A narcotics investigation at a Chattooga County motel led to the discovery of drugs and an explosive device, resulting in one arrest, according to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader. Agents with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force were conducting their investigation at the Summerville Motel, located at 4553 Highway 27 in the Gore Community, on Wednesday. During the course of the investigation, they uncovered narcotics along with what was identified as an explosive device. Sheriff Schrader immediately called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Bomb Disposal Unit. The GBI unit responded to the scene to assist in the safe handling and investigation of the device. They performed an X-ray of the device before carefully dismantling it. As a result of the investigation, 26-year-old Bryce Adam Godfrey was arrested. He faces charges related to narcotics as well as charges related to the possession and/or creation of the explosive device.

Georgia voters will head to the polls to elect Public Service Commissioners (PSC) this year, with the elections shaping up to be a critical referendum on the rising cost of electricity in the state, particularly for Georgia Power customers. Consumer advocates are raising concerns that the utility company will continue to increase rates on residential customers to meet the ever-growing energy demands of data centers.

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A stolen vehicle investigation led to the arrest of a suspect with outstanding warrants, drug possession charges, and connections to theft and burglary cases in Tennessee, according to a report released by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

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Kris Willis, 50, has been appointed Mayor of Menlo by the city council, taking over from Allen Keen, who resigned to focus on family and business. A lifelong resident of the county, Willis sees this role as a chance to prepare for the November election. In the past, Willis has worked as the Assisted Athletic Director at Summerville City Recreation Department.  Willis has expressed gratitude for the council’s trust and mentioned that if progress is made during his term, he will consider running for a full term; if not, he will step aside for someone else. Willis’s immediate goals include organizing city operations, completing audits, ensuring budget compliance, and addressing infrastructure issues like fixing a non-operational drinking water well. He also wants to set long-term goals for the community. Another priority is education and training for the council and clerk, which he believes is essential for effective city management. Willis highlighted the need for processes to ensure the smooth operation of city affairs and aims to establish stability and effectiveness in governance. His performance in the coming months will play a significant role in his decision to run for a full term in November.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services will begin distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama starting next week, in a push to combat the spread of raccoon rabies across the eastern United States.

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A 41-year-old Summerville man was bitten by a dog on Spearmint Trail on Thursday morning.  According to a report from the Summerville Police Department, Brandon Woods says that around 8:30 AM, he was dropped off after getting off work.  Woods says that a woman was walking with a red pit bull on Spearmint Trail when the dog attacked him.  Woods told police that he has seen the woman walking in the area before, and described the woman as being “bow-legged”, according to the police report.  Woods said the woman didn’t stop after her dog bit him, but kept on walking.  Police made several attempts to locate the woman and the dog, but were not successful.  Woods was transported to the Atrium Health Chattooga Emergency Department by EMS for treatment.

Summerville Main Street is proud to host the 9th Annual Spring Market in Summerville’s J.R. “Dick” Dowdy Park on Saturday, April 12. Market hours are 10 AM -3 PM with over 100 vendors on sight. Admission to this event is free. The 2025 Spring Market will offer a wide variety of items including farmhouse décor, signs, live plants, pottery, pet products, vintage items, accessories and boutique apparel, handcrafted items, jewelry, soaps, candles, children’s items, and much more. Taste buds will be tempted by an exceptional variety of foods, homemade desserts and ice cream on site. For the public’s enjoyment there will be various activities to interest both young and the young at heart. Event goers may want to bring a lawn chair to enjoy a variety music and demonstrations throughout the day. Southern Sassy Farm Petting Zoo will be on site for the public’s enjoyment. This is a rain or shine event. For more information on this event contact Summerville Main Street at (706) 859-0900 ext. 1337 or visit the Spring Market 2025 Facebook Event.

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) released figures Thursday indicating an increase in unemployment across Northwest Georgia for the month of February, a stark contrast to the overall positive trend seen across the state. The unemployment rate for the region rose by one-tenth of a percent to 3.5% in February. This figure is also higher than the 3.2% recorded a year ago.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, April 4, 2025:

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Near record high temperatures are expected today and Saturday. There is a chance of isolated afternoon showers.  Sunday we will see rain and storms, followed by a cool down with low temperatures near the freezing part by the first of next week.

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