A bill aimed at providing essential specialized training for Georgia’s first responders when dealing with individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is nearing approval.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has approved a detour route for the bridge replacement project on Buck Gardner Road at Alpine Creek in Chattooga County. The detour will last about six to nine months. The project will replace the old 35-foot bridge with a new 70-foot bridge, which will have two 10-foot lanes, 5-foot shoulders, and concrete barriers. The new bridge will be 4. 7 feet higher than the existing road and have a total width of 30 feet. The project covers around 0. 161 miles. To ensure safety during construction, an off-site detour will divert traffic from Buck Gardner Road to Oak-Hill Alpine Road and County Road (CR) 337. The detour will increase the typical commute distance from 1. 62 miles to 2. 12 miles. Residents should plan for extra travel time. Maps and details of the project and detour are available at GDOT. For questions, contact Lee Webb, Area Manager District 6, Area 4 at 770-295-6025.
Chattooga County, along with the Town of Lyerly, City of Menlo, City of Summerville, and Town of Trion, will hold a public hearing on April 22, 2025, at 2:00 p. m. at the Chattooga County Civic Center, located at 44 GA-Hwy. 48 in Summerville. This hearing starts the five-year update of their joint comprehensive plan for 2021-2025, as required by the Georgia Planning Act of 1989 and the 2018 Local Planning Requirements. This update is necessary to keep their “Qualified Local Government” status for state loans, grants, and permits. The hearing will explain the update process and encourage public involvement. A stakeholder committee will be appointed, but citizen input is highly encouraged. The draft plan will be available for review in October 2025, and the final plan aims for approval by February 2026. Residents are invited to attend and participate in the hearing.
Mark your calendars for April 9, 2025, as Chattooga County will host its annual Special Olympics, showcasing the talents of local athletes. The event will begin at 9 AM at Buddy Windle Field, the Chattooga High School Football Field. The community is invited to support these individuals as they compete. Parents, guardians, and guests are requested to sit in the away side bleachers. Kona Ice will be available starting at 9:30 AM. The Chattooga County School District welcomes everyone to participate and enjoy this day.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to launch its annual oral rabies vaccine (ORV) program in northwest Georgia, beginning April 7th, in an effort to control the spread of rabies among wildlife. This year’s effort, delayed from its usual October timeframe due to Hurricane Helene’s impact, will see over 500,000 RABORAL V-RG® ORV baits distributed across a 2,700 square mile area.
A Chattooga County woman is facing charges after a student at Armuchee Primary School in Floyd County was found to have a THC vape pen in their backpack. According to Floyd County officials, 46-year-old Amy Sue Bailey of Summerville was arrested following an investigation into the incident. Reports indicate that Bailey allegedly left the THC vape pen in the bookbag of her minor child, who attends the primary school. Authorities state that Bailey’s actions showed a disregard for the safety of the victim and those around them. Bailey has been charged with reckless conduct and was booked into the Floyd County Jail.
Chattooga County is facing ongoing economic difficulties, remaining low on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) 2025 county rankings. This annual assessment reviews each county’s economic health and affects their eligibility for important tax incentives meant to boost industrial growth in struggling areas. For more than ten years, Chattooga County has been in the lowest tier, with high unemployment, low per capita income, and high poverty rates. Although there was a slight ranking improvement three years ago, the new data shows no change in 2024 or 2025, placing Chattooga in 17th out of 159 counties. A rank of 1 is the most economically distressed, while 159 is the most prosperous. The DCA rankings are critical for distributing tax breaks to attract businesses. Neighboring counties ranked better in 2025, highlighting the need for targeted economic strategies in Chattooga. The county aims to use its Tier 1 status to attract businesses, create jobs, and improve residents’ economic conditions. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) annually ranks all 159 Georgia counties using this data to determine job tax credit tiers and identify less developed census tracts and military zones, which have incentives to encourage development. There are currently 71 counties in the state with a Tier 1 ranking.
Georgia drivers are feeling a slight pinch at the pump this week as gas prices have risen compared to the previous week. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia is currently $2.94 (subject to change overnight), a 5-cent increase from last week. While the current state average is still 5 cents lower than a month ago and a significant 41 cents lower than this time last year, the upward trend may be concerning to some.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, March 24, 2025:
Northwest Georgia residents can expect a return to sunny skies and slightly cooler temperatures today after overnight rain and thunderstorms swept through the region. The high for today is forecast to be 69 degrees, after temperatures near 80 on Sunday. Looking ahead, the remainder of the week, through Saturday, promises pleasant weather with highs in the 70s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s and 50s under mostly clear conditions. However, despite the pleasant weather, officials are urging caution due to high fire danger conditions expected throughout the week. A drier air mass moving in behind a front will cause relative humidity to plummet to 20-30% from Tuesday to Thursday. Fire danger statements are likely to be issued from Wednesday through Friday, highlighting the increased risk of wildfires. Residents are strongly advised to avoid outdoor burning and to take extra precautions to prevent any accidental ignitions. While the long-range forecast indicates a potential return of showers and thunderstorms next weekend, the timing and intensity of the rainfall remain uncertain. Forecasters currently assess the potential for severe weather as low. The main concern for the coming week remains the elevated fire risk due to the dry conditions. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about local fire weather warnings and advisories.