According to information released on Tuesday afternoon, Judge Don Thompson is expected to announce his decision in the ongoing legal battle between Chattooga County government and Rocking S Farm LLC. The judge has been provided supporting briefs and memorandum of the law from both parties and will likely make a decision this morning. WZQZ News will have more information as it becomes available.
A Trion man was arrested on Friday of last week after a one-vehicle accident in Summerville. According to Summerville Police, the incident happened shortly after 8 PM when a 1999 Chevrolet S10, driven by twenty-six-year-old Jared Hegwood, left the roadway on Highway 114 near the intersection of Highway 100. When police arrived on the scene, they determined that Hegwood had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Hegwood was charged with DUI and failure to maintain a single lane and was booked into the Chattooga County Jail.
Despite low voter turnout, Chattooga County residents overwhelmingly approved the renewal of the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) in Tuesday’s election. Less than 7% of registered voters participated, but those who did showed strong support for the measure. A total of 1,016 ballots were cast, with 601 voters participating on Election Day and 415 utilizing early voting. Of those votes, 861 (84.33%) were in favor of extending the SPLOST, while only 158 (15.48%) voted against it. The SPLOST is a one-cent sales tax that is dedicated to funding specific capital projects, primarily focused on road improvements and infrastructure development throughout Chattooga County. Funds generated by the SPLOST will be distributed to the county government and the municipalities of Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, and Trion. The funds generated will be crucial for maintaining and improving roads, bridges, and other essential infrastructure components in Chattooga County.
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp has directed the Department of Public Safety to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to train all 1,100 of its sworn officers through the 287(g) Program. The announcement, delivered by Commissioner Billy Hitchens of the Department of Public Safety, aims to enhance the identification and apprehension of undocumented immigrants who pose a threat to public safety within the state.
A Calhoun woman is facing felony charges after being indicted by a Floyd County Grand Jury for allegedly engaging in sexual contact with a participant in the Floyd County Drug Court program. Erin Ranee Young, 39, was indicted on one count of sexual contact by an employee or agent in the first degree. According to the indictment, the alleged incident occurred while Young was employed as a Drug Court coordinator. The indictment accuses Young of having sexual contact with a male individual who was under the supervision of the Floyd County Drug Court as a condition of his probation. Court documents indicate the alleged incident took place sometime between July 8, 2021, and November 4, 2022. Young was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Friday and subsequently released after posting a $10,000 bond. The case is now pending further legal proceedings in Floyd County Superior Court. Further details are currently unavailable as the investigation is ongoing.
In his weekly legislative report, State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) says The Georgia House of Representatives is focusing on bills from the Senate. They passed House Bill 68, the FY 2026 budget, emphasizing education and public safety investments, particularly in literacy. HB 68 allocates $22. 7 million for literacy initiatives, including $18. 5 million for literacy coaches and $2 million for a reading screener. This budget aims to address critical needs in education and supports future development in Georgia. The bill will continue in the legislative process. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete legislative report below:
While not even 7% of the voting population cast their ballot in the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) election, those who did, voted overwhelming in favor of keeping the extra-penny sales tax.
WHAT: Weather permitting, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) maintenance crews will close the two left southbound lanes of I-75 Wednesday night into Thursday morning to repair a portion of the roadway. The work will be between mileposts 346 and 345.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 19 from 8 p.m. until Thursday, March 20 at 4 a.m.
WHERE: The two left southbound lanes of I-75 will be closed between mileposts 346 and 345.
A body was discovered at the Highway 9 Causeway boat ramp just before noon Monday, prompting a multi-agency response and a full-scale investigation. Officials from the Joint Major Crimes Unit were immediately dispatched to the scene, including representatives from the Coroner’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Centre Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Cherokee County EMA, Alabama State Troopers, the Rescue Squad, Cedar Bluff Fire Department, and Atrium Floyd Health EMS. The Center of Applied Forensics from Jacksonville State University (JSU) has also been called in to assist with the investigation, bringing specialized expertise to the scene. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office will be leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased individual, and the cause of death is currently under investigation. The body was located between the boat ramp and the dock area. Further details will be released as they become available pending the ongoing investigation. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information related to this incident to contact them immediately.
