Georgia drivers may soon use digital driver’s licenses on their smartphones during traffic stops due to House Bill 296. The bill has received strong bipartisan support in the House and is now moving through the Senate.
Are you a sports enthusiast looking for a rewarding way to give back to your community? The City of Summerville Parks and Recreation Department is offering a fantastic opportunity to help shape the next generation of athletes by becoming a rec department umpire. This is a chance to make a real difference in a child’s life while staying involved in the sports you love. To get you started, the department is hosting an “Intro to Umpiring 101 Clinic” next Tuesday, March 18th and Wednesday, March 19th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Mitchell Field. The clinic will provide aspiring umpires with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to officiate youth sports games. No prior experience is necessary, just a passion for sports and a desire to help young athletes learn and grow. For more information about the Umpiring 101 Clinic or becoming a Summerville Parks and Recreation umpire, please contact the department directly at (706) 859-0910.
More than 170 employees of the U. S. Department of Education in Georgia could lose their jobs due to the Trump administration’s plan to reduce the department and the federal workforce. The largest group of workers is from the Federal Student Aid office with 97 employees, followed by the Office for Civil Rights with 46 employees.
Employees learned of the layoffs on the same day the department announced it would cut over 1,300 jobs, impacting nearly half its staff. This includes around 240 layoffs in the Office for Civil Rights, which already had a backlog of complaints.
In Georgia, there are 593 open civil rights cases with the Department of Education since 2011. There is concern that funding cuts may follow job losses, placing a financial burden on local taxpayers, especially in rural districts where federal funding makes up a significant portion of their budgets.
A potentially dangerous situation was averted at North LaFayette Elementary School on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, when a Walker County Schools employee discovered a plastic baggie containing a suspicious substance just inside the main entryway. The baggie was immediately turned over to the School Resource Officer (SRO), who conducted field testing confirming the substance was methamphetamine. The item was then secured as evidence.
If you or someone you know needs some help with groceries this week, there will be a free food giveaway at Summerville Middle School on Friday evening. The event is sponsored by Helping Hands Ending Hunger and the Summerville Middle School FFA. Anyone in need is welcome to come by Summerville Middle School, located off Highway 100 on Summerville Middle School Drive from 5:30 PM until 6 PM on Friday, March 14th.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, March 13, 2025:
For Thursday, the main weather concern will be rain showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon and evening as they move east from Alabama. Instability and shear levels appear slight, but there is some risk of severe weather near the Georgia-Alabama border. Northwest Georgia will see cloudy skies today with a high in the low 70’s. Rainfall may total between 0. 25 and 0. 50 inches close to the border, but most of east Georgia will likely remain dry. Tonight, look for cloudy skies and lows around 60 degrees.
In the long term, from Friday morning through next Tuesday, a heightened risk for severe weather is expected across North and Central Georgia from Saturday into Sunday. Cooler and drier conditions are predicted for early next week. The primary concern is the severe weather potential this weekend, with updates reflecting stronger winds anticipated starting Friday and early Saturday. An initial wave of energy may bring rain to parts of northwest Georgia Friday night, followed by a second wave bringing more widespread storm activity.
There are uncertainties about how the weekend system will develop, including whether initial rainfall will reach the lower atmosphere and the possibility of severe storms developing ahead of the main front. It’s advised to prepare for severe weather now by knowing safe places, checking weather radios, and planning outdoor activities carefully, especially since much action is expected Saturday night into Sunday morning. Stay informed and ready for any changes.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced this week that the state’s net tax collections for February reached nearly $2.13 billion, marking a $94.2 million (4.6%) increase compared to February of last year. However, the overall picture is more nuanced. Year-to-date collections totaled $21.53 billion, showing a rise of $379.2 million. This increase is largely attributed to the temporary suspension of the motor fuel excise tax in Fiscal Year 2024. When adjusted for these motor fuel tax changes, year-to-date collections actually decreased by $82.7 million, or 0.4%. The individual income tax saw significant growth this month, increasing by $130.5 million (14.9%) to reach approximately $1.01 billion. This surge was driven by a decrease in refunds issued and an increase in withholding payments. Sales and use tax collections also experienced growth, rising by $34.4 million (2.4%). However, net collections saw a decrease. On the other hand, corporate income tax experienced a decline, dropping by $14.4 million (16.2%). This decrease was attributed to lower estimated payments. While motor fuel taxes showed a slight increase, motor vehicle fees fell by $0.7 million. The mixed results highlight the impact of the temporary fuel tax suspension on Georgia’s revenue stream and underscore the importance of monitoring these trends in the coming months.
The Chattooga County Board of Elections and Registration will commence the computation and canvassing of votes for the March 18, 2025, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Special Election when polls close next Tuesday at 7 PM. The process, which involves compiling results from all tabulators – including those from Election Day polling places, Advance Voting, and Absentee by Mail ballots – will begin immediately following the closure of polls. Computation and canvassing is the crucial step where election officials consolidate the data from all voting machines to generate the overall election results. It’s important to note that initial computation and canvassing conducted on election will not include provisional ballots. These ballots require further research and potential contact with voters to verify eligibility. Accepted provisional ballots will be incorporated into the final, certified election results. Following the initial count, the Board of Elections and Registration will hold a pre-certification meeting on March 21st at 2 PM, followed by the official certification meeting on March 24th at 2 PM. All meetings will be held in the Registrars Office, located at 10017 Commerce Street in Summerville. The public is welcome to attend.
Cannabis is the third most consumed substance in the U. S. , with legal use in 38 states. This rise in usage increases the risk of impaired driving, leading to more crashes and injuries. The AAA opposes driving under cannabis influence due to its negative impact on control and safety.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted studies to understand why cannabis users drive impaired and to create effective prevention messages. Findings showed that a majority of cannabis consumers drive regularly and believe their consumption does not significantly affect their driving abilities. Many trust messaging from cannabis industry groups.
The second study focused on creating effective messages that emphasize personal responsibility and realistic, respectful communication. Research highlights the need for tailored messaging to engage cannabis consumers and combat the dangers of impaired driving. Effective strategies should involve partnerships with the cannabis industry and utilize comprehensive public health messaging. (See complete report below):