Dalton State College, Georgia Highlands College, and Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) have formed Northwest Georgia Connect, a new partnership to enhance educational opportunities for local students. The leaders of the colleges signed an articulation agreement that allows GNTC students to complete associate degrees and then transfer to Dalton State or Georgia Highlands for corresponding Bachelor of Science degrees.

This initiative opens up pathways in several fields like Criminal Justice, Health Science, and Information Technology. The agreement aims to improve workforce development and educational opportunities, benefiting both current and future students. It simplifies transfer processes, as GNTC will send graduates’ transcripts free of charge, and students will have application fees waived for eligible programs.

The partnership also plans to expand the number of participating programs in the future, with potential additions by spring 2025.

Christopher Michael Money, a 32-year-old man, was arrested last week after a domestic incident involving threats and a knife. The event took place at a home on Silver Hill Road. Deputies responded to a report of the altercation and found four individuals in a utility truck who confirmed no injuries but indicated Money was still inside the house. After searching the house and surrounding area, officers could not find him. The victim, Cameron Lewis, explained that an argument started over a coffee pot and escalated when Money threatened him with a knife. Lewis called 911 after managing to close the door on Money. Later, deputies arrested Money in a company vehicle. He faces charges of aggravated assault.  He was booked into the Chattooga County Jail.

Walker County Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting for December, the final meeting of 2024, at 6:30 PM this evening.  Commissioners will be voting on a resolution to adjust the compensation of several constitutional office holder.  According to an agenda released on Friday, the commissioners will be voting to adjust the supplement to compensation for the Walker County Solicitor General.  Also, they will be setting the annual compensation for the Walker County Coroner and will vote to establish a supplement to compensation for the Walker County Sheriff.  The meeting will be held at the Walker county Courthouse Annex III, located at 201 South Main Street in LaFayette and the public is invited to attend. You can see an agenda for this evening’s meeting below:

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Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Commissioner of Securities, has issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order against Trage Technologies Limited (Trage), its principals Graeme Gary Hearn, Michael “Mike” Holloway, and Georgia resident Eric Ture Muhammad for multiple alleged violations of the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008.

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Georgia Power customers will see yet another rate increase in 2025. Georgia energy regulators have approved a 3. 5% rate increase for Georgia Power customers, effective January 1. The state Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously voted for the increase, raising average residential bills by $5. 48 per month. This increase is part of a series of hikes that have already raised monthly bills by over $40 in recent years. Two previous increases were linked to the completion of new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle, with the second unit starting commercial operation last spring. Another increase approved last May was to help manage rising fuel costs. Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald expressed concerns about the timing of the increase as prices for food and gasoline are beginning to drop, stating the need to minimize rate hikes. Georgia Power’s lawyer defended the increase as necessary due to ongoing investments.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Office of Adult Education held its Fall 2024 Graduation Ceremony on Dec. 12 for students who have earned their High School Equivalency diplomas.

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The Trion Town Council will be holding their final meeting of the year this evening at 6 PM.  The council will discuss the end of year audit for the town and also be discussing the hiring of a new employee for the sewer department.  You can see a complete agenda for tonight’s meeting below.  WZQZ will broadcast the meeting live on our Facebook Page.

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The Town of Trion will have a regular Workshop / Council Meeting in the Town Hall Conference Room, Thursday, December 19, 2024. The Workshop will begin at 6:00p.m. and the Regular Meeting will follow shortly after. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Mayor Lanny Thomas or the Town Hall Office and they will try to get the information you request.  The public is invited to attend.  WZQZ News will broadcast the meeting live on our Facebook Page.

Summerville Police were called to investigate a stolen U-Haul vehicle that was reported yesterday.  According to a report, Judy’s Herb Shop reported that a person identified as Makayla Mitchell had rented the truck on November 29th and had not returned the vehicle.  Summerville police investigated and found that Mitchell’s license had been suspended.  After contacting Mitchell’s family, police determined that Mitchell was last known to be in the Atlanta area.  The truck, a 2021 Ford E450, was listed as stolen in the statewide database.

Several Chattooga County Constitutional officers were sworn in on Tuesday for their terms that start on January 1, 2025.  Newly-elected Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and Chattooga County School Board member Chad Dodd were sworn if for their first term in office.  Probate Judge Gary Woods also swore in Sheriff Mark Schrader and Magistrate Judge Tracy Maddox, along with Deputy Tax Commissioner Glori Boyd.  Judge Woods was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Don Thompson.