Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, October 23, 2024:
The City of Summerville has set the date for this year’s Christmas Parade. Once again this year, the parade will be held the first Monday of December and will take place in downtown Summerville. This year, the theme for the parade is “The Magic of Christmas”. The parade grand marshal will be Ms. Mildred Cordle. More details about how to register to have a float in this year’s parade will be released in the upcoming days.
Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas told WZQZ News that the Town of Trion will be celebrating Halloween on October 31st and is encouraging everyone to come and have a good time and play it safe. Mayor Thomas said, “The Town of Trion wishes everyone a Happy Halloween which happens to fall on Thursday this month. I ask that those coming to Trion that evening please be courteous and respectful of all the property owners. In most instances, that is the normal. However, there have been a few occasions where it was otherwise”. The mayor said that the Trion Police Department will be out working during the event. Mayor Thomas says that the police department will be present to assist and protect both trick or treaters as well as home owners. The Town of Trion invites everyone to come celebrate Halloween, have fun and be safe!
Georgia maintained its strong employment performance in September, with a steady 3. 6% unemployment rate, half a point lower than the national average. The state reached record highs in various job-related categories. The number of employed Georgians exceeded 5. 2 million, while the workforce grew to over 5. 4 million, both all-time highs. Georgia created 6,800 new jobs, pushing the total to nearly 5 million, with significant gains in health care, social assistance, and food services sectors. However, some industries experienced job losses, such as private educational services and transportation. Despite a slight increase in the number of unemployed individuals, initial unemployment claims decreased to 19,600, showcasing the state’s resilience and consistent economic growth. Locally, Chattooga County’s first-time unemployment claims more than doubled in September. There were 33 initial jobless claims in August, that number jumped to 77 last month.
Pressure is mounting on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to unveil the results of an audit on non-citizen voters. Raffensperger stated that only US citizens are registered to vote in Georgia and commended a court ruling against a ballot counting measure. An advocacy group, Greater Georgia, led by former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, is pushing for the release of the audit results. The audit, named “SAVE audit,” aimed to ensure that only American citizens are voting, with potential prison sentences and fines for noncitizens who register to vote. Raffensperger previously declared that the audit was complete and that only eligible voters were participating. However, Loeffler is calling for transparency, citing cases in other states, such as Virginia, Ohio, and Texas, where noncitizens were found on voter rolls, urging Raffensperger to disclose the results promptly. Raffensperger’s office confirmed that he will announce the audit results in a press conference. Meanwhile, early voting continues in Georgia until Nov. 1.
The Town of Trion is set to hold its regular Workshop and Council Meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in the Town Hall Conference Room. The Workshop will kick off at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Regular Meeting shortly thereafter. Mayor Lanny E. Thomas encourages all residents to attend and participate in the discussions that shape the community. The meeting will cover various topics relevant to the town’s operations and future initiatives, providing a platform for civic engagement. For those who have questions or comments regarding the meeting or its agenda, Mayor Thomas invites you to reach out directly to him or the Town Hall Office. The town is committed to transparency and ensuring that all residents have access to the information they need. For further inquiries, please contact the Town Hall Office.
Summerville made a DUI arrest on October 18th after observing a tan 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe driving erratically on Marvin Avenue without tag lights illuminated. The vehicle ran a stop sign and the officer activated his blue lights, leading the Tahoe to swerve into the wrong lane before stopping at Sunrise Church. The driver, Michael Lea, displayed signs of impairment like bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, with an open container of alcohol in the cup holder. Lea admitted to drinking and possessing a THC vape, but denied having illegal substances. A search of the vehicle uncovered alcohol, marijuana residue, and a suspected bong. Lea’s license was suspended due to a prior DUI, and he was uninsured. Field sobriety tests showed impairment, leading to his arrest for DUI and driving with a suspended license. He refused a blood draw and was taken to Chattooga County Jail.
A new survey conducted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) reveals that teachers in Georgia are struggling with burnout and student loan debt. The survey included nearly 3,700 educators from 169 school districts in the state. Results showed that 48% of teachers reported feeling burned out, with lack of support from administrators and financial difficulties among the main causes of burnout.
Everything’s coming up candy and pumpkins in downtown Summerville on Saturday, October 26. Summerville Main Street will team up with the Summerville Trion Optimist Club to present the annual Pumpkin Palooza with Pumpkin Derby and the Halloween Candy Walk.