A recent report from the Summerville Police Department involved a report of theft of services that occurred on January 29th. An officer was dispatched to 42 Cherokee Street after city employees reported tampering with a water meter. Upon arrival, the officer met with city officials who revealed that an unknown individual had manipulated the cut-off lock on the water meter, reinstating water service that had been terminated. According to the city employees, the water supply had been shut off on January 11, 2025, but was unexpectedly turned back on just a few days later, on January 20, 2025. The investigation revealed that the total value of the water consumed during this unauthorized period amounted to $214.89. However, upon further examination of the property in question, it appeared that the residence had been abandoned.  No suspects were named in the report.

A 21-year-old man from Spring Creek Road in Trion has been sentenced this week in Chattooga County Superior Court following serious charges of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes.

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Pack 38 and Troops 7B and 7G of the Northwest Georgia Council are gearing up for their annual Scouting for Food program, a community initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in the region. This year, the drive will take place on Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at a Drive-Thru Collection site located on Ralph Stanley Drive, between the Scout Hut and the Tennis Courts.

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Voters in Chattooga County are being called back to the polls this March to make a significant decision regarding the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The election is scheduled for March 18, where residents will have the opportunity to renew the county’s existing 1% sales tax aimed at funding crucial capital improvement projects.

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Wednesday – 10:30 AM: The City of Summerville water department will be repairing a water leak on Briarwood Dr. Customers in this area may experience low or, in some cases, no water pressure. The repair is expected to take approximately three hours. If you have any questions, please contact the City of Summerville maintenance department at (706)859-0907.

In a significant crackdown on fraud related to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a grand jury in Mitchell County has indicted 21 residents of Camilla for allegedly defrauding the relief fund designed to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Chattooga County Registrars Office is reminding residents that advance voting for the upcoming Special Election on March 18, 2025, will take place from February 24 through March 14. All advance voting will be conducted at the Registrars Office.

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State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) has released his weekly legislative report.  Last week, Georgia House members returned to the Capitol after a winter storm. Chief Justice Michael Boggs delivered the State of the Judiciary address, noting increased public confidence in state courts. The House adopted House Resolution 50 to recognize January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring lives lost during the Holocaust. Chief Justice Boggs discussed issues like the need for digital court recording options, the lack of attorneys in rural counties, and efforts to improve legal services for low-income Georgians. He highlighted a program for veterans in the criminal justice system and addressed threats against judges, advocating for improved security measures. Several House committees met to review the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget. On Thursday, they introduced the Governor’s tort reform package aimed at improving the legal environment in Georgia. They closed the week with a moment of silence for victims of a tragic mid-air collision. Week Four of the Legislative Session started on Monday of this week. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:

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Update 5:27 PM: A fire burned around 8 acres on Monday afternoon in the Silver Hill Area.  Firefighters from Gore, Subligna, Holland, Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, Hays Correctional, and Teloga Fire Departments, alongside the Georgia Forestry Service, all mobilized to combat the flames.  The fire initially began as a controlled burn but quickly escalated, overwhelming the resources of the property owner, according to Gore Fire Chief John King. When firefighters arrived on the scene, approximately five acres were already ablaze.  Around 5 PM, the Georgia Forestry Service declared the fire was contained.

Earlier:

Firefighters are currently battling an active blaze this afternoon in the Silver Hill area, as confirmed by Gore Fire Chief John King to WZQZ News. The fire has put several structures at risk, prompting a coordinated response from multiple fire departments. Chief King reported that fire crews from Gore, Subligna, Holland, Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, Hays Correctional, and Teloga Fire Departments, alongside the Georgia Forestry Service, have all mobilized to combat the flames. The fire initially began as a controlled burn but quickly escalated, overwhelming the resources of the property owner. When firefighters arrived on the scene, approximately five acres were already ablaze. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader stated that the fire is concentrated in the vicinity of Foster Manning and Jenkins Gap Road. Residents in the area are urged to remain alert and follow safety protocols as efforts continue to contain the fire.