The roar of engines met the spirit of generosity as the Rome Jeep Brigade recently wrapped up its highly successful “Fill the Jeep” school supply drive, providing a significant boost to students at Leroy Massey Elementary School just in time for the new academic year. The initiative has ensured many young learners will start the year feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn.
Photo Credit: Cherokee County (GA) Sheriff’s Office
Twelve individuals, including men from Walker and Floyd Counties, have been arrested in Cherokee County following a three-day undercover operation targeting suspected child predators. The initiative, dubbed “Operation Phantom Whisper,” was a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies.
As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, Georgia families can expect to shell out an average of $875 per household for back-to-school essentials like clothes, shoes, and supplies. This projection, provided by the United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSF CU), highlights the growing financial burden on parents.
Local officials in Chattooga County, including County Commissioner Andy Allen and the leadership of its four municipalities – Summerville, Trion, Menlo, and Lyerly – are exploring the implementation of a new sales tax designed to alleviate the burden of property taxes on residents. The proposed measure, known as the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST), is a new tool authorized by recent state legislation aimed at providing property tax relief.
Georgians continue to see a welcome reprieve at the gas pumps this week, with the state’s average price for regular unleaded gasoline holding steady at $2.90 per gallon. This marks no shift from a week ago, offering continued stability for drivers, though prices can change overnight.
The race for mayor in Summerville is heating up after a city council meeting last week where Councilman Rickey Hughes resigned to run against the current Mayor Harry Harvey, who has not yet decided on re-election. Mayor Harvey stated he is still considering whether to run again, saying he has a month to make his decision.
Georgians enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans could see some of the nation’s largest premium increases next year, with a preliminary analysis indicating a potential average surge of 21% across all plans. This places Georgia on track to have among the biggest price increases for health insurance costs on the ACA exchange in 2025, according to findings by The Wall Street Journal and the health research group KFF.
Chattooga Mountain Education is inviting prospective students to “Gear Up for Greatness” at its upcoming registration event, designed to kick off the new school year with excitement and convenience.
Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, all students enrolled in the Chattooga County School District (CCSD) will receive free breakfast and lunch, the district announced today. This initiative aims to ensure every child starts their day ready to learn and thrive, removing financial barriers to nutritious meals.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, July 20, 2025: