Chattooga Teams Compete At UGA Top Hand Contest

Two Chattooga County Teams competed at the UGA Top Hand Stockmanship and Stewardship Contest  May 3rd in Forsyth, Ga.  The competition is a hands-on contest for students with real world application in the beef cattle industry.  CarolAnn Cash, Evelyn Mae Lutz and Eme McCary were named the state winners at the 4rd Annual Contest. Hannah Hasty, LeeAnna Moseley and Harmon Hasty were reserve champions.

Read more

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader Warns About Warrant Scams

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is issuing a warning to residents about a resurgence of phone scams targeting individuals with false claims of outstanding warrants. Sheriff Schrader took to social media to alert the public, stating, “It’s going around again! Scammers claiming to be Investigators and deputies with the Sheriff’s Office saying you have a warrant….Please do not respond to them, simply hang up.” The scam involves individuals posing as law enforcement officials who contact potential victims, informing them that they have an active warrant for their arrest. The scammers then attempt to coerce the victims into paying a fee over the phone to resolve the fictitious warrant. “We will NOT call you and offer to let you pay your warrant over the phone,” Sheriff Schrader emphasized. “Please, Please do not fall for this.” The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone receiving such a call to immediately hang up and report the incident to local law enforcement. Residents are reminded that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never request payment over the phone to resolve a warrant. Always verify the identity of the caller and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly if you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call.

Georgia Highlands College Announces Spring 2025 President’s and Dean’s List Honorees

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) has released its Spring 2025 President’s List and Dean’s List, recognizing students for their outstanding academic achievements. Students earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average while completing a minimum of nine semester hours of credit qualify for the President’s List. The Dean’s List recognizes students who complete at least nine semester hours and achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Several students from Chattooga County have earned this academic recognition.

Read more

LaFayette High School Vice-Principal Arrested On Child Porn Charges

Ronnie Brent Massey, 49, a vice principal and coach at LaFayette High School, was arrested on Monday, June 2nd, and is facing 10 counts of computer child pornography. The arrest was made under the “Internet Crimes Against Children Data System in reference to Child Sexual Abuse Material,” according to a report from the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Read more

Deputies Respond To Incident On Trion-Teloga Road

Lance Kadin Maynard, 19, was arrested last week, by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office and charged with simple battery and family violence. The arrest stemmed from a domestic dispute at a residence located at 5762 Trion Teloga Road. Deputies responded to a call reporting a domestic incident in progress. Upon arrival, they encountered Maynard outside the residence. According to the Sheriff’s Office report, the complainant, identified as a 19-year-old female,  stated that Maynard, after consuming alcohol, became agitated and began throwing items. The complainant attempted to calm him down, but Maynard allegedly pushed her, causing her to fall and sustain scratches to her hand and leg. She further reported that Maynard struck her on the head multiple times upon returning inside the house. Deputies noted visible damage to the exterior deck steps and observed injuries consistent with the woman’s account. Based on the evidence at the scene, Maynard was identified as the primary aggressor and taken into custody. During the arrest, deputies discovered several Michelob Ultra beers, a small bag containing less than an ounce of suspected marijuana, and a grinder inside the vehicle Maynard had been occupying. The suspected marijuana and grinder were seized and placed into evidence for destruction. Maynard was transported to the Chattooga County Jail

Georgia Welcomes Bárbara Rivera Holmes As New Labor Commissioner

Bárbara Rivera Holmes was recently sworn in as the 11th Georgia Labor Commissioner, bringing a fresh business perspective to the role and marking a significant milestone as the first Latina constitutional officer in Georgia history. Holmes, a former chamber and economic development executive with a proven track record of helping businesses thrive, promises to modernize Georgia’s unemployment system, cut red tape, and ensure businesses have access to the qualified workforce they need. “Commissioner Holmes speaks your language,” a statement from the Department of Labor declared, highlighting her experience guiding the Albany Chamber to Five-Star accreditation, placing it among the top 2% nationally through a focus on employer needs. Prior to her appointment, Holmes boasted an impressive resume, including experience as an award-winning journalist, earning Georgia Associated Press awards for excellence. She also served on the Board of Regents, overseeing Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities, and co-chaired the Georgia Innovates Task Force, helping design the state’s technology strategy. Furthermore, she received a Congressional Commendation for her outstanding contributions to Georgia’s economic development. According to a release from the Georgia Department of Labor, “with her diverse background and unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving business environment, Commissioner Holmes is poised to lead the Department of Labor into a new era of efficiency and responsiveness, ensuring Georgia remains a premier destination for businesses and workers alike”.

Trion Farmer’s Market Kicks Off Season Today

The Trion Farmer’s Market kicks off the summer season today with the market taking place at the Trion Track Pavilion.  Today at the Trion Farmer’s Market, you’ll find locally grown produce and handmade products from local vendors, including: Onions Cabbage Broccoli Beets Red potatoes Hot pepper Fresh eggs Jams/jellies Pickles Chow chow Salsa Relishes Fried pies.  Support local produce growers and vendors today at the Trion Farmer’s Market.

Arrest Report – Thursday – June 5, 2025

There were no arrests to report for Thursday, June 5, 2025 according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Partly Sunny With Slight Chance Of Showers / Thunderstorms Today

Residents of Northwest Georgia should prepare for scattered showers and thunderstorms over the next few days, with the highest potential for severe weather arriving Friday night. Today, there’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. The day will be partly sunny with a high near 85 degrees and calm winds. Tonight, the chance of precipitation drops to 10% before 8 PM, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 67 degrees. Winds will remain calm. While today and tonight are expected to be relatively mild, the forecast for Friday paints a different picture. Showers are likely, and a thunderstorm is possible between 2 PM and 5 PM, followed by a higher probability of showers and thunderstorms after 5 PM. The high will be near 89 degrees with calm winds becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%. The National Weather Service is monitoring the potential for severe storms Friday night, although forecast confidence remains somewhat low at this time. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 8 PM, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 69 degrees. The chance of precipitation remains at 60%. The wet weather is expected to continue into the weekend. Saturday brings an 80% chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms possible throughout the day. The high will be near 86 degrees with a west wind of 5 to 10 mph and gusts as high as 15 mph. Saturday night also carries an 80% chance of precipitation with showers and possibly a thunderstorm and a low around 67 degrees. Sunday will see similar conditions with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. The skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 81 degrees and a 70% chance of precipitation.

Chattooga Mountain Ed Graduation This Evening