Georgia drivers heading out for New Year’s celebrations will see a break from most roadwork slowdowns, as the Georgia Department of Transportation will suspend most construction-related lane closures beginning New Year’s Eve.
A Summerville man is facing multiple charges after police say he assaulted a woman during a family gathering and later attacked a police officer while resisting arrest.
Summerville Police are investigating a reported vehicle entering incident that occurred earlier this week.
Pennville First Baptist Church at 77 Moore Street, Summerville will be hosting the OLD TIME PREACHERS MEETING on Tuesday, January 6, starting at 10 AM. There will be preachers from several states attending, different preachers will be called from the floor to bring a message. Great singing. Break for lunch around 12:00 . Regathering for the afternoon services. Everyone is invited. These meetings have been going on for quite a few years, this meeting will be the first one to be in this area. Bro. Terry Colbert , Pastor invites all churches to come be a part of spreading God’s Word.
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
New jobless claims in Georgia — often used as a snapshot of layoffs — fell to 3,952 for the week ending December 19, down from 4,895 the previous week.
Nationally, U.S. unemployment claims also moved lower. The Labor Department reported 214,000 claims last week, down 10,000 from 224,000 the week before on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Across the country, Nebraska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with filings rising 63.3%, while West Virginia posted the largest percentage drop, down 39.7%.
Economists often watch weekly claims as an early indicator of labor market changes, with sustained increases potentially signaling rising layoffs and continued declines pointing to steadier employment conditions.
Georgia health officials have introduced a $1.4 billion, five-year plan aimed at improving health outcomes in rural communities through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, created in this summer’s budget reconciliation law.
Mrs. Edna Ray Wilkerson, age 82, of Summerville, GA, died Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Advent Health Redmond.
Mrs. Wilkerson was born June 5, 1943, in Cedartown, GA, daughter of the late Floyd Thomas Ray and Ruby Lee McCurry Duggar. She was a member of the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed with Wal-Mart.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wilkerson was preceded in death by her son, Bobby Ronald Lee, Jr.; brother, Thomas Eugene Ray; sisters, Helen J. Kitts and Polly Ruff O’Neil; and a grandson, Austin Ry Lee.
Survivors include her husband of 48 years, David Wilkerson; son, Billy Wilkerson; daughters, Wendy (Jerome) Murkerson, Davina (Coy) Edwards; a brother, Donald Duggar; sisters, Judy Kubicki, Marilyn Moore, and Mary Saunders; grandchildren, Jessica (Michael) Stallings, Keith Lee, John Lee, Layla (Taylor) Lee, Nakiah (Colin) Hilton, Sarek (Paulina) Siffles, Jayden Siffles, River Wilkerson-Snowball, Stephen (Kezia) Murkerson, Daniel (Savannah) Murkerson, Kristina (Jared) Childers, Samantha Richards, Barbara Carter, Dakota Wilkerson, and Lane Wilkerson; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kevin Jones and Rev. Steve Collins officiating. Interment will follow in Lyerly Cemetery. Pallbearers will include the Masonic Brethren of Trion Lodge # 160, F&AM.
Mrs. Wilkerson will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Tuesday.
To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home-Summerville, GA.
Mrs. Kathy “Granny Shake” Terry, age 60, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, December 21, 2025, at her residence.
Mrs. Terry was born April 16, 1965, in Lafayette, GA, daughter of the late Billy David Abernathy and Shirley Marie Crane Abernathy. She was Baptist by faith and was a homemaker who loved being a Baseball Granny for the Dirt Devils Baseball team.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Jessica Terry.
Survivors include her husband, Ray Bridges; daughter, Jenna Terry (Darin McGuire); bonus daughter, Anna Hudson; step sons, Jeff Bridges, Corey Bridges; brother, Tim (Tina) Abernathy; sisters, Judy Slaughter, Tonya (Whistle) Dawson, and Melinda Clark; grandchildren, Joshua McGuire, Jayci McGuire. She also had two special friends, Jane Price and Shenia Glass.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, December 29, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Reynolds and Rev. David Dutton officiating. Interment will follow in Lyerly Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jake Dawson, Billy Abernathy, James Abernathy, Randall Abernathy, Dewayne Clark, and Curtis Cochran.
Mrs. Terry will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday, December 28, 2025.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is assisting the Walker County Sheriff’s Office with an investigation into a shooting that left a 2-year-old child hospitalized in Rock Spring.
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office recently celebrated the Christmas season with its annual Christmas dinner and awards night, recognizing employees for outstanding performance and lifesaving actions.