Mrs. Annie Ruth Starr, Obit. (W)

MRS. ANNIE RUTH STARR – Age 94, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026. Mrs. Starr was born August 10, 1931. Viewing will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at New Hope Methodist Church 241 Martin Street, Summerville, Georgia from 5:00 P. M. Until 8:00 P. M. Funeral Service will be held Saturday , May 16, 2026 at Connect City Church, 83 GA-48, Summerville, Georgia at 11:00 A. M. Mrs. Starr will lie in state from 10:00 A. M. until the funeral hour. Everyone who is attending Mrs. Starr’s Celebration of Life, is encouraged to wear purple. The repast will be at 4:00 P. M. at Mrs. Ruth Starr’s residence following the interment at Summerville Cemetery. Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Inc.

Mrs. Edna Mae Hudgins, Obit. (W)

MRS. EDNA MAE HUDGINS- Age 87, Of Summerville, Georgia passed away Friday, May 8, 2026. She was born November 3, 1938. Funeral Service will be held Friday May 15, 2026 at 1:00 P. M. at West Fifth Church Of Christ with Brother John Lewis as Eulogist. Mrs. Hudgins remains will lie in state at the church from 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour. Interment will be at Allgood Cemetery in Trion, Georgia. Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Inc.

Mr. Thomas Robert Helton, Obit. (M)

Mr. Thomas Robert Helton, age 84, of Summerville, GA, died Monday, May 11, 2026, at his residence.

Mr. Helton was born September 26, 1941, in Trion, GA, son of the late Thomas Lee Helton and Nellie Jane Craig Helton.  He was a member and past councilman of Wayside Baptist Church.  He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served in Germany as a Sergeant First Class from 1960-1963.  Mr. Helton was also a past officer of the Friends of the Park at Sloppy Floyd State Park where he had also previously served as a board member.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Helton was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Brown Helton; several siblings and nephews.

Survivors include his sons, Steven Thomas Helton and Dayle Helton; daughter, Amy Michelle (Chris) McCleskey; a brother, Gary Hinton; sister, Margaret (Howard) Dillard; several step-sisters, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday, May 16, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Howell and Rev. Chris Gibson officiating.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at Mason Funeral Home from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Wayside Baptist Church Youth Fund or to the Sloppy Floyd State Parks, Friends of the Park program.

Mr. Michael Brian Baggett, Obit. (M)

Mr. Michael Brian Baggett, age 50, of Menlo, GA, died Monday, May 11, 2026, at his residence.

Mr. Baggett was born February 4, 1976, in LaFayette, GA, son of Allan Eugene Baggett and Carol Elizabeth Pritchett Brown.  He was Church of Christ by faith and was employed with Mohawk Industries.  Mr. Baggett was also an avid
fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lonnie and Kathleen Baggett; maternal grandparents, John and Edna Pritchett; and a niece, Cassidy Alexis Gardner.

Survivors include his wife, Autumn Tucker Baggett; son, Brandan Michael Baggett; daughters, Michaela Rain Baggett, Brianna (Taylor) Ozment; mother, and step-father, Carol and Gary Newton Brown; father, Allan Baggett; sisters, Heather (Michael) Butler, Wendelin Brown; grandchildren, Braxton Culbert, Harper Culbert, Clinton Ozment, and Adeline Ozment; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Thursday, May 14, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Brandan Baggett, Heath Kilgore, Ronnie Kean, Blaze Hughes, Kelly Webb, and Chuck Cox.

Mr. Baggett will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Thursday.

Arrest Report – Tuesday – May 12, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, May 12, 2026:

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Dry, Pleasant Weather Expected Across Northwest Georgia

Northwest Georgia is heading into a long stretch of dry and comfortable weather, with little to no significant rainfall expected through the upcoming weekend.

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Lyerly Community Church

South Commerce Street COC- Talks From The Bible

Georgia Gas Prices Remain High As Drivers Feel Continued Pressure At The Pump

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Gas prices across Georgia remain elevated, continuing to strain household budgets as drivers face rising costs in multiple areas of daily life.

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CHS Marching Band Launches Sportsman Raffle Fundraiser

 

The Chattooga High School Marching Band is holding a Sportsman Raffle fundraiser featuring outdoor gear, fishing equipment, and a guided fishing trip on Weiss Lake.

The raffle package includes a YETI Roadie 24 cooler, a guided fishing trip for two on Weiss Lake through Whaley & Son Guide Service, a fishing rod and reel combo, a Snackle Box, and a pack of Gatorade.

Tickets are $25 each or five tickets for $100, with only 200 tickets available.

The drawing is scheduled for May 30, 2026.

Supporters interested in purchasing tickets or helping support the CHS Marching Band are encouraged to contact band representatives for more information.