Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, June 28, 2025:
The University System of Georgia has partnered with five other public university systems in the South to create a new accreditation model aimed at enhancing higher education. This initiative focuses on academics, student outcomes, and achievement, according to USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue. The new organization, called the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), seeks to maintain high standards and provide real value for students and families. The previous accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, has faced criticism for perceived liberal biases. The consortium’s announcement offered limited details but emphasized a commitment to rigorous and adaptable accreditation standards to ensure academic quality. Besides Georgia, the member states include Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Texas A&M University System. Leaders from these systems expressed that the new model will lower costs, build confidence in public higher education, and improve operational efficiency while using student data for decision-making.
Chris James Bean, 42, was arrested on June 20th, 2025, following a domestic dispute that escalated after a bull was shot and killed on a property on Sling Alley Road in Lyerly, Georgia. According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy responded to the scene at approximately 8:49 PM after a call regarding a physical altercation. The incident began when a bull escaped its pasture and entered the yard where Bean and his daughter were playing. Bean’s father, James Bean, stated that his son retrieved a shotgun and then a 30-30 rifle, firing at the bull until it was deceased. The shooting sparked a heated argument between Bean and his uncle, Daniel Bean, regarding the reckless firing of the weapon. According to Daniel Bean, Chris Bean became agitated during the conversation about the shooting. He stated that as they attempted to walk away, Chris Bean allegedly struck him from behind, causing him to fall. Daniel Bean displayed visible bruising and marks on his right cheek to the responding officer. Further complicating the situation, the bull’s owner, Christopher Scoggins, alleged that he witnessed Chris Bean grab and push his mother, Anna Bean, while Scoggins was attempting to retrieve the deceased animal. Scoggins also claimed that Bean drove to his property prior to the deputy’s arrival and threatened to kill his other animals. Chris Bean was taken into custody and, after being read his Miranda Rights, admitted to striking his uncle. He stated that he was already agitated due to the situation with the bull and that the confrontation with his father and uncle only worsened his anger. Bean was charged with battery and simple battery and was transported to the Chattooga County Jail.
Get ready for a day of sweet treats and locomotive excitement! Summerville Main Street is hosting a delightful celebration of National Dairy Month at the Summerville Depot today, featuring the 2025 Chill & Churn Homemade Ice Cream Contest, an Ice Cream Eating Contest, and a special appearance by a steam engine train. Dairy Day at the Depot kicks off at 10:30 a.m., promising a fun-filled event for ice cream enthusiasts and rail fans alike.
Starting July 1st, Georgia has officially launched a new program designed to compensate individuals exonerated of felony convictions, providing a vital lifeline as they rebuild their lives after years of wrongful imprisonment. The Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Act establishes a clear process for exonerees to receive financial support and reimbursement for legal fees. Under the new law, those exonerated will receive $75,000 for each year they were unjustly incarcerated.
A Walker County woman will serve five years in prison after being sentenced to 20 years, with the remainder on probation, for trafficking fentanyl. Mary Louis Harvey pleaded guilty to the charge following an investigation by the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force (DTF). On June 5, 2024, DTF agents, acting on credible intelligence, visited Harvey’s residence and discovered fentanyl-laced materials hidden in a dresser in her bedroom. Harvey voluntarily led agents to the stash. While in custody, she further revealed the location of another stash of contraband. In total, agents seized 11 grams of fentanyl. A forensic analysis of Harvey’s phone revealed messages indicative of ongoing drug deals. Harvey was charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl and pleaded guilty. Chief Assistant District Attorney Lynsay Chapman prosecuted the case. “If you’re trafficking fentanyl in Walker County, get ready for prison because that’s where you belong when you are pushing that poison into our communities,” stated District Attorney Clay Fuller. “Fentanyl kills, and we are done playing games with those who profit from it. Thanks to the DTF, another trafficker is off the streets.” The case highlights District Attorney Fuller’s commitment to aggressively prosecuting fentanyl-related crimes and protecting Northwest Georgia from the deadly opioid crisis. Fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45.
The unemployment rate in Chattooga County has risen to 3.8% in May, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor. This marks an increase from the 3.4% rate recorded in April. The data reveals 342 individuals filed for unemployment benefits in Chattooga County during May, a jump from the 305 claims reported the previous month. While this figure represents a month-over-month increase, it remains lower than the 4.2% unemployment rate reported in May of 2024. Neighboring counties experienced lower unemployment rates in May, with Walker County reporting 3.2% and Floyd County at 3.4%. Regionally, Northwest Georgia reported an average unemployment rate of 3.2%. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes addressed the statewide figures, stating, “Georgia’s strength isn’t measured in single months — it’s proven over time. Even with slight unemployment increases throughout Georgia’s regions in May, most of our metropolitan areas are showing lower unemployment than a year ago. That resilience reflects our modern, adaptive workforce, which is what keeps Georgia the No. 1 state for business in today’s competitive, global marketplace.” The Georgia Department of Labor continues to monitor unemployment trends and provides resources and services to assist individuals in finding employment.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper is urging Georgians to protect their pets and livestock from dangerous heat index values, which are reaching 100-108 degrees Fahrenheit. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is providing resources and guidance on how to identify and prevent heat stress in animals, which can be lethal.
The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition is encouraging the community to mark their calendars for the annual Health Initiative for Men and Women, scheduled for Saturday, August 16th. This vital community event will be held from 8 AM until 12 Noon, at the Floyd County Health Department, located at 16 East 12th Street in Rome. Erin Hernandez, President and CEO of the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “This initiative will feature a range of health screenings and valuable resources for both men and women, promoting proactive healthcare within our community.” Further details about the specific screenings and activities available at the event will be released in July. The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition is proud to collaborate with the 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia and numerous other organizations to present the Health Initiative for Men and Women each year. The collective effort ensures access to essential health information and services for the residents of Northwest Georgia. For additional information about the Health Initiative for Men and Women, please contact the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition at (706) 291-9809.
Prepare for another scorching day, Northwest Georgia residents. Forecasters predict a repeat of this week’s toasty conditions with highs soaring into the low to mid-90s today and Saturday. The northeast mountains will offer a slight reprieve, with temperatures expected in the low to mid-80s. The heat index, a measure of how hot it feels to the human body, will peak between 98 and 101 degrees, making it crucial to stay hydrated, seek shade, and limit strenuous outdoor activities. The culprit behind this persistent heat wave is a subtropical high pressure system lingering over the western Atlantic. This high keeps Northwest Georgia firmly on its western fringes, trapping warm, moist air and creating conditions ripe for daily afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Overnight lows will offer some respite, dipping into the upper 60s to low 70s. However, relief is on the horizon. As the upper-level ridge that fueled this week’s heat wave exits the region and increased cloud cover from the daily storms develops, temperatures are expected to gradually decrease in the coming days. Sunday’s high is predicted to be in the low 90s, with temperatures largely settling into the upper 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the heat.