The rich and often-overlooked history of the Cherokee Natives in Chattooga County will take center stage this afternoon as the Chattooga Historical Society convenes for a special meeting titled “The Lives and Legacy of the Cherokee Natives.” The event is scheduled for 2 PM at the historic depot in Summerville.
The Summerville City Council is set to convene for its regular meeting tomorrow, Monday, July 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The agenda features a variety of key items, including a significant donation to a local fair, setting dates for the upcoming municipal election, and several potential approvals for new and existing businesses.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) announced Saturday she is taking a victory lap following the Department of Justice’s decision to drop all charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, a U.S. Navy veteran and physician who faced up to 35 years in federal prison for refusing to administer experimental COVID-19 vaccines during the Biden Administration.
A Rome man has been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on July 4th in the city. Jason Kirk Johnson, 40, is accused of shooting another individual at a location on Calhoun Avenue.
According to Floyd County Jail records and arrest warrants, Johnson allegedly shot Devin Darrell Burdette at 400 Calhoun Avenue on Independence Day.
Johnson faces multiple charges stemming from the incident, including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon indicates a prior criminal history that legally prohibits him from owning or possessing firearms.
Johnson is currently being held at the Floyd County Jail. Details regarding a potential first appearance or bond hearing were not immediately available. The nature of Burdette’s injuries or current condition has not been released by authorities.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader warns residents about a jury duty scam affecting the area. Scammers are calling people, falsely claiming they owe money for missing jury duty to avoid arrest or legal action. The Sheriff stresses that this is fraudulent, and individuals should never send money for alleged missing jury service, as legitimate agencies communicate through mail, not phone. No court or law enforcement will demand payment via untraceable methods. Residents are advised to hang up on such calls and report them to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff urges caution against unsolicited calls or emails that pressure for money.
There’s Hope For The Hungry will be distributing free food at South Summerville Baptist Church Wednesday July 16th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. No ID is required. Food must be picked up in person.
The Chattooga County Historical Society will hold its summer meeting tomorrow, Sunday, July 13th at 2 PM at the historic depot in Summerville. The meeting will focus on “The Lives and Legacy of the Cherokee Natives,” honoring the area’s indigenous people before the county was established in 1838. Prior to 1838, Chattooga County was a landscape profoundly different from today, primarily populated by Cherokee communities with distinct culture and loosely connected towns. Historical records indicate seven such towns within what would become Chattooga County, with the major centers being Chattooga, Island Town, and Broomtown. Other significant settlements included Kar Tah (Dirt Town), Raccoon Town, Dirtseller Mountain, and Scraper Mountain. The meeting tomorrow will also discuss the Cherokee’s forced removal during The Trail of Tears. Local Cherokee expert Dale Willingham will present and showcase his collection of Native American artifacts. The Chattooga County Historical Society invites the community to attend and learn about the Cherokee people’s history in the region.
On Monday of this week, a Summerville man reported the theft of medication from his residence on Highland Avenue. Terry Anthony told Summerville Police that on July 3rd, he went to a doctor’s appointment at AdventHealth Redmond in Rome and when he returned home, he discovered some pain medication missing. Anthony told police that he had left the medication in a bag on the table of his home. Anthony told police he needed a police report to give to his doctor for replacement of the medication.
This week, Georgia Power and state energy regulators acknowledged uncertainty in the utility’s future energy demand forecasts, needing updates in the coming years. During a Public Service Commission hearing, critics argued that Georgia Power is not promoting energy efficiency enough.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has launched the Quality Rated (QR) Family Support Call Center to improve family support services. This new system combines the 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS child care helpline with additional resources to help families access childcare information and other DECAL programs more easily. Starting July 1, 2025, DECAL specialists began answering calls, offering assistance with high-quality child care referrals, enrollment processes, and connecting families to various DECAL departments. The QR Family Support Call Center is available in multiple languages, including English and Spanish. Families can reach the center by calling 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. They can also email findqrcare@decal. ga.gov or use the online childcare search service at https://families. decal. ga.gov. The initiative aims to streamline access to child care and other early education services for Georgia families.
