Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, November 18, 2024:
As the landscape of demographics continues to shift, Chattooga County is projected to see a median age of 40.2 years in 2024, surpassing both the state of Georgia and the national average. This data highlights a growing trend that reflects not only the aging population but also the unique characteristics of the county’s residents. For comparison, the median age in Georgia is estimated to be 37.0 years, while the United States as a whole is expected to have a median age of 39.3 years.
A stolen U-Haul truck was reported to Summerville Police earlier this month. According to a report released last week by the Summerville Police Department, a representative from U-Haul contacted police in Summerville and reported the stolen vehicle. The representative told police that the truck was rented on October 16th and was supposed to have been returned on October 17th, but was never returned. The employee, who works in the U-Haul Stolen Recovery Vehicle Department, told police that the truck was rented in Summerville, but suspected that the truck was located on Ridgeway Road in Trion. County deputies traveled to the Ridgeway Road address, but were unable to locate the stolen vehicle. The investigation into the theft is ongoing.
Northwest Georgia Football has named Chattooga High School standout Zayden Cook as their “Small School Player of the Year” for 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights Cook’s incredible performance this season, solidifying his status as one of the most formidable talents in high school football. The dynamic running back has had a stellar season, leading the state with an impressive 2,735 rushing yards and an astonishing 31 touchdowns. Cook’s remarkable ability to make explosive plays has not only dazzled fans but also bolstered his team’s success. Averaging an impressive 8 total touchdowns per game, he has consistently proven to be a game-changer on the field. In addition to his rushing prowess, Cook demonstrated his versatility by recording two interceptions, showcasing his skills on both sides of the ball. His contributions have been instrumental in elevating Chattooga’s football program and inspiring a new generation of athletes in the community. Zayden Cook joins a distinguished list of former recipients of this honor, including local legends such as Toby Maddux, Seth Griffin, Jahmyr Gibbs, Luke Holloway, and Clay Hyatt. These former winners have each left an indelible mark on Northwest Georgia football, and Cook’s achievement places him in esteemed company. Cook’s immense talent, dedication, and passion for the game make him a standout athlete not only for Chattooga but for the entire Northwest Georgia region.
Last week, the Chattooga County Registrars Office completed the post-election audit for the 2024 General Election in Chattooga County. According to the registrars office, in the first audit, optical character recognition technology was utilized to compare the printed text on every ballot cast in the county for every race on the ballot. The auditors found that there were no discrepancies between the printed text and the tabulated results. In the second audit, volunteers reviewed every ballot cast in Chattooga County for the presidential race. At the conclusion of this audit, they were able to conclude the results were accurate. The hand audit was found to be 99.97% accurate. There were a total of 10,758 ballots cast in the November 5, 2024 General Election in Chattooga County. Chattooga County Chief Registrar Sheena Weaver said, “We are incredibly thankful to every voter who took the time to cast a ballot in this election and to all of our workers who ensured this was a secure and fair election”. You can find a link for the results from both audits, as well as the official and complete results for the presidential race.
Residents are waking up to fog this morning, which is expected to last until after 9 AM as per the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia. However, the week starts with the promise of sunny skies and warmer temperatures. Today we will see sunny skies with a high of 72 degrees and calm winds shifting southerly by 5 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, we have a 30 percent chance of showers after 1 AM, with temperatures dropping to around 54 degrees and southeast winds continuing gently. Tuesday is forecasted to have showers throughout the day with a high of 66 degrees and gusty south winds up to 15 mph, along with a 90 percent chance of precipitation. Tuesday evening there is a chance of thunderstorms before 10 PM, followed by showers with temperatures near 58 degrees. Wednesday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 68 degrees, followed by clear skies and temperatures around 37 degrees at night. Colder weather is expected as we head towards the weekend with highs only in the 50’s and lows overnight getting near freezing.
A shooting incident at the West Rome Walmart on Friday night has left one woman injured and a suspect in custody. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene just before 10:00 PM after reports of a firearm being discharged outside the retail store. Preliminary investigations reveal that the altercation stemmed from a domestic dispute among individuals outside the Walmart. During the confrontation, one female was struck by a bullet, prompting immediate action from law enforcement and medical personnel. The alleged shooter, identified as 31-year-old David Davis of Rome, attempted to flee the scene, narrowly missing a witness in the process. However, officers quickly apprehended him before he could escape further. The victim was promptly transported to a local hospital and is currently reported to be in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have charged Davis with multiple offenses, including three counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, reckless conduct, discharge of a firearm on the property of another, reckless driving, and hit and run. Investigators believe this incident to be isolated, involving individuals known to each other. Law enforcement is urging anyone with further information regarding the incident who has not already been contacted, to call 911.
After the report of a call over the weekend, Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is warning members of the community about a scam where a caller claims to be from a local funeral home and asks for payment using a debit or credit card. The sheriff said, “It takes a special kind of lowlife thief to prey on someone at all, much less when they’ve lost a loved one. If you are going through the death of a loved one and receive a call claiming to be the funeral home, DO NOT pay them over the phone with a debit or credit card”. Sheriff Schrader went on to say that all of the local funeral home directors and owners in Chattooga County would rather see families in person to help them through their time of need and will NOT call and ask you to pay over the phone with a credit card. Sheriff Schrader adds that if you get a call asking you to pay for funeral expenses, go to the local funeral home and speak with someone there.
Three people were arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop last Thursday on Riverside Parkway in Rome; two of those arrested were from Chattooga County.
According to Floyd County Jail records, thirty-four-year-old Summer Dae Hamilton of Rome, thirty-three-year-old Amber Dawn Bryant of Summerville, and sixty-eight-year-old William Mose Walker Sr. of Lyerly were found with methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana. They are charged with possession of meth and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
After transport to the jail, a bag containing meth and marijuana was found tucked in the back seat of the patrol vehicle where Bryant had been sitting. She was additionally charged with possession of drugs past the guard line at the jail.
