Concerns over home heating safety were thrust into the spotlight this week as a devastating house fire claimed the lives of three young children and two adults near the Georgia-Tennessee line. The tragic incident occurred before dawn on Wednesday in Cohutta.
The Summerville City Council will meet on Monday evening at Summerville City Hall to discuss important community issues. Residents are encouraged to attend. The meeting will start with approval of the minutes from December 2024 and January 6, 2025, and then move on to financial discussions. A major topic will be a proposed payment of $36,095. 08 to William D Patty Construction. The Council will also conduct first readings of the Fiscal Year Ending 2024 Year-End Budget Ordinance and the FY 2024-2025 Mid-Year Budget Ordinance, which will show the city’s financial status. Other agenda items include changing the Worker’s Compensation insurance provider, discussing a partnership with Coca-Cola Bottling Company, reviewing a sign request for Pay-N-Tote, and addressing street striping for safety. The meeting will be held at Summerville City Hall at 5 PM.
Nine prisoners at Wilcox State Prison in Georgia were treated at a hospital for stab and cut wounds after a suspected gang fight on Thursday night. The medium-security facility is located about 150 miles from Atlanta. None of the injuries were life-threatening; four prisoners were treated and returned, while five remained hospitalized. No staff members were injured, and the cause of the violence is under investigation. The prison is on lockdown until further notice. The Legislature plans to address prison violence, and Governor Brian Kemp has proposed significant investments in the prison system, including a new facility.
A survey by Site Selection Magazine has named Georgia the top state for Best Business Climate, highlighting its strong appeal to site selection experts. This survey differs from the magazine’s yearly state rankings, which consider various factors beyond direct feedback from site developers. Georgia, frequently among the top states in annual rankings, continues to confirm its reputation as a prime location for businesses.
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen spoke with WZQZ News on Friday afternoon and is urging Chattooga County residents to limit travel after dark tonight. The commissioner says that while travel conditions did improve Friday afternoon, re-freezing will take place overnight tonight which could lead to treacherous travel conditions. Chattooga County Public Works and private contractors have worked the roadways in Chattooga County since daylight, and the commissioner says that they have done a phenomenal job, but the commissioner is suspending all road clearing until daylight tomorrow for the safety of the county workers and contractors. They will reconvene at 6 AM and be back on the roads until temperatures warm up on Saturday. Commissioner Allen said, “It would be best if people would shelter in place overnight tonight and suspend travel until conditions improve on Saturday”.
The US National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a warning for residents of North Georgia as temperatures are expected to plummet below freezing shortly after sunset tonight. With temperatures dropping, slush and standing water on the roads are likely to refreeze, creating perilous travel conditions that could persist into Saturday.
The Chattooga County Government has declared a State of Emergency due to a severe winter weather event affecting Northwest Georgia. The declaration is effective starting Friday, January 10, 2025. Sole Commissioner Andy Allen announced this after the National Weather Service warned of hazardous conditions, including snow, ice, and very low temperatures that are expected to continue into Saturday.
UPS has announced that severe weather conditions are currently impacting service in various areas across Georgia. As a result, there will be no pickups or deliveries today in the affected regions. In light of these unforeseen circumstances, UPS is prioritizing the safety of its employees while making efforts to minimize disruptions to service.
All schools in Northwest Georgia & Northeast Alabama are closed today. Here are other closings as of 10 AM:
Advent Health Trion
AtriumHealth Floyd Primary & Urgent Care Burger Shack
Chattooga County Government Offices
Chattooga County Health Department
Chattooga County Remote Dump Sites (Closed Friday & Saturday)
Chattooga County State Court
Chattooga County Transfer Station (Closed Friday & Saturday)
City of Menlo Offices
City of Summerville Offices
Coosa Valley Credit Union – All Locations Dollar Tree – Summerville
Dr. Applebaum’s Office (Closed Friday & Saturday)
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Jim’s Restaurant Closed
Menlo Restaurant Closed
Morris Jewelers
Peach State Credit Union
Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply
Regions Bank Summerville – closed Friday
Silver Sneakers at Advance Rehab
Smith Ironworks – Closed Saturday – Will Reopen On Regular Schedule Monday
Town of Trion Offices
United Community Bank – Closed Friday – Saturday TBD
Updated 12:37 PM:
Chattooga County EMA/911 and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office confirm that Highway 48 is still closed from the 4-way stop in Menlo to the state line. Alabama officials confirm that Highway 117 is closed from the Chattooga County / Georgia State Line to Valley Head. No travel is permitted.
Posted Earlier:
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen advises that Highway 48 in Menlo, from the Highway 337 intersection, to Alabama Highway 117 on Lookout Mountain is now closed to all thru traffic. Barricades are in place to close the highway. No traffic will be allowed up or down the mountain. The road is impassible.
Update 7:44 AM: The following roads are closed according to Chattooga EMA / 911 and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office:
Little Sand Mountain
North Little Sand Mountain
Farmersville Road
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader and Chattooga County EMA 911 say that as of 7:15 Friday morning, roads are being impacted by ice and snow across Chattooga County. They are requesting that people do not travel. Chattooga County Public Works crews continue to treat the county roads and the Georgia DOT is working on Highway 48 at Cloudland and Highway 27 at Taylor’s Ridge.
