A Chattooga County woman was arrested this week after Chattooga County deputies were called to a shoplifting incident.  According to the sheriff’s office, Payton Fielding Ragland, age 26 from Summerville, was arrested for shoplifting at Walmart on Monday. The arrest resulted in drug possession charges after sheriff’s deputies reportedly found marijuana and methamphetamine in Ragland’s purse. Deputies reviewed security footage that showed Ragland and another woman, at the checkout area. While the other woman paid for her items, Ragland allegedly did not pay for four concealed items. When deputies questioned Ragland, she reportedly admitted to having marijuana and pills. Deputies detected a strong smell of marijuana from her purse, and found a bottle of Alprazolam and a packet of suspected marijuana. They also discovered crystals suspected to be methamphetamine. Field testing proved positive for the suspected methamphetamine. Ragland faces charges for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and Theft by Shoplifting, while the other woman was not charged.

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Two Summerville residents are facing multiple drug trafficking charges following a traffic stop on Redmond Road in Rome on Tuesday that led to the discovery of a significant amount of methamphetamine.

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The Georgia Public Service Commission has approved a plan to keep Georgia Power’s base electricity rates stable until at least the end of 2028. This plan, following an agreement reached with the commission’s staff, will handle storm costs separately. Base rates are what customers pay for electricity, excluding fuel costs. Georgia is experiencing significant growth and increased electricity demand due to economic development, prompting Georgia Power to work with various stakeholders to ensure energy demands are met while keeping costs affordable. “At Georgia Power, we appreciate that our customers depend on us to deliver reliable and affordable energy every day to power their homes and businesses – that is our focus every day, with every decision we make,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “The rate freeze resulting from this plan is a great result for customers, balancing the mutual benefits of extraordinary economic growth among all stakeholders and helping to ensure that we remain equipped to continue supporting growth in this state. A plan like this is only possible due to the strength of Georgia’s constructive regulatory environment, and we thank the Georgia Public Service Commission for their vote today.” The company will also seek to recover costs related to Hurricane Helene restoration and other storm responses through electric rates by the end of 2025. A separate regulatory proceeding for this is expected in early 2026.

Walker County Government has partnered with FlashVote, a scientific public research firm, to form a panel of residents to answer short surveys on various topics and issues. The panel will be used to gather valuable input from residents and help county leaders make informed decisions on county services, programs and initiatives.

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Lookout Mountain District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller announced this week that Brandon Edward Jackson will complete his original prison sentence after repeatedly violating probation. This enforcement aligns with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit’s new Three Strikes and You’re Out policy for probationers. Jackson was convicted in 2014 of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree and Aggravated Battery, receiving a 20-year sentence, with six years in prison and the rest on probation. He had previously violated his probation twice and faced a third revocation hearing on July 1, 2025. Evidence presented revealed Jackson destroyed government property and made threats against his probation officer and others. Following this, Assistant District Attorney David Wolfe requested full revocation of Jackson’s probation, which Judge Chris Arnt granted, sending him to prison until 2034. District Attorney Fuller praised the efforts of probation officers and emphasized the office’s commitment to public safety, stating that disrespecting the probation system will lead to serious consequences. For more information, contact the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced that effective this week, the Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) has been renamed Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE). The new name will be reflected on all official materials, including vehicles, uniforms, patches, and other insignia.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, July 3, 2025:

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Northwest Georgia residents are gearing up for a stretch of classic summer weather, with bright sunshine and high temperatures dominating the forecast from today through the Independence Day weekend and into early next week. The region can expect dry conditions with highs consistently in the 90s, offering ideal weather for outdoor celebrations but also prompting heat safety awareness. The dry pattern is anticipated to hold firmly, with any chances of rain staying well to the south of the area until at least Monday afternoon.  The National Weather Service says any rain chances will be confined to Central and Southeast Georgia today through Sunday.  Today, expect sunny skies and highs in the upper 80’s to low 90’s.  Afternoon high temperatures will climb a bit each day and by Sunday, temperatures will be in the low to mid-90’s.  Overnight lows will be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s. Rain chances increase as we head back to work next week, with a 30% chance of rain on Monday and into Monday night.  Those rain chances are expected to increase as we head into midweek.

The Chattooga County Board of Elections has officially approved a plan to consolidate three local voting precincts, a move that will create a new, larger precinct named “Gore” and change the polling location for hundreds of area voters.

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