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.

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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.

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The weather cooperated and there was a great turn out for the annual Summerville-Trion Optimist Club Halloween Walk held in downtown Summerville on Saturday.  Local merchants and civic organizations passed out hundreds of pounds of candy, but the Halloween celebrations in Chattooga County aren’t over.  Lyerly First Baptist Church is hosting a “Trunk or Treat” this evening at the church on Tennessee Avenue from 4-6 PM.  Then on Monday – Halloween – Dry Valley Baptist Church will be hosting their annual “Light the Night” event at the Trion track field.  The event will feature free food including corn dogs and funnel cakes.  Also, the City of Menlo will be hosting their first-annual Halloween Walk at Lawrence Park in Menlo.  The Menlo Halloween Walk will be from 5PM-8PM with a costume contest at 6 PM.

Several Chattooga County FFA members received the highest honors from the National FFA Organization in Indianapolis this weekend.

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As the spooky season kicks into high gear this weekend, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends the following tips to help ensure everyone has a safe, fun time while making the rounds at fall festivals, trunk-or-treats, parties, and the traditional door-to-door hunt for goodies.

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A Rome woman has been sentenced to three years probation and fined $2,296 upon pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine in Chattooga County.  Leah K. Bramlett was sentenced recently in Chattooga County Superior Court.  In addition to her sentence and fine, Bramlett has been banned from Chattooga County and the entire Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit which includes Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa Counties.

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is hopeful that inmates will be returning to the Chattooga County Jail this week.  Inmates were moved to jails in Dade and Floyd Counties after the Labor Day Weekend Flood that dumped over 14 inches of rain on downtown Summerville.  The aging jail in Summerville sustained major damage from the flooding, especially the flooring.  Not only were the buckling floor tiles a problem – it turns out that the tiles were asbestos, which meant that removal was more costly.  Sheriff Schrader said that Dade County took the majority of the inmates from the jail in September, and even sent deputies over to help transport the inmates.  The sheriff says that he believes the jail will be able to accommodate inmates sometime this week.

Attorney General Chris Carr is offering important safety tips to help Georgia families prepare for Halloween.

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