Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Judge Brian House was sworn in for his fifth term in office this past week. Judge House said, “I was honored to be sworn in for my 5th term as a Superior Court Judge. I want to thank all the citizens of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit for their continued support and trust in allowing me to serve in this office. I was honored to be sworn in by my friend the Honorable Jeff Hullender and to be surrounded by my wife, Jama and daughter, Brianna”.
Military families received a 14. 5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted personnel as an early Christmas present, part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Georgia U. S. Senator Jon Ossoff highlighted the importance of this increase for military quality of life, noting that junior enlisted members struggle to afford basics like housing and food. Ossoff stressed that fair pay is crucial for national security, as low salaries hinder recruitment and retention of young service members. The NDAA also includes a 4. 5% pay increase for all service members, with an additional 10% for the most junior members across all branches.
The Georgia Department of Labor released unemployment numbers for the month of November on Thursday of last week. The numbers show a significant drop in the number of first-time unemployment claims compared to October, 2024. In the month of October there were 260 first-time unemployment claims, that number dropped to just 64 in November, reflecting a 75% decrease in the total number of claims. In November of 2023, there were 340 claims. Unemployment claims were down in all of Georgia’s regional commissions during the month of November.
“Georgia proves that smart leadership and bold policies drive economic success,” said GDOL Emergency Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. “While other states struggle with overregulation and economic uncertainty, Georgia’s economy is thriving—job numbers are up in 12 regions, unemployment claims are down across the board, and businesses continue to choose our state as the best place to grow and invest. These results don’t happen by accident; they are the product of strong fiscal policies and a commitment to empowering job creators and hardworking Georgians. As we close out the year, Georgia remains a perennial leader in opportunity, innovation and prosperity.”
Andy Allen and Joy Hampton took their oaths of office on Friday in the main courtroom of the Chattooga County Courthouse. Allen will take office as Chattooga County’s Sole Commissioner on January 1, 2025. He won the Republican Primary in May, defeating incumbent Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry with over 60% of the vote. For the first time in over 150 years, there was no Democrat on the ballot in December, ensuring Allen’s election in the General Election in November. Hampton was reelected without opposition in the Republican Primary and also faced no Democratic opposition in the General Election. Hampton was first elected in 2016 after defeating incumbent Kathy VanPelt Brown in the Democratic Primary. She went on to win the General Election by just 9 votes against Republican Rickey Hughes. Hampton switched to the Republican Party in 2019.
The Walker County Landfill will be closed to all customers for a ten-day period early next year. A number of necessary repairs and renovations will take place between January 6 and January 16.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, announced on Friday that skeletal remains of a human were found in the yard of a homeowner located on Highway 193 in the Cooper Heights community late Thursday. The homeowner called 911 after an animal brought the remains into the yard.
From United Community Bank:
As we celebrate the holiday season, we want to let you know that United Community banking centers and the contact center will be closing at 2:00pm ET/1:00pm CT on December 24. Select digital banking services will have early cut-off times as well. Learn more by clicking on the “Cut-Off Times” button below
Our locations will also be closed on Wednesday, December 25, and Wednesday, January 1. With the closures, there may be early cut-off times or delayed processing of some services. For the full list of the times to be aware of, click the button below.
Thank you for banking with United! It’s our privilege to serve you. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season with the people you love!
Forty families in Chattooga County will have a happier holiday, thanks to Santa in Uniform. Yesterday was the biggest day of the year for the organization, made up of law enforcement, first responders and emergency workers. Public safety officials volunteered their time on Monday to take the children Christmas shopping at Walmart in Trion. This year, $8,457.91 was donated and used to buy gifts for the children. Also, each family received a Christmas ham, thanks to Santa in Uniform.
Also on Monday, Santa in Uniform announced that they had received a $3,500 check from the Walmart Spark Good Grant. The funds will be used to spread more Christmas cheer in 2025.
Donations for Santa in Uniform are accepted year-round. To donate:
On Sunday afternoon, Summerville Police officers responded to a call about a man allegedly pointing a gun at a woman on Hunter Street. Lynn Gorham, the property owner, contacted emergency services to report her tenant, Christopher Matthew Meeler, for violating lease terms. She cited disturbances, including loud music and gunfire, leading her to deliver a hand-written eviction notice to him. Officers met with Gorham, who said Meeler pointed a silver gun at her while driving past her house. The landlord did not want to press charges but wanted to proceed with eviction. Officers spoke with Meeler’s ex-girlfriend, who denied knowing about the gun and claimed the landlord had threatened the tenant. Summerville Police advised the landlord to go through Chattooga County Magistrate Court and file proper eviction papers against the tenant.
Summerville Police were called to investigate a burglary on Bittings Avenue on December 17th. According to a report, the homeowner returned home from work to find that someone had entered her house and stolen several items. Police determined that the burglars had accessed the house through a back window on the north side of the house. It appeared that the offenders exited the home through the back door. The report did not indicate what items were taken from the home.
