Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper is calling on residents to be vigilant and report any sightings of Yellow-legged Hornet (YLH) primary nests. These nests are expected to begin appearing in late spring and early summer. Early detection and removal are critical to preventing the establishment of larger, secondary nests later in the season.
City of Summerville water customers are being warned about a text message scam attempting to trick residents into providing personal information or making fraudulent payments. WZQZ received reports of the scam, with one listener saying they received the deceptive text. Fortunately, the listener recognized the scam and did not respond. The City of Summerville previously issued a statement earlier this year addressing similar concerns. The statement reiterated that the City of Summerville WILL NOT request payments through text messages or automated phone calls. Customers are urged to be vigilant and avoid clicking on any links or providing any personal or financial information in response to these unsolicited texts. If you have any questions regarding the status of your Summerville City water bill, please contact City Hall directly at (706) 859-0900 to verify your account information. Do not respond to the text message.
A major multi-agency operation in Georgia has resulted in the seizure of hundreds of smuggled weapons, offering stark evidence of the Mexican cartels’ expanding influence into the Southeast region of the United States.
A 19-year-old male is facing homicide by vehicle charges following a fatal single-vehicle crash in Lyerly, Georgia, on Sunday evening. According to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Doug Shamblin, the incident occurred on Highway 114 near the solar panel farm. Jeffry Vega, allegedly driving at a high rate of speed and displaying reckless behavior according to witnesses, was traveling westbound when his van left the roadway and struck a power pole. The van subsequently overturned, ejecting one passenger who was pronounced dead at the scene. After ejecting the passenger, the vehicle continued and struck another utility pole before coming to rest on its roof. Three other passengers were in the vehicle. Two sustained minor injuries, while another female passenger was transported to Atrium Health Floyd initially and later transferred to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga with critical injuries. The Georgia State Patrol is still in the process of notifying the deceased passenger’s next of kin. Jeffry Vega was arrested at the scene and charged with driving without a valid license, failure to maintain a single lane, DUI for alcohol, serious injury by vehicle, and homicide by vehicle in the first degree. He is currently being held in the Chattooga County Jail.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, May 5, 2025:
From May 4th through May 10th, 2025, Chattooga County will join the nation in observing National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the vital contributions of those working within the corrections system. This week-long tribute, established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and expanded by Congress in 1996 to encompass all correctional employees, aims to express gratitude and appreciation for their unwavering service and dedication. Here in Chattooga County, the dedicated men and women working at Hays State Prison in Trion are among those being honored for their commitment to maintaining safety and security within the facility and contributing to the broader criminal justice system. National Correctional Officers and Employees Week serves a crucial purpose: to publicly acknowledge the often-unseen work of corrections professionals, celebrate their contributions to society, and raise awareness about the importance and significance of the corrections profession as a whole. This year, communities across the country are encouraged to take time to thank these essential workers for their commitment and sacrifice.
Aspiring softball stars between the ages of 5 and 12 are invited to hone their skills at the Trion High Softball Youth Camp, taking place June 2nd and 3rd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The camp, held at the J.W. Greenwood Athletic Complex/THS Softball Field, promises fundamental teaching and practice in key softball skills including hitting, throwing, pitching, fielding, and baserunning. Rain or shine, young athletes will receive expert instruction to improve their game. The cost of the camp is $30 per camper, which includes a camp t-shirt. Participants are asked to bring their own water bottle, bat, and glove. Early registration is encouraged! Sign up by May 15th to guarantee your camper receives a t-shirt. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn from the Trion High Softball program and develop essential softball skills. Please register using the link below. Payment will be collected on the first day of camp. *You must register by Thursday, May 15th to be guaranteed a camp t-shirt.*
The City of Henagar is thrilled to announce its annual “May on the Mountain Bluegrass Festival” this Saturday, May 10th, at Henagar City Park. The FREE event promises a full day of incredible bluegrass music, kicking off at 10 AM Central Time and running until 5 PM.
The City of Summerville will hold a called meeting this evening at 5:30 PM to discuss the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget. The meeting will be held at Summerville City Hall and the public is invited to attend. You can see a copy of tonight’s agenda below:
Charlie Bailey, former attorney general and lieutenant governor candidate, was elected as chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, replacing U. S. Rep. Nikema Williams. He is the first full-time chair as the party seeks to enhance fundraising and energize its base after challenges following the 2020 elections.
