Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, March 13, 2026:
Sunny and calm weather will continue across north and central Georgia through Saturday, with temperatures quickly warming after a cool, frosty start Friday morning. High pressure will keep skies mostly clear while winds turn southerly, helping afternoon temperatures climb back into the 70s and even low 80s by Saturday — well above normal for mid-March.
A Chattooga County man was arrested following an early morning incident along Highway 48 near Fish Hatchery Road on March 4, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
A Summerville man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he used fraudulent information while applying for a Georgia driver’s license in Rome.
According to Floyd County Jail records, 55-year-old Mark Williams went to the Georgia Department of Driver Services on Martha Berry Highway in Rome on February 9, 2024, and completed an application for a driver’s license using a different name and date of birth.
Investigators said Williams then signed the application, certifying that the information he provided was correct.
Williams is charged with one felony count of false statements and writings.
State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, says rising housing costs are one of the biggest threats facing Georgia families and argues that lawmakers must act to protect homeownership opportunities across the state.
The Trion Recreation Department is reminding residents that new requirements are now in place for those wishing to use Brinley’s Dog Park in Trion.
The City of Summerville is now accepting applications for food vendors for the 2026 Celebrate Independence Festival and Fireworks.
The annual event will be held Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.
City officials say the food vendor application is now available online through the Summerville Parks and Recreation website and will remain open through April 10.
Vendors selected to participate will be notified on April 17. The cost for a 15-by-15 vendor space is $75, and the fee must be paid by June 1.
The Celebrate Independence Festival is one of the community’s biggest summer events, featuring food vendors, family activities, and fireworks.
More information and vendor applications are available at www.summervillerec.org.
As fuel prices continue to rise amid fighting in Iran, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says he is not ready to suspend the state gas tax just yet.
Kemp told reporters Tuesday that previous gas tax suspensions were “targeted and strategic,” and he does not want to overreact to what could end up being a short-term spike in prices.
The latest jump in fuel costs follows military strikes in Iran on February 28 involving U.S. and Israeli forces, which pushed oil prices sharply higher.
Kemp noted that oil briefly climbed to around $115 a barrel before falling back to about $90 a barrel. He also said the United States is producing record levels of oil and gas, which he believes provides strong long-term energy security even while prices remain vulnerable to global events.
The governor said he plans to keep watching the markets for several more days before making any decision on whether to suspend the gas tax.
Kemp has taken that step three times before. In 2022, he suspended the gas tax as prices climbed during the war in Ukraine. In 2023, he again suspended the tax as inflation hit a 40-year high. In 2024, Kemp suspended the gas tax in response to Hurricane Helene.
For now, Georgia drivers will have to wait and see whether the recent rise in gas prices becomes severe enough to prompt another temporary tax break.
Bridge Health is inviting the community to attend its 4th Annual Mental Health Candlelight Vigil this spring in Chattooga County.
The event will take place Thursday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chattooga County Civic Center. Organizers say the vigil will be an evening focused on community, reflection, and hope while supporting individuals and families on their mental health journey.
Participants will gather to light candles in honor of resilience, promote mental health awareness, and offer encouragement to those facing mental health challenges. Officials say the event is designed to remind people that no one has to face their struggles alone.
The vigil is hosted by Bridge Health with support from the Family Crisis Center and C.A.R.E.S., and community members are encouraged to attend and stand together in support of mental health awareness.
Berry College is reminding families and students to review its updated photography guidelines as prom and homecoming season brings a major increase in campus traffic.