Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry shared news about two important initiatives aimed at improving the local animal shelter’s operations and care.
According to a recent survey conducted by Forbes Advisor, Georgia drivers appear to be some of the most well-behaved motorists in the nation, in contrast with their counterparts in Hawaii, who were found to be the rudest drivers overall.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has long offered a helping hand for projects that help people experience the state’s native wildlife and natural habitats.
But that support just got stronger.
For 2025, the DNR Wildlife Conservation Section is raising the cap on its Wildlife Viewing Program grants from $3,000 to $5,000 per project. Proposals for the new cycle are being accepted at georgiawildlife.com/WildlifeViewingGrants. The deadline to apply is Feb. 6, 2025.
The Chattooga Indians had the first lost of their season tonight on the road at Gordon Lee with a final score of 48-28. Tomorrow, the Trion Bulldogs will be on the road to take on the Manchester Blue Devils. Tune in at 3 PM to listen to the Trion Bulldogs on WZQZ or watch the game live on our WZQZ Facebook Page.
The Georgia State Patrol Post 38 in Rome has released information on the two separate fatal wrecks in Chattooga County on Thursday afternoon.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, September 27, 2024:
At 5:35 AM on Friday, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for several counties in Northwestern Georgia. Doppler radar and automated rain gauges have detected heavy rain falling at a rate of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, with a staggering 2 to 4 inches already accumulated. The situation is expected to worsen, with forecasters predicting an additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall in the warned areas over the next several hours. This has already led to flash flooding that is either ongoing or imminent. The flash flood warning covers Northeastern Chattooga County, Eastern Floyd County, and Southeastern Walker County. Motorists are urged to avoid traveling through these flood-prone areas, as fast-moving waters can easily sweep away vehicles. Residents living in vulnerable locations should be prepared to seek higher ground immediately. With rainfall rates exceeding an inch per hour, the potential for flash flooding remains high across Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties in Northwest Georgia.
Closings / Cancellations / Delays as of 4 AM:
Chattooga County Schools – Closed Friday
Trion City Schools – Closed Friday
Rome City Schools – Friday
Floyd County Schools – Friday
Walker County Schools – Friday
Georgia Highlands College – Friday
Georgia Northwestern Technical College – Friday
Chattooga County Senior Center – Friday
Trion Recreation Center – Closed Friday – Plan to reopen at Noon on Saturday
Trion Town Hall – Closed Friday
Summerville City Hall – Closed Friday
Chattooga County Governmental Offices – Closed Friday
Chattooga County Courts (Superior, State, Magistrate, Juvenile Municipal) – Closed Friday
Chattooga County Health Department – Closed Friday
Chattooga County Extension Office – Closed Friday
Redmond Family Care in Trion – Opening at 1 PM
Showa in Menlo – Closed Friday
Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply – Opening at 10 AM
GP Federal Credit Union – Opening at Noon, weather permitting
Jim’s Restaurant – Open regular hours
United Community Bank – Opening at 10 AM Friday
Regions Bank – Open at Noon
Community Resource Center of Chattooga County – Closed Friday
As Hurricane Helene, the mightiest storm to strike the United States this year, made its devastating landfall in Florida, the state was plunged into widespread darkness, with over 1 million power outages reported across the region. The hurricane’s sheer force and relentless winds continued to wreak havoc as it tore through the Southeast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. By the early hours of the morning, the storm’s impacts had already extended into southern and central Georgia, where power grid failures were rapidly escalating.
Forecasters predicted that Helene would reach the Atlanta metropolitan area by 8 AM, bringing with it a deluge of heavy rainfall and strong winds. As the hurricane tracks northward, it is expected to pummel the communities of Dahlonega and Blue Ridge before crossing into Tennessee by midday.
Chattooga County and the surrounding northwest Georgia region is on the western periphery of the anticipated path of Hurricane Helene. While the core of the storm is projected to track to the east, potentially sparing this part of the state from the most severe conditions, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Walker, Dade, and Catoosa Counties are still bracing for the threat of heavy rains and powerful winds.
The flooding risk is a major concern, as the torrential downpours associated with Helene have the potential to overwhelm local drainage systems and inundate low-lying areas. Residents are being advised to prepare for the possibility of flooded roads, downed trees and power lines, and other hazardous conditions that could arise from the combination of saturated soils and gusting winds.
A Flood Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia, for the Chattooga River at Summerville in Chattooga County. This warning indicates that minor flooding is forecast along the river, with the water levels expected to rise above the 14-foot flood stage on Friday afternoon and reach a crest of 14.3 feet this evening before receding below flood stage late tonight. Minor flooding will be starting this afternoon and continuing into early Saturday morning. This will result in the inundation of nearby woodlands and fields along the banks upstream and downstream from the U.S. Highway 27 and Rome Boulevard gauges, near The Summerville News office. While this level of flooding is considered minor, it can still have notable impacts on the surrounding environment and local infrastructure. The rising waters could submerge low-lying wooded areas and fields adjacent to the river. Additionally, any roads, trails, and property in the floodplain could become temporarily inaccessible. Those in the affected area should take action this morning to avoid damage to property.