The City of Summerville is alerting residents to a recent scam targeting utility customers. Reports have surfaced of individuals receiving text messages threatening service disconnection if a bill is not paid immediately. City officials want to make it unequivocally clear: The City of Summerville will NEVER request payment via text message or automated phone calls. These messages are fraudulent and should be ignored. Residents are urged to be vigilant and avoid clicking any links or providing any personal or financial information to unknown sources. If you receive a suspicious text message or automated phone call regarding your Summerville utility bill, do not respond. Instead, please contact Summerville City Hall directly at (706) 859-0900 to verify your account status and report the incident. The City of Summerville is committed to protecting its residents from fraud and encourages everyone to remain cautious and informed.

Two Chattooga County Vietnam War veterans were recognized for their service and sacrifice at a special ceremony held Friday at the Chattooga County Memorial Home. The event, organized by local veterans advocates Odell Anderson and Barbara Massey Reece, took place ahead of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Saturday. Former Chattooga County Commissioner Jim Parker and local businessman Delbert Patty were each presented with a Quilt of Valor, a handmade quilt awarded to veterans as a tangible expression of gratitude for their service. The ceremony was attended by Patricia Ross, Commissioner of Georgia Veterans Services, and General Dwayne Wilson, Georgia’s Adjutant General for Homeland Defense and National Guard. A Quilt of Valor (QOV) is more than just a quilt; it’s a symbol of comfort, healing, and recognition for the sacrifices made by those who have served their country. The Quilts of Valor Foundation, founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, was inspired by a dream she had about a young soldier finding solace in a quilt. Her vision has since blossomed into a nationwide movement, providing comfort and gratitude to veterans touched by war. The presentation of these quilts to Parker and Patty served as a heartfelt reminder of the community’s appreciation for their dedication and service during the Vietnam War.

Residents of Chattooga County, Georgia, experienced a minor tremor on Saturday morning around 8 AM. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake registered a magnitude of 2.1, with its epicenter located just east of the Town of Trion. While unsettling, the earthquake is considered minor and no damage has been reported. This event highlights the region’s location within the Southeastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (STSZ), an area known for occasional seismic activity. Experts explain that small earthquakes like this in northwest Georgia are typically related to the movement of fault lines within the Appalachian Mountains. The area sits near the Valley and Ridge Province of the Southern Appalachians, where stresses can cause movement along pre-existing fault lines and fractures. Furthermore, the USGS indicates that the quakes in this region tend to be shallow, occurring at depths of approximately 10 to 20 kilometers, and are generally not associated with surface geology or near-surface faults. While further monitoring is always prudent after seismic events, authorities assure residents that earthquakes of this magnitude are relatively common in the STSZ and pose minimal risk.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is set to implement significant refinements to its service standards for various mail classes, effective tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. The changes, impacting first-class mail, periodicals, marketing mail, and package services, are aimed at enhancing reliability and potentially improving delivery times for some regions. According to the USPS, these adjustments are part of their ongoing “Delivering for America” plan, designed to modernize and streamline postal operations.

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A Summerville woman is facing multiple citations after allegedly tampering with and illegally using city utilities. According to a police report released this week, Summerville Police responded to a call at 111 Orchard Road on March 26th, 2025, regarding a theft of services. Upon arrival, officers met with a Summerville City Water employee who reported that the water meter at the residence had been destroyed and the lock securing it had been cut. The report also indicated that the lock on the gas meter had been similarly compromised. Police interviewed the homeowner, identified as Donna Daniel, who reportedly admitted to knowing her utilities had been shut off but continued to use them. Ms. Daniel was subsequently cited for the damages to the utility meters and for the unauthorized usage of gas and water. The police report detailed the estimated cost of the damages, including $175 for the destroyed water meter, $200 each for the water and gas meter locks, a $200 cut-off fee, and $363.90 for the gas used. City Maintenance officials were unable to determine the amount of water consumed due to the destruction of the water meter.

A routine court appearance turned chaotic last week at the Chattooga County Courthouse when Jessica Trapp, 32, allegedly resisted arrest, leading to a physical altercation with law enforcement and minor injuries to a deputy. According to a police report, the incident occurred on March 27th at approximately 9:14 AM.  Chattooga County Deputies and a Probation Officer identified Trapp, who was present for a superior court probation revocation hearing, as having an outstanding probation warrant from Walker County. The report states that officers approached Trapp and informed her of the warrant. Trapp allegedly became upset and refused to comply with commands to be handcuffed. When officers attempted to restrain her, she reportedly pulled away, screamed, and grabbed onto a chair. “I advised her to stop and to provide me with her hands, that she was under arrest,” the Summerville Police Officer Matt Wilson stated in the official report. “I went to put her in handcuffs again, and she slung her arms away from me and started screaming and grabbed hold of a chair.” Deputies Womack and Summerville Police wrestled with Trapp on the floor, eventually managing to handcuff her. While escorting her to the Chattooga County Jail, Trapp continued to resist, reportedly using her weight to sit down and refusing to walk. The report further indicates that Officer Matt Wilson sustained a small laceration to his right leg and a red mark with pain in their right pinky as a result of the struggle. Jessica Trapp has been charged with two counts of obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers. She was booked into the Chattooga County Jail.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia, is warning residents of widespread showers and isolated to scattered thunderstorms across Northwest Georgia today and into the afternoon. A few of these storms could become strong to severe this afternoon and evening, particularly in the northwest portion of the state.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, March 31, 2025:

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Trout stocking trucks are rolling right now to stock your favorite North Georgia waterways. When is your next fishing trip?

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