Northwest Georgia residents can expect a return to sunny skies and slightly cooler temperatures today after overnight rain and thunderstorms swept through the region. The high for today is forecast to be 69 degrees, after temperatures near 80 on Sunday. Looking ahead, the remainder of the week, through Saturday, promises pleasant weather with highs in the 70s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s and 50s under mostly clear conditions. However, despite the pleasant weather, officials are urging caution due to high fire danger conditions expected throughout the week. A drier air mass moving in behind a front will cause relative humidity to plummet to 20-30% from Tuesday to Thursday. Fire danger statements are likely to be issued from Wednesday through Friday, highlighting the increased risk of wildfires. Residents are strongly advised to avoid outdoor burning and to take extra precautions to prevent any accidental ignitions. While the long-range forecast indicates a potential return of showers and thunderstorms next weekend, the timing and intensity of the rainfall remain uncertain. Forecasters currently assess the potential for severe weather as low. The main concern for the coming week remains the elevated fire risk due to the dry conditions. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about local fire weather warnings and advisories.

The Ami Cemetery Committee is requesting donations from the community to help with the ongoing upkeep and mowing of the Ami Cemetery, located on Jamestown Road in Menlo. The committee emphasizes the importance of maintaining a respectful and well-cared-for environment for the final resting place of loved ones. In addition to requesting financial assistance, the committee is also asking visitors to refrain from using glass containers for flowers or any other purpose within the cemetery grounds. This request comes as a result of safety concerns and damage caused by broken glass. Furthermore, recent inclement weather and strong winds have resulted in flowers and other tributes being displaced from graves. The committee urges families to check their respective plots and ensure that items are either returned to their proper place or disposed of in the designated trash receptacles. Those wishing to make donations can send them to:  Sue Gilley P.O. Box 25 Menlo, GA 30731

Blood Assurance is experiencing a critical blood shortage, with only a half-day supply of several blood types available. Donations have decreased while hospitals are seeing a rise in blood demand, highlighting the urgent need for donors. Garry Allison, Sr. Vice President of Operations at Blood Assurance, stressed the importance of immediate donations for patients needing transfusions. Blood Assurance serves local hospitals, and one donation can save up to three lives. To motivate donors, incentives include a chance to win a $500 e-gift card and $25 e-gift cards for O-negative and AB plasma donors. To donate, visit www. bloodassurance.org/donate, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777. Eligibility requires donors to be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health.

Chattooga County Sheriffs Deputies responded to a call at 1071 Back Berryton Road in Summerville. The property owner, Buddy Shadrick, informed deputies that Wayne Roan had been temporarily living in a barn on his property. Shadrick discovered that Roan had missed court and might have an active warrant. After confirming Roan had a felony warrant for failure to appear, Shadrick allowed deputies to search the barn. When they arrived, deputies found Roan near a tent and ordered him to lie on the ground, which he did. A deputy noticed a wooden nightstand with a butane torch and a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance next to Roan. After escorting Roan to the patrol unit, deputies searched the barn and found a plastic bag with suspected methamphetamine and a white paper towel with a glass smoking device imprint. Roan, who had been staying in the barn for about a week, was taken to the Chattooga County Jail. He faced charges for possession of methamphetamine and drug-related objects, in addition to the felony warrant.

A coordinated effort by the U.S. Forest Service, the Georgia Forestry Commission, and local fire departments kept busy over the weekend battling significant wildfires that erupted in both Chattooga and Floyd Counties. The first blaze broke out on Saturday on Dirtseller Mountain, located in southeastern Chattooga County.

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Georgia’s turkey season starts this weekend, with hunting on private lands beginning March 29th and on public lands starting April 5th. Hunters in the state are preparing to seek out wild turkeys, hoping for good results similar to last year, when 140 turkeys were harvested in Chattooga County. Georgia has over 130 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for hunting but hunters are advised to research the WMAs beforehand, as each has specific requirements and regulations regarding hunting times and the number of hunters allowed. A complete list of WMAs and properties open for hunting can be found in the Georgia hunting regulations online. A Georgia DNR spokesperson emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific WMA rules since they differ by location. For private land hunters, obtaining landowner permission is necessary. The Georgia Wildlife Turkey Harvest Dashboard shows a total of 11,593 turkeys harvested statewide in 2024, with Polk, Union, and Pickens counties leading in numbers. Safe hunting practices and respect for wildlife are encouraged.

A delegation of talented students from Trion High School made a strong showing at the National Beta State Convention this March, returning home with well-deserved recognition in multiple academic and artistic categories. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence resulted in outstanding performances across a range of competitions.

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The City of Summerville has approved buying new activated carbon material for its water filter plant to ensure safe drinking water. During a city council meeting, officials agreed to upgrade the filtration system. City Water Superintendent Jason Greene announced that the city will replace 20,000 pounds of spent carbon in filters three and four. This replacement aims to target harmful PFAS chemicals. City Manager Jason Winters highlighted the upgrade’s importance in the city’s water protection strategy. The cost for the carbon replacement is $72,000, reflecting Summerville’s commitment to maintaining water quality.

North Georgia EMC (NGEMC) is warning its members about a scam involving individuals pretending to be from the utility’s “financial department. ” One customer reported receiving a call where the scammer aggressively asked for money for an alleged outstanding balance. The caller sent barcodes for the victim to scan for payments and insisted on cash to avoid traceable transactions. An NGEMC spokesperson mentioned that scammers often pressure their victims to act quickly, creating a sense of urgency that prevents them from verifying the claims. NGEMC stresses that it will never call to demand immediate payment. Members are advised to hang up if they feel pressured to pay and to call NGEMC directly using a published number. Do not use any contact information provided by suspicious callers. NGEMC also notes it will never request cash payments. Customers should stay alert and report any suspicious activities to NGEMC and local law enforcement. If you suspect a scam, call the NGEMC Office in Trion at 706-734-7341.

Timmy S. Stephens, of Newnan, Georgia, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $360,000 over a 20-year period. Stephens claimed he was unable to work due to a cardiac condition, but was secretly employed at a local funeral home.

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