This week, contractors working for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) commenced a significant repaving project covering approximately 11 miles of U.S. 27 and a portion of Hwy. 48. The initiative, divided into two federally funded phases totaling just over $7 million, aims to enhance safety and improve road conditions for local residents and travelers alike.
Chattooga High School is proud to announce that Jayla Rich, an exceptional senior, has been named the 2025 STAR student, with Mrs. Stephanie Ratliff recognized as her STAR teacher. This prestigious honor is awarded to the student achieving the highest SAT score while also ranking in the top 10 percent of their class, highlighting not only academic excellence but also the teachers who play pivotal roles in their educational journeys. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, established in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, has celebrated over 30,000 outstanding students across the state. In the mid-1990s, the PAGE Foundation took charge of the program, overseeing its administration and promotion, ensuring that every accredited high school in Georgia can participate in this notable academic initiative. Jayla Rich has earned the highest SAT score in her class and has chosen Mrs. Ratliff as the teacher who has had the most significant impact on her academic career. The Chattooga High School community recognizes these remarkable individuals and celebrating their contributions to academic excellence. Congratulations to Jayla Rich and Mrs. Stephanie Ratliff for their outstanding achievements!
A $10 million renovation project begins this month at the historic Prince Hall Masonic Lodge in Georgia, a key site for Black leadership. The lodge will be restored to its original state and will transform into a 16,000 square-foot multi-use space, with public access as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park.
The Summerville Police Department is currently investigating a burglary reported by local resident Jackie Askea. On Tuesday, Askea met with police to discuss the details of the incident that took place in her apartment on January 8, 2025. According to Askea, the burglary occurred between 3:15 PM and 7:00 PM while she was visiting another resident. During her absence, an unknown individual entered her locked apartment and made off with a $100 money order and $200 in cash from her pocketbook, which was left on the kitchen counter. Askea expressed her concerns about the break-in, noting that there were no signs of forced entry into her home. This has led her to believe that the perpetrator may have had a key, raising questions about who could have had access to her apartment. The incident is still under investigation.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, January 31, 2025:
The Chattooga Indians secured a definitive victory against the Armuchee Indians on Thursday night, winning 81-61. Chattooga held a significant edge in the MaxPreps Georgia basketball rankings, sitting at 260th compared to Armuchee’s ranking of 521st. The Indians are on a roll, currently enjoying a five-game winning streak on their home court. Tonight, they will face off against the Gordon Central Warriors, who come into the game riding a four-game winning streak on the road. The matchup is set to commence at 7:30 p.m., and one of these streaks is poised to come to an end. Gordon Central recently notched a solid victory against Dade County, triumphing 72-60 on Tuesday, which improved their season record to 13-7. Meanwhile, Chattooga has been on fire, winning 11 of their last 12 games and boasting an impressive 18-4 record this season. In their previous encounter on January 7th, Chattooga narrowly edged out Gordon Central, winning 53-50. Fans are eager to see if the Indians can replicate that success. Good luck to the Chattooga Indians tonight!
Northwest Georgia is preparing for a rainy morning as wet weather approaches from Alabama. The National Weather Service reports showers throughout the day, mainly before 3 PM, with temperatures around 58 degrees. Southerly winds will gust up to 25 mph and shift to the southwest. With a 100% chance of rain, residents should expect new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. Looking forward to tonight, there is a slight chance of showers from 9 PM to 11 PM before the clouds clear. The temperature will drop to about 41 degrees with calm winds shifting southwest. The weekend will start with sunshine on Saturday, featuring mostly clear skies and a high of 61 degrees, and a low around 41 degrees at night. Sunday will be even warmer, reaching about 66 degrees with clear skies into the evening and a low near 41 degrees. Next week will continue with sunny weather and temperatures up to 72 degrees on Monday. Tuesday will stay mostly sunny, while a shift to mostly cloudy conditions with a chance of showers is expected midweek.
Earlier this month, the Summerville Police Department was called to 25 Church Street to investigate a case of theft of services involving the unauthorized use of water at a mobile home. City employee Randy McNeese informed officers that the water supply to the residence had been shut off in October due to nonpayment. However, on January 10, 2025, city personnel discovered that the lock on the water meter had been cut off, indicating that the water was being illegally accessed. McNeese noted that the tampering occurred between December 27 and 28, resulting in the theft of approximately 3,700 gallons of water, valued at $106.79. Additionally, the damage caused to the lock and water meter was estimated at $230. In response to the situation, McNeese removed the compromised meter from the property to prevent further unauthorized usage.
On Wednesday, First Lady Marty Kemp announced a new law from the Office of the Governor aimed at fighting human trafficking in Georgia. This is the 10th piece of legislation focused on stopping traffickers and buyers, making Georgia safer for victims. The new bill, SB 42, closes a legal loophole that allowed traffickers to receive lesser sentences due to an overlap in laws concerning minors. This resulted from the principle of lenity, which means courts might apply the less severe sentence when the law is unclear.
