The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has officially opened the application and renewal system for the GATE (Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption) cards for the 2025-2027 period. All applicants are reminded that fees for the GATE cards must be paid as part of the online application process, with payments accepted via credit card or ACH only.
The Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and E-911 have announced that they have been awarded several significant grants aimed at enhancing community safety and emergency response capabilities.
Last Friday, Deputy Ben Mollohan was officially welcomed into the Chattooga County Sheriff’s force by Sheriff Mark Schrader after graduating from the police academy.
Last Week Georgia Power executives presented a plan to the state Public Service Commission to build battery energy storage systems at four locations, including near Robins AFB, Moody AFB, Plant Hammond in Floyd County, and the McGrau Ford Battery Facility in Cherokee County. These projects will add 500 megawatts of generating capacity as part of Georgia Power’s effort to increase their energy-supply portfolio by 6,600 megawatts. Jeff Grubb, the company’s director of resource policy and planning, emphasized the importance of these investments for meeting the state’s growing electricity needs. Quarterly reports on spending and construction progress will be submitted to the Public Interest Advocacy Staff per an agreement with Georgia Power, with a vote on the projects scheduled for December 3 by the PSC.
The House Study Committee on Navigable Streams is aiming to recommend where people should have the right to boat, fish, and hunt on Georgia’s streams and will hold their final hearing of the year on the matter coming up on November 18th. They are reviewing House Bill 1172, which could potentially allow landowners to restrict access to streams on their property deemed “unnavigable. ” This issue arose from a 1863 law that has led to disputes over access to certain streams, like Ichawaynochaway Creek in Baker County and Armuchee Creek in Chattooga and Floyd counties. Paddle Georgia coordinator Joe Cook emphasizes the historical right to float down Georgia’s waterways since the 1700s, which he believes should not be eroded. The committee is considering various proposals, including one that might only ensure public access to a small percentage of the state’s vast network of streams. This debate pits property owner rights against the public’s traditional use of these waterways for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hunting. Economic reports suggest these activities have a substantial impact on Georgia’s economy, underscoring the importance of resolving this issue to maintain public access to these natural resources.
Today is Election Day. Voters who have not cast their ballots early or submitted an absentee ballot will be able to vote between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM. Remember, all voting on election day takes place in your local precinct. No voting will take place today at the Chattooga County Registrars Office. Also, you should take a government-issued, picture ID when you come to vote. Take the time to look up what is on the ballot prior to entering the voting booth so you can make informed decisions. You can find a sample ballot below:
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, November 4, 2024:
The Chattooga County Young Farmers are hosting their Annual Pig Project Show and Auction this evening at the Chattooga Ag Center. The show starts at 6 pm, followed by the auction. Students will exhibit pigs they’ve raised since July. They already participated in a preview show during the Ag Fair in August. Each student will auction off one pig, with proceeds going to them. Young farmers will help transport the pigs to processors, and buyers cover processing costs. The project helps students show animals locally, with great community support for FFA and 4-H activities.
On Friday of last week, Chattooga County School Supt. Michelle Helie announced that both Menlo Elementary School and Summerville Middle School have been designated by the Georgia Department of Education as Georgia “Literacy Leaders” Schools and will receive a visit later this fall by Georgia School Supt. Richard Woods.
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.
New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 5,922 in the week ending October 26, down from 6,314 the week before, the Labor Department said.
U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 216,000 last week, down 12,000 claims from 228,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Alaska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 63.0%. North Carolina, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 45.5%.
