Residents and businesses in southeastern Georgia will soon have a new area code option, as the Georgia Public Service Commission has announced the addition of the 565 area code. This new code will overlay the existing 912 area code, which covers a wide swathe of southeastern Georgia, to address the growing demand for new phone numbers in the region. The 912 area code, established in 1954 as the first split from the original statewide 404 area code, is projected to exhaust its available number combinations by the second quarter of 2028.

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Canada geese can live in many places, especially around people, like neighborhoods and parks. This can be upsetting for homeowners when the geese molt in summer, becoming flightless for a few weeks. During this time, they might gather in the same area, but they will regain flight soon. “Late June through early July is when we can expect to see ‘flightless’ geese. They are unable to fly while they are in the process of molting,” says Kara Nitschke, a Georgia Migratory Gamebird Biologist. “Though they may be ‘hanging around’ the same area for a little while, they’ll be able to fly again within a couple of weeks.”The Georgia Department of Natural Resources says if you have issues with geese, you can use harassment techniques to scare them away, but these won’t work during molting. Homeowners should be patient until the geese can fly again. After molting, you can try various methods like using noise makers, chemical repellents, or physical barriers around your property to deter geese. If these methods fail, you can obtain a special permit for controlled removal, as Canada geese are protected by law. For more information, go to GeorgiaWildlife.com/preventing-wildlife-conflicts and then scroll down and click on “Canada Geese.”

GE Appliances announced the completion of an $180 million expansion at its Roper Corp. cooking products plant in LaFayette, which includes an additional $60 million investment. The expansion focuses on boosting American manufacturing in Georgia and involves advanced automation to create high-quality jobs and launch new products, such as the GE Profile induction range.

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Northwest Georgia residents are urged to prepare for another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has issued an advisory, highlighting the potential for frequent lightning, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds. While an isolated severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out, the primary concerns remain localized flooding due to the high rainfall rates. Showers and thunderstorms are most likely to develop after 5 PM, with a 60% chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts are expected to range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, but significantly higher totals are possible within thunderstorms. The wet weather pattern is expected to continue into tonight, with showers and thunderstorms likely before 8 PM. Patchy fog is also possible between 1 AM and 2 AM. The chance of precipitation remains at 60%, with potential rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches. Looking ahead to Saturday, forecasters are closely monitoring an upper-level low moving into the Tennessee Valley. Even a subtle wave could trigger more severe storms than initially expected. With sufficient instability already present, conditions could be slightly more favorable for severe weather on Saturday compared to Friday. Residents, especially those with outdoor activities planned for the weekend, are advised to stay informed and monitor weather updates as we enter Father’s Day weekend.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, June 13, 2025:

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Music lovers in Chattooga County are in for a treat tonight with two separate live music events taking place in Trion and Summerville this evening.

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The Supreme Court of Georgia has invalidated four of the seven election rules adopted by the Republican-led State Election Board. The unanimous decision, released Tuesday, affirmed concerns that the board overstepped its authority in implementing the rules.

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According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, a man was arrested outside a gas station in Menlo after making “inappropriate gestures” to passing motorists and attempting to enter the store, that was closed at the time.  The incident happened on Tuesday of this week at 12:10 AM at the America’s Quick Stop gas station near the intersection of Highway 48 and Jamestown Road.  Deputies responded to a call about a male subject, later identified as 64-year-old George Franklin Atchley, attempting to enter the closed gas station. A passerby flagged down a deputy,  stating they witnessed Atchley, described as wearing a green neon hoodie, repeatedly attempting to enter the store and making lewd, sexual gestures.  When deputies attempted to approach Atchley, he fled on foot. After a brief pursuit, Atchley stopped, but again attempted to flee when the responding deputy tried to exit his patrol vehicle.  Two deputies were able to apprehend Atchley near Showa Best Glove.  Atchley was taken to the Chattooga County Jail on misdemeanor charges of loitering or prowling and obstruction of officers.

After three decades of dedicated service, Paula Buice, Principal of Menlo Elementary School, has announced her retirement. In a  letter addressed to students, families, staff, and the broader Menlo community, Buice expressed her gratitude and reflected on her journey with the school. Buice’s connection to Menlo Elementary runs deep. “My story with Menlo Elementary began as a student, attending from first through eighth grade,” she wrote. Later, she returned to teach and eventually served as principal, witnessing countless students grow and succeed within the nurturing environment of the school. Beyond her role at Menlo Elementary, Buice also served on the Chattooga County district’s Academic Coach Team, working alongside other educators to enhance student achievement and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. In her farewell message, Buice expressed her appreciation to everyone who contributed to her fulfilling career. “I want to thank everyone—students, families, staff, and colleagues—for your support, kindness, and collaboration over the years. Menlo Elementary holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the memories we’ve shared.”

Photo Credit: UGA

Just as summer heats up and Georgians flock outdoors, a new and potentially dangerous pest is emerging: the Asian needle ant. New research from the University of Georgia (UGA) has raised concerns about the ant’s venomous sting, which, in some cases, can trigger life-threatening anaphylactic shock. While first detected in the U.S. in the 1930s, the Asian needle ant has remained relatively unnoticed until recently.

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