Georgia residents are enjoying a small reprieve at the gas pumps as prices have dipped compared to last week. As of Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stands at $2.93, which marks a decrease of 3 cents from the previous week. Despite a slight increase of 3 cents over the past month, this figure is still 10 cents lower than the average price recorded a year ago.
Over the past weekend, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division highlighted a case of illegal hunting in Chattooga County that took place this past fall.
A seventy-year-old woman from Alabama has been sentenced in Chattooga County State Court to twelve months of probation following her recent conviction for shoplifting at a local Walmart in Trion. Martha Jane Bowes, who has made headlines before, was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and is now prohibited from entering the store. Bowes’ latest legal troubles come on the heels of a peculiar case last year in neighboring DeKalb County, Alabama, where she faced charges for theft of property and the desecration of graves. In that incident, she was caught on surveillance cameras stealing handmade floral arrangements from a cemetery. After authorities in Alabama obtained a warrant for her arrest, Bowes was taken into custody. When the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputies searched her home in Hammondville, they discovered multiple stolen floral arrangements that had been reported missing from the cemetery.
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) has released his weekly legislative report. Last week, Georgia House members returned to the Capitol after a winter storm. Chief Justice Michael Boggs delivered the State of the Judiciary address, noting increased public confidence in state courts. The House adopted House Resolution 50 to recognize January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring lives lost during the Holocaust. Chief Justice Boggs discussed issues like the need for digital court recording options, the lack of attorneys in rural counties, and efforts to improve legal services for low-income Georgians. He highlighted a program for veterans in the criminal justice system and addressed threats against judges, advocating for improved security measures. Several House committees met to review the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget. On Thursday, they introduced the Governor’s tort reform package aimed at improving the legal environment in Georgia. They closed the week with a moment of silence for victims of a tragic mid-air collision. Week Four of the Legislative Session started on Monday of this week. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:
A teenager from Summerville, 18-year-old Elijah Bleu McCool, faces several charges for allegedly attacking and robbing an elderly man.
Update 5:27 PM: A fire burned around 8 acres on Monday afternoon in the Silver Hill Area. Firefighters from Gore, Subligna, Holland, Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, Hays Correctional, and Teloga Fire Departments, alongside the Georgia Forestry Service, all mobilized to combat the flames. The fire initially began as a controlled burn but quickly escalated, overwhelming the resources of the property owner, according to Gore Fire Chief John King. When firefighters arrived on the scene, approximately five acres were already ablaze. Around 5 PM, the Georgia Forestry Service declared the fire was contained.
Earlier:
Firefighters are currently battling an active blaze this afternoon in the Silver Hill area, as confirmed by Gore Fire Chief John King to WZQZ News. The fire has put several structures at risk, prompting a coordinated response from multiple fire departments. Chief King reported that fire crews from Gore, Subligna, Holland, Summerville, Lyerly, Menlo, Hays Correctional, and Teloga Fire Departments, alongside the Georgia Forestry Service, have all mobilized to combat the flames. The fire initially began as a controlled burn but quickly escalated, overwhelming the resources of the property owner. When firefighters arrived on the scene, approximately five acres were already ablaze. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader stated that the fire is concentrated in the vicinity of Foster Manning and Jenkins Gap Road. Residents in the area are urged to remain alert and follow safety protocols as efforts continue to contain the fire.
A Chattooga County Public Works truck overturned while hauling a load of chert on Monday morning. Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen told WZQZ News that the driver was making the turn off Highway 48 onto Mahan Road when the loaded truck overturned in a ditch. The commissioner said that the driver was transported to AdventHealth Redmond via ambulance to be checked out, but there were no serious injuries reported in connection with the single vehicle accident.
Coroner Jeremy McElhaney has identified the victim of a devastating house fire that occurred on Turner Street in Summerville on Sunday morning. The deceased has been named as 44-year-old Misty Thompson. Emergency services, including the Summerville, Trion, and Hays Correctional Fire Departments, responded swiftly to the scene before 10 AM. Eyewitnesses reported that thick smoke from the fire could be seen from over a mile away, indicating the severity of the situation. As part of routine procedures following such tragic incidents, Thompson’s body will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy, which will help determine the cause of death. The investigation into the fire is being conducted collaboratively by multiple agencies, including the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As of now, the cause of the fire remains undisclosed, and authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
A sunny to mostly sunny day is expected due to high pressure and a stable air flow. High temperatures will generally be in the lower to mid-70s, which is 12-20 degrees above average. Tonight and tomorrow, a similar weather pattern will continue. Overnight lows are forecasted to be in the upper 40s to lower 50s, also above average. There may be patchy fog tonight into Tuesday morning due to calm winds and high humidity. Tuesday will be another warm day with highs in the 70s. In the long term, above-average temperatures are likely in Northwest Georgia through the weekend. Rain chances will increase mid to late week with isolated thunderstorms. A weak ridge over the Great Plains will affect the upper flow, leading to a series of weak frontal systems. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible from Wednesday through Friday, with storms mostly below severe limits. Rainfall totals are expected to range from . 3 to . 6 inches in Northwest Georgia, while temperatures will remain well above normal.
