A lieutenant with the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated and now faces criminal charges following an investigation into allegations of unreported income from a second job and failure to perform assigned duties. Sheriff Gary Sisk announced the firing of Lieutenant Keith Cantrell in a statement released earlier today.
Voters in Lyerly will have a new polling location for future elections, Chattooga County election officials announced yesterday. The change will take effect starting with the upcoming election on March 18, 2025. According to an official notice released by the Chattooga County Board of Elections and Registration, the Lyerly precinct polling place will be moved from its current location at the Lyerly Fire Hall (6086 Highway 114) to the Lyerly Community Center, located at 29 Alpine Street, Lyerly, Georgia 30730. The change is being made to better serve the voters of the Lyerly with the Lyerly Community Center providing a more accessible and convenient location for residents to exercise their right to vote. The Board of Elections and Registration is providing notice of the change as mandated by Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-265). Lyerly voters are encouraged to take note of the new polling location before heading to the polls on March 18th for the upcoming SPLOST vote.
Murder charges have been filed against two former inmates in connection with the October killing of Lawrence Williams, 33, at Hays State Prison near Trion, Georgia. Montez Potts, 31, and Adrian Murdock, 35, are accused of participating in a gang-related killing inside the prison walls. According to arrest records, Potts and Murdock are charged with being “party to the crime of murder, aiding and abetting in the killing of Lawrence Williams by chasing him down, armed with a weapon, and trapping him on a stairwell where he was stabbed, leading to his death.” Prison investigators described the October 24th incident as a “coordinated attack” involving a crudely made knife, often referred to as a shank. Arrest records further allege that both Potts and Murdock are “validated members of the Blood Gang and participated in gang activity, by possessing a weapon, and engaging in a coordinated, violent act of aggravated assault and murder, with other Blood Gang members, to assist the gang.” Williams, who was from Valdosta, Georgia, was the fourth prisoner killed at Hays State Prison in 2024.
The Chattooga County Democratic Party has announced its annual Black History Month celebration, “Celebrating Our Heritage Through Poem and Song,” scheduled for Saturday, February 22nd at 7:00 PM. The event will be held at the Chattooga County Civic Center in Summerville. The evening will feature a vibrant showcase of local talent, including song, dance, and spoken word performances, all paying tribute to the rich history of Black culture in Chattooga County. In addition to the performances, the Chattooga County Democratic Party will be presenting two prestigious awards: The Community Service Award will be presented to Maisha Ludy, a Coordinator with Chattooga Family Connection, in recognition of her tireless dedication and countless hours of volunteer service to charitable organizations within the community. The Community Spirit Award will be awarded to Janice Foster, an active member of the MLK Committee, dedicated volunteer with Camp Juliette Low, caregiver, and beloved community singer whose talents uplift and inspire. The event is free to the public and all are invited to attend. Refreshments will be provided. Individuals interested in performing at the celebration are encouraged to contact Pam Albert at (706) 859-8044 for further information on participation. The Chattooga County Democratic Party encourages everyone to join them for this special evening of celebration and community.
Nearly half a million Georgians, including small business owners, farmers, veterans, and gig workers, cannot afford private health insurance but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Closing this coverage gap is important for both health care and economic reasons, benefiting not only those in need but all Georgians.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, February 13, 2025:
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Chattooga River at Summerville, effective from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Minor flooding is expected in the area. The river is forecast to exceed its flood stage of 14 feet early Thursday afternoon, cresting at an estimated 15.9 feet tomorrow evening before receding below flood stage late Saturday morning.
Chattooga County residents are invited to attend the First Annual Chattooga County Health Fair on April 12, 2025, from 8:00 AM to Noon at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located at 40 Middle School Rd. in Summerville.
The Trion High School wrestling team is sending a powerhouse contingent of nine wrestlers to the 2025 GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championships! After a season of grit and determination, the Bulldogs have earned their place among the state’s elite and will compete February 13-15 at the Macon Centreplex. The nine Bulldog grapplers representing Trion at the 1A State Tournament are: Sammy Edgeworth (106 lbs), Lane Broome (113 lbs), Silas Mills (120 lbs), Jason Jenkins (126 lbs), Logan Potts (132 lbs), Coleman Lee (144 lbs), Clayton Loughridge (157 lbs), Brandon Chandler (175 lbs), and Lane Harris (190 lbs). Their hard work and commitment throughout the season have culminated in this well-deserved opportunity to compete on the biggest stage. Wrestling enthusiasts can show their support by purchasing tickets exclusively on GoFan. For those unable to attend in person, all matches will be streamed live on the NFHS Network through TrackWrestling. Good luck to the Trion Bulldog Wrestlers in Macon.
The 2025 Traditional Wrestling State Championships, presented by the U.S. Army, are set to kick off February 13th at the Macon Centreplex, promising three days of intense competition and thrilling matchups. Wrestlers from across the state of Georgia will converge to battle for coveted state titles. Among those vying for victory are three talented athletes from Chattooga High School: Gavin Carlton, Fletcher Crowe, and Bryson Rutledge. These wrestlers have proven their mettle throughout the season, consistently demonstrating the skill and dedication necessary to reach the pinnacle of high school wrestling in Georgia. While the Chattooga team is well-represented, they will unfortunately be without Landon Carlton, who is sidelined due to an injury. Fans eager to witness the action can purchase tickets exclusively through GoFan. For those unable to attend in person, all matches will be streamed live on the NFHS Network via TrackWrestling, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the tournament. The Chattooga community extends its best wishes to Gavin Carlton, Fletcher Crowe, and Bryson Rutledge as they represent the Indians at the state level.
A man from Floyd County, Joshua Cain Storey, who spent 26 years in prison, claims that investigators created false evidence and hid proof that could have cleared him during a 1996 investigation into the death of Brian Bowling. Storey filed an amended complaint, arguing that Floyd County police violated his constitutional rights during the investigation.
