Animal Science Professor, Jay Daniel. Photos by Matthew McConnell/Berry College

Berry College’s Dr. Jay Daniel is the featured speaker at this month’s Chattooga County Young Farmers Meeting that will be held at the Chattooga County Ag Center, located off Middle School Road in Summerville. Dr. Daniel offer local sheep and goat farmers valuable hands-on training in FAMACHA scoring. This vital workshop, taking place on Thursday, April 17th at 7 PM at the Chattooga Ag Center, will equip farmers with the skills needed to effectively manage parasites within their herds. FAMACHA is a proven method of controlling parasites in small ruminants by assessing their anemia level, a key indicator of parasite infestation. This targeted approach allows farmers to treat only those animals in need, reducing the overall reliance on anthelmintic drugs and combating the growing problem of parasite resistance. The training will provide farmers with practical knowledge on how to accurately score animals using the FAMACHA system, enabling them to make informed decisions about treatment. Following the workshop, attendees are invited to enjoy a delicious meal of beef tips, loaded potatoes, green beans, and dessert for just $7. Farmers interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP to Chattooga County Young Farmer Director Lauren Jarrett by Tuesday, April 15th to ensure an accurate meal count.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) into law on Friday, April 4th, a move applauded by Republicans and met with strong opposition from opponants.

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Construction continues on AdventHealth Redmond’s new Heart and Vascular Institute, located on Redmond Road in Rome. After a groundbreaking ceremony in February, the 40,000-square-foot facility is rising on the west side of the hospital campus. Crews are currently working on important infrastructure, including storm drains to manage water runoff and avoid flooding. The Institute will bring many cardiac services together, offering patients easy access to specialized care. It will include various clinics, such as cardiology, structural heart, and cardiac rehab. AdventHealth Georgia CEO Isaac Sendros highlighted the facility’s role in providing quality care and its goal to be a top 1% cardiovascular provider in the country. Construction is expected to continue until March 2026.

Summerville, Georgia water customers, who have used and paid for city water from January 2020 to January 23, 2025, may be impacted by three proposed class action settlements regarding PFAS contamination in the drinking water. These settlements, known as the Summerville Class Action Settlements, involve agreements with the following companies:

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Last week, Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen announced that a former Rome City official has been named as the new Chattooga County Public Works Director.  Allen appointed Tim Brunson, who had served as the Assistant Director of the Rome Water and Sewer Division to head up the county’s public works department.  Earlier this year, Allen took over the daily management of the county’s public works after the resignation of Yancey Robinson.  Robinson had served as public works director since 2021.  Commissioner Allen says that Brunson’s experience in local governmental service was a deciding factor in his naming Brunson to the position.  Brunson attended Shorter University and has over three decades of experience in local government public works.

A bill that would legalize and regulate human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is headed to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk after passing both chambers of the Georgia legislature with overwhelming support. The Georgia House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 241 by a decisive 157-4 vote, following the Senate’s near-unanimous approval earlier in March. Senate Bill 241, championed by Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), a funeral home director, establishes guidelines and regulations for the process of human composting. During a committee hearing, Senator Williams described the practice simply as “human composting,” a description that elicited lighthearted comparisons to the television show “Breaking Bad” and the classic song “Dry Bones.” Beyond the humor, Williams emphasized the importance of the legislation for both community safety and the dignified treatment of the deceased. He cited a concerning case in Colorado involving improperly disposed remains that resulted in a significant public health risk. According to Williams, the controlled process of composting human remains yields safe and sanitary soil. This soil can then be returned to the family of the deceased, allowing them to use it as they see fit, including enriching their gardens. The bill now awaits Governor Kemp’s signature to become law.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) in Peachtree City has issued a Flood Watch for much of North and central Georgia, lasting until 8 PM Monday evening. Adding to the weather concerns, a Tornado Watch is in effect until 11 AM this morning. The NWS warns of widespread thunderstorms across the region today and tonight, with the potential for some storms to become strong to severe. Residents should be prepared for damaging winds, locally heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning. While the possibility is considered low, a brief tornado cannot be ruled out. The Flood Watch is in place due to the expectation of heavy rainfall throughout the day. Areas under the watch could see between 2 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated locations potentially receiving up to 5 inches by Monday evening, raising concerns for flash flooding. The threat of severe weather continues into Monday and Monday evening with more potential for strong to severe storms. The Flood Watch will remain in effect through the evening due to the continued rainfall. Looking ahead, the NWS is also monitoring the potential for frost and freeze conditions across portions of north Georgia Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, April 6, 2025:

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This past week, on Wednesday, Summerville Police were called to a Hinton Street address to investigate a theft.  When they arrived on the scene, officers spoke with the complainant, identified as Tarius Anderson.  Anderson told police that someone had stolen the driver’s-side rear tire and rim from his 2002 Jeep Liberty.  The thieves had also removed the catalytic converter from the vehicle.  Anderson was unable to identify any possible suspects to police and the incident was turned over to an investigator.

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive on Monday at the Chattooga County Civic Center.  All presenting donors will receive a $15 Amazon e-gift card and a chance to win a $5,000 gift card.  The Red Cross and Chattooga Chamber encourage anyone who can, to come by the Civic Center, located on Highway 48 across from Truist Bank, to give the gift of life and give blood on Monday, April 7th between 1 PM and 6 PM.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the code : RedCrossClub.