Tomorrow, Summerville Main Street will hold a celebration for National Dairy Month at the Summerville Depot, featuring the 2025 Chill & Churn Homemade Ice Cream Contest and an Ice Cream Eating Contest. The event starts at 10:30 AM, and attendees can enjoy homemade ice cream and watch a steam engine train arrive around 1 PM.  Ice cream eating contestants can register in youth or adult divisions starting at 10:30 a.m., with contests beginning at 11:00 a.m. Winners will receive $25 gift cards. Registration for the ice cream contest is open until 11:30 AM., with prizes for the top three competitors. The public can buy wristbands for $5 to taste entries and vote for the People’s Choice Award from 12:45 to 2 PM. The event runs from 10 AM until 3 PM.

Jeremy Dewayne McCrary, of Chickamauga, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole Wednesday for the murder of Danny Claire during a 2022 road rage incident. The sentencing took place at the Walker County Courthouse just weeks after a jury found McCrary guilty of felony murder. He received an additional five years to run consecutively with the life sentence. The fatal shooting occurred on March 22, 2022, in the parking lot of a Dollar General store in Chickamauga. McCrary shot Claire in the chest with a 9mm weapon following an altercation. The incident stemmed from an earlier encounter on Lee Clarkson Road, east of Chickamauga. According to authorities, a group of motorcyclists, including McCrary, attempted to pass an SUV driven by Claire. The driver allegedly swerved in front of the motorcycles, escalating tensions. The vehicles continued to Highway 341, maintaining close proximity until they all stopped at the Dollar General parking lot. The confrontation escalated, leading to a physical altercation between the motorcyclists and Claire. It was during this altercation that McCrary drew his weapon and fatally shot Claire. In addition to felony murder, McCrary was found guilty on June 2nd of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was acquitted of malice murder in connection with the killing.

Get ready for four days of fun, food, and festivities as the Chattooga County Fair returns August 21st through 24th, 2025! This annual tradition promises something for everyone, from thrilling rides and captivating magic shows to engaging demonstrations and live musical performances, along with livestock shows and agricultural demonstrations.

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The Summerville Police Department is investigating a theft reported at the Junk in the Trunk resale shop on Highway 48 earlier this week. According to reports, several items were stolen from the back of the store between Saturday and Tuesday. Police were dispatched to the shop on Tuesday after owner Christine Shaw reported the missing items. Shaw told officers that when she arrived at the store, she noticed that several items she had left at the rear of the property were gone. The stolen goods included a piano bench, a mini fridge, and a cast iron sink. Shaw stated she last saw the items on Saturday. She also reported seeing a white truck on the property earlier on the day the theft was discovered, but did not recognize the vehicle or its occupants. The Summerville Police Department is currently investigating the incident and encourages anyone with information regarding the theft or the white truck to contact them immediately.

The Chattooga County Board of Assessors will send out property assessment notices for the 2025 tax year on June 30, 2025. Property owners should note that these notices will look different from previous years due to changes in Georgia law influenced by House Bill 581 and House Bill 92.

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A new law set to take effect in Georgia on July 1st, 2025, promises to reshape the understanding of child neglect, giving parents more leeway in fostering their children’s independence. Senate Bill 110, recently passed by the Georgia legislature, amends the definition of child neglect to specifically exclude allowing children to participate in age-appropriate, unsupervised activities.

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A dump truck accident early Thursday morning led to a house fire that completely destroyed a residence at the intersection of GA 100 and Holland-Chattoogaville Road. According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers were dispatched to the scene at 5:15 AM after receiving reports of a single-vehicle crash. The investigation revealed that a dump truck, towing an F-350 Utility Truck, was traveling east on Holland-Chattoogaville Road when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The truck then crossed over GA 100, struck a ditch, continued eastward, and careened into the front yard of a nearby home. The vehicle finally came to an uncontrolled stop just feet from the house before becoming engulfed in flames. While the fire spread to the residence, the homeowner managed to escape unharmed before the house was fully consumed by the blaze. The driver of the dump truck was transported to Floyd-Atrium Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the crash. The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol. Further details will be released as they become available.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, June 26, 2025:

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Northwest Georgia is set to endure another sweltering summer day, with the National Weather Service issuing a Heat Advisory urging residents to take precautions. The combination of high temperatures and humidity will push heat index values between a dangerous 99 and 105 degrees this afternoon. Adding to the concerns, forecasters are predicting a chance of thunderstorms throughout the day. This morning, isolated storms may bring brief periods of heavy rainfall and dangerous lightning, particularly across northwest Georgia. “With these heat index values, it’s crucial to prioritize safety,” stated a spokesperson for the National Weather Service. “We strongly advise vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, and pets, to take extra precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.” Residents are urged to stay hydrated, seek shade during peak hours, and limit strenuous outdoor activities. The threat of storms continues into the afternoon and evening, with scattered thunderstorms expected. The primary concern during this period will be the potential for damaging downburst wind gusts, which could reach speeds between 40 and 60 mph. Residents are advised to secure loose outdoor objects and stay informed of weather updates.

Chattooga High School’s Zayden Cook has been named the Scrappy Moore Male Athlete of the Year by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, cementing his place as a legend in Georgia high school sports. The award, named after legendary University of Chattanooga football coach Andrew “Scrappy” Moore, recognizes outstanding athletic achievement and Cook’s performance this past year was undeniably exceptional.

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