Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding Chattooga County property owners that they have until January 3, 2025 to pay their 2024 property taxes without penalties or interest.  Hampton said that due to problems with bills being delivered on time, she made the decision not to assess any penalties or interest until after the first of next year.  Hampton stated, “You can pay your 2024 bills by January 3rd without being counted late. Lots of folks didn’t receive their bill; lots are sick and lots are struggling. So if you need to wait until later in December to pay, it won’t count against you”.

The Georgia State Patrol released a report about a Monday evening accident in Summerville involving a Walker County Sheriff’s patrol car and another vehicle.  According to the Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office, around 4:45 PM, a 2004 GMC Yukon, driving by 78-year-old Jimmy Pinion of Summerville was in the middle turn lane and attempted to make a left turn into the parking lot near Little Caesar’s Pizza and struck a Walker County Sheriff’s patrol car driven by 34-year-old Jarod Williamson of LaFayette.  The GMC Yukon struck the 2019 Dodge Charger patrol car in the driver’s-side front causing extensive damage.  The Yukon then rotated counterclockwise and came to rest facing north in the right-hand lane of Highway 27.  Pinion was cited for failure to yield.

Nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers are invited to join the Turkey Torcher Hikes at James H. Floyd State Park coming up tomorrow, November 29th. This special event offers two guided hikes led by park rangers, providing visitors with a chance to explore the park’s stunning landscapes while learning about the local ecology. The first hike kicks off at 10 AM, where participants will meet at the park office for a moderately strenuous 3-mile loop hike to the historic Marble Mine. This trek offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the park while enjoying the crisp fall air. The cost to join this hike is just $1 per person. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, the second hike begins at 2 PM, featuring an easy 1.2-mile stroll along the picturesque Storybook Trail. This family-friendly hike is perfect for all ages and is designed to inspire a love of nature in young explorers. Participants are reminded to bring water and wear comfortable shoes to ensure an enjoyable experience on both hikes. A $5 park pass is required for entry to James H. Floyd State Park. For more information or to address any questions, please contact the park office at 706-857-0826. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and create lasting memories at one of Georgia’s most beautiful state parks!

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) are ramping up their presence on interstates and secondary roads across the state. Their goal is to reduce traffic crashes during the busy holiday travel period, which began at 6 PM yesterday evening, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Last year, during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday, GSP officers investigated a staggering 610 crashes, resulting in 289 injuries.

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On Sunday, Summerville Police responded to a call about a theft on Summerville Gardens Drive.  When police arrived on the scene and spoke with the complainant, they learned that the complainant had left a key fob in their vehicle that had been stolen.  According to the complainant, the key fob was in the vehicle on Saturday, but when they went to retrieve the fob on Sunday it was missing.  Nothing else was taken from the vehicle, according to the report from the Summerville Police Department.

The City of Summerville will present the 2024 Christmas Parade, on Monday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “The Magic Of Christmas”. The parade route will begin at the junction of Hwy. 27 and Hwy 114 and disband at Hwy.27 at Hurley Crossing.

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In a significant breakthrough in a complicated horse theft case, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has successfully aided in the identification and capture of suspects involved in an interstate scheme targeting equines. The announcement was made on Monday by GDA Commissioner Tyler Harper, who emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies.

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As Thanksgiving approaches, families in Georgia are struggling with long delays in receiving essential food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Over the last two years, many families have reported difficulties in accessing their benefits, with a significant backlog now affecting 43,785 overdue applications and 2,574 pending renewals. Some of these cases may involve duplicates or resubmissions, complicating the processing efforts. Federal regulations require that SNAP benefits be issued within 30 days, or within seven days for expedited cases, but delays have been attributed to increased demand, a shortage of workers, and technological issues.

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As Thanksgiving approaches, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has released forecasts predicting heavy traffic on the roads, especially today and Sunday. Despite plans to suspend most construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes from 5 a.m. today through 10 p.m. on Sunday, traffic levels are still expected to surge as families head out for the holiday.

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On Tuesday, Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry revealed that Animal Control Director Mark Finster has resigned from his position, effective mid-December. Finster’s departure comes on the heels of a controversial incident that occurred earlier this year, which has drawn considerable public scrutiny.

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