Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has appointed Lindsey Momon, a resident of Trion, as the new director of the county’s Animal Control facility. Commissioner Andy Allen says that he sought input on the decision, including recommendations from the Summerville Veterinary Clinic and that he chose Momon for her passion for helping animals. Her first tasks include cleaning and repairing the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, as well as planning for its future. Momon aims to involve volunteers in socializing adoptable animals. Commissioner Allen appreciated local veterinary input in selecting her. Momon has a diverse background, including 10 years as a jail officer and various certifications in emergency medical response and law enforcement.

Walker County officials have released the names of the two men tragically killed in the plane crash at the Barwick-LaFayette Airport on Thursday. LaFayette Public Safety Director Stacey Meeks confirmed the identities as 48-year-old Russel Edward Jones of LaFayette and 52-year-old Steven Boyd Powell of Cartersville, using information obtained from their phones.

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A Rome woman, identified as 32-year-old Veronica Ortiz, was arrested and charged with public intoxication on Wednesday of last week following an incident on Hawkins Drive. According to a police report, Summerville Police officers responded to a call concerning a suspicious female pedestrian reportedly walking in the roadway and yelling at passing vehicles. Upon arrival, officers located Ortiz on Hawkins Drive. After multiple verbal commands for her to stop walking away, officers were able to approach Ortiz. She allegedly stated she had no identification. Police then informed her they had received complaints about her behavior in the roadway. Ortiz claimed she was on her way to meet her children. The reporting officer noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Ortiz. After repeated requests, she eventually provided her name and date of birth. When asked to move to the patrol vehicle for further questioning, she refused. According to the police report, officers then escorted Ortiz to the front of the patrol vehicle, at which point she resisted. She was subsequently placed under arrest for public intoxication.

Photo Credit: All on Georgia

A significant shift in leadership has occurred within the Chattooga County Republican Party, following elections held at the Chattooga Senior Center this past Saturday. A large crowd of party members gathered to cast their votes, resulting in the election of a new slate of officers. Meredith Rosson was elected as the new Chair of the Chattooga County Republican Party. Serving alongside her will be Ron Williams and Jimmy Lenderman as Vice Chairs, Kevin Gilliland as Treasurer, and Herb Skelton as Secretary. The election marks a turning point for the local Republican Party, as the previous leadership had implemented several measures that sparked concern amongst Republican voters. A key point of contention was the vetting of candidates for office in 2024, a practice which drew criticism from many local Republicans who felt that the selection of candidates should be left to the voters at the ballot box, not determined by party leaders. Sources within the Chattooga County Republican Party have expressed optimism to WZQZ News that the new leadership will foster a more inclusive and transparent environment for all Republican voters within the county. The hope is that the change will revitalize the party and encourage greater participation from all members.

Preston “Bumble” Hampton, son of Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton, models a high-visibility safety vest available at the tax commissioner’s office.

A Chattooga County truck driver and the County Tax Commissioner are joining forces to launch a pedestrian safety initiative in response to a series of nighttime pedestrian fatalities. Recent years have seen several tragic incidents where pedestrians were struck and killed after dark, highlighting a critical need for increased visibility and awareness. Marlie Payne, a local over-the-road truck driver and daughter of the late Chattooga County Probate Judge Jon Payne, is spearheading the effort.

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This morning, temperatures are in the low to mid-30’s across the area and we will see a warmer today with sunny skies and highs around 70 degrees. Northwest Georgia is under a high fire danger warning this afternoon and evening because of low humidity and strong winds, leading officials to strongly advise against outdoor burning.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, March 22, 2025:

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The American Red Cross of Georgia is issuing a call to help ensure no one faces a disaster alone by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 26.

During the first 50 days of 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to more big disasters in the U.S. than days — including more than 50 volunteers from Georgia who went out to aid people impacted by Hurricanes Debby and Helene, the California Wildfires and the Kentucky floods. And that’s on top of everyday crises like home fires that have upended lives here in Georgia. Meanwhile, more Red Cross blood donations have gone uncollected so far this year due to weather than throughout all of 2024.

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The Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is offering a reward for information about 65-year-old Timothy McSears, who has been missing for over two weeks. His brother, Donnie McSears, expressed the family’s distress, saying it’s hard to cope with his absence. At a press conference, Sheriff Steve Wilson, along with McSears’ family, provided an update on the case. McSears was last seen at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on March 6, 2025, where he often volunteered. His family is concerned as he did not attend a family gathering. A local resident reported seeing him throwing away trash that same day. The last use of his phone was on March 7. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts. If anyone has seen him or has information, they are encouraged to call 706-670-1953 or submit a tip online.

Georgia Power is warning its customers about a rise in scams where criminals pretend to be utility employees. These scammers make fraudulent calls and create misleading online ads to steal money or personal information. The company has noticed a spike in these deceptive activities, which include impersonating employees, making fake payment requests, and threatening to cut off power if immediate payments are not made. A spokesperson from Georgia Power emphasizes the importance of educating customers about these scams to help them stay safe.

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