A Chattooga County woman, Kelsey Nicole Curtis, 32, of Summerville, a former inmate work detail officer at Floyd County Public Works, is facing charges of bribery and violation of oath by a public officer. The arrest warrants detail Curtis’s alleged involvement in facilitating contraband drops in exchange for cash payments. According to authorities, Curtis assisted in delivering contraband to inmates, including tobacco, rolling papers, vapes, and food. She allegedly received payment for these services via Cash App. Investigators traced the transactions back to Curtis and discovered approximately 36 payments made between June and December of 2024, totaling $1,469. The documents further revealed that Curtis transferred the illicitly obtained funds from her Cash App account to her personal bank account. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed. Curtis is currently being held at the Floyd County Jail awaiting a hearing.

WRGA contributed to this report

After a concerning E. coli warning last week, the Chattooga River is looking much cleaner, according to the latest “Swim Guide” released by the Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI). Test sites on the Chattooga River, including popular swimming spots near Lyerly and Chattoogaville, received significantly better grades this past Friday.

Read more

The Summerville City Council will convene this Monday evening at Summerville City Hall to address a packed agenda, including the highly anticipated second reading and potential adoption of the FY2025-2026 Budget Ordinance. The meeting is open to the public, with a question and answer session with the Mayor and City Council scheduled for 4:30 PM, followed by the regular meeting at 5:00 PM. Among the “Old Business” items is the final vote on the proposed city budget. Council members will also tackle a considerable amount of “New Business,” focusing significantly on the Summerville Volunteer Fire Department. The agenda includes approving an updated Volunteer Fire Department Call Attendance and Reimbursement Policy, as well as approving annual payments totaling $67,580 for the dedicated volunteer firefighters. Beyond fire department matters, the council will discuss and potentially approve several key city positions, including the Water and Sewer, Gas and Street Director. They will also consider approving pay for Interim Directors and Supervisors, as well as the Interim Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent. Rounding out the agenda, the council will review and vote on a mobile home request for 248 Dowdy Dr, award the mowing bid for the Summerville Cemetery, and approve a $14,500 payment to Atlas Roofing for roof repairs conducted at the Dewey Hoskins Gym.  Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and engage with their local government.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a second case of measles in a metro Atlanta resident who was not vaccinated. This case is linked to the initial measles case reported in May, involving an individual who contracted the disease while traveling outside the United States. The latest patient is a family member of the original case. The DPH has taken swift action to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Read more

The City of Summerville Fire Department will be conducting routine hydrant flushing from June 9th to June 11th, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This essential maintenance activity is crucial for maintaining water quality and ensuring the reliable operation of fire hydrants in case of emergency. The flushing will affect residents in North Summerville, specifically including the Hairlake Road area, the Orchard Hill Road area, and the Commerce Street area. During the flushing process, residents may experience brief periods of water discoloration. The City of Summerville assures residents that this is a normal occurrence and the water remains safe. If discoloration is observed, simply run your tap for a few minutes until the water clears. Throughout the maintenance period, Fire Department employees will be performing a series of essential tasks on each hydrant, including lubrication, flushing, and function checks. The City of Summerville thanks residents for their patience and understanding as they perform this necessary maintenance to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the community.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division invites residents to take part in the annual Turkey Poult Production Survey, also known as the brood survey, from June to August. This survey helps track wild turkey reproduction rates in the state by collecting data from citizens. Participants need to log sightings of turkey poults, hens, and gobblers during their normal activities, without making extra effort to find turkeys. Observations are valuable even if no turkeys are seen. Trail-camera data should not be included. A DNR representative states that this information aids in management decisions for a sustainable turkey population. The survey allows users to record observations on public land and to review past data through a dashboard. Interested individuals can access more resources by clicking HERE. Joining the survey supports wildlife conservation in Georgia.

Drivers should be advised concerning patchy fog this morning across Northwest Georgia. The National Weather Service advised motorists to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and increase following distance. The fog is expected to lift after 9 AM. The more significant threat arrives this afternoon and evening, with scattered strong to severe thunderstorms predicted across north and central Georgia. The primary concerns include damaging wind gusts potentially reaching 50 to 70 mph, hail up to quarter size, and the possibility of a brief tornado. Residents are urged to stay informed of weather updates and have a plan in case severe weather strikes. Otherwise, it will be party sunny today with a high in the mid to upper 80’s. The chance of showers and thunderstorms continues tonight, with new rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. The stormy weather pattern is expected to persist. Sunday will see likely showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon and evening, with a continued risk of severe weather across central Georgia, primarily from damaging wind gusts. The threat of scattered thunderstorms will remain a daily occurrence in Georgia through next Thursday, with a limited potential for severe weather each day.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, June 7, 2025:

Read more

The Fifth Annual Trion Fire Department Community Day is today from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Trion Track Field. Rositas will serve food starting at 11 AM. The event will feature live music, two large bounce houses, corn hole, a DUI beer goggles course, and many vendors. Children can try on firefighter gear and use a fire attack line at the Trion Engine 12 display. Life Force will showcase their helicopter. At 2 PM, there will be a live reenactment of a DUI crash scene with emergency vehicles and aircraft. Interested individuals can visit the recruit booth for firefighter application information. Trion Fire shirts and bracelets will be available for sale, along with raffles. Sparky the fire dog will also appear, promoting fire safety. Free smoke alarms can be requested. All profits support fire department equipment needs.

The Free Clinic of Rome is bringing vital healthcare services directly to the residents of Summerville with a free satellite clinic scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located on Middle School Road. The clinic aims to eliminate transportation barriers and improve access to healthcare for Summerville residents who often travel to Rome for care. Services offered will address a range of common health concerns including high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma, and more. Renee Blackburn, Director of the Free Clinic of Rome, is urging residents to register, as appointment slots remain available. “We want to ensure everyone who needs our services has the opportunity to access them. This local clinic is designed to make it easier for residents of Chattooga County to get the care they deserve,” Blackburn stated. Appointments are required, and walk-ins will not be accepted. To check eligibility and schedule an appointment, please call 706-234-1331. If you reach voicemail, leave a message and a clinic representative will return your call to confirm your eligibility. To qualify for services, patients must be uninsured and have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Clinic staff are available to assist individuals in determining if they meet the requirements and can provide guidance on necessary documentation. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive free healthcare services right in your community. Call today to schedule your appointment