The Chattooga Chamber invites the community to a special Lunch & Learn event featuring local Boys & Girls Club Director Deb Stowe. This session will provide insight into the programs and services offered by the Club, which serves children throughout Chattooga County. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a catered lunch while learning about the impactful work being done by the Boys & Girls Club in the region. Director Stowe will share valuable information about how the Club supports local youth, fosters personal development, and creates a nurturing environment for children and teens. The Lunch & Learn is open to the public, with reservations required to ensure adequate seating and meal preparation. Chamber members can attend for just $12, while non-members are welcome for $17.  You can register for the event HERE

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced the awarding of contracts for two significant road improvement projects in Chattooga County. This news was revealed by the state agency on Wednesday, along with bids for other portions of the state. The first project involves the resurfacing of over six-and-a-half miles on State Route 48, also known as Menlo Highway. This section of roadway extends between Summerville and Menlo, with Northwest Georgia Paving of Calhoun securing the contract as the low bidder. The total cost for this project is estimated at just over $4.25 million. The second project focuses on the repaving and shoulder rehabilitation of 4.3 miles of U.S. 27, beginning north of Gore-Subligna Road and extending south of the Chattooga River. The contract for this work has been awarded to C.W. Matthews Contracting of Marietta, who was also the low bidder, with a project cost of $2.96 million. Both projects are set to commence in the near future, with an estimated completion date of August 31, 2025.

Friends, family, and the community celebrated the graduation of 25 students from the Basic POST Certification Class at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Gordon County Campus. This program trains graduates to become entry-level police officers certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. The ceremony featured guest speaker Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk, who encouraged the graduates to strive for excellence and be agents of positive change in their communities. The program director highlighted the class’s record size, while students received awards for marksmanship and academic achievement. Graduates pledged to uphold their oath of honor, promising to uphold their integrity, responsibilities, and the law.

The Town of Trion is proud to announce its annual Veterans Day Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024. The event will take place at the Trion Veterans Memorial, located at 210 Simmons Street at 1:00 PM. This year’s ceremony will include the dedication of new crosses added to the Trion Veterans Memorial, a testament to the sacrifices made by local heroes who have served our country. Residents are invited to join the community in honoring these brave individuals. The program will feature a keynote address by Chaplain Paul Mason, the town’s Chaplain, who will share inspiring words to commemorate the occasion. Lanny Thomas, Mayor of Trion, is encouraging local resident to attend, remembering and respecting those who have served in the military. For more information about the ceremony or to inquire about participation, please contact the Town Hall at 706-734-2332.

Two Chattooga County teens were arrested in connection with a burglary last Friday on Lyerly Street in Summerville. According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriffs Office released this week, the homeowner called the sheriffs office to report the burglary.  A responding deputy observed that the door to the unoccupied residence had been broken in and that the contents of the house had been ransacked. Various items in the home were found to be missing by the homeowner.  After an investigation by the sheriffs office, seventeen-year-old John Derek Roan and nineteen-year-old Sean Alan Sammons were both arrested in connection with the incident and were charged with burglary in the first degree.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, November 6, 2024:

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Local young farmer Pierce Kincer took home the Grand Champion Barrow title at the 2024 Chattooga County Young Farmers Pig Show on Monday, November 4, 2024.

Other champion winners included Lane Bridges, who took home the Grand Champion Gilt and the Reserve Champion Barrow, and Brantley Cargle, who won the Reserve Champion Barrow.

Showmanship winners included Benson Turner, Callen Kerce, Pierce Kincer, and Lane Bridges, and Record Book winners included Lane Bridges who took first and Jonas Hardy who placed second.

The Georgia Department of Human Services has announced it will open the Energy Assistance Program for homebound and elderly households on December 2, 2024.

This low-income home energy assistance program is administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. It applies to households in which every member is confined to the home because of medical conditions or disabilities or to elderly households where every adult member over the age of 18 is 65 years or older. All households participating in the program must meet the income criteria, provide verification, and be permanent residents or U.S. citizens.

Assistance will be a one-time payment to help eligible households offset heating costs to their home. Payment for home heating should be issued directly to the home energy supplier. Checks can only be issued once North Georgia Community Action receives the funds from the Georgia Department of Human Services. Assistance is on a first-come, first-serve basis while the funds last.

For more information or to apply, contact the Chattooga Community Service Center at 706-857-0729 by December 31, 2024.

The Town of Trion will host a Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The event will take place at 1 p.m. at Trion Veterans Memorial on 210 Simmons Street in Trion, Georgia. The program will include a dedication of new crosses added to the Trion Veterans Memorial and a keynote address by Chaplain Paul Mason and Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the Trion Recreation Center.

For additional information, call the Trion Town Hall at 706-734-2332.

According to AAA, Georgia’s average gas price has increased slightly this week but is expected to dip back down again soon. As of Monday, the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia stands at $2.94 per gallon, an increase of 2 cents from the previous week, the same as a month ago, and 2 cents more compared to this time last year. This slight increase translates to an average cost of $44.10 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline, which is 30 cents more than a year ago.

But AAA says this increase in gas prices isn’t expected to last long. “Georgians may have noticed a slight bump in gas prices since Governor Kemp brought back the state’s gas tax,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “But don’t worry, things may be improving. We’re expecting prices to dip soon, thanks to the usual drop in demand around this time of year and a switch to the cheaper winter fuel mix.”

Nationally, the average gallon of regular gasoline saw a decrease of 3 cents, for a total of $3.10, as of Monday. This decline in national gas prices is attributed to several factors, including lower oil costs and a dip in gasoline demand.

In our area, gas costs an average of $2.86 in Chattooga County, $2.87 in Floyd County, and $2.90 in Gordon County.  Meanwhile, across the state line in Alabama, gas prices are slightly lower, averaging $2.70 in DeKalb County and $2.74 in Cherokee County.