Whooping cough cases in the United States have sharply risen to over 32,000 this year, nearly five times the 6,500 cases from last year, marking the highest count in a decade. Health experts attribute this increase to lower vaccination rates and decreased immunity due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Infants under one year are especially at risk.
Meteorologists say a significant cold wave expected to hit the eastern United States from January 7 to 15. Although long-term weather predictions can be unreliable, experts note a clear trend indicating a sharp drop in temperatures. The upcoming cold wave is expected to resemble the frigid conditions of December 2022, where Northwest Georgia saw single-digit lows. However, forecasters suggest this cold airmass may be even colder, similar to cold events from January 1977 and 1982. Additionally, there is a possibility of winter precipitation forming in the southern U. S. during this cold wave, although the timing and details of any storms are uncertain. As is often the case, social media is likely to be flooded with various “model snow maps,” but experts advise caution, noting that these projections hold little significance beyond the 7-10 day window.
A Christian college in Georgia can now join scholarship programs after suing the state for being excluded. Luther Rice College and Seminary, along with the Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a lawsuit in October, claiming discrimination because private theological schools couldn’t access state student aid. They argued they had to choose between losing their religious identity or missing out on state benefits.
House Bill 451, known as the Ashley Wilson Act, will allow Georgia’s first responders to receive PTSD treatment coverage starting in 2025.
Gordon County deputy sheriffs went to a home on Fox Street late Friday after a report of an intruder. The complainant found an unknown man hiding in a juvenile’s closet and confronted him. The man ran away before deputies arrived. Detectives investigated, gathering evidence and questioning witnesses. By Saturday, deputies identified the suspect, Sergio Hernandez-Vicente, age 19, of a Peters Street address in Calhoun, and arrested him for Statutory Rape and Child Molestation.
Former President Jimmy Carter, a southwest Georgia peanut farmer who went on to be Governor of Georgia and President of the United States, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. His son, Chip Carter, confirmed that the former president died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, at approximately 3:45 p.m.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, December 29, 2024:
A fire at a Tyson Foods plant in Camilla, Georgia, resulted in one death and several serious injuries early Friday morning. The company is investigating the cause of the fire, which was confirmed by a spokesperson who expressed condolences to the victim’s family. A union spokesperson mentioned that the incident was related to a boiler explosion. The victim was identified as a 61-year-old woman from Las Vegas, who was sleeping in her husband’s truck at the time of the explosion. The blast caused a concrete wall to fall on the truck, killing her, while her husband was in the building and was not injured. The union, representing over 15,000 poultry workers, stated the importance of the facility to the community and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to ensure worker safety. Union representatives are on-site to support those impacted by the explosion.
AdventHealth Redmond has been recognized as the #4 medium-sized hospital in Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine. This prestigious ranking underscores the hospital’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services and its dedication to the well-being of Floyd County and surrounding communities in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama.
Gordon County deputy sheriffs on patrol on US Highway 41 made a significant bust, arresting three individuals after stopping a suspicious vehicle with three occupants. The incident unfolded near Resaca this past week, raising concerns about illegal drug and firearm activity in the area. Upon pulling over the vehicle, deputies conducted a search that uncovered large quantities of illegal drugs along with several firearms that were held unlawfully. All three suspects were apprehended at the scene without incident, highlighting the diligence of law enforcement in combating crime on the highways. The suspects have been identified as Margie Russell, 50, of Calhoun; Cody Anderson, 33, of Dalton; and Kelly Parks, 42, of Sugar Valley. Notably, Russell was already wanted as a fugitive at the time of her arrest, with existing warrants against her for theft. In addition to the initial findings, all three suspects face serious charges, including drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute, and violations related to firearms. Russell, with a troubling history of at least 30 prior arrests within the jurisdiction, faces further charges for allegedly bringing drugs across a jail guard line.
