Georgia State Patrol Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance Officers encourage motorists to exercise safe driving habits during the New Year’s holiday travel period.  In an effort to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on Georgia roadways, State troopers and MCCD officers will be on high visibility patrols on interstates and state roads.  Five people lost their lives on Georgia roadways during the Christmas Holiday travel period last week.   During the 2023-24 New Year’s holiday travel period there were nine statewide fatalities. GSP investigated 317 crashes that resulted in approximately 177 injuries and three fatalities. If you plan to include alcohol consumption in your holiday celebrations, make sure to plan for a sober designated driver by contacting a taxi, rideshare, friend, or family member to help you get home safely.  Make these decisions before you get into the holiday spirit.

Georgia gas prices brings joy to drivers at the pumps compared to a week ago. Drivers are now paying an average of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline (subject to change overnight). Monday’s state average was 2 cents less than a week ago, 2 cents less than a month ago, and 10 cents less than last year. It costs drivers an average price of $43.35 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. Georgians now pay almost $2.00 less to fill up at the pump than a year ago.

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A 66-year-old Summerville man, who was banned from the Commerce Street Dollar General Store, was arrested on Sunday after being accused of shoplifting at the same Dollar General Store.  Summerville Police say that Hugh Vernon Snider, Jr. stole several items including chap stick, a Georgia Bulldogs cap, a Sharpie pen and a carton of milk and then fled the scene.  Officers said that Snider ran towards Favor Street, but was apprehended and arrested.  The arresting officer said that Snider had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage.  The suspect admitted to having consumed several alcoholic beverages prior to the shoplifting incident. Snider was charged with shoplifting and public intoxication before being booked into the Chattooga County Jail.  In all, the items Snider is accused of stealing, valued $33.26.

In 2025, new election laws will take effect in Georgia, particularly affecting homeless voters. SB 189, introduced by state Sen. Max Burns and passed at the end of the 2024 legislative session, already has some changes in effect. Signed by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 6, the law removed Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger from the State Election Board, opened new options for third-party presidential candidates, and set new guidelines for voter challenges. Starting tomorrow, January 1, 2025, homeless voters will only be able to register to vote at their county registrar’s office. Supporters say this will improve election clarity, while opponents argue it will disenfranchise homeless voters.

Over the past four years, there have been a number of pedestrian deaths in Chattooga County.   The most recent, in November of this year, happened when a man was struck and killed on the Lyerly Highway in the pre-dawn hours the second weekend in November.  That death is still under investigation and as the year closes, no arrests have been made in connection with the fatality. The victim was identified as 27-year-old Austin Ryan Carnes of Lyerly. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 2022 saw the highest number of pedestrian deaths in Chattooga County in the past five years.  That year, four people lost their lives while walking along Chattooga County’s roadways.  Almost all of the pedestrian deaths recorded in the county over the past five years have happened in the nighttime or early morning hours.  The Georgia DOT says only 18% of the pedestrian fatalities in Georgia happen during daylight hours.

As the year ends, a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show is set for this evening in Rome at 7:30 PM. Everyone is invited to enjoy over 800 fireworks lighting up the sky from Jackson Hill for a spectacular 15-minute display. The event, supported by Atrium Health Floyd, promises vibrant colors and stunning patterns, making it a memorable way to celebrate.  Georgia’s Rome is inviting everyone to kick off the New Year with fireworks this evening.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, who is running for governor, is seeking help from the new U. S. administration to ease financial burdens on Georgia farmers facing increased wages for migrant agricultural workers. In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, Carr emphasized the connection between farming health and national security.

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From the City of Summerville: The City of Summerville offices will close at noon on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, for the New Year’s Holiday. They will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. If you have an emergency, please call 911.

The Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office has released a preliminary report on a traffic accident that occurred on Sunday, around 6 PM, involving a 2007 Dodge Charger and a 2008 Kia Optima on Highway 27 in Summerville. The Dodge Charger was traveling south without its headlights on when it collided with the Kia, which was turning left onto Edmondson Street. The impact caused the Dodge to veer off the road and stop on the shoulder. Eyewitnesses confirmed the headlights were off during the accident, and the Trooper found the headlight dial set to off. Neither the driver nor passenger in the Dodge was wearing seat belts; the driver’s seat belt was buckled behind her, and the passenger’s belt was locked, but not on the passenger. The Dodge had been stopped the day before for a headlight issue, according to the investigating Trooper. The identities and conditions of those involved have not been released, and the accident is still under investigation.

Another traffic accident occurred at approximately 7:50 PM on Sunday evening at the intersection of Raccoon Creek Road and Georgia Highway 114, involving two vehicles—a 2020 Jeep Renegade and a 2014 Kia Optima. According to preliminary reports, the driver of the Jeep Renegade attempted to make a left turn from Raccoon Creek Road onto the eastbound lanes of Georgia Highway 114. The Jeep failed to yield to oncoming traffic. At that moment, the Kia Optima, was traveling westbound on Georgia Highway 114 when the two vehicles collided. The impact occurred when the Jeep struck the right rear of the Kia with its right front. Following the collision, the Kia Optima lost control and veered off the roadway to the right. While traveling along the shoulder, the Kia struck a standing tree with its right side before ultimately coming to a stop on the north shoulder of Georgia Highway 114, facing southwest. Meanwhile, the Jeep Renegade managed to come to a controlled stop on the south shoulder of Georgia Highway 114, facing northeast. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and both drivers were assessed for injuries. No names have been released at this time.  The accident is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, December 30, 2024:

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