Chattooga County School Nutrition is launching its Summer Feeding Program tomorrow, offering free meals to all children aged 18 and under throughout the county. The program aims to combat childhood hunger during the summer months when school is out of session.
Georgia may be known as the “Peach State,” but a new fruit has taken the crown. Blueberries have officially become Georgia’s number one fruit crop in terms of farm gate value, surpassing even the beloved peach, according to recent agricultural data. This signifies a significant shift in the state’s agricultural landscape, with the blueberry industry now contributing more to Georgia’s economy through agricultural sales than its peachy counterpart. The surge in blueberry dominance is driven by several factors. The industry generates substantial revenue, solidifying its position as the top fruit crop. Furthermore, the industry’s expansion can be largely attributed to steadily increasing consumer demand for the healthy and versatile berry. Production has also seen significant growth in recent years, allowing Georgia blueberries to flood markets both locally and nationally. While Georgia’s blueberry industry is booming, it’s important to note that the state isn’t the nation’s leading producer. Washington and Oregon still hold the top spots when it comes to overall blueberry production volume. However, Georgia’s rise to the top in terms of farm gate value demonstrates the impressive economic impact of its blueberry industry and underscores the growing importance of blueberries to the state’s agricultural future.
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia decreased last week, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor. The dip offers a positive sign for the state’s labor market. New jobless claims, a key indicator of layoffs, fell to 4,428 for the week ending May 24th, a decline from the previous week’s figure of 4,716. This positive trend in Georgia contrasts with national figures, which saw a rise in unemployment claims. Across the United States, new jobless claims increased to 240,000 last week, an increase of 14,000 from the prior week’s 226,000, based on seasonally adjusted figures. Among the states, North Dakota experienced the most significant percentage increase in weekly claims, surging by a dramatic 187.7%. Conversely, Wyoming saw the largest percentage decrease, with claims falling by 24.6%. While Georgia’s numbers offer encouragement, economic analysts continue to monitor national trends and regional variations for a comprehensive understanding of the labor market’s overall health.
The Trion Town Council is advancing plans for a dog park, inspired by the vision of a late resident, Brinley Corbin. At a recent meeting, resident Arden Wood raised concerns about health and safety issues related to the park.
Sabrina Leigh Talley, 32, of Lafayette, GA, was arrested on multiple charges following a traffic stop on Oak Hill Road in Lyerly. According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed a white Chevrolet Suburban crossing the double yellow lines several times while patrolling Oak Hill Road. A traffic stop was initiated near the 600 block of Oak Hill Rd. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Sabrina Talley, and requested her driver’s license. While speaking with Talley, the deputy noticed a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle when the door was opened. After informing Talley of his intent to search the vehicle due to the odor, Talley admitted to a burnt marijuana joint being located in the center console. During the search, the deputy also discovered a cut straw with white residue. Initially claiming the straw belonged to her husband and he used it to snort pills, Talley later admitted to having a half of a Percocet pill in her bag on the passenger seat, claiming she was taking pills in anticipation of an upcoming surgery. The deputy located a half pill in a plastic bag inside a bag on the front passenger seat. Talley was subsequently arrested and charged with Failure to Maintain Lane, Possession of Less Than an Ounce of Marijuana (Misdemeanor), Possession of Drug Related Objects, and Possession of Schedule II Drug(s). Talley was allowed to arrange for someone to retrieve her vehicle from the scene. She was then transported to the Chattooga County Jail.
The Summerville Police Department is investigating the reported theft of a prescription medication from Atrium EMS Station 12, located at 200 Stockade Road. Officers were dispatched to the station on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at approximately 7:15 PM following a report filed by the victim, an employee of the EMS station. According to the police report, the victim stated she had left her prescription of Phentermine, a medication often used for weight loss, on a table in the station’s day room. The medication, a full bottle containing 30 pills, was last seen on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at approximately 8:00 AM. Captain Daniel Helton and Lieutenant Steve Groves reportedly observed the prescription at that time. Upon returning to work on Wednesday, the victim discovered the prescription was missing. A thorough search of the building and its refuse containers proved unsuccessful in locating the medication. The Summerville Police Department is currently investigating the incident.
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding local farmers of the crucial requirement to file Form 2290, even if they qualify for an exemption. This applies to vehicles designed and registered for agricultural use, and used more than 50% for farming activities like moving crops, equipment, and supplies. “We get audited on these forms every year,” stated Commissioner Hampton. “Even if you’re exempt, we have to turn them in or show that you’ve already filed for the year. It’s essential for compliance.” To claim the exemption, farmers need to submit Form 2290, marking it as ‘Exempt – Agricultural,’ along with the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), proof of agricultural registration, and mileage logs or farm-use documentation. A helpful tip: if your agricultural vehicle drives 7,500 miles or less annually on public roads, it most likely qualifies for the exemption. Farmers can find more information and file Form 2290 quickly and easily by visiting the Trucking Tax Center on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
Northwest Georgia residents can finally look forward to a dry and sunny weekend after enduring a prolonged period of near-daily rainfall and thunderstorms. After a cool morning with temperatures in the mid-50s, the region is poised for a welcome respite. The shift is attributed to a deep mid-to-upper-level trough axis positioned along the Eastern Seaboard, ushering in northwesterly airflow across the Southeast. This weather pattern will bring drier air, with dew points dropping from the 60s to the 50s. Expect high temperatures to hover around or slightly below the average for late May, generally reaching the 80s, excluding mountainous regions. While clear skies are anticipated, a hazy or smoky appearance might be present due to wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada. However, the sunny break won’t last indefinitely. Cloud cover will gradually increase from west to east on Sunday, as a shortwave trough moves southeast across the Lower Mississippi River Valley and Gulf Coast states. This could lead to isolated to widely scattered showers and storms on Sunday afternoon and evening. Looking ahead, dry weather and a warming trend are predicted from Monday to Wednesday. Unfortunately, the oppressive humidity and the possibility of scattered thunderstorms are expected to return during the latter half of next week
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, May 31, 2025:
Summerville Police are investigating a significant theft targeting a substation on Maple Drive. On May 26, 2025, officers responded to a call at the substation after employees of Electra Grid discovered a break-in. Police found evidence of forced entry, including a cut perimeter fence and open truck compartments. An inventory revealed a substantial loss of tools and equipment. Later the same day, officers were called back to the location after Georgia Power employees discovered their metal storage container had also been breached. Reels of copper wire were reported missing. The stolen items from Electra Grid include: 3 rolls of #6 poly wire, 6 rolls of #6 copper wire, Milwaukee impact driver and grinder, Buckingham climbing gear, Multiple Stihl and Milwaukee chainsaws, Milwaukee batteries, Coated copper wire, various lengths of “Macks”, grounding equipment, Mack heads, secondary straps, and various hand tools from Milwaukee and Klein. The total estimated value of the stolen goods is currently being calculated. Summerville Police are urging anyone with information about these thefts to contact the department immediately. The investigation is ongoing.
