The Georgia Department of Education has launched a CTAE Advantage Dashboard to provide accessible and clear data on Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) at state and district levels, as announced by State School Superintendent Richard Woods. The dashboard highlights the positive effects of Georgia’s CTAE programs on literacy, graduation, and postsecondary placement rates.
On Monday evening, a sizable crowd gathered at the Chattooga County Ag Center to discuss a permit issue raised by Commissioner Andy Allen regarding a poultry house in the Gore Community. Some residents surrounding the proposed chicken operation are considering legal action against the county after their lawyers stated a case against a permit given to a Floyd County resident to build poultry houses off Gore-Subligna Road by former Commissioner Blake Elsberry.
A freezing fog advisory is in effect for Chattooga and nearby counties in Northwest Georgia, with meteorologists urging residents to be cautious while traveling. The advisory follows temperatures dropping below freezing, leading to patchy freezing fog in some areas. Roads are reported as wet from earlier rainfall, combined with high humidity and clear skies, which creates a favorable environment for fog. Although the effects of the freezing fog are expected to be minor, drivers should reduce speed and keep a safe distance from other cars, particularly near bridges and overpasses where conditions could be slippery. Fortunately, the fog is predicted to clear quickly after sunrise as temperatures rise above freezing. The remainder of the day’s forecast appears positive, with clear skies and temperatures reaching the 50s and lower 60s in Northwest Georgia. Winds will be at 10-15 mph, with higher gusts possible. A large trough affecting the eastern U. S. and a low-pressure system moving eastward will bring a warming trend, with highs potentially reaching the upper 60s by Wednesday.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, January 28, 2025:
Families in the Trion community: registration for Trion Pre-K classes opens on February 14, 2025. Parents and guardians can pick up enrollment packets at the Trion Elementary office starting at 8:30 AM. Please note that packets will not be available for pickup prior to this time. To ensure a smooth registration process, families are reminded to bring several important documents on the registration day. Required items include proof of Georgia residency, such as a utility bill, the child’s birth certificate, and a photo ID of the legal guardian. Additionally, parents should prepare to provide a Social Security card for the child, the 3300 Form (which includes ear, eye, dental, and nutrition information), and the 3231 Form (which verifies immunizations). For those seeking more information about registration or the Pre-K program, please call the Trion Elementary office at 706-734-2991. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure a spot in the Trion Pre-K program and give your child a strong educational foundation
The Chattooga County Election Board had its first meeting last week to improve the oversight of elections in the county. Meeting at the Registrar’s Office, the five-member board, led by Patricia Bryson, reviewed and approved important bylaws for their operations. Bryson stressed the board’s dedication to following the election code, Georgia laws, and the state Constitution. The board will conduct elections, certify results, register and verify voters, and educate the community about voting. Besides Bryson, the board includes Alfred McDaniel, Gartrell Davidson, John Agnew, and Brandon Gurley. They discussed key bylaws about board structure, member qualifications, and meeting requirements. The board will have five members with designated roles, including a chairperson and vice chairperson. They adopted the bylaws unanimously and elected Brandon Gurley as vice chairperson and Gartrell Davidson as secretary. The board plans quarterly meetings and will oversee voting on election day to ensure integrity in the electoral process.
The Chattooga County Board of Education held a special ceremony for the winners of the annual Spelling Bee at the most recent meeting of the board. The Chattooga County Spelling Bee was held last November at Summerville Middle School. Chattooga County School Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie shared details of the event, which featured 45 students from grades one to eight competing.
As the debate over the official state bread of Georgia heats up, one contender is rising to the top: cornbread. A proposed House Bill 14, backed by Republican State Representatives Kasey Carpenter, Steve Tarvin, and Tim Fleming, alongside Democrat Omari Crawford, seeks to formally designate cornbread as the Peach State’s official bread.
Staffing shortages among correctional officers at 20 of Georgia’s 34 prisons have reached critical levels, greatly affecting daily operations and safety. The state is facing rising gang influence and violence, with 62 suspected homicides reported last year. Inadequate staffing has allowed gangs to strengthen their presence, leading to inmates making weapons and raising security concerns for staff and inmates. Governor Brian Kemp has proposed a $600 million investment to improve staffing and infrastructure repairs. Critics say many expert recommendations have been ignored. Lawmakers are calling for quick action to address the violence and are urging reforms before the situation worsens in 2025. The Georgia Department of Corrections has 34 state prisons across the state of Georgia, including Hays State Prison in Chattooga County, which house nearly 47,000 felony offenders.
