A Chattooga County man was arrested for driving under the influence last week after deputies discovered his vehicle in a ditch on Highway 48 near Menlo. According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on Tuesday, May 6th, regarding a vehicle located at 6465 Highway 48 near Pop’s Country Store. Upon arrival, deputies found the vehicle facing the roadway in a ditch. The driver, identified as Gilbert Eugene Laverne, was questioned by the responding deputy. The report states that there was no visible damage to the vehicle. The deputy initially inquired if Laverne needed assistance with a tow truck. During the conversation, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Laverne. Laverne reportedly admitted to consuming four alcoholic beverages at a bar in Rome approximately 45 minutes before. Following field sobriety tests, Laverne was placed under arrest and transported to the Chattooga County Jail. He faces charges of driving under the influence.

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in April were nearly $3. 73 billion, a decrease of $230. 4 million, or 5. 8%, from FY 2024, which totaled $3. 96 billion for the month.

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AdventHealth is excited to share that the AngioScreen bus will be available at AdventHealth Redmond on May 29, AdventHealth Gordon on June 11, and AdventHealth Murray on June 17. An AngioScreen is a noninvasive, 10-minute vascular screening designed to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke.

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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill this week that changes how intellectual disability is treated in death penalty cases in Georgia. The new law requires a judge to determine whether a defendant is intellectually disabled during a pretrial hearing. Previously, a jury made this decision while also considering the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Georgia is issuing a warning to students regarding a surge in loan forgiveness scams targeting borrowers as federal student loan repayment is set to resume on May 5th. This comes after the Department of Education announced that debt collection would recommence and clarified that there would be no mass loan forgiveness program.

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House Republicans unveiled a proposal yesterday aimed at tightening eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), triggering immediate debate and highlighting partisan divisions, particularly within the Georgia congressional delegation.

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A lucky Georgia Lottery player in Cartersville is celebrating a monumental win after hitting the Fantasy 5 jackpot for a staggering $2,488,184. The winning ticket, purchased at Food City on Joe Frank Harris Parkway SE, matched all five numbers (06-12-22-26-27) in the May 9th drawing, marking the end of a 13-draw streak without a jackpot winner. This incredible win is the largest Fantasy 5 jackpot ever awarded since the game’s inception in 1994, eclipsing the previous record of $2,394,862 won by a Claxton player on September 17, 2020. “This is a life-changing win for someone in our community,” said a spokesperson for the Georgia Lottery. “We are thrilled to see another Georgian benefit from the games and contribute to the state’s education system.” Adding to the excitement, another player also scored big on May 9th, winning nearly $100,000 playing 50X The Money Quick Win. The Cartersville jackpot winner has 180 days to claim their prize. As with all Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Powerball, Keno! and Diggi Games contribute significantly to Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship and other educational programs.

The Summerville Veterinary Clinic, Chattooga County Health Department, and Chattooga County Extension are sponsoring a Rabies Clinic this Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Chattooga County High School. Residents are encouraged to bring their dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies. The clinic will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with entry to the high school grounds accessible via Highway 100. The cost for each rabies vaccination is $10.00. This annual event provides a convenient and affordable opportunity for pet owners to protect their animals and the community from the threat of rabies. Public health officials emphasize the importance of keeping pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. Don’t miss this chance to ensure the safety and well-being of your pets.

Residents of Northwest Georgia should be aware of the potential for scattered thunderstorms today, with a risk of some storms becoming severe. The primary threat associated with these severe storms is large hail, but damaging wind gusts are also possible. The National Weather Service forecasts a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 am, followed by a slight chance of more showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm. Today will be partly sunny with a high near 83 degrees. Winds will be calm, becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon, with potential gusts reaching up to 15 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 62 degrees. Looking ahead, Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high near 86 degrees. The southwest wind will be between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Friday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 87 degrees. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 am Friday night. The weekend forecast indicates a 70% chance of precipitation on Saturday, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, followed by likely showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 am. The high will be near 84 degrees. Residents are advised to stay informed of the latest weather updates and take necessary precautions in case of severe weather.