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.

A Chattooga County Public Works truck overturned while hauling a load of chert on Monday morning.  Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen told WZQZ News that the driver was making the turn off Highway 48 onto Mahan Road when the loaded truck overturned in a ditch.  The commissioner said that the driver was transported to AdventHealth Redmond via ambulance to be checked out, but there were no serious injuries reported in connection with the single vehicle accident.

Coroner Jeremy McElhaney has identified the victim of a devastating house fire that occurred on Turner Street in Summerville on Sunday morning. The deceased has been named as 44-year-old Misty Thompson. Emergency services, including the Summerville, Trion, and Hays Correctional Fire Departments, responded swiftly to the scene before 10 AM. Eyewitnesses reported that thick smoke from the fire could be seen from over a mile away, indicating the severity of the situation. As part of routine procedures following such tragic incidents, Thompson’s body will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy, which will help determine the cause of death. The investigation into the fire is being conducted collaboratively by multiple agencies, including the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As of now, the cause of the fire remains undisclosed, and authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.

CEISMC and STEM@GTRI launched an innovative Computer Science for Rural Georgia High Schools Pilot Program, with Chattooga High School as a key participant in this initiative. Through this project, rural high schools across Georgia, including Chattooga High School, gain access to computer science modules based on unique programs and resources at Georgia Tech, developed and led by Georgia Tech faculty.

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Rocking S Farm, LLC has filed a petition in the Superior Court of Chattooga County against Commissioner Andy Allen, claiming he plans to unlawfully revoke a building permit for four chicken houses on their property. This permit was issued by former commissioner Blake Elsberry in October 2024, and Rocking S Farm relied on it to start construction and acquire federal loans. After receiving the permit, the farm prepared by hiring a grading company and contracting construction firms. On January 17, 2025, attorney Holly Strawn-Gilliland informed the farm that Commissioner Allen deemed the permit improperly issued and intends to revoke it during a public hearing on January 27. The farm states there have been no formal objections to the construction before this letter. Rocking S Farm claims the commissioner’s actions lack grounds and due process. A hearing is set for February 10, 2025, and until then, the permit revocation is postponed. The farm seeks a judgment to clarify its rights, an injunction against the revocation, and damages.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported a case of measles involving an unvaccinated person in metro Atlanta. This individual contracted the virus while traveling in the U. S. and was contagious between January 19 and January 24, 2025.

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The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for the 2025 season with the release of their Spring Training schedule and the exciting addition of right-handed pitcher Amos Willingham to their roster. Fans can look forward to 32 games as the team kicks off their preseason on February 22 with an away game against the Minnesota Twins. Among these games, the Braves will host 15 home contests at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida, while also hitting the road for 17 games.

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A 21-year-old man, identified as Kamdyn Jaxx Harris, was arrested this past Saturday, during a traffic safety checkpoint by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol. He was charged with DUI (drugs), possession of marijuana, and a windshield violation after officers noticed signs of impairment. The arrest happened around 10:10 PM on Back Berryton Road. Officers saw Harris driving a blue Honda CRV with a broken windshield and smelled marijuana coming from the car. He had dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes. A search of the vehicle revealed a small bag of what was believed to be marijuana. Harris admitted to smoking marijuana three hours before the stop. Harris consented to field sobriety tests, which showed signs of impairment. He was taken into custody and agreed to a blood draw. Harris faces charges of DUI/drugs, a windshield violation, and possession of marijuana under one ounce.

The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced today the successful conviction of Samantha Shea Leamon, a resident of 122 Ann Drive, Rossville, Catoosa County, Georgia, for Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute. This landmark conviction comes amid growing concerns over the devastating impact of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to a surge in overdose deaths across the Lookout Mountain region and nationwide.

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