AAA is forecasting another record-setting Independence Day holiday travel period, with more than 2.4 million Georgians expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5.
Area paddlers are invited to celebrate Independence Day on the water this Friday during a Social Paddle hosted by the Chattooga River Group.
Participants will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, July 3, at Giles Road in Trion before organizing shuttle vehicles to the take-out location near the Trion Golf Course. Organizers say the float is expected to last about three hours, depending on fishing and water conditions.
Those planning to participate are encouraged to bring a personal flotation device, drinking water, and snacks for the trip. Organizers are also encouraging paddlers to show their patriotic spirit, with a free T-shirt to be awarded to the participant wearing the best patriotic outfit.
Anyone planning to attend is asked to respond to the event organizers in advance to help coordinate transportation and parking arrangements.
Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen says the county is exploring whether smaller passenger vehicles could be allowed back across the Mosteller Creek Bridge on Oak Hill Road west of Lyerly while long-term replacement plans are developed.
The Town of Trion has announced its schedule for the upcoming Independence Day holiday.
Town officials say the Business Office, Gas Department, Recreation Department, and Maintenance Department will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
Residents who normally have garbage collected on Fridays should note that Friday’s garbage route will be picked up on Thursday, July 2. All other residential garbage collection schedules will remain unchanged.
The Town reminds residents that any emergency involving the Police Department or Gas Department should be reported by calling 911, and dispatchers will notify the appropriate personnel.
Mayor Mickey McGraw and the Town of Trion wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day holiday.
With just over two weeks remaining until the annual Back to School Bash, organizers are asking the community to help fill the final gaps in school supply donations before the event takes place on Thursday, July 16, at the Chattooga High School Gym.
Organizer Maisha Ludy says donations have been coming in, but several essential classroom items are still in short supply. The greatest current needs include composition books, dry erase markers, dividers with pockets, sticky notes, and index cards.
The Back to School Bash serves students from both the Chattooga County and Trion school systems and is designed to help local families prepare for the new school year. The free event will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and will feature school supplies, free haircuts, music from DJ Marty Mart, shaved ice treats from Mort’s Brain Freeze, and opportunities for families to connect with community organizations.
Anyone wishing to donate supplies can contact Maisha Ludy through Facebook, email maishaludy@gmail.com, or by calling or texting 706-388-9849. Organizers say every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure local students begin the school year prepared and ready to learn.
The Summerville Police Department has charged an Alabama woman with driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle following a traffic stop in Summerville.
According to citations filed by the department, Nicole Renee Thacker, 23, of Cedar Bluff, Alabama, was cited after officers stopped her vehicle on June 28 on Pine Street near Highway 114. Officers allege Thacker was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe for her to drive. The citation also states that an alcoholic beverage in an open container was found in the center console cup holder while she was operating the vehicle. Court documents further indicate that Thacker was advised of Georgia’s implied consent law and refused the requested state chemical test.
Thacker is scheduled to appear in Summerville Municipal Court on September 15, 2026, to answer the charges.
Emergency crews recovered the body of 14-year-old Tyler Brown on Monday night following an extensive search at Armuchee Park on Jones Mill Road, according to the Floyd County Police Department.
Earlier in the evening, the department announced that first responders were searching for a possible drowning victim and asked the public to avoid the area while search and rescue operations were underway.
Later Monday night, authorities confirmed that emergency personnel had located Brown’s body during the search. Law enforcement officers and other emergency responders remained at the scene as the investigation continued.
Officials have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Floyd County Police Department expressed its condolences to Brown’s family and thanked the public for avoiding the area while emergency crews completed their work.
The investigation into the drowning remains ongoing.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, June 1, 2026:
A prolonged stretch of dangerous summer heat will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through the Independence Day weekend, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s and heat index values frequently topping 100 degrees.
Emergency crews recovered the body of an individual Monday night during search operations at Armuchee Park on Jones Mill Road in Floyd County.
Earlier in the evening, the Floyd County Police Department announced that first responders were searching for a possible drowning victim and asked the public to avoid the area while search and rescue operations were underway.
Later Monday night, authorities confirmed that emergency crews had located the body of an individual during the search. The scene remained active as law enforcement and other agencies continued their investigation.
The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Floyd County Police Department expressed its condolences to the individual’s family and again asked the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel completed their work.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information has been released.