Arrest Report - Friday - November 1, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, November 1, 2024:

Friday Night Football On WZQZ

It’s the final week of the 2024 regular season and both of our local teams have playoff berths secured and are looking for big wins to finish the regular season.  The Trion Bulldogs will have a huge showdown on the road at Bowdon while Chattooga will take on Coosa the little Big Horn.

The Trion Bulldogs are 8-1 on the season and ranked #8 in the state according to the AJC.  They are tied for 2nd place in region 7-A Division 2 with the Bowdon Red Devils.  Bowdon is 7-2 on the year and ranked #3 in state by the AJC.  Both Trion and Bowdon have one region loss coming at the hands of the Manchester Blue Devils.  The winner of tonight’s game will secure 2nd place in the region and most importantly will secure a home playoff game in the first round.  Bowdon’s two losses this year came in week 1 at home against Fellowship Christian 36-35 and four weeks ago at home to Manchester 28-20.  Bowdon has won back to back state titles the last two seasons.

The Chattooga Indians secured their spot in the playoffs with a win on the road last week at Dade County 56-36.  Chattooga is currently 6-3 on the season while Coosa 3-6 with only one region win against Armuchee.  Coosa took a loss last week 42-14 on the road at Gordon Lee.  Chattooga’s 6 wins this season are the most wins they have had in a season since 2018 under former head coach Charles Hammon.

Both games will be live video streamed on the WZQZ Facebook page.  The Trion at Bowdon game will also be broadcast live on 99.1 FM and AM 1180.  Join Paul Cavin and Jeremy Burke along with cameraman Jim Warnock as they call the action from Bowdon.  Chris “Bubba” Wilson and Steiner Davis along with cameraman Mason Gilreath will provide coverage from the Little Big Horn.  The pregame show will begin at around 7:15pm with kickoff to follow at 7:30 pm.

Chattooga County Man Charged With DUI In Connection With Multi-Vehicle Accident

A fifty-year-old Chattooga County man was charged with DUI after causing a multi-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 114 and Highway 27 in Summerville on Wednesday night.  The Georgia State Patrol told WZQZ News that three vehicles were stopped at the stoplight at the intersection, when a Ford F-150 driven by Stacy Tudor, slammed into the back of another Ford F-150 causing a chain reaction.  The second pickup truck then struck a Toyota Highlander and that vehicle struck a Acura RDX.  Troopers said that Tudor, along with the driver of the other pickup truck and the driver of the Toyota were all transported to the AtriumHealth Floyd Chattooga Emergency Department in Trion with minor injuries.  Tudor was subsequently charged with driving under the influence and other driving offences in connection with the accident.

Man Arrested For False Report Of A Crime

Sample Image

Last week, a thirty-five-year-old Chattooga County man was arrested for filing a false report of a crime related to a stolen truck. A Chattooga County deputy responded to a call from Jason Eugene Hall on Village Mill Road, claiming his friend Thomas Lynch’s truck was stolen while they were away in Atlanta. Initially, Hall stated they had driven a different vehicle, leaving Lynch’s truck at home. However, as the investigation progressed, sheriff’s deputies found Lynch’s stolen 2014 Ram 1500 with deployed airbags off Silverhill Road in the Gore area. Discrepancies in Hall and his roommate Ben Pirkle’s statements raised suspicion. Ultimately, Pirkle confessed to wrecking the truck the night before, revealing inconsistencies in their stories. Following further inquiries, Hall was arrested and taken to the county jail for falsely reporting the crime.

Menlo Lions Club Brunswick Stew Available November 8th

Sample Image

The Menlo Lions Club will be making their famous Brunswick Stew, which will be available for pickup on November 8th from 7 AM – 10 AM. Location for pick up will be at the Menlo School Cafeteria. The stew is $8 per quart or $30 per gallon. The stew sales helps the Menlo Lions Club give scholarships to Chattooga High School students who are going off to college next fall. The Menlo Lions Club also makes sure students who need glasses in our area receive them. Call  706-862-2857 or 706-844-2349 for more information.

Georgia Pathways Seeing Low Enrollment Numbers

Georgia’s limited Medicaid expansion program, Georgia Pathways, has seen significantly low enrollment numbers due to a complex enrollment process and strict eligibility criteria. Only 4,231 individuals have enrolled, far below the projected 25,000. The program requires at least 80 hours per month of work or other qualifying activities, leading to numerous denials. Some enrollees faced unexpected consequences, such as losing coverage due to fluctuating income. Confusion and paperwork errors have also hindered enrollment. Suggestions to improve the program include simplifying eligibility, eliminating the activities requirement, and expanding coverage. The state’s efforts to raise awareness through a $10. 7 million ad campaign have yet to show significant results.

Former Floyd County Teacher Charged With Child Cruelty

A former Floyd County School System teacher, Lynn Katherine Allen Mitchell, has been arrested and charged with three counts of felony 1st-degree cruelty to children. The arrest warrants detail disturbing incidents that occurred at Alto Park Elementary School. Mitchell rolled a 4-year-old, special needs, non-verbal child in a blanket and restrained him by stepping on it when he wouldn’t nap. In another instance, she picked up a different child and slammed him onto a mat for the same reason. On a separate occasion, she tightly wrapped a third child in a blanket to keep him from getting up. Mitchell is no longer employed by the school system, and she remains in Floyd County Jail with a $15,000 bond. The children involved were all special needs and between the ages of 4 and 5.

Paradise Garden Receives Grant From Georgia Council For The Arts

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) through the Georgia Council for the Arts has announced the fiscal year 2025 Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities competitive grant awards for various organizations in the state, including those in rural communities. A total of more than $1. 4 million in funding has been allocated to 69 entities in 51 counties, with funding granted to Chattooga County’s Paradise Garden. The Vibrant Communities Grant supports a range of arts programs such as murals, artist performances, theater productions, and festivals, while the Cultural Facilities Grant is aimed at improving or constructing buildings for arts programming.

The grants aim to support diverse arts programming that fosters creativity and connection, enhancing the quality of life in the state. Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from a variety of organizations, and grants were awarded to those in counties that had not received funding during the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Peer Review Panels consisting of experienced professionals in the arts field evaluated the grant applications following standard practices established by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Funding for these grants is provided by the Georgia General Assembly, with additional support from the American Rescue Plan this year for Cultural Facilities Grants to help arts organizations recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants serve to bolster local economies, revitalize communities, and educate the youth, contributing to a thriving and globally competitive workforce in Georgia. Nonprofit arts and culture in the state have been shown to have a significant economic impact, generating at least $1. 27 billion and supporting nearly 20,000 jobs. Information on future grant cycles will be available on gaarts. org in December.

Wake Forest University and Atrium Health Secure $2.5 Million Grant To Enhance Antibiotic Prescribing for Children

Wake Forest University School of Medicine - Charlotte | Wake Forest  University School of Medicine

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health team has secured a $2. 5 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to enhance antibiotic prescribing for children with acute respiratory tract infections in outpatient settings. The project will be led by Jennifer Sullivan, M. D. , M. P. H. , and co-lead by Lisa Davidson, M. D. , aiming to address the risks associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for pediatric patients. The Atrium Health Children’s Optimal Outpatient Stewardship (AH-CHOOS) program will focus on implementing research findings that narrow-spectrum antibiotics are as effective as broad-spectrum ones, with fewer side effects for treating acute respiratory tract infections in children. The initiative will expand across multiple sites served by Atrium Health and engage over 2,000 healthcare providers in enhancing appropriate antibiotic prescribing practices through education, data reporting, and evidence-based interventions. The ultimate goal is to prevent drug-resistant infections and reduce adverse side effects by empowering providers to use antibiotics judiciously and engage patients and caregivers in their care.

