Recent analysis shows that Georgia has a higher percentage of single-parent households compared to the national average. According to the most recent numbers, about 39% of children in Georgia lived in single-parent families, whereas the national average was 34%. This trend raises important concerns about available support systems and resources for these families. Chattooga County has an even higher number of single-parent households than the state or national average.
The organization known for over a century as the Boy Scouts of America is making the transition to a new name – Scouting America.
Eric Vaughn, Scouting America Northwest Georgia Council board member, says the name change is intended to reflect increased inclusiveness and will become official in February 2025 when the organization celebrates its 115th anniversary.
The local council still has to update things like its website and logos to reflect the rebranding; Vaughn acknowledges that, fortunately, there is still plenty of time to get it done.
New scouts and volunteers are always sought, states Vaughn. Get additional information online at www.nwgabsa.org. Updates may also be obtained on Facebook; search for Scouting America Northwest Georgia Council.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, November 22, 2024:
For the fourth season in a row, the Trion Bulldogs have advanced to the second round, or the “Sweet 16” of the GHSA state playoffs. The 7th ranked Bulldogs, who are 9-2 on the season, will square off with the Telfair County Trojans who are also 9-2 and region 4-A champions. The Trojans are unranked but are certainly a hot team. Telfair County opened the season 0-2 with losses to Lamar County and Bacon County before winning nine straight games including all six of the region games and a first round playoff win over ECI last week 22-19.
Much like the Bulldogs, the Trojans are in the middle of an incredible three year run under head coach Matt Burleson who is in his 13th season at Telfair County. Just four seasons ago, the Trojans finished 3-7 in 2021. They went 9-3 in 2022 advancing to the second round of the playoffs and last year the the Trojans went 10-3 and advanced to the 4th round of the playoffs before being eliminated by Manchester.
Statistically there are also a lot of similarities between Trion and Telfair County. On offense, Trion scores an average of 33 points per game on offense while Telfair County averages 31 points per game. Defensively, the Trojans have a slight edge as they give up an average of 16.5 points per game while Trion surrenders 21 points per game on defense.
The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the Elite 8 and play the winner of the Irwin County vs Early County game.
WZQZ will be able to video stream the game tonight on the WZQZ Facebook page due to the fact that Telfair County is not an NFHS member school. WZQZ was able to purchase the streaming rights to this game thanks to a sponsorship from Equipment Outlet and LS Tractors in Armuchee. The game will also be broadcast live on the radio on 99.1 FM and AM 1180. Join Paul Cavin, Jeremy Burke and Jim Warnock along with engineer Sam Kohler who will be providing live coverage from Telfair County High School. The pregame show will begin at around 7:15 pm with kickoff to follow at 7:30 pm.
The air will be filled with festive cheer as Summerville invites residents and visitors alike to the highly anticipated Victorian Christmas Market coming up Saturday, November 30. Hosted at the historic Summerville Depot, located at 119 East Washington Street, the event promises a delightful day of holiday spirit from 10 AM to 3 PM. The Victorian Christmas Market will feature an array of vendors both inside and outside the Depot, showcasing a variety of gift and specialty items perfect for holiday shopping. Attendees can browse through an exquisite selection of Christmas decorations, unique crafts, and delectable treats from a range of food vendors. One of the highlights of the day will be “Cookies with Claus,” where children and families can enjoy festive cookies while sharing their holiday wishes with Santa himself. In addition to shopping and treats, the market will offer a variety of Victorian-themed Christmas activities designed to immerse visitors in the charm of the season. Special photo opportunities will be available, allowing families to capture the magic of the day against the backdrop of beautifully decorated settings. To enhance the experience, downtown businesses will be rolling out specials and a passport program, encouraging guests to explore and enjoy everything Summerville has to offer during the holiday season. Don’t miss out on this enchanting Victorian Christmas Market that promises to be a memorable experience for all ages!
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton announced this week that the 2024 Property Tax Statements were mailed out in early October, but reports of delayed deliveries have prompted a significant policy change to support local property owners. In light of an unusual increase in complaints regarding undelivered tax bills, Hampton confirmed that late fees will be waived until January 3, 2025. This decision aims to provide relief for property owners, particularly those who have recently bought or sold property during the 2024 tax year. With the extended deadline, residents can pay their property taxes without incurring any interest or penalties, easing the financial burden during a time of uncertainty. Hampton clarified that the delays in mail delivery are not attributable to the county’s mailing service or local post offices. “I want to stress that our local postal workers can only deliver the mail that makes it back to their route and can’t control what happens in between,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of understanding the challenges faced by postal services. Property owners in Chattooga County are encouraged to take advantage of this extended grace period and ensure their payments are submitted by the new deadline. For more information or to check the status of their property tax statements, residents can contact the Chattooga County Tax Office directly.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced that a contractor will commence essential upgrades to pedestrian facilities and traffic signals at eight key locations across Walker County. This initiative aims to improve safety for pedestrians and enhance overall traffic control in the area.
Georgia’s unemployment rate remains notably low, even as many regions across the country see a rise in joblessness. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson highlighted this achievement, stating, “While most regions across Georgia experienced a slight uptick in unemployment, our state continues to lead the way with an unemployment rate well below the national average.”
In Northwest Georgia, the unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.4 percent, up one-tenth from the previous month. This figure is higher than the 3.0 percent recorded a year ago. The labor force in the region decreased by 368 individuals over the month but saw an increase of 7,334 compared to last year, totaling 448,048.
The number of employed individuals in Northwest Georgia also saw a decline, dropping by 1,097 over the month but increasing by 5,176 year-over-year, bringing the total to 432,631\. Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 157 from the previous month and by 552 from last year, reaching 2,436.
Despite these fluctuations, Thompson emphasized that Georgia’s economy is designed to endure challenges and continue thriving. The state’s focus on sensible policies and a strong workforce contributes to its economic resilience.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has announced his candidacy for governor in 2026, making him the first Republican to enter the race. Carr highlighted the recent GOP victories and emphasized the need for strong conservative leadership to prioritize better jobs, community safety, and immigration policies. Other potential candidates include Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, with Jones possibly gaining support from President-elect Donald Trump. Both Carr and Raffensperger faced unsuccessful primary challenges from Trump in 2022. Carr’s work as attorney general includes combating human trafficking, gang violence, and fentanyl while also promoting business-friendly policies in Georgia. Previously, he served as commissioner of the state Department of Economic Development and as chief of staff to U. S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. Carr was appointed attorney general in 2016 and has since won elections in 2018 and 2022.
A joint federal and local drug trafficking sting operation in 2021 culminated in the sentencing of six men in federal court on Thursday. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Drug trafficking is a societal scourge that poses serious risks to the public health and safety of our communities. The dedication of our federal, state, and local enforcement partners resulted in the disruption of this drug trafficking organization and led to the successful prosecution of these defendants.”
