Summerville Man Charged With Cruelty To Animals After Leaving Dog Chained In Freezing Weather

Summerville Police charged a forty-three-year-old man with animal cruelty after a police officer found a small dog chained and without adequate food or water during subfreezing temperatures earlier this week.

According to a report from Summerville Police, an officer responded to an anonymous tip about the dog being in distress in the cold weather.  When the officer arrived at the Edmondson Street address, he found the dog, chained and with frozen food and water.  The officer contacted Chattooga County Animal Control, who came and retrieved the dog.

Police charged Joseph David Robinson with cruelty to animals in connection with the incident.

Summerville’s animal ordinance makes it illegal to tether any pet to a stationary object.  All animals are to be provided shelter,  food and water at all times.

Tobacco-Free ‘23: Three Reasons Why This Is The Year for Georgia Residents To Quit Tobacco For Good

While tobacco use has been declining for decades, 15.8% of Georgia residents still smoke and tobacco is the leading cause of death and disease in the state. Through the new “Tobacco-Free ‘23” campaign, the American Lung Association in Georgia is sharing key reasons why 2023 is the year to quit tobacco, as well as sharing tips and resources.

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Mrs. Rebecca Sue “Becky” Martin, Obit (C)

Mrs. Rebecca Sue “Becky” Martin, age 79 of the Dry Valley Community in Summerville, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at a Rome Hospital.

Mrs. Martin was born in Menlo, Georgia on October 26, 1943, daughter of the late Phillip Baker Willingham and Myrtle Ruth Hawkins Willingham.  She was a member of the Cloudland Presbyterian Church and was a member of the VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star and was a Shrine Lady for many years. Mrs. Martin was retired from the Department of Driver Services, where she worked as a license examiner.

Mrs. Martin is survived by a daughter, Kim Martin; son, Kevin Martin; grandchildren, Ally Martin and Cady(Josh) Shields; a great grandchild, Parker Shields; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Graveside and Interment services for Mrs. Martin will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. in the Cloudland Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Mr. Dewayne Tinney officiating.

Pallbearers will include Rodney Barksdale, Jerry Eller, Steve McGill, Mike Bright, Tommy Stoner and Josh Shields.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Pete Denson and Gary McConnell.

Mrs. Martin will be in state and the family will receive friends Friday from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Rebecca Sue “Becky” Martin.

NGEMC Statement On Recent Rolling Blackouts

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North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (NGEMC) is grateful for the patience of members during the holiday weekend. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) ordered all 153 power distributors in its seven-state service area to reduce electric load by 5% on Friday, Dec. 23, and 10% on Saturday, Dec. 24. The directive was the result of insufficient generation to cover the peak demand during single digit temperatures.

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Arrest Report – Wednesday – December 28, 2022

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, December 28, 2022:

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Drunk Driver Crashes With Fire Engine In Gordon County

Photo Credit: The Calhoun Times

A Gordon County man has been arrested after an accident with a fire truck on Monday of this week.  The Calhoun Times reported that forty-three-year-old Christopher Morris Hutchins of Calhoun was charged with DUI, hit and run, failure to yield and an outstanding felony warrant after the accident on Highway 41 around 3 PM Monday.  Calhoun Police and the Georgia State Patrol say that Hutchins pulled into the path of the fire engine.  The fire engine overturned as a result of the actions of Hutchins.  The driver of the fire truck was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Hutchins fled the scene but was later arrested by Georgia State Troopers.

Georgia Begins Repatriation Of Native American Artifacts from Etowah Indian Mounds

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will soon begin returning artifacts to culturally affiliated tribes from Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville. Repatriation is mandated by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a federal law enacted in 1990.

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Group Calls For End To Certificates Of Need For Healthcare Facilities

Groundbreaking at new freestanding Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Room in Trion earlier this year

Americans for Prosperity-Georgia, a conservative political action group, is calling for an end to the Certificate of Need program in Georgia that requires healthcare providers to apply with the state and prove need before being granted permission to build a healthcare facility like the freestanding emergency room planned for Chattooga County.

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Georgia’s New Medicaid Program Goes Into Place January 1st

Georgia’s new work-based Medicare plan will go into place in 2023.  The program will expand Medicaid to some not currently eligible for the program but requires recipients to be working, going to school, or volunteering.  To stay eligible for the program, beneficiaries must continue to spend at least 80 hours per month working, volunteering, or going to school

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Commissioner To Hold Final Hearing On $16 Million Budget

Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry plans to adopt a $16 million budget for the county at a meeting to be held this Friday at his office on Commerce Street in Summerville.

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