A big shake up in Fort Oglethorpe on Friday when the city manager abruptly resigned due to, "reasons beyond his control," and the chief of police  and public works director was fired.

City Manager Ron Goulard resigned effective Monday. He will be paid four months severance pay. Goulart gave no more details on his reason for resigning, but said "It was not his choice."

An interim city manager was voted in to serve in his place. The motion to appoint Harold Silcox as the interim city manager  received the needed three votes, constituting a majority. One of those councilman reportedly was sworn into office just an hour prior to the meeting.

Police Cheif David Eubanks was told to hand in his badge after the council held an executive session on personnel. The reasons for his dismissal are unclear.

Also terminated was the Public Works Director Jeff Long. Long reportedly was fired because, when he was a city commissioner, he agreed to annex a piece of property into the county from the city in anticipation of the legislature approving such a measure. 

Read more: CatWalkChatt – Fort Oglethorpe city manager resigns city then fires police chief and director of public works 

Family members of Hays State Prison inmates are concerned that they haven't been able to visit their loved ones since January.

The prison was locked down on January 18 after the murder of three inmates and the stabbing of two correctional officers in the previous month.

According to Hays Prison Warden Rick Jacobs, the prison will continue it's lockdown procedure until all of the buildings housing inmates are renovated. So .far renovations are complete in buildings D and E, and renovations are beginning in building C. That will leave buildings A and B to be renovated. 

The renovations consist primarily of replacing old sinks, toilets, beds, etc., in cells. These items, among other things in the cells  had become old and brittle, allowing inmates to break off materials and  use them   to make shanks. The same shanks that have been used, or can be used, to stab other inmates.

Jacobs told AM1180 on Wednesday that his primary concern is that the sons, fathers, and husbands of those contacting AM1180 about visitation are safe. He says visitation is important and good for inmates, however an inmate's safety is more important. He said he's trying to make sure that when an inmates leaves his cell he will not be murdered by another inmate.

He said there has been tremendous progress thus far in the renovation process and visitation will be happening, however he was unable to give an exact time frame.

For more go to the AM1180 blog and listen to the most recent interview with Hays Warden Rick Jacobs  http://chattooga1180am.wordpress.com/

A 28-year-old Rossville man is facing an aggravated statutory rape charge, in addition to sexual exploitation of a minor and of providing obscene materials to minors.  

Joshua Francis Carter, a local wrestler in the Rossville area, is accused of the crimes against an underage girl. The two reportedly exchanged nude photos over the internet. Carter's bond was set at 45-thousand dollars.  

A Dalton man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for having sex with a 12-year-old runaway girl.

21-year-old Cody Satterfield was 19 at the time of the incident. He pleaded guilty to child molestation charges.  

Northwest Georgia Job seekers can connect with more than 35 companies at next week's Northwest Georgia Career Expo, at the Walker County Civic Center.

It's being hosted by the Georgia Department of Labor, the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, and the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority. 

In addition to manufacturing plants, there will be representatives of major retailers, and healthcare industries in Georgia and Tennessee. 

Applicants should bring several copies of their resume and be prepared to interview. Remember to dress professionally.  

It's Wednesday, March 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Walker County Civic Center at Rock Spring. For more information, contact Cathy Toles or Judy Holcomb at the Lafayette Career Center, 706-638-5525.  

Listed on the March 21 Arrest Report at the Chattooga County Jail are:

Judy Lee Hale, Lafayette — Probation Violation

Dustin Wayne Searcy, Rome — Failure to appear

James Anthony Brooks, Summerville — Disorderly Conduct

Melanie Dawn Searcy, Summerville — Disorderly Conduct