Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office Investigators were alerted to a stolen vehicle with a switched tag located at a property on County Road 66 earlier this week. County Road 66 is located in the Cloudland Community on Lookout Mountain, just across the Chattooga County / Georgia State line.
Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas is reminding residents of the importance of properly disposing of worn American flags as part of their commitment to patriotism and respect for the nation’s symbol. Many homeowners who proudly display the flag may find themselves with old, tattered versions that need to be retired, and the mayor is pleased to announce a simple solution for this issue. Thanks to the efforts of Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton and Herb Skelton, residents now have an easy and respectful way to dispose of their flags. The duo successfully applied for and received a $5,000 grant from the Menlo Tilloston Foundation to establish two American flag drop boxes in the community.
Walker Rocks is sponsoring the Cove Trail Race, taking place on March 15, 2025, in McLemore Cove, GA. This exciting race will showcase beautiful landscapes, including notable spots like Rock Town and Estelle Mines. McLemore Cove is located between Lookout Mountain and Pigeon Mountain, a 15-mile valley that is a short drive from Chattanooga, TN, and Fort Payne, AL, about an hour from Dalton, GA. The area is known for its remarkable geological features and serves as a unique link between different parts of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Cove Trail Race features three challenging distances: a 10K, a 30K, and a 50K, all starting at Mountain Cove Farms. Runners will ascend Pigeon Mountain, known for its stunning views. The 30K and 50K courses will pass through Rocktown, and the 50K includes the Estelle Mines Trail, with historic railroad tunnels and scenic sights like Pocket Falls and the High Point Overlook. The race includes varying elevations, with a 10K gain of 650 feet, a 30K gain of 2,500 feet, and a 50K gain of 5,000 feet. The 50K must be completed in 10 hours, with start times at 7 AM for the 50K, 8 AM for the 30K, and 9 AM for the 10K.
Participants need a day-use pass for the race day, available for $5, though there is no parking fee. For more details and registration, runners can visit Walker Rocks’ website HERE
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, February 21, 2025:
Temperatures in our are in the teens this morning as high pressure builds in from the Northwest, creating a dry and chilly start to the day. Residents can expect cold conditions to persist through the end of the workweek and into the weekend, but relief is on the horizon. As the day progresses, temperatures are set to rebound, with highs reaching the 40s.
A dramatic rescue unfolded on Thursday afternoon after a female driver found herself trapped in a vehicle that had overturned and submerged in the Chattooga River. According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, emergency services were dispatched at 3:44 PM to the intersection of Centerpost Road and Giles Road following reports from the public that a woman was calling for help from inside her vehicle.
A native of Chattooga County, Stanley Knox, who made significant contributions both as a U.S. Army veteran and as the former police chief of Detroit, Michigan, passed away last week. Knox, who was raised in Chattooga County, will be laid to rest next week, leaving behind a cherished legacy of service, faith, and love.
Republicans in Congress are planning to cut Medicaid, impacting the 27. 5% of Chattooga County residents who depend on it for healthcare. Concerns are rising about how these cuts will affect low-income families and individuals in the area. President Trump has assured the public that he will protect Medicare and Medicaid, claiming that Republicans will find budget savings elsewhere for tax cuts. However, this assurance contradicts the House GOP’s budget plan, which wants to cut Medicaid by up to $880 billion over the next decade to fund $2 trillion in tax breaks. Deficit-focused conservatives believe these cuts are necessary to manage the national debt, currently at $36 trillion. The specifics of the proposed cuts will be determined by the Energy and Commerce Committee soon. Moderate Republicans worry about the impact on low-income constituents and are waiting for more information before showing support. Democrats oppose the cuts, warning they will harm vulnerable families and children. Over 7,000 Chattooga County residents rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage.
Torie Burdick, a 33-year-old resident of LaFayette, has been sentenced in Chattooga County Superior Court after pleading guilty to charges of statutory rape related to an incident involving a minor at a Trion motel in 2021. The case came to light when Trion Police discovered evidence of sexual activities between Burdick and a juvenile. According to law enforcement officials, the investigation began in October 2021 when Walker County Sheriff’s investigators notified Trion Police about the allegations. They had been in communication with the victim, a 14-year-old boy, who confirmed that he had engaged in sexual relationships with Burdick at the motel on multiple occasions. Prosecutors presented compelling evidence to the Chattooga County Grand Jury, which included distressing materials from Burdick’s cell phone, as well as a receipt indicating that she had booked the motel room in Trion where the incidents occurred. Burdick’s child molestation and aggravated child molestation charges were dismissed. She was given credit for time served but will complete 18 years of probation and comply with sex offender conditions of probation.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking feedback on a newly updated strategy for wildlife conservation, known as the State Wildlife Action Plan. From February 19 to March 21, the public can review the draft of the plan at HERE. First created 20 years ago and updated every decade, this plan helps protect native species like gopher tortoises and bald eagles from becoming rare and costly to conserve.
