Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is playing host to the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) State Board Meeting this week, bringing together key leaders and stakeholders at its Floyd County Campus in Rome. The meeting, which commenced yesterday, sees State Board Members, TCSG leadership, presidents from other TCSG colleges across the state, and invited special guests convening to discuss critical issues impacting Georgia’s technical education system. Yesterday’s agenda was dedicated to crucial committee meetings, including Academic Affairs, External Affairs and Economic Development; Operations, Finance and Planning; Adult Education; Facilities and Real Estate; and Governance, Compliance and Audit. These sessions provided a platform for in-depth discussions and strategic planning to further enhance the quality and accessibility of technical education throughout Georgia. Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience GNTC’s dedication to hands-on learning firsthand, with a tour of the college’s state-of-the-art Culinary Arts, Health, and Industrial Technologies labs and programs. This showcase highlights GNTC’s commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in today’s competitive workforce. Today’s schedule is packed with significant decision-making, including an Executive Committee Meeting, a Committee of the Whole session, and a General Session. These meetings will address key policy issues and chart the course for the future of technical education in Georgia. Hosting the TCSG State Board Meeting demonstrates GNTC’s leadership role within the technical college system and its ongoing commitment to serving the educational and economic needs of Northwest Georgia and the entire state.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Clyde Strickland from Facebook

A local Mexican restaurant, Dos Maguey’s, sustained damage Tuesday after a vehicle left the roadway and crashed into the building. According to a preliminary report released by the Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office, the incident occurred in downtown Summerville. The report states that the vehicle was traveling northbound on Commerce Street when it veered off the road, initially onto the right shoulder. The vehicle then proceeded onto the sidewalk, striking a decorative Coca-Cola barrel. Continuing on the sidewalk, the vehicle then collided with a support pole of Dos Maguey’s Mexican Restaurant, located at 10020 Commerce Street, before ultimately crashing into the front of the building. The vehicle came to an uncontrolled stop following the impact. The report did not immediately specify the cause of the vehicle leaving the roadway, nor did it mention any injuries sustained as a result of the accident. The Georgia State Patrol is continuing to investigate the incident. Further details will be released as they become available.

Summerville water customers in the vicinity of Highway 48 may experience reduced or nonexistent water pressure tomorrow, Thursday, June 5th, due to a planned power outage at the water pump station. The City of Summerville announced Wednesday afternoon that Georgia Power will be replacing a power pole at the station. The power outage is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. and will temporarily halt operations at the water pump station. As a consequence, water service to nearby customers may be disrupted. The City of Summerville appreciates residents’ patience as Georgia Power completes this necessary infrastructure upgrade. Residents with any questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the City at (706) 859-0907.

After a brief reprieve, Northwest Georgia residents should prepare for a return to rain and thunderstorms starting today and continuing through the weekend. The National Weather Service is forecasting isolated to scattered storms across the region today, with some storms potentially producing heavy rainfall. Residents can also expect gusty winds up to 40 mph and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning. Temperatures will remain in the lower to mid-80s due to increased cloud cover and precipitation. The wet weather pattern is expected to continue overnight into early Thursday morning as an area of low pressure slowly tracks northeast along the Carolina coast. A frontal boundary will sink south into North Georgia by Saturday morning and stall across central Georgia Saturday night. This front is expected to remain relatively stationary through the beginning of next week, allowing numerous shortwave disturbances to move across the area. The warm, moist air mass already in place over the Southeast is expected to remain, leading to a continued forecast of scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday. Forecasters warn that the interaction between these disturbances and the frontal boundary could lead to enhanced storm coverage and intensity. High temperatures throughout the forecast period will remain in the 80s, with lows dropping into the 60s. Residents are advised to stay informed of weather updates and take necessary precautions during storm activity.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, June 4, 2025:

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Judge Jerry Westbrook, a well-respected attorney and judge in Chattooga County, passed away Saturday afternoon in a Rome hospital after an illness. He was 85 years old. Born on June 22, 1938, in Trion, Georgia, Judge Westbrook was the son of the late Wilmer Carlyle and Dorothy M. Colbert Westbrook. He dedicated over 49 years of his life to serving as the Chattooga County Juvenile Judge. He also served as interim Chattooga County State Court Judge from 2008-2009. Beyond his legal career, Judge Westbrook was a renowned wood craftsman, particularly known for his intricately carved wooden ducks. These sought-after pieces were collected throughout the South. In a 1987 interview, Judge Westbrook described wood carving as a form of relaxation, but his skill in the craft was widely admired. Judge Westbrook is survived by his wife, Judy Westbrook; sons, Parks Westbrook (Taner Ergin) and Jud Westbrook; and grandchildren Trey Westbrook and Madelyn Westbrook. A graveside and interment service will be held tomorrow, Thursday, June 5th, at 4:30 P.M. at West Hill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Earl Rainwater Funeral Home in Summerville.

Kyler Wells, a rising sophomore at Chattooga High School, is lassoing success in the demanding world of rodeo. Wells recently completed his inaugural season with the Georgia High School Rodeo Association (GHSRA) with impressive results, placing 3rd in the state in tie down roping and 5th in team roping, alongside partner Cooper Rice from Nashville, GA. He also captured the coveted title of Rookie All-Around Cowboy. His 3rd place finish in tie down roping has earned him a coveted spot at the 2025 National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR), the world’s largest high school rodeo competition, held July 13-19 at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The NHSFR draws top talent from 41 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and Australia. The GHSRA, an affiliate of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), offers students across Georgia the opportunity to embrace the time-honored traditions and unwavering grit of the cowboy lifestyle. Unlike conventional high school sports, rodeo is an individual pursuit, with no team or coach to guide the athletes. Kyler’s achievements are a testament to the unwavering support of his family, his unwavering personal discipline, and the countless hours of relentless hard work he has invested. He also carries on a family legacy, as the grandson of Charlie and Wanda Lowry, the founders of 4L Rodeo. He now sets his sights on Wyoming, ready to represent Chattooga High School and the state of Georgia on the national stage.

A Summerville man was arrested early last Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence after a traffic stop initiated by Summerville Police. According to a police report, officers were alerted to a gold-colored passenger car being driven by a potentially intoxicated individual. An officer located the vehicle traveling on Commerce Street and turning onto Kelly Street and began following it. The officer observed the vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Kelly Street and Scoggins Street, prompting a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer detected the odor of alcohol. The driver was identified as 58-yearold Tracy Barnes. Barnes exhibited signs of intoxication, including glazed eyes, dilated pupils, and slurred speech. Mr. Barnes admitted to consuming alcohol the previous night and taking “3 or 4” Xanax pills, despite being prescribed only 1 or 2. Due to his inability to follow instructions, Mr. Barnes could not complete Standardized Field Sobriety Testing conducted by Officer Goins. A breathalyzer test yielded a positive result of 0.33, significantly above the legal limit. Mr. Barnes was taken into custody, and implied consent was read for a blood sample, which he accepted. He was transported to EMS Station 12 for blood collection and subsequently transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident.

The Georgia Department of Revenue has begun issuing one-time state income tax refunds to eligible taxpayers this week, as announced by Governor Brian Kemp on Monday. This marks the third such rebate provided to Georgians this decade, following approval by the General Assembly during the recent legislative session.

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Georgia agriculture officials are continuing their plea for residents to report any sightings of the invasive yellow-legged hornet, aiming to curb the spread of the destructive insect before it establishes a stronger foothold in the state.

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