A Summerville student was among six Georgia Northwestern Technical College students who represented the college at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference held June 1-5 in Atlanta.
The Summerville Police Department is investigating an assault that reportedly occurred at a convenience store and involved a woman being pushed and punched by her boyfriend.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park will host two guided hikes on Saturday, June 13, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the park by day and night.
The first event will be a Guided Marble Mine Hike at 2 p.m. Park rangers will lead participants on a moderately strenuous 1.5-mile hike to the Marble Mine, where hikers can learn about the park’s nature and history while exploring the Marble Mine Trail. Participants should meet at the park office, bring water, and wear comfortable shoes.
Later that evening, the park will host a Firefly Night Hike along the Upper Lake Trail. Participants will meet at the park office at 8:30 p.m., with the hike beginning at 9 p.m. The event will give visitors a chance to see the glow of fireflies and learn how they can help protect them.
Each hike is $3 per person, and a $10 park pass is required. Registration is required for both events.
To register or for more information, call the park office at 706-857-0826.
Georgia motorists saved an estimated $188 million during a temporary suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax that ended June 2, according to newly released state revenue figures.
The tax relief measure, approved earlier this year by Governor Brian Kemp and state lawmakers, temporarily reduced the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel for consumers across Georgia. The suspension was intended to help offset higher fuel costs and provide financial relief to families and businesses.
State officials reported that fuel tax collections dropped significantly during the period the tax break was in effect, contributing to lower overall revenue from motor fuel taxes. Despite the decline in fuel tax collections, Georgia’s broader revenue picture remained stable due to strong collections from other tax sources.
The savings translated into lower prices at the pump for drivers statewide, with the average motorist paying several cents less per gallon during the suspension. State leaders have frequently used temporary fuel tax suspensions in recent years as a way to provide relief during periods of elevated fuel prices or economic uncertainty.
With the tax break now expired, Georgia’s full motor fuel tax rate has returned, meaning drivers are once again paying the standard state tax on gasoline and diesel purchases.
Supporters of the measure say it delivered meaningful savings to Georgia households, while critics note the temporary suspension also reduced transportation-related revenues that help fund road and infrastructure projects.
The Summerville Police Department is investigating a financial transaction card fraud case after a Dalton woman reported unauthorized purchases made using her debit card information.
According to the incident report, the victim discovered several unauthorized transactions had been made using information from her food stamp debit card. The purchases reportedly occurred at multiple locations, including Ingles Supermarket in Summerville.
The victim told police she still had possession of the physical card but believed someone had obtained the information needed to make purchases without authorization. She has been working with law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions where transactions were reported in an effort to identify and prosecute the suspect.
Police identified a suspect in the case as 27-year-old Nius Morton of Dalton. The report indicates the offense is being investigated as financial transaction card fraud.
The fraudulent transaction reported in Summerville totaled approximately $29.43. Evidence collected in the case included information associated with the victim’s card.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to schedule blood donation appointments as an alarming decline in donations threatens to impact the nation’s blood supply heading into the busy summer months.
A Northwest Georgia man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl while armed with a firearm.
Sincere M. Billingslea, a three-time convicted felon, received the sentence after being convicted on federal drug and firearm charges stemming from fentanyl distribution activities in northwest Georgia.
According to federal prosecutors, Billingslea sold fentanyl while in possession of a firearm despite being legally prohibited from possessing weapons because of his prior felony convictions. Authorities say the case highlights the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl trafficking, which continues to contribute to overdose deaths and public safety concerns across Georgia and the nation.
Federal officials emphasized that fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, with even small amounts capable of causing fatal overdoses.
Following his prison sentence, Billingslea will also be subject to a period of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
Federal authorities said the sentence reflects their continued commitment to targeting armed drug traffickers and removing dangerous narcotics from communities throughout northwest Georgia.
There were no arrests reported on the jail media report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
A damp and unsettled weather pattern will remain parked over North Georgia this week, bringing repeated opportunities for showers and thunderstorms across Chattooga County and surrounding areas.
The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is inviting members and prospective members to a special AfterWork Meet Up this Thursday evening at Dos Maguey’s Mexican Restaurant in Summerville.
The networking event will take place Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and is designed to provide a relaxed setting for local business professionals to connect and build relationships.
According to the Chamber, the event is intended to be a social and networking opportunity where attendees can talk shop—or anything but work. Dos Maguey’s will offer drink specials, and the Chamber will provide appetizers for those attending.
The Chamber is not hosting its regular luncheons during June and July and is instead offering these lower-key summer networking gatherings.
While tickets are not required, organizers encourage attendees to RSVP. For more information, contact the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce at 706-857-4033.
The event is open to Chamber members and those interested in learning more about the local business community.