On Thursday evening, Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader released a statement to local media saying that Lookout Mountain District Attorney Clay Fuller met with Sheriff Schrader and Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson and said that the investigation involving Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen and a Kentucky truck driver should be investigated by an agency outside the judicial circuit.
On Tuesday of this week, Summerville Police observed a vehicle making a wide turn onto Tyler Street and believed the driver might be impaired. Police followed the vehicle on Tyler Street and observed the driver of the vehicle crossing the yellow line and driving in both lanes of traffic. After performing a traffic stop, the officer noticed visible signs of impairment and the driver, identified as 32-year-old Brandyn David Holt, admitted to having just drank “3 beers”. Inside the vehicle, the officer noticed an 8-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy. After failing field sobriety tests, Holt was arrested on charges of DUI and DUI Child Endangerment and was booked into the Chattooga County Jail.
From Chattooga FFA Director David Yarbrough:
We would like to invite everyone to the CHS greenhouse next Thursday and Friday (March 27 & 28) to kick off this year’s greenhouse sale from 8 am – 5 pm.
The greenhouse is located behind CHS. Turn in at the bus loading drive next to the tennis courts and continue past the wrestling room through the black gate in the back. The greenhouse will be in view to the right after entering through the black gate.
We appreciate your continued support!
A pair of Georgia bills aimed at lowering the state income tax rate and providing an additional refund to taxpayers are awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature. The state Senate approved House Bill 111 and 112, part of a tax rebate package that the Republican governor has prioritized.
Rebecca Hood, former chair of the Gordon County Commission, and her husband, Scott Adrian Hood, have been indicted this week following years of investigations into child abuse allegations. Rebecca Hood faces one count of first-degree cruelty to children, while Scott Adrian Hood has been indicted on one count of child molestation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) previously arrested and charged the couple on October 31, 2024, with cruelty to children. Rebecca Hood, 50, and Scott Hood, 56, both of Calhoun, GA, were initially booked into the Gordon County Jail. The investigation began on January 26, 2021, at the request of the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, following allegations of sexual and physical abuse of the Hoods’ adopted children. At the time of the allegations, Rebecca Hood was serving as a County Commissioner for Gordon County. The GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun is continuing its active and ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the office at 706-624-1424. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. The completed case file will be handed over to the Blue Judicial Circuit (Cherokee County) District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) released its unemployment figures for January 2025. While new unemployment claims in the county are down year-over-year and month-over-month, Chattooga’s unemployment rate sits significantly higher than both the state average and neighboring counties in Northwest Georgia. According to the GDOL report released Thursday, 363 Chattooga County residents filed new unemployment claims in January. This represents a decrease compared to December 2024 and January 2024. However, the county’s unemployment rate for January reached 4.1%, exceeding the Northwest Georgia region’s average of 3.4%. Neighboring counties showcase a healthier economic landscape. Floyd County recorded an unemployment rate of 3.4%, while Walker County boasted a rate of 3.2%. The stark contrast underscores the unique challenges facing Chattooga County’s workforce. In a statement, GDOL Interim Commissioner Louis DeBroux acknowledged the situation, saying, “Georgia’s success is driven by its people, and we remain committed to supporting them every step of the way. While job growth has faced challenges this month, key industries across the state continue to offer opportunities for hardworking Georgians. Even with the rise in unemployment, our mission remains clear—helping Georgia’s workers find and keep meaningful employment in every corner of our state.”
Trion City Schools has released enrollment information for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Parents of students in grades 1-12 are encouraged to complete the online enrollment process by the deadline of March 26, 2025.
She was often surrounded by controversy and became well-known for her unusual actions. Anne Clay Otwell, better recognized as Serpentfoot, passed away at the age of 91. Her granddaughter, Ericka Otwell, shared that Serpentfoot was a strong-willed person who always stood up for her beliefs, no matter how unpopular they were. She had a deep love for nature, enjoyed attending Native American festivals, and loved outdoor activities like fossil hunting.
Tragedy struck the Barwick-LaFayette Airport in Walker County, Georgia, Thursday afternoon, as a low-wing plane crashed on the runway, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. LaFayette Public Safety Director Stacey Meeks has confirmed the fatalities. The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. as the small, private plane attempted to land at the north end of the runway. Director Meeks stated that there were “no survivors.” While authorities are still working to officially identify the victims, Meeks indicated that the plane “appears to be occupied by 2 people.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the aircraft as a Cirrus SR22. The FAA is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with the investigation. The NTSB will lead the inquiry and is expected to release further information as the investigation progresses.
Residents of Northwest Georgia are waking up to temperatures in the mid-50’s this morning, but temperatures will cool throughout the day. A Fire Danger Statement has been issued today due to strong winds after light rain moves through the area. The National Weather Service warns that west winds, sustained at 10-15 mph and gusting up to 30 mph, may create fire hazards in the area. The day starts sunny but will become mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 47 degrees. Tonight, the northwest wind will blow at 5-10 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, with an overnight low of about 31 degrees under partly cloudy skies. Widespread frost is expected before 9 AM on Friday and a Freeze Warning is in place for tonight into Friday morning. Friday will be sunny, reaching a high near 63 degrees with light westerly winds. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low around 38 degrees. Saturday will stay sunny with a high near 71 degrees. There are fire weather concerns from Friday to Sunday, with low humidity expected. Frost and freeze advisories are in place for Thursday night and Friday morning in parts of north and central Georgia. Residents are advised to be cautious with any ignition sources, like outdoor fires or spark-causing equipment, due to the increased fire risk.
