Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, June 17, 2025:
Residents of Summerville, Georgia, are one step closer to cleaner drinking water after a federal district court approved two class-action settlements totaling $1.25 million. The settlements address the contamination of the town’s water supply with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The issue stemmed from the historical spreading of biosolids – treated sewage sludge – on farms and properties upstream from Summerville. These biosolids contained PFAS, which leached into the water supply. The US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia finalized the agreements last Wednesday. Chemical producer Huntsman International LLC will contribute $750,000 to the fund, while Mount Vernon Mills Inc. and the Town of Trion, Georgia, will contribute $500,000. The lawsuits alleged that Mount Vernon Mills’ textile mill was a significant source of PFAS contamination. Legal proceedings are ongoing with other defendants but advocates say this is a crucial step towards mitigating the pervasive issue of PFAS contamination in drinking water sources for Summerville water customers.
Bloomberg Law News contributed to this report.
Starting July 1, 2025, Georgia’s self-storage facility owners will experience a significant change in how they handle delinquent storage unit auctions thanks to a new law, HB 131, going into effect. The law streamlines the advertising requirements for lien sales, offering a much-needed reprieve from previous, more burdensome regulations.
The Chattooga Athletic Booster Club is teeing up its 4th Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 21st, at the Trion Golf Course. This fundraising event welcomes everyone to enjoy a day on the green while supporting the CHS Athletic Booster Club. Teams of four can register for $300, and businesses or individuals can become a hole sponsor for $100. The tournament format is a 4-Man Scramble, with morning tee-off scheduled for 8:30 AM and an afternoon start time of 1:30 PM. A cash prize will be awarded to the 1st place team. Participants will also enjoy a provided lunch and have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets at registration for a chance to win a Pellet Grill. Don’t miss this opportunity to support Chattooga High School athletics and have a great time! **To preregister, please visit the Trion Golf Course or contact Hollis Siffles.
The Town of Trion will open a new dog park in August to honor Brinley Corbin, a former resident who died from cancer at 26. Brinley dreamed of having a space for dogs to play, inspired by her love for her yellow lab, Millie. The park, named the “Brinley Corbin Memorial Dog Park,” will cover about one acre and will have separate fenced areas for small and large dogs. It will include features like agility obstacles, hoops, a water fountain, shaded areas with trees, and benches for pet owners. Currently, the town is focused on building a perimeter fence and is accepting sealed bids for the fencing contract until June 23, 2025, at 12:00 p. m. Brinley was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor in June 2023, but her friends and family remember her positivity and love for her community. The dog park project is funded by $20,000 from sales tax revenue, although there are some concerns about managing animal waste and health issues. Mayor Lanny Thomas, a close friend of the Corbin family, is leading the effort to make this park a reality, aiming to fulfill Brinley’s vision and create a joyful space for families and their pets.
Law enforcement agencies across Northwest Georgia are issuing warnings about a prevalent jury duty scam targeting residents. Scammers are reportedly contacting individuals, often by phone, posing as court officials or law enforcement officers.
Georgia drivers are catching a break at the gas pump this week, as the state average price for regular unleaded gasoline remains unchanged from last week, hovering at $2.86 per gallon, according to AAA Georgia. While the price can fluctuate, Monday’s average offers a welcome respite, sitting 7 cents lower than a month ago and a significant 42 cents lower than this time last year. This translates to substantial savings for Georgians, with the average cost to fill a 15-gallon tank now around $42.90 – almost $7.00 less than last year. “Georgia drivers are enjoying some stability at the pumps, offering a bit of relief to household budgets,” according to AAA. “While national averages have seen a slight increase, Georgia’s prices have remained relatively consistent.” Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has edged up by 1 cent since last Monday, reaching $3.13.
The most expensive metro markets in Georgia are Savannah ($2.97), Valdosta ($2.92), and Macon ($2.90).
The least expensive metro markets in Georgia are Augusta-Aiken ($2.81), Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.77), and Warner Robins ($2.74).
Area gas price averages are Chattooga ($2.75), Walker ($2.81), Floyd ($2.81), Gordon ($2.83), DeKalb, AL ($2.67), Cherokee, AL ($2.78).
The real estate market in Chattooga County, Georgia, is currently favoring sellers, but new data reveals a significant shift in home prices compared to last year. According to the latest market analysis, the median sold price in Chattooga County reached $190,000 in May 2025, a decrease of 7.3% compared to May 2024’s $205,000. The median price per square foot also sits at $134. This contraction stands in contrast to neighboring Floyd and Walker counties, which experienced year-over-year increases of 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively. Floyd County’s median price sits at $254.8K while Walker County sits at $250K. A closer look at the data reveals a significant variance based on the number of bedrooms. Homes with 1 bedroom saw the most substantial decrease in value, plummeting by 41.0% year-over-year to $106,200. Decreases were also seen for 2-bedroom homes (-1.5%), 3-bedroom homes (-5.4%), 4-bedroom homes (-14.2%), and homes with 5 or more bedrooms (-21.7%). This price drop in larger homes signals a potential shift in buyer preferences or economic factors impacting the demand for larger properties in the area. While Chattooga County remains a seller’s market – indicating homes are selling relatively quickly – the declining median sold price suggests a cooling trend. This could be attributed to various factors, including changes in interest rates, local economic conditions, or shifts in buyer demand. Homeowners in Chattooga County and potential buyers are advised to closely monitor market trends and consult with real estate professionals for personalized guidance.
Rocket Homes contributed to this report
Some Georgia Lottery online users have been reporting issues with location verification errors, stopping them from buying tickets. This problem affects various devices and internet connections. Users receive a message saying their location “cannot be determined due to insufficient data,” which prevents online game participation. The Georgia Lottery needs to verify players’ locations within Georgia for legal reasons. Lottery officials say location verification is crucial for maintaining the lottery’s integrity and ensuring responsible gaming. Several factors may cause these errors, including Wi-Fi issues, disabled location services, denied permissions, and the use of VPNs or proxies. If users encounter difficulties, the Georgia Lottery suggests checking Wi-Fi settings, enabling location services, granting permissions, and disabling VPNs. They also recommend consulting FAQs or contacting customer service at 1-800-GA-LUCKY for help. The Georgia Lottery stresses that misrepresenting your location to play online is illegal and can lead to severe penalties. The problems were first reported back in April, and lottery officials say that they have been working to make sure the problem is corrected.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, June 16, 2025: