The City of Summerville and the Summerville Parks and Recreation Department have announced the grand opening for the new city pickleball courts coming up this Saturday, May 10th. The public is invited to join in the festivities, which will kick off at 10 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Summerville Recreation Department, located at 220 Hwy 100 in Summerville. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees can enjoy playing on the new courts and celebrating the community’s latest recreational addition. The grand opening celebration will run from 10 AM until Noon, and will include a cookout at 11 AM.  Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport that is fun for all ages and skill levels. The City of Summerville believes these courts will be a valuable asset to the community, promoting health, fitness, and social interaction.

The City of Summerville is soliciting sealed bids for the demolition of a property and subsequent site restoration located at 20 University Circle, Summerville, Georgia 30747. The deadline for submitting bids is this Friday, May 9th at 2 PM.  Interested parties are invited to submit their sealed bids to the City of Summerville, 120 Georgia Ave., Summerville, Georgia 30747. All bids must remain valid for 60 business days. The bid opening will take place in the City Hall Council Room, where the contents will be made public. The announcement will allow for transparency and access to information for respondents and other interested parties. Bidders are advised that all submissions are subject to the conditions and provisions outlined in the detailed bid document, which is available for review here:  Bid Document

Get ready for a weekend of dust, daring feats, and rodeo excitement as Lowry’s 4L Ranch prepares to host its annual Back Rodeo on May 16th and 17th. The event, presented by Harvey’s Southend Auto and Mathis Equipment, promises to be a spectacular showcase of skill and competition. The rodeo kicks off at 8 PM each night at Lowry’s Covered Arena, conveniently located on Farmersville Rd, just off Hwy 27 South of Summerville. This year’s rodeo is expected to be bigger and better than ever, featuring talented riders and thrilling events that are sure to keep spectators on the edge of their seats. Tickets are currently available for purchase in advance at a discounted rate. Adult tickets (ages 12 and up) are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children’s tickets (ages 6-11) are $10, both in advance and at the gate. Children five and under will be admitted free of charge. Don’t miss out on this exciting local event! Advanced tickets can be purchased at the following locations: * United Community Bank – Summerville & Mt. Berry Square Rome * Dirttown Deli – Gore * Southern Living Farm & Garden – Trion * Pineridge Outdoor Supply – Lyerly Gates open at 6 PM each night, offering ample time for attendees to grab a good seat and enjoy the atmosphere before the rodeo action begins. Please note that only cash will be accepted at the gate.

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.

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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.

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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:

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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.