Local young farmer Pierce Kincer took home the Grand Champion Barrow title at the 2024 Chattooga County Young Farmers Pig Show on Monday, November 4, 2024.
Other champion winners included Lane Bridges, who took home the Grand Champion Gilt and the Reserve Champion Barrow, and Brantley Cargle, who won the Reserve Champion Barrow.
Showmanship winners included Benson Turner, Callen Kerce, Pierce Kincer, and Lane Bridges, and Record Book winners included Lane Bridges who took first and Jonas Hardy who placed second.
The Georgia Department of Human Services has announced it will open the Energy Assistance Program for homebound and elderly households on December 2, 2024.
This low-income home energy assistance program is administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. It applies to households in which every member is confined to the home because of medical conditions or disabilities or to elderly households where every adult member over the age of 18 is 65 years or older. All households participating in the program must meet the income criteria, provide verification, and be permanent residents or U.S. citizens.
Assistance will be a one-time payment to help eligible households offset heating costs to their home. Payment for home heating should be issued directly to the home energy supplier. Checks can only be issued once North Georgia Community Action receives the funds from the Georgia Department of Human Services. Assistance is on a first-come, first-serve basis while the funds last.
For more information or to apply, contact the Chattooga Community Service Center at 706-857-0729 by December 31, 2024.
The Town of Trion will host a Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The event will take place at 1 p.m. at Trion Veterans Memorial on 210 Simmons Street in Trion, Georgia. The program will include a dedication of new crosses added to the Trion Veterans Memorial and a keynote address by Chaplain Paul Mason and Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the Trion Recreation Center.
For additional information, call the Trion Town Hall at 706-734-2332.
According to AAA, Georgia’s average gas price has increased slightly this week but is expected to dip back down again soon. As of Monday, the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia stands at $2.94 per gallon, an increase of 2 cents from the previous week, the same as a month ago, and 2 cents more compared to this time last year. This slight increase translates to an average cost of $44.10 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline, which is 30 cents more than a year ago.
But AAA says this increase in gas prices isn’t expected to last long. “Georgians may have noticed a slight bump in gas prices since Governor Kemp brought back the state’s gas tax,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “But don’t worry, things may be improving. We’re expecting prices to dip soon, thanks to the usual drop in demand around this time of year and a switch to the cheaper winter fuel mix.”
Nationally, the average gallon of regular gasoline saw a decrease of 3 cents, for a total of $3.10, as of Monday. This decline in national gas prices is attributed to several factors, including lower oil costs and a dip in gasoline demand.
In our area, gas costs an average of $2.86 in Chattooga County, $2.87 in Floyd County, and $2.90 in Gordon County. Meanwhile, across the state line in Alabama, gas prices are slightly lower, averaging $2.70 in DeKalb County and $2.74 in Cherokee County.
Local student Mariah Harris is one of three 8th graders in the Chattooga County School system to receive the REACH scholarship.
A signing ceremony will take place for the recipients at the board of education meeting on December 19, 2004. Scholars will sign a contract with their parent or guardian at the ceremony to maintain a 2.5 HOPE grade point average. They will also promise to have good behavior and school attendance and to meet with a volunteer mentor and academic coach throughout high school.
Upon graduation from high school, scholars are awarded up to $10,000 ($2,500 per year for up to four years) toward the cost of attendance at a Georgia HOPE-eligible post-secondary institution.
REACH Georgia is a statewide, needs-based mentorship and scholarship program. It provides academically promising students with a demonstrated financial need with the academic, social, and financial support to help make their dreams of college and a bright future a reality.
Atrium Health Floyd President Kurt Stuenkel has once again made Georgia Trend’s “GEORGIA 500” list for the second year. This extensive list includes some of the state’s most influential local leaders known for their innovation and success in driving the economy across Georgia.
With over 40 years of experience working for Atrium Health Floyd, Steunkel has led the healthcare organization since 1996. In 2024, he advanced rural health as the executive sponsor in the Atrium Health Southeast Region.
Other accolades include serving as the board chair for Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, VHA Georgia, and Phoenix Healthcare. Steunkel was also past chair of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA), the local United Way of Rome and Floyd County, and the American Red Cross Northwest Georgia chapter, as well as a former member of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission and a previous board member of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.
Atrium Health Floyd encompasses four hospitals in the area, including the standalone emergency department in Chattooga County, which has been running since October 2023.
Georgia Trend is a statewide business publication that analyzes local business, political, and economic trends and development. The publication also recognizes local leaders who positively impact the state.
For the complete “GEORGIA 500” list, visit georgiatrend.com
Chattooga Family Connection is holding its eighth annual Home for the Holidays event later this month. The holiday distribution event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on November 21, 2024, at the Community Resource Center of Chattooga in Summerville, Georgia.
This year, the center has set a goal of handing out 300 turkey breasts to reach as many people as possible. In the past, Chattooga Family Connection has prioritized families with children. However, this year, they aim to provide one turkey breast for every car that drives through, even if picking up for multiple families. This change is to ensure almost every car leaves with a turkey breast, helping to better serve more of the community.
