The Freedom From Religion Foundation is back in the local news. This time taking on Lakeview Middle School in Catoosa County. The complaint alleges that a sixth grade teacher at the school is "witnessing" to students by singing Christian songs to students. They've asked the school system to conduct an investigation.

Last fall, the organization cited Ridgelend High School's football program and it coach, Mark Mariakis. Team prayers have since been exclusively student led. Replies from Walker County's School Superintendent apparently satisfied the group, as they have launched no more complaints against Ridgeland.  

Trion High School won 1st place at the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl region competition last weekend. They competed at Chestatee Middle School in Gainesville, Georgia against ten other high schools. Winning the region championship advances the team to the district competition.

State and federal emergency officials said recovery efforts were "working quite well" in tornado-stricken Bartow and Gordon counties. 

Some have questioned why the counties did not receive aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

According to a spokesman with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, federal aid does not kick in until all local and state capabilities have been exhausted.In this case, that hasn't happened," he said. 

Local churches and community agencies as well as state and local resources have worked feverishly to help those affected.

Ruben Brown of the American Red Cross said about 90 overnight stays in shelters have been arranged by his agency and 1,500 meals have been served. 

A call center is available if anyone needs help with shelter or other needs, Brown said. The number is 404-870-4400 and the center is staffed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. until futher notice, he said.

Listed on the February 7 Arrest Report at the Chattooga County Jail are: 

Marjani Aiesha Ashley, Summerville — Sentenced

Justin Barren Bachelor, Summerville — Burglary

Johnny Brown III, Macon — Failure to appear

Justin Lamar Hilburn, Lafayette — Court Production Order

Marsha Ann Reynolds, Rome — No Charges Listed

Brandice Michelle Sherer, Summerville — No Charges Listed

Anthony Lee Sisson, Rome — No Charges Listed

Jason Dean Stricklin, Summerville — VGCSA/ Possession with intent to distribute; VGCSA/ Possession of Schedule I Drug; VGCSA / Possession of a controlled substance; Parole Violation; Speeding (2 counts); Failure to Stop at Stop Sign (3 counts) Failure to Maintain a Single Lane; Driving on the wrong side of the road (2 counts); Passing in a no passing zone; Reckless driving; Fleeing/attempting to elude law enforcement officers; Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana; Removing/ affixing licence plate with intent to conceal misrepresent; Suspended/ cancelled registration; VGCSA/ manufacture/ delivery/ distribution; VGCSA/ purchase/possession marijuana/ distribution or sale; Driving with a suspended/revoked license; DUO/ Alcohol; no proof of insurance 

Paul Stephen Witton, Summerville — Disorderly Conduct; Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers

Richard Frederick Young, Summerville — Simple Battery. FVA

Byron Neal Ashmore, Summerville — Open Container of Alcohol; Seat Belt Violation

Gary Fitzgerald Collins, Summerville — Driving without license on person; Failure to obey traffic control device

Theresa Ann Edge, Summerville — Seat Belt Violation

Serena Blossom Escamilia, Trion — Failure to maintain a single lane; Driving without valid license/ expired license

Hope Deanna Womack, Trion — Theft by Shoplifting 

A chili supper and bingo on Sat. Feb 16, will benefit the Red Clay Equine Rescue. The event is set for 5-8 p.m. at the Summerville Civic Center. Tickets are $7 in advance and available at Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply on the Lyerly Hwy, or call 404-964-5665. Supper includes chili, salad, dessert and beverage. Prizes will be awarded.

 Red clay Equine Rescue is horse rehabilitation and retirement facility located in Chattooga County. They accept horses that are neglected, unwanted and/ or abused, in addition to those who have been retired from show. Many are not able to be ridden, lessening their ability to be adopted. The rescue is a sanctuary and they do not seek to adopt the horses out.

North Georgia EMC has set up a help line to provide assistant with reconnecting electric service to Gordon County customers whose homes were damaged by the recent tornado in Gordon County.

Members who were impacted by the storm may also visit the Calhoun office at 1128 South Wall Street where they will have an opportunity to privately discuss their situation with a member service specialist in an office area rather than a customer lobby.

A Storm Recovery Packet for members also includes a letter to the member, a resource and recovery guide designed to offer informational phone numbers, ass well as guidance for how to replace important documents, and a brochure about understanding your home's electrical service.

The help line number is 706-272-7510. 

A Trion man has been charged with aggravated sodomy, rape, battery and false imprisonment after allegedly raping and beating, a woman over the weekend and confining her to a bedroom in her home for two days without food or water.

Steven James Mauldin, of a Laurel Drive, Trion address, is accused of raping the 30-year-old woman, beating and putting her in a choke hold, in addition to breaking a glass coffee mug over her head. 30-year-old Mauldin reportedly confined her to a bedroom in her home for two days, with no food or water, only allowing her out to go to the bathroom. After two days, the woman was able to escape and called her father.

 The woman's eyes reportedly were black and swollen and she had several visible injuries around her facial area, including a broken nose, as well as a head injury. She also told officers she had been sexually assaulted. She was transported to Erlanger at Hutcheson Medical Center.