Arrest Report - Thursday - October 31, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, October 31, 2024:

Fire On Saddle Club Road

May be an image of 1 person, lighting, ambulance and text

Firefighters responded to a fire on Saddle Club Road on Wednesday night.  The Trion, Summerville and Hays Correctional Fire Departments found a mobile home with visible flames and thick smoke coming from the residence, with no vehicles present at the location.  Firefighters were able to perform an efficient interior attack, which led to the successful rescue of the homeowner’s dog.  The cause of the fire is not known at this time, and anyone with information is asked to report any suspicious activity in the area that may aid investigators in determining the fire’s origin.

Halloween Opportunities Around Chattooga County

Chattooga County is hosting a variety of Halloween events for families tonight, including a Halloween Walk in Menlo’s Lawrence Park from 5-7 PM and trick-or-treating in Trion starting at 5:30 PM. The Trion Police Department reminds participants to use the crosswalk and follow traffic personnel’s directions, respecting homeowners not taking part. A 9 PM curfew will be enforced for safety. The Trion Boys Basketball Team is offering a Halloween Maze for all ages at the parking lot from 6-10 PM, with a $5 entrance fee benefiting the team. Additionally, the Cloudland Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Trunk or Treat event at the fire hall from 6-7 PM for a safe and fun Halloween experience.

Georgia Eye Doctors Raise Concerns About Fake Contact Lenses

Georgia’s eye doctors are issuing a Halloween Consumer Alert to warn the public about dangers linked to wearing the counterfeit and fake contact lenses available for sale at gas stations, beauty supply shops, online and Halloween costume stores. Doctors of optometry say these decorative contact lenses – ones that are not prescribed or professionally fitted – can cause permanent injury, even blindness.

According to federal law, all contact lenses are classified as a medical device by the Food & Drug Administration and require a prescription to be bought or sold. The members of the Georgia Optometric Association advise, in order to reduce the risk of eye injury, it is important to purchase contact lenses only from an eye care professional and be fitted properly for the lenses. Consumers should follow instructions about cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses, and never borrow lenses from a friend.

“Many people get very creative with their Halloween costumes and include special looks and elaborate accessories,” said Dr. Nadine Humen Forche, president of the Georgia Optometric Association. “As a doctor of optometry, my advice would be to make sure you are not one of the people whose outfit includes knockoff or imitation contact lenses because scary lenses can lead to scary problems, even blindness.”

Doctors of optometry are warning the public that risks from use of these lens products can include:

  • A cut or scratch on the top layer of the eyeball (corneal abrasion)
  • Allergic reactions like itchy, watery red eyes
  • Decreased vision
  • Infection
  • Blindness
  • Lead Poisoning
  • Difficulty removing them

Over-the-counter contact lenses of unknown origin may have been manufactured with lead in the color tint, bacteria in the saline or be made of substandard polymers.

Since 2005, federal law requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate decorative lenses as medical devices, similar to corrective lenses.  Federal law says it is illegal to sell the lenses over-the-counter without a prescription. According to the Georgia Optometric Association, it is a felony offense to sell contact lenses without a license in Georgia.

Angio Screen Bus At Advent Health Redmond Next Week

AdventHealth Redmond is hosting the AngioScreen bus from 8 am to 3 pm., Tuesday, November 5. The AngioScreen bus will be parked in front of the main entrance of AdventHealth Redmond. An AngioScreen is a noninvasive, 10-minute vascular screening designed to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke.

This painless 10-minute assessment delivers immediate results at the time of screening. An AngioScreen includes carotid artery screening ultrasound looking for plaque (the leading cause of stroke), 5 lead ECG of the heart rhythm, ankle brachial indices and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. If you have any of the following risk factors, you should consider scheduling an appointment today:

· Age 55 or above

· High blood pressure

· High cholesterol

· History of smoking

· Family history of stroke

· Diabetes

· Obesity

· Family history of heart attack

· A personal medical history of other cardiovascular issues

The screening is $85 per person and is HSA eligible. To register for this screening, visit https://bit.ly/3vTFXsB.

Georgia State Parks Says Get Out And See Fall Colors

Now is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the Fall colors around North Georgia!

