The Town of Trion and the Trion Veterans Committee is asking the public to come out and honor our nation’s heroes this Memorial Day Weekend. Coming up on Saturday, May 24th at 1 PM, there will be a program at the Trion Veterans Memorial, located at the Trion Track Field off Simmons Street in Trion to remember and honor those who have given their life in service to our country.
A former Dade County Detention Officer, Travis Cutts, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and other charges following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The investigation was initiated after an inmate filed a complaint alleging sexual misconduct against the officer. Dade County Sheriff Keith Cross requested the GBI’s Region 1 office in Calhoun to investigate the matter due to its involvement of a county employee. The GBI investigation found probable cause to warrant criminal charges against the Detention Officer. Cutts was arrested and booked into the Dade County Jail on charges of violating the Oath of Office, sexual assault by persons with supervisory or discipline authority, and sexual battery. Sheriff Cross expressed his disappointment and commitment to upholding the highest standards within the Sheriff’s Office, stating that he terminated Cutts’ employment and reported the arrest to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council. He also emphasized that this incident should not reflect on the dedication and hard work of other employees at the Sheriff’s Office.
The Trion Town Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting for the month of May tomorrow evening, May 22nd, in the Trion Town Hall conference room. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will begin with a call to order, followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council will then move to approve the agenda, minutes from the previous meeting, and financials through general consent. Old Business will be addressed before moving on to New Business, which includes several key items: The council will discuss the potential hiring of Justin Claxton for the police department. Paula V. Arden is scheduled to address the council during the public participation portion of the meeting.The council will review bids for a zero-turn lawn mower for the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and the council will discuss Local Road Assistance Funding (LRAF) totaling $44,343.17 allocated to the Street Department. Following New Business, the council members will have the opportunity to offer comments before adjourning the meeting. Prior to the regular meeting, a work session will be held at 6 PM. The regular meeting will commence shortly thereafter.
Georgia Power announced a proposed agreement Monday that would prevent the utility from raising base rates for the next three years. The deal, struck with the state Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Advocacy Staff, hinges on approval from the full five-member PSC and would effectively cancel the rate case Georgia Power planned to submit by July 1st.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has opened the application and renewal system for the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program for 2025-2027, which offers sales tax exemptions to qualified agricultural producers. Eligible farmers can apply for or renew their GATE certificate online, paying all fees electronically. Important reminders include that expired certificates cannot be renewed, and a new card for those expiring in 2025 or later was mailed in November.
Between April 28 and May 1, 2025, the FBI launched Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide effort involving all 55 FBI field offices and other federal and local agencies aimed at finding and arresting child sex offenders. The operation led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 individuals, including six people charged in Northern Georgia: Austin Hunter Bedingfield, Ian Dudar, Kenneth Frazier, Eduardo Gardea, Connie Lynn Thompson, and Christopher Welcher.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is issuing a stark warning to residents about a prevalent scam involving fraudulent calls and demands for Bitcoin payments. According to the Sheriff’s office, several recent cases have surfaced where scammers impersonating law enforcement officers contact victims and coerce them into sending money via Bitcoin ATMs. The scam typically involves the caller identifying themselves as a member of law enforcement and creating a sense of urgency to pressure the victim into immediate action. “Please be cautious of anyone who tries to get you to send money via Bitcoin,” Sheriff Schrader urged. “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.” Sheriff Schrader emphasized the importance of verifying any suspicious calls claiming to be from law enforcement. “If you have any questions on a call you receive, please call your local law enforcement agency.” Sheriff Schrader reiterated that legitimate law enforcement agencies will *never* request payments via Bitcoin or solicit payments over the phone. The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected scam attempts to their local law enforcement agency immediately. By raising awareness and working together, the community can help prevent these scams and protect themselves from financial loss.
A Summerville man was arrested last Friday after allegedly making threats during a confrontation at the North end Circle K gas station.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated Greater Atlanta resident. The individual acquired the virus while traveling internationally. DPH is working to identify any persons who may have been exposed through contact with the individual between May 10 and May 18, when they were infectious.
There’s Hope For the Hungry will be at South Summerville Baptist Church Wednesday May 21st from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Food must be picked up in person.
