Students from across Chattooga County recently attended the Georgia FFA Convention thanks to the generous support of the Chattooga County Farm Bureau. Students from Chattooga High School, Menlo, Lyerly, and Summerville Middle School participated in the three-day event, immersing themselves in the state’s largest agricultural gathering.
Organizers are planning the 5th Annual Chattooga County Plant Swap, set to take place on Saturday, May 3rd, from 2 PM to 6 PM at Teloga Springs Farm. This popular local event, known for its vibrant community atmosphere and diverse range of plants is open to the public and anyone interested in gardening is invited to attend. In addition to the plant and seed swap, there will be local vendors and food vendors as well. The Chattooga County Plant Swap offers free admission, making it a perfect opportunity for families, gardening aficionados, and food lovers alike. The event is held at 6327 Trion Teloga Road in the Teloga Community.
Kris Willis, a lifelong resident of Chattooga County with nearly three decades of experience in municipal government, was recently appointed Mayor of Menlo by the city council. Willis steps into the role previously held by Allen Keen, who resigned to dedicate more time to family and business pursuits. Willis was appointed to the position earlier this month and has taken over the responsibilities as the City of Menlo’s Mayor.
Residents of Chattooga County will notice significant changes in their upcoming property tax assessment notices this year, a direct result of the newly implemented Georgia House Bill 92. The legislation aims to improve transparency and provide property owners with earlier notification regarding potential tax obligations.
James Burton Crawford, 50, of Woodstock, was arrested by Bartow County deputies and charged with 40 counts of unlawful surveillance, according to authorities. The charges stem from alleged incidents occurring between June 2 and August 26, 2023. The investigation began in October of last year after a detective with the Adairsville Police Department met with a complainant regarding a hidden camera discovered inside a restroom at the Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service satellite office on Legacy Way in Adairsville. A part-time paramedic reportedly noticed a suspicious clock on a restroom shelf and, upon closer examination, found it contained a hidden camera and an SD card. According to reports, the company’s IT department reviewed the footage and allegedly discovered video of Crawford, a Metro paramedic, moving the camera within the restroom and adjusting its positioning. Crawford was booked into the Bartow County Jail but has since been released on a $50,000 bond. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
Georgia drivers are seeing a small drop in gas prices, with the current average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at $2. 91. This marks a decrease of 1 cent from last week, 4 cents from a month ago, and 49 cents from last year. Filling a 15-gallon tank now costs about $43. 65, saving drivers around $8. 00 compared to last year’s prices. Montrae Waiters from AAA explains that low crude oil prices are keeping pump prices stable.
Commissioner Andy Allen is facing a criminal warrant application filed against him in the Magistrate Court of Chattooga County. The application stems from an alleged incident that occurred on March 3, 2025, and was filed by William Wilson of Annville, KY.
Here is an arrest summary report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for April 25-28, 2025:
Northwest Georgia residents can expect mostly sunny skies today, with a high temperature near 81 degrees. A gentle southeast wind will blow between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 15 mph. Tonight will bring partly cloudy conditions and a low of around 60 degrees. The southeast wind will calm to around 5 mph. Tuesday will see mostly cloudy skies return, with a high again near 81 degrees. A south wind will be light, around 5 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 60 and calm winds. The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. While a strong storm or two is possible, severe weather is currently considered unlikely during this period. The potential for more widespread thunderstorm activity increases significantly on Friday. Forecasters advise residents to monitor weather updates closely, as a few strong or even severe storms cannot be ruled out at the end of the week.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says that a family is searching for a missing teenager who was last seen in the Teloga area. The girl’s name is Lindsey Bryson and she goes by “Lou”. Her family believes she may be in Summerville, Trion or the Rome area. Anyone with information should contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office at 706-857-3411.
