Former Commissioner Blake Elsberry Announces Bid for State Senate

Former Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry has announced his intention to run for the Georgia State Senate in the 53rd District, releasing a public statement outlining his decision and priorities. The announcement comes after Senator Colton Moore signaled interest in running for Congress, opening the door for a new candidate in the district.

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GBI Arrests Georgia Police Lieutenant on Charges of Theft by Deception

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested Conyers Police Department Lieutenant Jesus Cadena, age 36, of Loganville, on a charge of Theft by Deception following an internal request from his own agency.

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Greene’s Upcoming Resignation Leaves 14th District Facing Vacancy and Special Election

 

Northwest Georgia is reacting to the announcement that U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene will resign her seat — but nothing will change until her resignation becomes official on January 5th, 2026. Greene revealed her decision in a ten-minute video, saying ongoing attacks and frustration with both parties led her to step away and not seek reelection in the primary.

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Don’t Let Leftovers Make You Sick: UGA Extension Offers Holiday Food Safety Advice

With Thanksgiving celebrations winding down, food safety experts at the University of Georgia are reminding families to handle their holiday leftovers carefully to avoid illness. UGA Extension specialists say the clock starts ticking as soon as the meal is served, and any perishable food should be refrigerated within two hours.

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Traffic Stop Tied to Pursuit Results in Drug Arrest in Chattooga County

A 35-year-old man was arrested in Chattooga County after deputies recovered methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug-related objects during a vehicle stop connected to a pursuit that began in Cherokee County.

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Summerville Santa Special Rolls Into Town for Two Festive Weekends

Summerville Main Street is inviting families to climb aboard The Summerville Santa Special this December for a festive 75-minute train ride departing from the Historic Summerville Depot. The holiday excursions run December 6th and 7th, and again December 13th and 14th, with four departures each Saturday and three each Sunday.

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Summerville Police Release Report About Downed Tree That Caused A Power Outage Earlier This Month

A report released Tuesday by the Summerville Police Department reveals new details about a power outage that forced several residents from their homes earlier this month. The incident happened on November 20, 2025, when a large tree fell onto power lines along Hill Street, pulling electric meters and service equipment away from two homes.

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Death First Ruled Suicide Now Determined Murder; Payne Sentenced to Life

Nearly nine years after a death first ruled a suicide, a Walker County jury has convicted Marshall Payne of malice and felony murder in the 2016 shooting of Donald Edward Fickey Jr. Investigators originally accepted Payne’s account that the shotgun discharged accidentally, but the case was reopened in 2023 after a medical examiner reversed the ruling. New witness statements, evidence of violence, and testimony about tensions between Payne and the victim led prosecutors to pursue charges. After a week-long trial, jurors deliberated less than an hour before returning guilty verdicts. Payne has now been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

 

Georgia Public Health Receives Nearly $3 Million for Highway Safety Programs

The Georgia Department of Public Health has been awarded nearly $2.9 million from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to support programs aimed at reducing traffic injuries and fatalities across the state. The grants, funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will help expand child safety initiatives, improve data reporting systems, and strengthen injury-prevention programs.

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Arrest Report – Wednesday – November 26, 2025

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, November 26, 2025:

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