2025 Georgia General Assembly Comes To An End This Past Friday

The final day of the Georgia legislative session concluded with the passing of a nearly $38 billion budget, which was the primary requirement for state leaders. Governor Kemp expressed gratitude for what he called a historic session. The Senate unexpectedly adjourned early, while the House continued its work. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones explained that he planned to end the Senate session early because their priorities were completed.

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Chattooga Coroner’s Office Raises Awareness About Child Abuse & Neglect

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. The Department of Family & Children’s Services along with the Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney, local law enforcement, and  EMS recently participated in a symbolic pinwheel ceremony at Dowdy Park recently in honor of the reported child abuse/neglect cases last year in Chattooga County.  Coroner McElhaney say, “Please remember that it takes everyone to prevent child abuse and neglect”.  In Georgia, child neglect is defined as the failure to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education (as required by law), or other care necessary for a child’s physical, mental, or emotional health, as well as inadequate supervision or abandonment. Child abuse encompasses physical injury or death inflicted by a parent or caretaker, neglect or exploitation, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of a child. To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Chattooga County, Georgia, you can call the DFCS Child Protective Services 24/7 hotline at 1-855-422-4453 (1-855-GACHILD) or visit cps.dhs.ga.gov

Walker County Rabies Clinic Coming Up

Protect your family and pets from the deadly rabies virus by attending one of the upcoming Walker County Rabies Clinics. Sponsored by the Walker County Extension/4-H and Cornerstone Veterinarian Services, these clinics offer a convenient and affordable way to ensure your furry friends are vaccinated. Vaccinations are just $15.00 per animal (cash only). The clinics will be held on the following dates and locations:

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New Social Media Created For Chattooga Animal Control & Shelter

 

The Chattooga County Animal Control and Shelter has launched a new Facebook page to better connect with the local community and provide updates on the shelter’s activities. Residents are encouraged to “like” and follow the page to receive the latest news, announcements, and heartwarming stories from the shelter. The new Facebook page aims to be a resource for information and a platform to showcase adoptable animals. However, Chattooga County Animal Control is reminding residents that the page is not a substitute for direct communication regarding important issues. “If you have any questions or need to report an issue, please call the shelter as we will have to document it accordingly,” stated Chattooga County Animal Control in a recent announcement. “Social media is not a suitable platform for official reports or inquiries. Thank you kindly.” Residents can contact Chattooga County Animal Control directly by calling 706-857-0679. The shelter is located at 464 Red Oak Road in Summerville. Be sure to follow the new Chattooga County Animal Control Facebook page to stay informed and support the animals in need! But remember, for official business, pick up the phone and give them a call.  You can find the new Facebook page HERE

Bids Due This Week For Summerville Cemetery Mowing Contract

The City of Summerville is reminding potential bidders that the deadline to submit proposals for mowing and grounds keeping services at the Summerville Cemetery is rapidly approaching. Sealed bids must be received by 2 PM, this Thursday,  April 10, 202, at Summerville City Hall, located at 120 Georgia Ave., Summerville, Georgia 30747. The contract, identified as RFB-2025-103-CEMETERY, covers mowing services for the period of May 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025. The City is seeking bids based on a per-mowing cost. Interested parties should submit their bids in sealed envelopes, clearly marked with the RFB identification number. The bids will be opened publicly at 2:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Room. While the contents will be made public, the City of Summerville will require time to review all submitted bids before awarding the contract. Further details and conditions regarding the bidding process can be found within the official RFB document. Potential bidders are encouraged to review the document thoroughly before submitting their proposals.

Cancer Navigators Daisy Drop April 27th

Cancer Navigators’ annual Daisy Drop will take place on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. This year, participants will meet at the Heritage Park Pavilion and walk to the Chief John Ross Memorial Bridge at the Town Green led by Sunshine Bitner, a cancer survivor and Cancer Navigators board member.

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Near Record High Temperatures Saturday – Storms Sunday & Monday – Near Freezing Temperatures Next Week

Near record high temperatures are expected again today as a frontal boundary moves into the state on Sunday morning, bringing showers and thunderstorms. This morning, the satellite shows mostly clear skies with some mid to high-level clouds. A large Bermuda ridge off the Georgia and Carolina coast is keeping Georgia in a moist southerly flow, which is contributing to the warm air mass. High temperatures today are likely to reach the mid-80s to near 90, with upper 70s in the northeastern Georgia mountains.

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Arrest Report – Saturday – April 5, 2025

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, April 5, 2025:

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Drug Bust At The Summerville Motel Uncovers Explosive Device

A narcotics investigation at a Chattooga County motel led to the discovery of drugs and an explosive device, resulting in one arrest, according to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader. Agents with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force were conducting their investigation at the Summerville Motel, located at 4553 Highway 27 in the Gore Community, on Wednesday. During the course of the investigation, they uncovered narcotics along with what was identified as an explosive device. Sheriff Schrader immediately called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Bomb Disposal Unit. The GBI unit responded to the scene to assist in the safe handling and investigation of the device. They performed an X-ray of the device before carefully dismantling it. As a result of the investigation, 26-year-old Bryce Adam Godfrey was arrested. He faces charges related to narcotics as well as charges related to the possession and/or creation of the explosive device.

Georgia PSC Elections Could Be A Referendum On Rising Georgia Power Bills

Georgia voters will head to the polls to elect Public Service Commissioners (PSC) this year, with the elections shaping up to be a critical referendum on the rising cost of electricity in the state, particularly for Georgia Power customers. Consumer advocates are raising concerns that the utility company will continue to increase rates on residential customers to meet the ever-growing energy demands of data centers.

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