The Floyd County Commission has approved a rezoning request for a new data center near Coosa High School, following a public hearing with mixed reactions from residents. Concerns were raised about the potential strain on resources and the heavy industrial zoning associated with the project. Residents questioned the data center’s water and power needs, with local residents highlighting existing water restrictions and worrying about increased water usage; others also urged the commission to consider the risks to the community, schools, and overall quality of life. The land was sold to the developer by the Floyd County Board of Education, and Superintendent Glenn White defended the project, assuring that it would not endanger student safety. County planning staff noted that data centers usually impact traffic minimally but require large amounts of utilities. Commissioner Scotty Hancock mentioned that the developers chose Floyd County due to its water resources and that there would be a limit on future data center projects. The approval includes conditions to reduce negative effects on the community, like restricting property use, limiting lighting, and maintaining buffers around the site.

WRGA contributed to this story

With the heat of summer just around the corner, health officials in Chattooga County emphasize the need to check on elderly family members and neighbors who live alone. A large part of the county’s population consists of senior citizens, especially those in single-person households, making them more prone to heat-related illnesses.

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The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported a significant increase in traffic fatalities during the 2025 Memorial Day holiday travel period, with a total of 14 incidents recorded. This figure surpasses last year’s total of 11 fatalities stemming from over 500 crashes investigated by state troopers during the same period. The Memorial Day holiday travel period, which began Friday, May 23rd, and concluded Monday at 11:59 p.m., saw law enforcement across the state responding to a concerning number of incidents. According to the DPS, officers addressed over 800 instances of distracted driving, filed 281 crash reports, and stopped 335 drivers suspected of driving under the influence. In addition to the fatalities, over 100 injuries were reported. “These dangerous behaviors are putting lives at risk as the holiday travel period continues,” the DPS stated, highlighting the ongoing concern regarding reckless driving practices. The department is urging drivers to remain vigilant and prioritize safety on the roads. While the holiday weekend is over, the DPS continues to encourage safe driving practices to prevent future tragedies.

The City of Summerville is looking for qualified Engineering Firms to help with upcoming federally funded projects tied to community and economic development. An Request for Proposals  and Request for Qualifications have been issued for services related to the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), Design Services, and Construction Administration. The city is looking for a firm that has successfully assisted local governments with the federal project process, including preliminary reporting, final design, and construction administration. This effort may involve various federally supported programs like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Employment Incentive Program (EIP) Projects, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) Projects, Economic Development Administration (EDA) Projects, among others. The main focus is to secure services for a FY2026 CDBG project. Interested firms should submit their qualifications and proposals and could be considered for future federally funded projects in the next 24 months. This is not a request for retainer services. For more details on the process, firms can contact the City of Summerville.

A heated exchange at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office led to police being called on May 13th, after a local businessman allegedly refused to leave following a contentious meeting.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, May 28, 2025:

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The New Echota-Cherokee Capital State Historic Site in Calhoun, Georgia, invites the public to participate in a unique and engaging program on June 7th, 2025: Cherokee Weapons Crafting. From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, visitors will gather in the picnic area behind the museum for an afternoon immersed in history and hands-on crafting. The Rangers of New Echota-Cherokee Capital State Historic Site will lead the program, providing insights into traditional Cherokee weapons and their significance. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the art of fletching and, under the careful supervision of the Rangers, attach fletching to darts. This handcrafted dart will then become a cherished souvenir, a tangible reminder of their visit to New Echota. The program will culminate in a demonstration of two significant Cherokee weapons: the blowgun and the Atlatl. Witness the skill and ingenuity of these traditional tools firsthand. Admission to the event is required and includes access to the museum, a self-guided walking tour of the historic grounds, and all Ranger-led programs. Admission fees range from $6 to $8. New Echota is conveniently located just one mile east of Interstate 75 (Exit 317) on GA HWY 225 N. near Calhoun, Georgia. For further information, please call 706.624.1321 or visit GaStateParks.org/newechota.

The Chattooga County Tax Commissioner’s Office has announced the launch of new online services through the Georgia Department of Revenue’s MyMVD platform, offering residents a more convenient way to manage their vehicle registrations and titles. MyMVD now allows Chattooga County residents to register for an account and access all vehicles associated with their driver’s license. This secure platform enables users to:  Renew or cancel vehicle tags and apply for a replacement title.

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The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to residents regarding a scam in which individuals impersonate law enforcement officers and demand payment via Bitcoin. In a statement released last week, the Sheriff’s Office detailed a concerning trend where scammers contact victims, falsely identifying themselves as law enforcement, and instruct them to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM. “We have had several cases where the caller identifies as Law Enforcement and has the victim go to a store and send money via a bitcoin atm,” the statement read. The Sheriff’s Office urges residents to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited calls demanding payment through cryptocurrency. They emphasized that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever request payments via Bitcoin or solicit payments over the phone. “If you have any questions on a call you receive, please call your local law enforcement agency,” the statement continued. “NO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WILL REQUEST PAYMENTS VIA BITCOIN OR SOLICIT PAYMENTS OVER THE PHONE.”

Chattooga County Clerk of Courts Kim Windle James has announced the cancellation of jury duty for the week of June 23, 2025. Residents who have received a summons to appear for jury duty during that week are advised to disregard the notice. No further action is required from those who received the summons. The Clerk of Courts office will issue new summons at a later date when jury duty is scheduled. For any questions, please contact the Chattooga County Clerk of Courts office.