The Trion High School community is in mourning following the sudden passing of Head Wrestling Coach Randy Stewart on March 3rd. Stewart, a Hall of Famer and beloved figure in the Trion wrestling program, will be honored with a memorial service tomorrow, Saturday, March 8th, at the Trion High School Wrestling Facility.
Fed up with escalating electricity costs, Georgia residents are rallying behind Senate Bill 94, a bipartisan effort to establish a consumer advocacy group to represent their interests before the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC). The bill, introduced by State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) in early February, seeks to reinstate the Consumers’ Utility Counsel, an advisory body designed to ensure fair utility rates for Georgia residents.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students excelled at the 2025 SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference, Feb. 20-22, in Atlanta. GNTC competed in 14 categories and took home three gold medals and two silver medals.
The Georgia House of Representatives has recently passed two bills concerning the use of speed detection cameras in school zones, sparking debate and setting the stage for further discussion in the State Senate. There are no school zone cameras in Chattooga County, but neighboring Floyd County has a camera in place near Armuchee Primary School on Highway 27 North and is considering another for the Armuchee Elementary School Zone on Highway 140.
Justin Eli Durham, a Summerville resident, was arrested on Tuesday of this week, after an incident involving assault and resisting arrest at a residence on 375 Union Street. Summerville Police responded to a call regarding a domestic dispute at approximately 6:54 PM. Upon arrival, officers found Durham on the porch, hunched over. According to the police report, Durham refused multiple commands to stand up, responding to officers with, “Make me b****.” After being stood up and placed in handcuffs, Durham reportedly continued to resist law enforcement and exhibited signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol. He was subsequently taken to the ground and then secured in a patrol car after further resistance. The investigation revealed that Durham had arrived at the residence uninvited and refused to leave when asked. The victims, whose names are not included in the police report, sought assistance from two other women to persuade Durham to leave. According to statements given to police, Durham allegedly struck the women multiple times, causing injuries, and attempted to strike another person. Durham was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident and was charged with assault, battery, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.
As Georgians get ready to move their clocks forward an hour this Sunday, March 9th, AAA is reminding drivers about the dangers of Daylight Saving Time. Changing the time can disturb sleep patterns and increase the risk of drowsy driving, which is a major cause of accidents. Montrae Waiters from AAA warns that even a one-hour change can cause a mini-jetlag effect that takes time to adjust to. Drivers should watch for symptoms of drowsy driving, such as trouble keeping eyes open, drifting from lanes, and daydreaming. There is also a higher risk around schools in the mornings when it will be darker due to the time change. A study shows a rise in fatal crashes after Daylight Saving Time starts. AAA advises drivers to prioritize sleep, avoid distractions, obey speed limits, drive sober, and always wear seatbelts. Following these tips can help keep everyone safe on the road during this time change.
The Little River Canyon National Preserve visitor center is one of nearly 34 National Park Service locations that may lose funding due to actions by the Trump administration aimed at reducing government waste and fraud. These closures could affect visitor centers, law enforcement offices, museums, and other vital park services.
Cold air and cloudy skies continue this morning across Northwest Georgia. These clouds are expected to clear up by midday, allowing for mostly sunny skies. Daytime temperatures will be cooler, with highs in the low 50’s. Minimum relative humidity will drop to the mid 20s to mid 30s this afternoon, and fire concerns should remain low. Tonight, temperatures will dip into the low 30’s and frost is expected on Friday morning. Partly sunny skies are expected during the day on Friday and highs will be in the low 60’s. A cold front will bring light rain to north Georgia on Saturday, becoming stationary in middle or south Georgia. A weak low pressure system may develop along this front, increasing chances of rain into Sunday. Dry weather will return early next week, with temperatures increasing throughout the week.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, March 6, 2025:
Jacob Ryan Stewart, 37, was arrested last week on Wednesday evening following a domestic dispute at a residence on Hair Lake Road. Deputies responded to a call at approximately 9:51 PM reporting a physical altercation. According to the incident report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the complainant stated that he and Stewart had engaged in a verbal argument that escalated. The complainant retreated to his room and locked the door, but Stewart allegedly forced his way in and struck him multiple times in the face. The complainant was able to call 911 after the initial altercation, and again after Stewart re-entered the residence and allegedly struck him a second time before leaving the scene on a gray Honda motorcycle with a black helmet. Deputies located Stewart a short time later, driving the described motorcycle near the residence. After being read his Miranda rights, Stewart denied the incident and claimed the victim had injured himself. Deputies observed blood on Stewart’s hands, though he could not explain the source. The report also notes that Stewart was slurring his words, smelled of alcohol, and was unsteady on his feet. Due to the nature of the call and Stewart’s departure from the scene, field sobriety tests were not conducted. Stewart was read Georgia’s implied consent law and agreed to a blood test, which was administered by Chattooga EMS. He was subsequently transported to Chattooga County Jail and charged with battery/simple battery-family violence and DUI-multiple substances-less safe driver.
