In his weekly legislative report, State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) says The Georgia House of Representatives is focusing on bills from the Senate. They passed House Bill 68, the FY 2026 budget, emphasizing education and public safety investments, particularly in literacy. HB 68 allocates $22. 7 million for literacy initiatives, including $18. 5 million for literacy coaches and $2 million for a reading screener. This budget aims to address critical needs in education and supports future development in Georgia. The bill will continue in the legislative process. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete legislative report below:
While not even 7% of the voting population cast their ballot in the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) election, those who did, voted overwhelming in favor of keeping the extra-penny sales tax.
WHAT: Weather permitting, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) maintenance crews will close the two left southbound lanes of I-75 Wednesday night into Thursday morning to repair a portion of the roadway. The work will be between mileposts 346 and 345.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 19 from 8 p.m. until Thursday, March 20 at 4 a.m.
WHERE: The two left southbound lanes of I-75 will be closed between mileposts 346 and 345.
Election Day Reminder: You must vote at your assigned polling location. The Registrars Office will be open to assist you if you do not know where you are registered to vote, but you will not be allowed to vote in the Registrars Office. Polls are open from 7 am until 7 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. This is your final opportunity to vote in this election.
A body was discovered at the Highway 9 Causeway boat ramp just before noon Monday, prompting a multi-agency response and a full-scale investigation. Officials from the Joint Major Crimes Unit were immediately dispatched to the scene, including representatives from the Coroner’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Centre Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Cherokee County EMA, Alabama State Troopers, the Rescue Squad, Cedar Bluff Fire Department, and Atrium Floyd Health EMS. The Center of Applied Forensics from Jacksonville State University (JSU) has also been called in to assist with the investigation, bringing specialized expertise to the scene. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office will be leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased individual, and the cause of death is currently under investigation. The body was located between the boat ramp and the dock area. Further details will be released as they become available pending the ongoing investigation. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information related to this incident to contact them immediately.
Residents of Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama can expect mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures over the next few days, but a cold front approaching from the west will bring a chance of rain and potentially elevate fire danger, according to the latest forecasts. Currently, a high-pressure system is centered over the northern Gulf, bringing calm winds and clear skies. The National Weather Service predicts this high-pressure system will continue its eastward trajectory, moving offshore the east coast of Florida by late Wednesday. Today will see sunny skies with a high near 74 degrees and light southwest winds. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 43 degrees and a light south wind.
On Wednesday, the cold front will cross the Mississippi River by the afternoon, bringing mostly sunny skies ahead of it with a high near 77 degrees. However, southerly winds will increase to 5 to 15 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 20 mph. The approaching front is expected to bring a round of rain overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning. While instability is low due to dry air in the region, a few rumbles of thunder are possible late Wednesday. Rainfall totals are expected to be light, generally less than a quarter of an inch. Following the passage of the front on Thursday, gusty winds could lead to conditions approaching “Red Flag” criteria, especially in fire zones that receive minimal rainfall.
Elevated fire danger is expected to persist into the weekend as temperatures rise and relative humidity drops, before another weak front brings temporary relief at the end of the weekend. Specifically for Northwest Georgia, high fire danger conditions are expected this afternoon into the evening due to low relative humidities and strong winds. Relative humidity is forecast to drop to 25 percent or less for four or more hours. Southwest winds will blow at 5 to 10 MPH, with gusts as high as 15 MPH along ridgetops and peaks. Residents in these areas are urged to exercise caution and avoid activities that could spark a fire.
The Trion High School Literary Team, under the guidance of Mrs. Tina Lee, showcased their talents earlier this month at the regional competition held in Carrollton, Georgia, earning impressive accolades and a third-place overall finish. The competition featured a diverse range of events, testing students’ skills in writing, singing, and performing arts.
Georgia drivers are being warned to be wary of a surge in scam text messages falsely claiming unpaid toll violations. The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) has issued an alert after receiving numerous reports of the phishing scam, which threatens penalties or legal action if recipients fail to pay immediately. The fraudulent texts often include a URL that appears legitimate, incorporating “MyPeachPass.com” followed by random characters.
All veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam era from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975, are invited to a luncheon on Friday, March 28, 2025. The event will be at 12 noon at the Chattooga County Memorial Home, located at 818 Memorial Drive, Summerville. All Vietnam veterans are encouraged to attend and bring their families for food and fellowship. The next day, Saturday, March 29, is the official National Vietnam War Veterans Day, marking the day the last combat troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973. This holiday honors the nine million Americans who served in the war and acknowledges the support and sacrifices of their families. The luncheon on Friday is sponsored by VFW Post 6688, the auxiliary, and local volunteers. For more information, call Odell Anderson at 706-397-2394 or Barbara Reece at 706-862-2657.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced last week that his Consumer Protection Division achieved significant financial gains for Georgia in 2024, securing over $38 million for state taxpayers and a further $39.3 million in savings and restitution for Georgia consumers.
