Cannabis is the third most consumed substance in the U. S. , with legal use in 38 states. This rise in usage increases the risk of impaired driving, leading to more crashes and injuries. The AAA opposes driving under cannabis influence due to its negative impact on control and safety.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted studies to understand why cannabis users drive impaired and to create effective prevention messages. Findings showed that a majority of cannabis consumers drive regularly and believe their consumption does not significantly affect their driving abilities. Many trust messaging from cannabis industry groups.

The second study focused on creating effective messages that emphasize personal responsibility and realistic, respectful communication. Research highlights the need for tailored messaging to engage cannabis consumers and combat the dangers of impaired driving. Effective strategies should involve partnerships with the cannabis industry and utilize comprehensive public health messaging. (See complete report below):

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The Summerville City Council has officially announced the date for the 2025 “Celebrate Independence” event, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display on July 3rd. To ensure a breathtaking show, the city is now seeking bids from qualified pyrotechnics companies. According to an official “Request for Bid” (RFB-2025-113-Firework Show) released by the city, sealed bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on April 3, 2025, at Summerville City Hall, located at 120 Georgia Ave. The announcement emphasizes the importance of clearly marking all submissions with “RFB-2025-113-Firework Show” on the outside of the sealed envelope. Late bids will not be considered, and the City of Summerville is not responsible for delays caused by postal services or other delivery issues. The bids will be opened publicly during the council meeting at 2:00 p.m. on April 3, 2025, in the City Hall Council Room. City officials will then review all submissions before awarding the contract. All bids must remain valid for 30 business days. The City of Summerville is looking forward to partnering with a talented fireworks company to create a memorable and patriotic celebration for area residents in 2025. Companies interested in submitting a bid are encouraged to obtain the full bid document from Summerville City Hall, or visit www.summervillega.org for a downloadable bid packet.

Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff Jeff Shaver is excited to announce a series of upcoming community meetings to be held across Cherokee County starting now and continuing through the summer. The purpose of these community meetings is to give the citizens of Cherokee County one more way to connect with their Sheriff’s Office. During the meeting a short presentation will be made about the Sheriff’s Office so that citizens can have a greater understanding of what the Sheriff’s Office is doing and be informed on current crime trends and projects being worked on. The next community meeting will be held at the Cloudland Volunteer Fire Department on County Road 66 Saturday, March 22nd, at 4 PM. (Central).  Residents in the Cloudland Community, located in Cherokee County, Alabama, are invited to attend the meeting.  Sheriff Shaver says that the meetings are designed to hear concerns from citizens and share ways his office is working in their community.

Ever wanted to learn the sport of Pickleball? Now is your chance! The newly opened Summerville Pickleball Courts are offering introductory classes throughout the month of April. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to refine your skills, Pickleball 101 and Pickleball 201 classes are designed to cater to all levels of beginner players. Learn the rules, techniques, and strategies from experienced instructors, and discover why Pickleball is sweeping the nation. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn a fun and social sport in a brand new facility. For more information and to register for the classes, clickHERE

The Georgia State Senate has unanimously passed “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” a bill requiring all schools across the state to implement a panic button alert system. The bill, named in honor of Coach Richard Aspinwall, tragically killed in a school shooting last year, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Parkland shooting, cleared the Senate just ahead of a crucial deadline.

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Circle K is set to host an Inner Circle Fuel Day on Thursday, giving Georgia drivers a chance to win a large cash prize and save  Rewards members can enjoy savings of up to 40 cents per gallon at participating Circle K locations from 6 AM. to 11:59 PM. local time on Thursday, March 13. The event will take place across several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. To participate, customers can join the Inner Circle for free by downloading the Circle K app and creating an account. The app also features a store locator to help find the nearest participating location. In addition to fuel savings, Circle K is offering customers a chance to win $100,000 in cash. Enrollment in the giveaway automatically enters participants for a chance to win. Frequent visits to Circle K increase the chances of winning additional rewards.

Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has released a video about the upcoming SPLOST Election.  You can see the video below:

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North Georgia residents are urged to exercise caution as elevated fire dangers are expected this afternoon and into the evening. The National Weather Service warns that another Fire Danger Statement may be necessary due to dry conditions and low humidity. Relative humidity levels are predicted to drop to 25 percent or lower for at least four hours today, combined with southwest winds blowing at 6 to 12 MPH. The dry fuels in the area create a significant risk of fire ignition and rapid spread. The forecast for today is sunny skies with highs in the upper 70s. Overnight lows will dip into the upper 40s. Looking ahead, the weather pattern shifts towards unsettled conditions. Isolated thunderstorms are possible on Thursday, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 70. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher in areas affected by thunderstorms. The primary concern, however, lies with a more potent storm system expected to impact Georgia this weekend. Forecasters are closely monitoring the potential for severe weather and flooding across the state on Saturday and Sunday. While severe weather is possible throughout Georgia, the greatest threat for flooding is currently concentrated across northwestern Georgia. Residents are strongly advised to stay informed and monitor the latest weather forecasts for updates and potential warnings as the weekend approaches.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, March 12, 2025:

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