A coordinated effort by the U.S. Forest Service, the Georgia Forestry Commission, and local fire departments kept busy over the weekend battling significant wildfires that erupted in both Chattooga and Floyd Counties. The first blaze broke out on Saturday on Dirtseller Mountain, located in southeastern Chattooga County.
Georgia’s turkey season starts this weekend, with hunting on private lands beginning March 29th and on public lands starting April 5th. Hunters in the state are preparing to seek out wild turkeys, hoping for good results similar to last year, when 140 turkeys were harvested in Chattooga County. Georgia has over 130 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for hunting but hunters are advised to research the WMAs beforehand, as each has specific requirements and regulations regarding hunting times and the number of hunters allowed. A complete list of WMAs and properties open for hunting can be found in the Georgia hunting regulations online. A Georgia DNR spokesperson emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific WMA rules since they differ by location. For private land hunters, obtaining landowner permission is necessary. The Georgia Wildlife Turkey Harvest Dashboard shows a total of 11,593 turkeys harvested statewide in 2024, with Polk, Union, and Pickens counties leading in numbers. Safe hunting practices and respect for wildlife are encouraged.
A delegation of talented students from Trion High School made a strong showing at the National Beta State Convention this March, returning home with well-deserved recognition in multiple academic and artistic categories. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence resulted in outstanding performances across a range of competitions.
The City of Summerville has approved buying new activated carbon material for its water filter plant to ensure safe drinking water. During a city council meeting, officials agreed to upgrade the filtration system. City Water Superintendent Jason Greene announced that the city will replace 20,000 pounds of spent carbon in filters three and four. This replacement aims to target harmful PFAS chemicals. City Manager Jason Winters highlighted the upgrade’s importance in the city’s water protection strategy. The cost for the carbon replacement is $72,000, reflecting Summerville’s commitment to maintaining water quality.
North Georgia EMC (NGEMC) is warning its members about a scam involving individuals pretending to be from the utility’s “financial department. ” One customer reported receiving a call where the scammer aggressively asked for money for an alleged outstanding balance. The caller sent barcodes for the victim to scan for payments and insisted on cash to avoid traceable transactions. An NGEMC spokesperson mentioned that scammers often pressure their victims to act quickly, creating a sense of urgency that prevents them from verifying the claims. NGEMC stresses that it will never call to demand immediate payment. Members are advised to hang up if they feel pressured to pay and to call NGEMC directly using a published number. Do not use any contact information provided by suspicious callers. NGEMC also notes it will never request cash payments. Customers should stay alert and report any suspicious activities to NGEMC and local law enforcement. If you suspect a scam, call the NGEMC Office in Trion at 706-734-7341.
Timmy S. Stephens, of Newnan, Georgia, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $360,000 over a 20-year period. Stephens claimed he was unable to work due to a cardiac condition, but was secretly employed at a local funeral home.
Residents of Northwest Georgia are being warned of high fire danger conditions this afternoon and into the evening due to strong, sustained winds. The National Weather Service is strongly discouraging all outdoor burning activities. South-southwest winds are expected to blow steadily at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching 20 to 25 mph. These conditions, combined with dry vegetation, significantly increase the risk of wildfires. While isolated thunderstorms are anticipated tonight, severe weather is not currently predicted. There is a 90% chance of precipitation tonight with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Today, temperatures are expected to reach a high near 77 degrees today under sunny skies, cooling to a low around 53 degrees tonight. The fire danger is expected to subside on Monday, with a 30 percent chance of showers mainly before 7 am and a high near 69 degrees. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and refrain from any activities that could potentially ignite a fire until conditions improve.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, March 23, 2025:
Cherokee County, Alabama District Attorney Summer Summerford announced last week that Pero Markis, a Serbian national, was convicted on March 18, 2025, for Trafficking in Illegal Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Promoting Prison Contraband in the second degree, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has appointed Lindsey Momon, a resident of Trion, as the new director of the county’s Animal Control facility. Commissioner Andy Allen says that he sought input on the decision, including recommendations from the Summerville Veterinary Clinic and that he chose Momon for her passion for helping animals. Her first tasks include cleaning and repairing the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, as well as planning for its future. Momon aims to involve volunteers in socializing adoptable animals. Commissioner Allen appreciated local veterinary input in selecting her. Momon has a diverse background, including 10 years as a jail officer and various certifications in emergency medical response and law enforcement.
