An 18-year-old Alpharetta woman was transported to the AtriumHealth Floyd Chattooga Emergency Department on New Year’s Day following an accident at the intersection of Commerce Street (Highway 27) and Highway 48.  Summerville Police worked the accident and say that Isabelle Beasley was in a 2022 Kia Soul and attempted to turn left onto Highway 48 and pulled into the path of a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 21-year-old Anastasia Reynolds.  The vehicles collided and Beasley’s Kia overturned and then struck a 1996 Ford F-250, driven by 48-year-old Jonathan Smith of Gaylesville, Alabama.  Beasley had to be extracted from the vehicle, but did not sustain any serious injuries.

On Thursday, the Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office released a report on an accident that happened on Sunday evening on Highway 114 near the intersection of Racoon Creek Road.  According to troopers, 72-year old Glenn Leming of Summerville was turning off Racoon Creek Road in a 2020 Jeep Renegade, and pulled into the path of an oncoming 2014 Kia Optima, driven by 20-year-old Emmal Hamby of Lyerly.  Troopers say that the Jeep Renegade struck the Kia Optima in the right rear.  The Optima left the roadway and struck a tree.  Hamby and a passenger, identified as 19-year-old Ethan Cooper of Lyerly, were both taken by AtriumHealth Floyd Ambulance to AtriumHealth Floyd Hospital with injuries.  Leming was cited for failure to yield in connection with the accident.

Trion Fire Department is reminding area residents that working smoke alarms save lives.  Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. The Trion Fire Department says that since 2021 they have installed 525 smoke alarms at NO CHARGE to community members.  If you need a smoke alarm you should call your local fire department for assistance.  If your smoke alarm is not functioning properly, your local fire department will be happy to help you resolve the issue.  Remember smoke alarms save lives!

An Effingham County state court judge, Stephen Yekel, has died by suicide in a county courtroom. He was found by a deputy on Tuesday morning when court was not in session. Judge Yekel lost his reelection bid this year, and Tuesday was meant to be his last day on the bench. Local media reported that he tried to resign, but Governor Brian Kemp denied it. There was a note sent to Kemp’s office, but its details are not known. Yekel was appointed to the position in June 2022. The Effingham County Board of Commissioners expressed deep sadness over his death and is providing support and resources to county staff.

Photo Credit: Chattooga County Historical Society – “Governor Jimmy Carter at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd’s Funeral”

To many younger residents of Chattooga County the name “James H. ‘Sloppy’ Floyd” is only recognizable because of the state park located in Chattooga County that is named after him, but at one time, he was one of the most recognizable names to have ever hailed from Chattooga County. 

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Today is the first day of the New Year, and the Friends of Sloppy Floyd State Park are inviting you out for the annual “First Day Hike” at the park from 10 AM until 12:30 PM.  The Friends of the Park have been busy preparing a traditional New Year’s dinner of black eyed peas that hikers can enjoy at the end of the hike. Park rangers will guide participants through a choice of three scenic hikes, catering to all levels of fitness and experience.

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AdventHealth Redmond is hosting the AngioScreen bus from 8 am to 3 pm, Thursday, Jan. 9. The AngioScreen bus will be parked in front of the main entrance of AdventHealth Redmond. An AngioScreen is a noninvasive, 10-minute vascular screening designed to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke.

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The Town of Trion will hold a Special Called Council Meeting on January 7, 2025, at 6:00 p. m. in the Town Hall Conference Room. The agenda includes discussing amendments to the 2023/2024 budget and reviewing the annual audit. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their views. For more information, contact Town Hall.

In the waning hours of his single-term in office, Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry appointed an Election Board to oversee Chattooga County elections.  The outgoing commissioner appointed Alfred McDaniel, Tim Shiflett, Nick Casey, Gartrelle Davison to the board and name Jennifer Tudor as the board chair.  Both Casey and Tudor have served as officers in the Chattooga County Republican Party.  Shiflett is the former longtime chairman of the Chattooga County Democratic Party.  Alfred McDaniel has been an active member of the Chattooga County Democratic Party for many years.  Both Shiflett  and Davison will serve two-year terms on the newly-formed board.

Georgia State Patrol Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance Officers encourage motorists to exercise safe driving habits during the New Year’s holiday travel period.  In an effort to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on Georgia roadways, State troopers and MCCD officers will be on high visibility patrols on interstates and state roads.  Five people lost their lives on Georgia roadways during the Christmas Holiday travel period last week.   During the 2023-24 New Year’s holiday travel period there were nine statewide fatalities. GSP investigated 317 crashes that resulted in approximately 177 injuries and three fatalities. If you plan to include alcohol consumption in your holiday celebrations, make sure to plan for a sober designated driver by contacting a taxi, rideshare, friend, or family member to help you get home safely.  Make these decisions before you get into the holiday spirit.