Tractor Trailer Takes Out Fire Hydrant In Summerville

On Tuesday of last week, a tractor trailer traveling on East Washington Street attempted to make a turn onto Highland Avenue and took out a fire hydrant.  Summerville Police responded to the scene and said that there was no major damage to the truck, but the damage to the fire hydrant caused water issues for area residents until the hydrant could be repaired by the Summerville Water Department.  The driver of the truck was listed as 59-year-old Darril Stone of Roberta, Georgia.  According to police, the 2015 Freightliner that caused the accident is owned by the State of Georgia.

Two Chattooga County Schools Flagged as Lowest-Performing- Students May Qualify for Private School Vouchers

The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) has released its updated list of lowest-performing public schools in Georgia, and two schools within the Chattooga County School System have been identified: LeRoy Massey Elementary School and Summerville Middle School. This designation means that students zoned for these schools may be eligible to receive a $6,500 voucher to attend a private school, as part of the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act approved by lawmakers last year. The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act aims to provide educational options for students in persistently underperforming schools. Parents of students zoned for LeRoy Massey Elementary School and Summerville Middle School are encouraged to explore the potential benefits of utilizing the voucher to enroll their children in a private school setting. Further information regarding eligibility requirements and the application process for the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act can be found on the GOSA website. The Chattooga County School System is also expected to release details and resources for parents in the coming days.

Georgia Senate Passes Tort Reform Bill

A bill proposing major changes to Georgia’s legal system passed the Georgia Senate last week with a 33-21 vote after a compromise was added about how juries calculate medical damages.

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GNTC President’s & Dean’s List For Fall 2024 Semester Announced

Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is pleased to announce the students who have earned a place on the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2024 semester.

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Chattooga County To Host Adult Spelling Bee To Benefit Literacy Council

The Chattooga Literacy Council is hosting its annual Adult Spelling Bee on March 4th at 7 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center. This promises to be an evening of fun, excitement, and friendly competition, all while supporting a vital cause. Teams of three will battle it out for the coveted Spelling Bee trophy, a symbol of linguistic prowess that they will proudly hold until next year’s competition. The entry fee per team is $300, and refreshments will be available throughout the evening. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Chattooga County Literacy Council’s important initiatives. Funds raised will provide GED scholarships for county residents, ensure every third-grade student in the area receives a dictionary, support the Book Bag Program, and keep local little libraries stocked with books for readers of all ages. Don’t have a team but still want to participate? Contact the Chattooga County Literacy Council at 678-640-2050 to complete an application or visit the Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Chattooga County Family Displaced After Early Morning House Fire On Sunday

An early morning house fire on Sunday has left a Chattooga County family of four displaced from their home. Fire crews responded to a residential structure fire on Mountain View Road in Trion around 4:30 AM.  Multiple agencies, including the Trion, Summerville and Hays Correctional Fire Departments, Artium Health Floyd EMS, and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on scene to find heavy fire and smoke billowing from the front of the residence. Firefighters quickly deployed a fire attack team and were able to bring the blaze under control. The American Red Cross has been notified and is providing assistance to the family. One male subject was transported to the Chattooga County ER by Artium Health Floyd EMS for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. He has since been transferred to the Wellstar Cobb Medical Center burn unit. No further updates on his condition are currently available. Authorities are asking the community to keep the affected family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Milder Weather On The Way For Northwest Georgia

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia says that weakening high pressure over the state will keep it dry during the day, with clouds increasing this afternoon and rain arriving tonight. Satellite images show mid to high-level clouds moving across the area this morning, which will lessen, leaving mostly clear skies by daybreak.

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Arrest Report – Sunday – February 23, 2025

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, February 23, 2025:

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Donations Sought for Jeff Owings Memorial Scholarship Fund To Support Aspiring Welding Students

The Jeff Owings Memorial Scholarship Fund is seeking donations to continue supporting senior welding students at Chattooga High School. Those interested in contributing can make donations at any United Community Bank location, earmarking the funds specifically for the scholarship. Applications for the scholarship will be accepted from CHS senior welding students in May.

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Wanted: Public Comment On Conserving Georgia’s Wildlife

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking public feedback on the updated State Wildlife Action Plan, available for review from February 19 to March 21 at https://georgiawildlife.com/WildGeorgiaSWAP. Initially created 20 years ago, this plan aims to protect native animal and plant species from becoming rare and costly to conserve. It identifies important species, such as gopher tortoises and bald eagles, and includes their habitats.

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