The Walker County Board of Commissioners will consider several significant items during its regular meeting Thursday, July 9, including a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, updates to the county’s land development regulations, and several major spending requests. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Walker County Courthouse Annex IV in LaFayette.
Several Georgia Lottery players had a winning holiday weekend as jackpot games continued to climb across the state.
Monday’s Powerball jackpot rose to an estimated $416 million, while tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is estimated at $576 million.
Among the weekend winners, a Stone Mountain player won $50,000 in the July 1 Powerball drawing, while a Brunswick player won $100,000 in the July 4 Powerball drawing after the Power Play multiplier doubled the prize.
An Albany player also hit a $290,307 Fantasy 5 jackpot on July 2 through the Georgia Lottery mobile app.
Other big wins included $250,000 for a Jasper player on a Diggi Game, $10,000 prizes in Kennesaw and Douglas, and two $7,500 Millionaire for Life prizes sold in Woodstock and Bonaire.
Georgia Lottery officials remind Mega Millions and Powerball winners they have 180 days from the drawing date to claim prizes. Proceeds from Georgia Lottery games benefit education across the state.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is urging livestock producers, veterinarians and pet owners to remain alert for signs of the destructive New World Screwworm, even though no cases have been confirmed in Georgia.
Mailing a letter will soon cost a little more as the U.S. Postal Service prepares to increase the price of a First-Class Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents beginning Sunday, July 12.
Mrs. Annie Sue Mathews, age 82, of Gaylesville, AL, died Monday, July 6, 2026, at the residence of her daughter.
Mrs. Mathews was born September 13, 1943, in Rome, GA, daughter of the late Benjamin and Thelma Wimpy Touchstone. She was of the Baptist faith, and prior to her retirement, was employed with Riegel Textiles.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Cornelius Mathews; a son, Ricky Maton; a daughter, Deborah Bryant; brother, J.B. Touchstone; sisters, Kathleen Pruitt, Pauline Smith, and Neva Hulsey; and a brother-in-law, Earl Jacobs.
Survivors include her daughters, Diane (Edwin “Kebo”) Smith, Darlene Jordan, and Marie (David) Long; brothers, Kenneth Touchstone and James Touchstone; a sister, Glenda Jacobs; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, July 10, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Terry Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow in Johnson Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Leroy Newsome, Javin Newsome, Casey Jennings, Ricky Newsome, Bryson Carroll, and Michael Williams.
Mrs. Mathews will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Friday.
Ms. Tammy Doreene Hightower, age 61, a resident of a Summerville, Georgia address passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Ms. Hightower was born the daughter of the late Joseph H. Lee and the late Joyce Wilson Lee born May 25, 1965 in Summerville, Georgia.
Tammy had been a lifelong resident of the area and was described by her family as “loving really hard”, “working hard for her babies and grandbabies”, “had a bleeding heart for the homeless” and while it was said that she was a redneck woman, the family stated, “she broke the mold”.
In addition to her parents, Tammy was preceded in death by a son, Doug Talley.
She is survived by sons, Christopher Lee (Tina Johnson), Eric (Sabrina) Talley; brothers, Michael Lee (& family), Steven (Theresa) Lee; sister, Deborah Wiggins (& family); grandchildren, Kadian Lee, Jonas Lee, Lynnica Talley, Leslie Talley, Bo Sweeny.
In accordance with Ms. Hightower’s wishes, she will be cremated and a memorial service may be held at a later date.
Mrs. Sarah Woodall, age 82, of Summerville, GA, died Monday, July 6, 2026, at Atrium Health Floyd.
Mrs. Woodall was born December 27, 1943, in Summerville, GA, daughter of the late Wade Allen Evans and Sarah Evelyn Allmon Evans. She had attended Old Path Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed with World Carpet.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, David Evans, Roy Evans, and Claude Evans; sisters, Hattie Lee Elsberry, Ann Ramey, and Dorothy Pettyjohn.
Survivors include her husband, Russell Lee Woodall; sons, Greg (Brenda) Woodall, Chris Woodall, and Timothy (Sandra) Woodall; daughter, Regina (David) Frasier; 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a special friend, Wanda Lively; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, July 9, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wayne Hindman officiating. Interment will follow in Subligna Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Charles Lee, Travis Rockwell, Shane Haney, Evan Bice, Cameron Evans, and Matt Hunter. The remainder of Mrs. Woodall’s nieces and nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mrs. Woodall will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, July 7, 2026:
