A coalition of over 40 agricultural organizations has successfully raised $1,774,282 in a mere three months to aid Georgia farmers devastated by Hurricane Helene. The “Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund for Georgia Farmers” will provide direct financial assistance to cover losses to crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure not covered by insurance.
The Rome Tennis Center at Berry College is once again hosting a major tennis event, with the Georgia Open wheelchair tennis tournament kicking off this Wednesday. According to Sarah Williams with Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism, the professional tournament will welcome 50 athletes from 15 countries, promising a week of exciting competition.
Georgia drivers are enjoying continued relief at the pump as gas prices maintain their downward trend. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia is currently $2.94 (subject to change overnight), according to AAA.
The Trion, Summerville and Hays Correctional Fire Departments responded to a woods fire in the Back Penn Road area of Summerville on Monday afternoon, averting potential disaster. Reports of a spreading woods fire with a threat to a nearby structure prompted the swift dispatch of firefighters. Upon arrival, crews discovered the blaze had extended from the woods, engulfing an outbuilding and a camper. Firefighters quickly established attack lines and successfully extinguished the flames, preventing further spread. Their rapid response is being credited with saving a home located near the fire. The quick thinking and effective teamwork of the firefighters were crucial in containing the fire and preventing it from reaching the nearby residence. The incident highlights the increased fire risk due to dry conditions that have plagued the region for the past week, leading to a surge in wildfire reports. Authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities that could potentially spark a fire. Relief may be on the horizon, as potential rainfall is forecast for tonight, which is expected to alleviate some of the dry conditions and lower the fire risk.
Northwest Georgia residents are urged to exercise extreme caution due to elevated fire danger conditions persisting through Monday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a warning citing low relative humidity across the region. Relative humidity levels are expected to remain at or below 25% for at least four hours Monday afternoon and evening, coupled with light and variable winds shifting from east to southeast at 4 to 7 mph.
The Menlo Lions Club is preparing Brunswick Stew on Friday, March 7th and the stew will be ready for pickup at the Menlo School Cafeteria on Saturday morning from 7 AM until 10 AM. The cost is $30 per gallon or $8 per quart. Pre-ordering is advised. To order, call Lee at 706-862-2857 or Elaine at 706-844-2349. The Brunswick Stew Fundraiser helps with scholarships for seniors at Chattooga High School
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, March 3, 2025:
The Chattooga County Environmental Health Department has released its latest health inspection scores for food service establishments and tourist accommodations for the last half of February 2025. Among the restaurants inspected, The Crushed Tomato located at 205 Montgomery St, Summerville, received a score of 85. The Willow Tree Grill on Highway 48 scored slightly higher at 87. Leslie’s Burger Shack on Rome Blvd earned a respectable 88. However, Dos Maguey’s Mexican Restaurant on Commerce St needs to make some improvements, receiving a score of 74 during its inspection on February 24th. Dunya Camp, a tourist accommodation on Garvin Road, achieved a perfect score of 100 during its inspection on February 19th. The Chattooga County Environmental Health Department conducts regular inspections to ensure food safety and sanitation standards are met. These scores are indicative of the conditions present at the time of inspection. Residents with concerns or complaints regarding any food service or tourist accommodation in Chattooga County are encouraged to contact the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department directly at 706-857-3377.
A high-speed chase involving a 16-year-old driver and a 15-year-old passenger ended with a rollover accident in Chattooga County on Saturday. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the incident began at approximately 8:40 PM on Williams Cemetery Road when a trooper attempted to stop a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer for lacking a rear license plate and weaving erratically. The driver of the Blazer allegedly refused to stop, initiating a pursuit that led officers north on Williams Cemetery Road, west onto Halls Valley Road, and finally south onto Highway 27 (Georgia 1). Troopers say the driver then began traveling south in the northbound lanes of Highway 27, before crossing the median and returning to the southbound lanes directly in front of the pursuing trooper. In an effort to end the dangerous situation, the trooper executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) maneuver. The Blazer spun into the median and overturned, ultimately coming to rest on its roof. The driver, identified as a 16-year-old male, and his 15-year-old female passenger were both transported to Atrium Chattooga Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries and were later released. The Chattooga County Juvenile Justice Intake Officer was notified regarding charges against the 16-year-old driver, but authorities chose not to detain him. The investigation is ongoing.
In a unanimous decision, the justices of the Georgia Supreme Court have elected Presiding Justice Nels S.D. Peterson to serve as the state’s next Chief Justice. Peterson will succeed current Chief Justice Michael Boggs, who announced his resignation earlier this week to return to private practice in Waycross, effective after March 31st. Peterson, appointed to the Supreme Court in 2016 by then-Governor Nathan Deal, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously served as a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, general counsel for the University System of Georgia, Georgia’s first solicitor general in the Attorney General’s Office, and executive counsel to the governor. He was elected to full six-year terms in 2018 and last year, demonstrating strong confidence in his abilities. The Chief Justice in Georgia serves a four-year term, acting as the spokesperson for both the Supreme Court and the entire state judiciary. The Chief Justice also presides over the court’s oral arguments. “We are confident that Justice Peterson will serve the people of Georgia with integrity and distinction in this vital role,” a statement from the court read. In light of Peterson’s elevation, the justices also unanimously elected Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren as the next Presiding Justice
