There are new fraud concerns with the $1 billion in cash payments designed to help some of the most vulnerable Georgians. In September, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp provided $1 billion in leftover federal aid from the American Rescue Plan, a bill he opposed. The $350 cash cards were going to Medicaid, SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients.
Although no one took home the $825 million Powerball jackpot, three people in Georgia woke up on Sunday with a little extra cash in their pocket. According to the Georgia Lottery, three people matched four of the five numbers as well as the Powerball — netting them each $50,000. Saturday’s winning numbers were 19-31-40-46-57, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3.
A woman was arrested for concealing items and not scanning them at the self-checkout while shopping at Wal-Mart near Trion. According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the woman had items in the bottom of her buggy that she was trying to conceal and leave the store without paying. Video surveillance provided to a responding deputy revealed that forty-six-year-old Michelle Denise Christian of Summerville “disregarded” the items in the bottom of the shopping buggy, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. Christian was charged with shoplifting $201.18 worth of items on October 22nd.
According to Northeast Alabama authorities, In April 1983, 25 year old Alan D. Livingston was reported missing by a co-worker. He was last seen at the Forrest River Apartments in Gadsden, where he lived. He vanished along with his vehicle which was a brown 1980 Ford Bronco.
Georgia continues to enjoy record-low unemployment, and that trend is holding up in all regions of the Peach State, including Northwest Georgia. Chattooga County saw a slight decrease in unemployment for the month of September, according to the latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Labor.
The Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, Half Marathon, Jr. Marathon and Fort Oglethorpe 5K will take place on Saturday, November 12th at 7:30 AM. in Fort Oglethorpe.
If you want to cast your ballot ahead of Election Day, which is a week from tomorrow, you have until Friday to do so. Over 170 voters took advantage of the last Saturday Voting Day over this past weekend. The number of early voters across the state have been up over the previous election in 2020, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. All advanced voting in Chattooga County takes place at the Chattooga County Registrars Office located at 10017 Commerce Street in Summerville – just south of the Chattooga County Courthouse.
The Georgia State Patrol has released a preliminary report about a fatal accident that happened shortly after midnight on Sunday morning in Lyerly. The accident took the life of three people and a fourth person succumbed to injuries after being transported to a Rome hospital.
9:50 AM
Update from Georgia State Patrol: There are 4 confirmed fatalities from a wreck in Lyerly overnight. One person remains in critical condition. The investigation continues into the accident.
Update from Sheriff Schrader: I have just confirmed that a fourth person has passed from the earlier crash and the fifth is in serious condition
Statement from Chattooga School Supt. Jared Hosmer: I received information overnight of an automobile accident that claimed the life of four people, three of which are Chattooga High School students. Please be in prayer for the families of all that have been affected by this terrible tragedy. If any of our school community needs help during this trying time, please reach out to any school employee. Thank you, Jared Hosmer
UPDATE from Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader:
Sheriff Schrader told WZQZ News on Sunday morning, “Right now all I can release is that there was a single vehicle crash south of Lyerly on Highway 114. There were five occupants (of the vehicle) and, as of right now, three fatalities. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash.”
WZQZ News will have more information as it becomes available.
EARLIER:
There was a fatal accident in Chattooga County overnight. Scanner traffic indicated that the Chattooga County Coroner was called to the scene. WZQZ News will have more information as it becomes available from local law enforcement and the Georgia State Patrol Post in Rome.
Why is Fall the time of year that you need to be more vigilant while driving? Because it is peak deer activity season, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
