Thirteen members of a prison-based methamphetamine distribution ring have been convicted and sentenced following a multi-year federal investigation. Authorities say state inmates Edward Kelvin Pope, David Wilson, and Kevin Josue Campos Rivera coordinated drug trafficking operations from Central State Prison in Macon, working with federal inmate Jose Santos Isaola Cisneros at the Federal Correctional Institution in Atlanta to distribute methamphetamine through couriers and distributors across north Georgia. Pope, known as “Paw Paw,” was already serving a life sentence plus 70 years for armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes at the time of the offenses.
The City of Summerville is accepting applications for a Building Inspector position. According to the job summary, the position is responsible for inspecting new residential, commercial, and industrial construction to make sure projects comply with applicable building codes, zoning regulations, safety standards, and approved construction plans.
Applications are now being accepted for the Ralph “Country” Brown Memorial Scholarship, available to senior baseball and softball players at Chattooga High School.
Blood Assurance says several days of heavy hospital usage have pushed its supply of O-positive and O-negative blood to critical levels, while platelet supplies are also nearing critical status.
The organization says there is an emergency need for donors as soon as possible, especially those with Type O blood.
The need comes as the region moves into severe weather season, a time when trauma cases can rise and put even more pressure on local blood supplies. Blood Assurance says rebuilding the supply quickly is especially important to help meet patient needs.
Blood Assurance is the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, and it also supplies Cartersville Medical Center. Donations made at Blood Assurance donor centers and blood drives in Rome and Cartersville help support local patients across the area.
Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible, although walk-ins are also being accepted.
To schedule a donation, visit Blood Assurance online, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777.
The Chattooga County Animal Shelter will host a special adoption event this Saturday, March 14, from 10 AM until 4 PM.
A number of dogs and cats will be available for adoption, including Ember, Rem, Lick, Rosie, Kuma, Hoss, Diesel, Gojo, Buster, Ranger, Boone, Maple, Radar, Ollie, Freckles, Dottie, Pepper, Ozzie, and George. Shelter officials encourage residents to stop by, meet the animals, and consider giving a pet a new home.
The event will take place at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, 464 Red Oak Road in Summerville. For more information, call 706-857-0679.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, March 13, 2026:
Sunny and calm weather will continue across north and central Georgia through Saturday, with temperatures quickly warming after a cool, frosty start Friday morning. High pressure will keep skies mostly clear while winds turn southerly, helping afternoon temperatures climb back into the 70s and even low 80s by Saturday — well above normal for mid-March.
A Chattooga County man was arrested following an early morning incident along Highway 48 near Fish Hatchery Road on March 4, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
A Summerville man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he used fraudulent information while applying for a Georgia driver’s license in Rome.
According to Floyd County Jail records, 55-year-old Mark Williams went to the Georgia Department of Driver Services on Martha Berry Highway in Rome on February 9, 2024, and completed an application for a driver’s license using a different name and date of birth.
Investigators said Williams then signed the application, certifying that the information he provided was correct.
Williams is charged with one felony count of false statements and writings.
State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, says rising housing costs are one of the biggest threats facing Georgia families and argues that lawmakers must act to protect homeownership opportunities across the state.
















