Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) will host a Free Application Week on June 9-13 to help those who are seeking to enroll in the fall semester.
A Chattooga County woman, Kelsey Nicole Curtis, 32, of Summerville, a former inmate work detail officer at Floyd County Public Works, is facing charges of bribery and violation of oath by a public officer. The arrest warrants detail Curtis’s alleged involvement in facilitating contraband drops in exchange for cash payments. According to authorities, Curtis assisted in delivering contraband to inmates, including tobacco, rolling papers, vapes, and food. She allegedly received payment for these services via Cash App. Investigators traced the transactions back to Curtis and discovered approximately 36 payments made between June and December of 2024, totaling $1,469. The documents further revealed that Curtis transferred the illicitly obtained funds from her Cash App account to her personal bank account. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed. Curtis is currently being held at the Floyd County Jail awaiting a hearing.
WRGA contributed to this report
UPDATE: Murder victim and murder suspect identified by police.
UPDATE: Summerville Police say a suspect is now in custody.
6:20 PM – Friday
A Summerville man is dead following a shooting on Oak Street earlier today. At approximately 12:36 pm, Summerville Police Department officers responded to a call regarding a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, they discovered 27-year-old Christopher “DJ” Chapman of Summerville unresponsive in the roadway, suffering from a serious gunshot wound. Chapman was immediately transported to Chattooga ER, where he was later pronounced dead.
The initial investigation identified 24-year-old Deoveon Price of Summerville as the alleged shooter. Price reportedly fled the scene in his vehicle. A short time later, Price was apprehended during a traffic stop on Taylors Ridge. He was found to be driving a different vehicle at the time of his arrest and was taken into custody without incident. According to police investigations, Price and Chapman were involved in a physical altercation prior to the shooting. During the altercation, Price allegedly drew a pistol and shot Chapman in the chest. Price is facing the following charges: Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.
The Summerville Police Department released a statement extending their gratitude to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI), the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force, and the Georgia State Patrol for their invaluable assistance throughout the investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Earlier:
Summerville Police are actively searching for a suspect after a man in his late 20s was shot on Oak Street earlier today, according to Police Chief Brian Ozment. The victim sustained extremely serious injuries from a handgun wound. The shooting occurred in the middle of Oak Street, where the victim was discovered and immediately treated by Atrium Floyd EMS personnel. Chief Ozment confirmed the incident but offered limited details due to the ongoing investigation. The suspect remains at large, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been called in to assist with the investigation. Emergency medical crews worked intensively at the scene to stabilize the victim. While the full extent of the injuries has not been released, authorities described them as life-threatening. The incident has triggered a significant police presence in the area, with officers focused on locating the shooter and securing the crime scene. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as they become available from law enforcement officials.
A heated exchange at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office led to police being called on May 13th, after a local businessman allegedly refused to leave following a contentious meeting.
A high-speed chase originating near Hays State Prison Saturday morning resulted in a serious injury accident at the intersection of Highway 27 and Central Avenue. According to Sheriff Mark A. Schrader, Chattooga County deputies were alerted to a possible contraband drop near the prison at approximately 7:00 AM. Corporal Jared Wilks responded and initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be involved. “As Cpl. Wilks approached the out-of-county vehicle, the driver and passenger exhibited extreme nervousness,” stated Sheriff Schrader. “Upon requesting the driver to step out of the vehicle, the driver sped away, initiating a pursuit.” Cpl. Wilks pursued the vehicle north on Highway 27 through Trion. The suspect vehicle then made an abrupt U-turn near Dixie Fibers and headed south on Highway 27. Preliminary investigation indicates that the fleeing vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Highway 27 and Central Avenue, colliding with another vehicle attempting to enter the highway from Central Avenue. All three individuals involved in the accident were injured. The driver of the vehicle struck by the suspect was transported to the emergency room. The driver and passenger of the fleeing vehicle were also transported for medical treatment. Sheriff Schrader urges the community to keep the driver of the struck vehicle and their family in their thoughts and prayers. A host of charges are pending against the fleeing suspects, who authorities believe are both on probation in the metro Atlanta area. These charges are expected to include serious injury by motor vehicle.
On Sunday, 39-year-old Jario Cruz Gutierriez-Vargas of Atlanta, Georgia was killed in an accident on Highway 114 in Lyerly. The driver of the vehicle was charged with DUI and Homicide by Vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol arrested Jeffrey Vega and booked him into the Chattooga County Jail. Now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement have placed a hold on Vega. Local law enforcement say that usually indicates that the federal agency will be picking up the suspect. More information will be released as it becomes available.
A 19-year-old male is facing homicide by vehicle charges following a fatal single-vehicle crash in Lyerly, Georgia, on Sunday evening. According to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Doug Shamblin, the incident occurred on Highway 114 near the solar panel farm. Jeffry Vega, allegedly driving at a high rate of speed and displaying reckless behavior according to witnesses, was traveling westbound when his van left the roadway and struck a power pole. The van subsequently overturned, ejecting one passenger who was pronounced dead at the scene. After ejecting the passenger, the vehicle continued and struck another utility pole before coming to rest on its roof. Three other passengers were in the vehicle. Two sustained minor injuries, while another female passenger was transported to Atrium Health Floyd initially and later transferred to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga with critical injuries. The Georgia State Patrol is still in the process of notifying the deceased passenger’s next of kin. Jeffry Vega was arrested at the scene and charged with driving without a valid license, failure to maintain a single lane, DUI for alcohol, serious injury by vehicle, and homicide by vehicle in the first degree. He is currently being held in the Chattooga County Jail.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, April 29, 2025:
Commissioner Andy Allen is facing a criminal warrant application filed against him in the Magistrate Court of Chattooga County. The application stems from an alleged incident that occurred on March 3, 2025, and was filed by William Wilson of Annville, KY.
Chattooga County has filed a lawsuit against Zentell Communications, LLC, and Jonathan W. Allen, claiming breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation regarding a communications project set for late 2024. The lawsuit, filed in Chattooga County Superior Court, alleges that Zentell did not meet its contract obligations and misused county funds. The county had engaged Zentell through a competitive bidding process, with Allen submitting a bid and signing the contract to provide services.