Last Week Georgia Power executives presented a plan to the state Public Service Commission to build battery energy storage systems at four locations, including near Robins AFB, Moody AFB, Plant Hammond in Floyd County, and the McGrau Ford Battery Facility in Cherokee County. These projects will add 500 megawatts of generating capacity as part of Georgia Power’s effort to increase their energy-supply portfolio by 6,600 megawatts. Jeff Grubb, the company’s director of resource policy and planning, emphasized the importance of these investments for meeting the state’s growing electricity needs. Quarterly reports on spending and construction progress will be submitted to the Public Interest Advocacy Staff per an agreement with Georgia Power, with a vote on the projects scheduled for December 3 by the PSC.

The House Study Committee on Navigable Streams is aiming to recommend where people should have the right to boat, fish, and hunt on Georgia’s streams and will hold their final hearing of the year on the matter coming up on November 18th. They are reviewing House Bill 1172, which could potentially allow landowners to restrict access to streams on their property deemed “unnavigable. ” This issue arose from a 1863 law that has led to disputes over access to certain streams, like Ichawaynochaway Creek in Baker County and Armuchee Creek in Chattooga and Floyd counties. Paddle Georgia coordinator Joe Cook emphasizes the historical right to float down Georgia’s waterways since the 1700s, which he believes should not be eroded. The committee is considering various proposals, including one that might only ensure public access to a small percentage of the state’s vast network of streams. This debate pits property owner rights against the public’s traditional use of these waterways for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hunting. Economic reports suggest these activities have a substantial impact on Georgia’s economy, underscoring the importance of resolving this issue to maintain public access to these natural resources.

Today is Election Day.  Voters who have not cast their ballots early or submitted an absentee ballot will be able to vote between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM.  Remember, all voting on election day takes place in your local precinct.  No voting will take place today at the Chattooga County Registrars Office.  Also, you should take a government-issued, picture ID when you come to vote. Take the time to look up what is on the ballot prior to entering the voting booth so you can make informed decisions. You can find a sample ballot below:

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, November 4, 2024:

The Chattooga County Young Farmers are hosting their Annual Pig Project Show and Auction this evening at the Chattooga Ag Center. The show starts at 6 pm, followed by the auction. Students will exhibit pigs they’ve raised since July. They already participated in a preview show during the Ag Fair in August. Each student will auction off one pig, with proceeds going to them. Young farmers will help transport the pigs to processors, and buyers cover processing costs. The project helps students show animals locally, with great community support for FFA and 4-H activities.

On Friday of last week, Chattooga County School Supt. Michelle Helie announced that both Menlo Elementary School and Summerville Middle School have been designated by the Georgia Department of Education as Georgia “Literacy Leaders” Schools and will receive a visit later this fall by Georgia School Supt. Richard Woods.

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Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 5,922 in the week ending October 26, down from 6,314 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 216,000 last week, down 12,000 claims from 228,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Alaska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 63.0%. North Carolina, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 45.5%.

Election Day is tomorrow and voters in Georgia are reminded of the importance of knowing their polling locations and the necessary identification required to cast their ballots. Each voter is assigned a specific polling place based on their registered address, and those looking to confirm their polling location can visit mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ for assistance.  Remember, there will be no voting at the Chattooga County Registrars Office on Election Day.

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On Wednesday of last week,  a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a report about a man lying on the side of Highway 27 in Trion. Jerry Michael Luallen, a 32-year-old white male, was arrested for being a pedestrian under the influence in the vicinity of the Murphy Gas Station and Trion Emergency Room. Authorities were dispatched to the area after receiving calls about the man who had been observed by motorists. Upon arrival, a deputy witnessed Luallen staggering along the shoulder of Highway 27, dangerously close to oncoming traffic. Witnesses reported that cars had to come to a halt to avoid hitting Luallen, who had stumbled into the roadway. The officer approached Luallen, who displayed signs of severe intoxication, including the strong smell of alcohol on his breath, wet clothing, and slurred speech. When questioned about his alcohol consumption, Luallen’s responses were incoherent, raising concerns for his safety. Due to his inability to maintain balance and the imminent danger posed by his presence on the roadside, the deputy made the decision to arrest Luallen for Pedestrian Under the Influence. He was placed in handcuffs and transported to the local jail, where he was issued a citation for the offense.

Walker County detectives and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents are investigating a homicide on Halloween night at 1694 Johnson Road in Chickamauga. A 911 call was received around midnight last Thursday, leading deputies to discover Dakota Austin Bottomlee, age 25, shot at the residence. Law enforcement has been working to identify two men who were reportedly with Bottomlee at the time of the shooting, and investigators urge anyone who heard shots between 9-11 p. m. on Thursday to contact Detective Daniel Stephenson at 706-670-1938 or leave a tip at www.walkerso.com, or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).