A 17-year-old resident of Trenton, Georgia, Jonathan Daniel Plaster, found himself behind bars at the Floyd County Jail Saturday after being accused of stealing a truck belonging to his father. Plaster faces a felony charge of theft by receiving stolen property. According to Floyd County Jail records, Plaster was apprehended in Rome while in possession of a 1999 GMC pickup truck. The arrest occurred at a location on Shorter Avenue. Authorities confirm the vehicle had been reported stolen on June 13th in Trenton, Georgia. The truck’s estimated value is $4,500.

Photo Credit: Georgia Power 

Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power announced on Monday, the successful completion of a second trial blending hydrogen and natural gas fuels at Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna. This demonstration project marks a significant advancement in sustainable energy generation, validating a 50% hydrogen fuel blend, the largest test of its kind globally to date.

Read more

Many Georgians are breathing a sigh of relief as they see extra funds appearing in their bank accounts. This marks the state’s third round of special tax refunds, a move announced on June 2nd by Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Read more

Northwest Georgia residents can expect scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening, bringing with them the potential for gusty winds and frequent lightning. The National Weather Service has also issued a warning for possible localized flooding due to the anticipated heavy rainfall. Today’s forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms, particularly after 5 PM. While the morning will be partly sunny with a high near 86 degrees, the southwest wind will pick up, reaching 5 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is currently estimated at 60%, with expected rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch. The threat of showers and thunderstorms continues into tonight, primarily before 3 AM. Similar conditions are expected, with heavy rainfall possible. The evening will be mostly cloudy with a low around 69 degrees. South wind will remain between 5 to 10 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 20 mph. The chance of precipitation remains at 60%, with another quarter to half an inch of rain possible. Looking ahead to Wednesday, showers and thunderstorms are likely again, mainly after 2 PM. The day will be partly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. The southwest wind will be slightly less intense, ranging from 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation remains at 60%, with new rainfall amounts expected to be between a tenth and quarter of an inch, although higher amounts are possible within thunderstorms.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, June 17, 2025:

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more