A City of Summerville employee has been terminated following an arrest stemming from a domestic altercation at his home in the Armuchee community three weeks ago. Christopher Larry Tuggle, 48, was dismissed from his position by Summerville City Manager Jason Winters due to a violation of city policy. According to Floyd County law enforcement reports, Tuggle and Keri Ann Mullins, 29, were both arrested at their residence on Warren Road on April 25th, after a verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation. Police reports indicate that Mullins sustained a bruise on her lip and a bump on the back of her head, while Tuggle suffered cuts to his cheek, neck, and left hand. Both individuals were charged with battery. City Manager Winters cited Tuggle’s arrest as a clear violation of city policy, leading to the decision to terminate his employment. Tuggle has retained Summerville Attorney Steve Miller to represent him in appealing the termination decision.

Just over five months remain until the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and other top aviators take to the skies of Rome, Georgia for the 2025 Wings Over North Georgia air show.

Read more

The Summerville Main Street program has postponed the Ducky Derby, planned for today, due to safety concerns over severe weather. Summerville Main Street Manager Susan Locklear announced this decision after seeing forecasts for heavy rain and thunderstorms. The event will now take place on Saturday, June 7th, alongside the Double Steam Engine Train arrival and Cowboy Western Heritage Festival.

Law enforcement officials in Georgia are urging residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman was defrauded of over $47,000 in a sophisticated scam originating from a seemingly harmless online crossword puzzle. According to the Johns Creek Police Department, the victim was completing a crossword puzzle online when a pop-up message directed her to call a specific phone number.

Read more

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper announced this week an active investigation into a large-scale, multi-state cattle theft scheme, urging potential victims to contact authorities immediately. The Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement is seeking information on any individuals who may have been defrauded by Garrett Hill, also known as Jared Smith.

Read more

Georgia-Pacific announced it will permanently close its containerboard mill in Cedar Springs, Georgia, leading to the layoff of all 535 employees, with most job losses occurring by August 1. There is no fixed schedule for the shutdown, as production will continue to fulfill customer commitments until a safe closure is achieved.

Read more

Georgia is poised to become the 13th state in the US to legalize human composting, also known as terramation, offering residents a more environmentally conscious option for end-of-life arrangements. Governor Brian Kemp recently signed the groundbreaking bill into law, paving the way for a more sustainable alternative to traditional burial and cremation. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1st. Supporters of human composting hail it as a natural and responsible way to honor loved ones. By accelerating the natural decomposition process using organic materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw, the method transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil within a few months. This soil can then be used by families to plant trees, nourish gardens, or even contribute to conservation efforts. “This law will allow funeral homes and other businesses to establish composting facilities within Georgia,” a spokesperson stated, highlighting a key benefit of the legislation. Prior to this, Georgians interested in human composting were forced to transport bodies to West Coast states where the practice was already legal, adding significant expense and logistical complexity.

GNN/AJC

Trion City Schools are celebrating a remarkable achievement, having been presented with a total of four state awards by the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE). Trion Elementary, Trion Middle, and Trion High Schools each received the prestigious Masters of Mathematics award, recognizing their exceptional implementation of Georgia’s K-12 Mathematics Standards and outstanding student achievement in mathematics. Adding to the accolades, Trion Middle School was also honored with the Literacy Leaders award, acknowledging the school’s significant strides in improving student reading proficiency. The awards were presented by Dr. April Aldridge, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the GDOE, during a special ceremony. “These awards are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our teachers, staff, and students,” said Dr. Phil Williams, Superintendent of Trion City Schools. “We are incredibly proud of the progress our schools have made in both mathematics and literacy, and we are committed to continuing to provide our students with a high-quality education.”

Northwest Georgia residents should prepare for the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms late tonight. The National Weather Service is forecasting a line of storms to enter the region, bringing with it the potential for damaging wind gusts, hail, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rain. The primary threat associated with these storms is damaging wind. Residents are advised to secure loose outdoor objects and be aware of the potential for downed trees and power lines. Today will be mostly cloudy with a high near 87 degrees. A southwest wind of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph, is expected. The chance of precipitation tonight is 70%. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 4 am, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 am. The low will be around 67 degrees with a south wind of 5 to 10 mph, and gusts as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are expected, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. The unsettled weather pattern is expected to continue into the weekend. Saturday brings a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 87 degrees. Sunday also has a 60% chance of precipitation. While Monday offers a slight respite, with only a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, May 16, 2025:

Read more