Kim Hatcher, Public Affairs Coordinator for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, says that, thanks in part to cooler temperatures earlier this month, parks are adorned with color so now is the time to visit.

Leaf peepers are encouraged by Hatcher to check out the Leaf Watch travel planner at www.gastateparks.org to view the list of the Top 10 Parks for Fall Color, an events calendar, and more.

Peak of Fall color usually begins in mid- to late-October in north Georgia’s highest elevations and lasts into mid-November around middle and southern Georgia, according to the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites website.

Hatcher suggests that leaf peepers visit the parks early in the morning on the weekends or even during the week to avoid the crowds.

Rome International Film Festival Starts Today With Halloween-Themed Activities

The Rome International Film Festival kicks off Thursday at the DeSoto Theatre.

The day one schedule includes a Trick-Or-Treat Red Carpet for Kids at 4 p.m. to be followed by a free screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” at 5:15.

At 7 p.m. there will be a 40th anniversary screening of the film Gremlins with Zach Galligan, one of the stars of the movie.

A Halloween Red Carpet event is scheduled for 8:45 p.m.

The first night will conclude with the showing of Georgia-produced after-dark short films at 9:15 p.m.

The Rome International Film Festival will continue until Sunday.

You can purchase tickets, view the schedule, and get more information at riffga.com

Summerville Police Respond To Car Break-In

Summerville Police responded to a report of a car break-in on Monday of this week.  According to a report that was released yesterday, officers responded to a residence on Allen Street in reference to the vehicle that had been broken into.  The complainant told police that someone had gone through the vehicle and had taken the vehicle registration and insurance information.  The complainant wanted a report on file in case someone tried to steal their identity.  The complainant also told police that the vehicle was not locked the previous night when the information was stolen.

Man Arrested After Charging At A Dog With A Large Blade

Summerville Police responded to a call on Kelly Street on Tuesday morning about a man who was walking down the street with what police described as “a large blade”.  When police arrived on the scene, witnesses told them that 30-year-old Brandon Tyler Hullett had charged at a dog inside a fence with the blade and was harassing the animal.  Hullett was then accused of getting into an argument with the owners of the dog.  Police arrested Hullett and booked him into the Chattooga County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct.

Chattooga Pig Show & Auction Next Monday

The Chattooga County Young Farmers will host their Annual Pig Project Show and Auction on Monday, November 4th at the Chattooga Ag Center. The show will begin at 6 pm with the auction to follow.

The following students will exhibit pigs in the show: Lane Bridges, Brantley Cargle, Jonas Hardy, Callen Kerce, Pierce Kincer, Benson Turner, Tate Whitlock, and Tucker Whitlock.
Students received their pigs in July and have raised them at home. They participated in a preview show during the Chattooga County Ag Fair in August.
Each student will auction at least one of their pigs they have raised. The proceeds from the auction will go to the student. The pigs will be transported to the processors by the young farmers and buyers will also pay for processing and pick up their meat when it is ready.
The Summerville Veterinary Clinic donated services for the project.
Also, the Young Farmers are holding a Whole Hog Raffle.  Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.  See any Chattooga Young Farmer member to purchase your ticket.
According to Chattooga County Young Farmer Advisor, Lauren Jarrett, “The pig project is an excellent opportunity for students to raise an animal and show on a local level. The support from sponsors and buyers shows the support our community has for youth involved in FFA and 4-H activities”

Today & Tomorrow - Last Days Of Advance Voting Before General Election

 

Chattooga County voters continue to turn out in record numbers to vote in advance of the 2024 General Election, which is next Tuesday, November 5th.  Yesterday, 357 people cast their ballots at the Chattooga County Registrars Office, bringing the total number of advance voters to 6,126.  There are just two days – today and tomorrow – left to vote early.  You may vote today or tomorrow between 8:30 AM and 6 PM.  The registrars office says that this week, 83 voters have taken advantage of the expanded voting hours between 5 PM and 6 PM.  After advance voting closes on Friday at 6 PM, voters will need to vote in their assigned voting precincts on Election Day.