A familiar face at the Chattooga County Probate Court is marking a significant milestone this week, as Becky Duke celebrates 49 years of unwavering service to the citizens of Chattooga County.
The Chattooga County Junior Livestock Evaluation Team achieved first place at the Area 1 FFA contest this week, earning them a spot in the state contest in March. The junior members who played a vital role in this success are RosaLee Hammond, Lottie Houch, Mae Yarbrough, and Jackson Montgomery. Their hard work and dedication were key to their win, and the community looks forward to their performance at the state competition. Although the senior team did not advance, they secured sixth place in their division and received gold rankings. Senior members included Lane Bridges, Kasen Elsberry, LeeAnna Moseley, and Morgan Ward. Gratitude is extended to Liv and Lakelin Pilcher and Mr. Greason at Berry College for their support during practice. The Chattooga County FFA program also expressed special thanks to Eddie Elsberry for his assistance in preparation.
A legal showdown is set for Monday at the Chattooga County courthouse involving a local chicken farmer, neighboring landowners, and the county government. The case concerns Rocking S. Farms LLC, which has sought an injunction against the county’s attempt to stop the construction of four chicken houses in Gore.
At the request of the Georgia State Patrol, GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Gordon County. One man was injured in the incident. No officers were injured.
Well above normal temperatures are expected through the weekend, with an unsettled pattern bringing scattered showers through Friday for Northwest Georgia. Light rain is anticipated over our area Saturday night and Sunday morning. Heavier and more widespread rain is forecast for next Tuesday and Wednesday. Today, we will see cloudy skies with a 50% chance of rain and highs in the low to mid 70s.
In the short term, warm weather will continue with scattered showers. There are no significant weather concerns. A zonal flow pattern will cause clouds and showers, but no strong storms are expected. Afternoon convection is likely here in Northwest Georgia. There may be patchy dense fog in some areas this morning, which will clear by 10 AM.
In the long term, a quasi-zonal upper pattern will persist, bringing weak frontal systems and moisture into the area. Isolated to scattered showers are possible mainly Saturday night and Sunday morning, with light rainfall expected. A more significant frontal system will move in early next week, leading to increased rainfall amounts, especially north of Atlanta. Temperatures will remain warm through the weekend, with a slight cool down next week.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, February 6, 2025:
Americans are now becoming aware of “prescribed fire,” known as “good fire,” which Georgia foresters have promoted for its benefits in making forests healthier and improving safety for people. This contrasts with “bad fire,” like the wildfires recently seen in California. The first week of February, from February 2-8, 2025, is celebrated as “Prescribed Fire Awareness Week,” emphasizing the need for prescribed fires.
Last month, the Walker County Board of Education has announced the resignation of Stacey Meeks from the Post 4 School Board seat. Mr. Meeks, who was elected in November, had announced that he would be relocating to another area of the county and would be unable to fulfill his duties. In accordance with state law, the Board was required to appoint a replacement within 45 days of the resignation. Earlier this week, the board selected Kevin Richardson, a longtime Walker County educator, to fill the position. The vote to appoint Richardson was unanimous. In a post on social media on Tuesday, the Walker Board of Education welcomed Richardson and said that they looked forward to his serving on the school board.
According to a report released this week by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, On January 29, 2025, officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at 608 Rains Circle, in Summerville leading to the arrest of 46-year-old Shannon Matthew Bennet. The incident unfolded around 8:37 PM when law enforcement was dispatched to the scene regarding an intoxicated male. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a witness who indicated that a verbal argument had occurred between her and Bennet.
Joy Hampton, the Tax Commissioner of Chattooga County, has shared the tax collection results for 2024, showing important financial data. In that year, the Tax Commissioner’s Office handled 28,448 payments and collected a total of $20,015,099. 30 from property taxes, interest, and fees. This amount includes $118,596. 04 collected for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS), which supports local government services.