Chattooga County Extension Encourages Producers To Have Hay Tested

Chattooga County Extension is encouraging livestock producers to have their hay and other stored forage tested while this year’s hay crop is being harvested.

Forage testing provides information about the nutritional value and overall quality of hay, helping producers make better decisions when developing feeding programs for times when fresh grass is unavailable. Hay quality can significantly affect livestock health, growth, performance and the amount of supplemental feed needed during the winter.

University of Georgia Extension specialists say appearance alone cannot reliably determine the nutritional value of a particular supply of hay. A laboratory analysis can measure factors such as crude protein, fiber, digestibility and total digestible nutrients, allowing producers to build a feeding plan around the actual needs of their animals.

A representative sample is important for accurate results. UGA recommends using a clean forage probe and collecting samples from multiple randomly selected bales rather than simply pulling hay from the outside of a bale.

With hay now being cut and stored across the area, Chattooga County Extension says this is a good time for producers to test their forage and begin planning for the upcoming winter feeding season.

Walker County Commissioners To Hold Budget Work Session Thursday

The Walker County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called budget work session on Thursday, July 30, to discuss the county’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the conference room of Courthouse Annex I, located at 101 South Duke Street in LaFayette. According to the published agenda, commissioners will call the meeting to order, take attendance, conduct the Fiscal Year 2026 budget work session, and then adjourn.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Walker County Board of Commissioners is set for Thursday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m.

Chattooga County Tax Sale Scheduled For August 4 With Important Guidance For Bidders

The Chattooga County Tax Commissioner’s Office is reminding anyone interested in purchasing property at an upcoming tax sale to understand the process and respect private property rights.

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Celebrate Living Local Market To Welcome Steam Train Excursion August 1

Residents and visitors are invited to downtown Summerville on Saturday, August 1, for the Celebrate Living Local Market, held in conjunction with the arrival of a Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum excursion train.

The market will feature local businesses, artists, craftspeople, and food vendors. Participants will include Sabo’s Golden Nectar with an educational observation beehive and locally produced honey, artist Billy Smith, Willow Flowers at Teloga Springs Farm, Acolyte Realty, and additional community vendors.

Food and refreshments will be available from Twisted Treatz Bakery, Eneya’s Lemonade & Sipsations, Granny Hon’s Great Food, Rosita’s, and Small Town BBQ.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engine 4501 is expected to arrive at the Summerville Depot at approximately 12:45 p.m. with passengers aboard. During the train’s roughly 90-minute layover, visitors will be able to watch the locomotive being turned on the historic Summerville Turntable before it continues its journey.

The event offers an opportunity to shop with local vendors, enjoy food and refreshments, and see one of the South’s best-known steam locomotives in action.

Georgia Officials Urge Consumers To Watch For Common Scam Warning Signs

The Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is reminding Georgians to stay alert for common warning signs that often indicate a scam. Officials say scammers constantly adapt their tactics, but many fraud attempts share the same red flags.

Among the biggest warning signs are requests to pay money in order to claim a prize or get a job, pressure to act immediately, threats of arrest or claims that a loved one is in danger, and demands to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other difficult-to-trace payment methods. Consumers should also be suspicious of unexpected requests for passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers, bank account information, or other personal financial details. Offers that sound too good to be true usually are.

If you receive a suspicious phone call, email, or text message, officials recommend hanging up or deleting the message without responding or clicking any links. Instead, contact the business or organization directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate to verify whether the communication is real.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam can file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division online or by calling 404-651-8600 or 800-869-1123.

City Of Summerville Hiring Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

The City of Summerville is accepting applications for a Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, offering an opportunity for an experienced utility professional to oversee the daily operation of the city’s water treatment facility.

The position is responsible for managing plant operations, equipment maintenance, and overall system performance to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water to Summerville residents. Duties also include conducting and reviewing water quality sampling and testing, preparing regulatory compliance reports, supervising plant operators and staff, and monitoring treatment processes to maintain efficient operations.

City officials say they are seeking a qualified and motivated individual who is committed to public service and maintaining the community’s water infrastructure.

Anyone interested in the position can find additional information and application details by contacting the City of Summerville or visiting the city’s official website and social media pages.

Berry College Partners With Georgia Department Of Corrections To Bring College Courses To Walker State Prison (Correction)

Berry College is partnering with the Georgia Department of Corrections to expand access to higher education for incarcerated individuals, with a focus on rehabilitation, personal growth, and successful reentry.

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Chattooga High School Alumna Completes Capitol Hill Internship

Chattooga High School alumna Izzy Wooten recently completed an internship in Washington, D.C., serving in the office of Congressman Clay Fuller.

During her time on Capitol Hill, Wooten gained firsthand experience with the federal legislative process while assisting constituents and learning more about the daily operations of Congress.

Wooten is currently a senior at the University of Alabama, where she is pursuing a STEM degree. After graduation, she plans to attend law school before returning to Georgia.

Wooten says she hopes to use her legal education to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in government. Her long-term goal is to help strengthen public trust, reduce corruption, and restore integrity to Georgia’s public institutions while serving citizens in her home state.

National Model Railroad Convention Steam Excursion Coming To Summerville Thursday

 

A special steam excursion connected to the 2026 National Model Railroad Association Convention and National Train Show will make a stop in Summerville on Thursday, July 30.

The national convention is being held in Chattanooga for the first time in its 90-year history and is expected to draw more than 1,000 registered attendees from around the world. Organizers also anticipate more than 15,000 visitors for the National Train Show.

As part of the convention, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will operate a chartered steam excursion to Summerville with approximately 450 passengers aboard. Special permission was granted by the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway for the weekday trip.

The steam locomotive, pulling 12 passenger cars, is expected to arrive at the Summerville Depot between 12:30 and 1 p.m. Passengers will have an opportunity to view the Summerville Railroad Turntable and enjoy a catered luncheon in Dowdy Park.

The excursion is scheduled to depart Summerville at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Motorists should be aware that the railroad crossings on East Washington Street and East First Avenue will be closed while the train is in Summerville. Drivers should expect delays and plan to use alternate routes during the closure.

Arrest Report – Tuesday – July 28, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, July 28, 2026:

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