Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is pleased to announce the students who have earned a place on the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2024 semester.
The Chattooga Literacy Council is hosting its annual Adult Spelling Bee on March 4th at 7 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center. This promises to be an evening of fun, excitement, and friendly competition, all while supporting a vital cause. Teams of three will battle it out for the coveted Spelling Bee trophy, a symbol of linguistic prowess that they will proudly hold until next year’s competition. The entry fee per team is $300, and refreshments will be available throughout the evening. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Chattooga County Literacy Council’s important initiatives. Funds raised will provide GED scholarships for county residents, ensure every third-grade student in the area receives a dictionary, support the Book Bag Program, and keep local little libraries stocked with books for readers of all ages. Don’t have a team but still want to participate? Contact the Chattooga County Literacy Council at 678-640-2050 to complete an application or visit the Chamber of Commerce for more information.
An early morning house fire on Sunday has left a Chattooga County family of four displaced from their home. Fire crews responded to a residential structure fire on Mountain View Road in Trion around 4:30 AM. Multiple agencies, including the Trion, Summerville and Hays Correctional Fire Departments, Artium Health Floyd EMS, and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on scene to find heavy fire and smoke billowing from the front of the residence. Firefighters quickly deployed a fire attack team and were able to bring the blaze under control. The American Red Cross has been notified and is providing assistance to the family. One male subject was transported to the Chattooga County ER by Artium Health Floyd EMS for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. He has since been transferred to the Wellstar Cobb Medical Center burn unit. No further updates on his condition are currently available. Authorities are asking the community to keep the affected family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia says that weakening high pressure over the state will keep it dry during the day, with clouds increasing this afternoon and rain arriving tonight. Satellite images show mid to high-level clouds moving across the area this morning, which will lessen, leaving mostly clear skies by daybreak.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, February 23, 2025:
The Jeff Owings Memorial Scholarship Fund is seeking donations to continue supporting senior welding students at Chattooga High School. Those interested in contributing can make donations at any United Community Bank location, earmarking the funds specifically for the scholarship. Applications for the scholarship will be accepted from CHS senior welding students in May.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking public feedback on the updated State Wildlife Action Plan, available for review from February 19 to March 21 at https://georgiawildlife.com/WildGeorgiaSWAP. Initially created 20 years ago, this plan aims to protect native animal and plant species from becoming rare and costly to conserve. It identifies important species, such as gopher tortoises and bald eagles, and includes their habitats.
On Friday, the Rome/Floyd Metro Task Force carried out a search warrant at 101-A Paris Drive linked to a drug investigation. They seized approximately 2. 13 kilograms of methamphetamine and $17,064. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $106,500. Quavarez Marquel Cunningham, 41, was arrested and is in Floyd County Jail without bond, facing charges for trafficking and possession of methamphetamine. Mescha Latonya Sullivan was also arrested for conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Controlled Substances Act. The operation involved various local law enforcement agencies. To report illegal drug activity, contact the Crime Line at 706-236-5000 or the task force at 706-238-5160.
WRGA
Trion City Schools is seeking dedicated educators and support staff to join its team for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. The district has announced several open positions across its elementary, middle, and high school campuses.
Southern Company reported 2024 earnings of $4. 4 billion, a $400 million or 10 percent rise from the previous year. Georgia Power President Christopher C. Womack praised the team for their performance. However, this news comes as Georgia Power customers face their sixth energy rate increase since 2023, raising concerns about the balance between profits and affordability. Energy advocate Patty Durand criticized the situation as a wealth transfer from lower-income Georgians to company executives. Georgia Power’s rate hikes, approved by the PSC, are to fund Plant Vogtle and infrastructure upkeep. PSC Commissioner Tim Echols defended the company’s profits, emphasizing their role in maintaining a robust utility system. Critics argue that better management is needed, citing low grid utilization. The Georgia legislature is considering SB 94 to better represent consumer interests. Public hearings on Georgia Power’s 2025 resource plan will begin on March 25.