia last weekend resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer, raising the total number of fatalities to four.

Authorities confirmed that 52-year-old Officer Charles Dunn from Chickamauga died days after being critically injured in the attack. He was a family friend of the victims and was inside the home when 54-year-old Russell David Payne from Marietta began his violent assault.

During the incident, Payne fatally shot his estranged wife, 54-year-old Jacklyn D. Payne, and her father, 79-year-old Eugene “Jack” Denny. Afterwards, Payne took his own life at the scene. The violence started with a 911 call from the residence around 7 p. m. Dunn was remembered as a “true hero” who donated his organs after his passing, known for his kindness and love for people and animals.

North Georgia EMC (NGEMC) is alerting its members to a recent surge in fraudulent calls where scammers are impersonating the cooperative’s “financial department” to demand immediate payment. One NGEMC member recently reported being targeted with a particularly elaborate scheme involving barcodes and instructions to deposit cash.

The scammer, posing as an NGEMC representative, pressured the victim into making an immediate payment by claiming it was owed to the power company. The scammer then sent the victim barcodes, instructing her to pay by scanning them, a tactic designed to circumvent traditional payment methods and prevent cancellation. NGEMC emphasizes that these tactics are hallmarks of a sophisticated scam operation. The cooperative wants to remind all members that NGEMC will NEVER call demanding immediate payment on an account.

“Scammers often rely on pressure tactics to rush you into making decisions,” an NGEMC spokesperson stated. “If you receive a call and feel pressured in any way, the best course of action is to hang up immediately and contact NGEMC directly using a verified phone number found on our website or your bill.”

To protect yourself from becoming a victim of this scam, remember the following:

Hang up: If you receive an unsolicited call demanding immediate payment, especially if it involves threats or pressure, hang up the phone.

Verify: Contact NGEMC directly using the published phone number on your bill or website. Do not rely on phone numbers, email addresses, or payment instructions provided by the unsolicited caller.

Be wary of specific payment requests: NGEMC will never demand payment in a specific form, such as cash or payment through untraceable methods. NGEMC is committed to protecting its members from fraud.

If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, report the incident to NGEMC and local law enforcement.