The University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents is set to vote next week on a proposal to consolidate East Georgia State College with Georgia Southern University, marking another potential shift in the state’s higher education landscape. The proposed merger comes after years of declining enrollment at East Georgia State College (EGSC), located in Swainsboro, approximately 180 miles southeast of Atlanta. Student numbers have dwindled from around 3,000 in 2015 to just 1,826 last fall, impacting the school’s budget, which has decreased from $31.4 million to just over $24 million in the last five years.

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Northwest Georgia residents can expect a mostly sunny day today, but forecasters are cautioning about a chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and early evening. The National Weather Service predicts a 30% chance of precipitation today, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 PM, followed by another chance of showers after 5 PM. The high will be a comfortable 73 degrees, accompanied by a light south wind shifting to a southwest breeze of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 15 mph. Tonight brings a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 AM, with a slight chance of lingering showers between 2 AM and 3 AM. Expect mostly cloudy skies and a low around 46 degrees with calm winds. Rainfall amounts could range between a quarter and a half of an inch. Looking ahead, Friday offers a 40% chance of showers after 2 PM, but the day will be mostly sunny with a high near 65. The west wind will blow at 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The weekend promises sunnier conditions. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 63, accompanied by a north wind of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday night will be clear with a low around 37. Sunday will be sunny with a high near 71, followed by a clear night with a low around 46. Monday is expected to be sunny with a high near 81.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, April 10, 2025:

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The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted three defendants who were caught attempting to meet with minors for illegal sexual encounters in an online sting operation. Each of these individuals, who believed they were speaking with children, were in fact communicating with law enforcement officers posing as minors.

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A 23-year-old Summerville man is facing charges after police were called to a break-in attempt on Northwest Congress Street last week.  According to a report released by the Summerville Police Department, a homeowner alerted police that someone was attempting to break into her home through a window.  When an officer arrived on the scene and spoke with the complainant, she told the officer that Jordan Green was attempting to enter her home through a window and had ran behind the house.  The officer found Green in the backyard of the residence.  Green took off running when he saw the officer and attempted to hide behind a fence.  The officer apprehended Green and noticed that Green had cut his hand on broken glass from the window.  Green was transported by EMS to the Chattooga Emergency Department and Summerville Police took out warrants for his arrest in connection with the break-in attempt.

For several generations, children in Chattooga County have enjoyed the community spirit and faith at Camp Hamby, a day camp run by local United Methodist Churches. Registration for the 2025 camp season is now open.

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For eight decades, Troop 7 Summerville has been a cornerstone of the community, dedicated to instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law in generations of young people. The troop is proud to announce its 80th anniversary celebration, inviting past and present Scouts, Scouters, sponsors, and the community to join in commemorating this significant milestone. Since its inception, Troop 7 has prepared countless young individuals to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives. The troop has been generously supported by several dedicated sponsors, including Harriet & Henderson Mills / Geneva Mills (31 years), the Summerville-Trion Rotary Club (5 years), and its current long-standing sponsor, Summerville First United Methodist Church (44 years). Over the past 80 years, Troop 7 has witnessed remarkable achievements, with a total of 86 young men earning the prestigious Eagle Scout Rank, a testament to the troop’s commitment to excellence and leadership development. The community is invited to join Troop 7 in celebrating 80 years of Scouting on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Summerville Scout Hut. Guests will have the opportunity to journey through the troop’s rich history and discover what Troop 7 is currently up to. This promises to be a memorable event filled with camaraderie and a celebration of the enduring impact of Scouting in Summerville.

A new non-profit organization, Georgia Utility Watch, launched Tuesday with the mission of advocating for reform in Georgia’s utility sector and lowering energy bills for consumers served by Georgia Power. This launch comes after a recent study alleged that Georgia Power, which serves millions of customers across the state, made nearly $2 billion in 2022 while also having some of the highest power shutoff rates in the nation.

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State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), has released his final weekly legislative report for the 2025 session of the Georgia General Assembly.  According to Rep. Lumsden, the Georgia General Assembly met for its final week on March 31, 2025, passing important bills for Governor Kemp’s approval. Key legislation includes House Bill 268 for school safety and a $37. 8 billion budget. Other significant bills address insurance requirements, rural hospital grants, mental health oversight, and death penalty cases. Governor Kemp has 40 days to act. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:

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