Twelve individuals, including men from Walker and Floyd Counties, have been arrested in Cherokee County following a three-day undercover operation targeting suspected child predators. The initiative, dubbed “Operation Phantom Whisper,” was a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies.
As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, Georgia families can expect to shell out an average of $875 per household for back-to-school essentials like clothes, shoes, and supplies. This projection, provided by the United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSF CU), highlights the growing financial burden on parents.
Local officials in Chattooga County, including County Commissioner Andy Allen and the leadership of its four municipalities – Summerville, Trion, Menlo, and Lyerly – are exploring the implementation of a new sales tax designed to alleviate the burden of property taxes on residents. The proposed measure, known as the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST), is a new tool authorized by recent state legislation aimed at providing property tax relief.
Georgians continue to see a welcome reprieve at the gas pumps this week, with the state’s average price for regular unleaded gasoline holding steady at $2.90 per gallon. This marks no shift from a week ago, offering continued stability for drivers, though prices can change overnight.
The race for mayor in Summerville is heating up after a city council meeting last week where Councilman Rickey Hughes resigned to run against the current Mayor Harry Harvey, who has not yet decided on re-election. Mayor Harvey stated he is still considering whether to run again, saying he has a month to make his decision.
Georgians enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans could see some of the nation’s largest premium increases next year, with a preliminary analysis indicating a potential average surge of 21% across all plans. This places Georgia on track to have among the biggest price increases for health insurance costs on the ACA exchange in 2025, according to findings by The Wall Street Journal and the health research group KFF.
Chattooga Mountain Education is inviting prospective students to “Gear Up for Greatness” at its upcoming registration event, designed to kick off the new school year with excitement and convenience.
Northwest Georgia is bracing for a combination of oppressive heat and daily chances of scattered thunderstorms, beginning this afternoon and expected to persist through the week. Residents should prepare for gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning as high temperatures and soaring heat index values create favorable conditions for convection.
The City of Summerville Fire Department will continue its hydrant flushing and maintenance schedule today, Monday, July 21, 2025 through Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Work will be conducted daily between 8 AM and 3 PM.
The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has officially approved Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a strategic blueprint designed to meet the state’s burgeoning energy demands. This pivotal decision, which includes a commitment to freeze the company’s base rates until at least 2028, follows months of collaborative discussions and an agreement between Georgia Power, the PSC Public Interest Advocacy Staff, and various other stakeholders.
