Former President Jimmy Carter, a southwest Georgia peanut farmer who went on to be Governor of Georgia and President of the United States, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. His son, Chip Carter, confirmed that the former president died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, at approximately 3:45 p.m.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, December 29, 2024:
A fire at a Tyson Foods plant in Camilla, Georgia, resulted in one death and several serious injuries early Friday morning. The company is investigating the cause of the fire, which was confirmed by a spokesperson who expressed condolences to the victim’s family. A union spokesperson mentioned that the incident was related to a boiler explosion. The victim was identified as a 61-year-old woman from Las Vegas, who was sleeping in her husband’s truck at the time of the explosion. The blast caused a concrete wall to fall on the truck, killing her, while her husband was in the building and was not injured. The union, representing over 15,000 poultry workers, stated the importance of the facility to the community and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to ensure worker safety. Union representatives are on-site to support those impacted by the explosion.
AdventHealth Redmond has been recognized as the #4 medium-sized hospital in Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine. This prestigious ranking underscores the hospital’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services and its dedication to the well-being of Floyd County and surrounding communities in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama.
Gordon County deputy sheriffs on patrol on US Highway 41 made a significant bust, arresting three individuals after stopping a suspicious vehicle with three occupants. The incident unfolded near Resaca this past week, raising concerns about illegal drug and firearm activity in the area. Upon pulling over the vehicle, deputies conducted a search that uncovered large quantities of illegal drugs along with several firearms that were held unlawfully. All three suspects were apprehended at the scene without incident, highlighting the diligence of law enforcement in combating crime on the highways. The suspects have been identified as Margie Russell, 50, of Calhoun; Cody Anderson, 33, of Dalton; and Kelly Parks, 42, of Sugar Valley. Notably, Russell was already wanted as a fugitive at the time of her arrest, with existing warrants against her for theft. In addition to the initial findings, all three suspects face serious charges, including drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute, and violations related to firearms. Russell, with a troubling history of at least 30 prior arrests within the jurisdiction, faces further charges for allegedly bringing drugs across a jail guard line.
Start your year off on the right foot with the First Day Hikes event at James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park in Summervillethis Wednesday. From 10 AM to 12:30 PM, park rangers will guide participants through a choice of three scenic hikes, catering to all levels of fitness and experience.
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Judge Brian House was sworn in for his fifth term in office this past week. Judge House said, “I was honored to be sworn in for my 5th term as a Superior Court Judge. I want to thank all the citizens of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit for their continued support and trust in allowing me to serve in this office. I was honored to be sworn in by my friend the Honorable Jeff Hullender and to be surrounded by my wife, Jama and daughter, Brianna”.
Military families received a 14. 5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted personnel as an early Christmas present, part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Georgia U. S. Senator Jon Ossoff highlighted the importance of this increase for military quality of life, noting that junior enlisted members struggle to afford basics like housing and food. Ossoff stressed that fair pay is crucial for national security, as low salaries hinder recruitment and retention of young service members. The NDAA also includes a 4. 5% pay increase for all service members, with an additional 10% for the most junior members across all branches.
The Georgia Department of Labor released unemployment numbers for the month of November on Thursday of last week. The numbers show a significant drop in the number of first-time unemployment claims compared to October, 2024. In the month of October there were 260 first-time unemployment claims, that number dropped to just 64 in November, reflecting a 75% decrease in the total number of claims. In November of 2023, there were 340 claims. Unemployment claims were down in all of Georgia’s regional commissions during the month of November.
“Georgia proves that smart leadership and bold policies drive economic success,” said GDOL Emergency Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. “While other states struggle with overregulation and economic uncertainty, Georgia’s economy is thriving—job numbers are up in 12 regions, unemployment claims are down across the board, and businesses continue to choose our state as the best place to grow and invest. These results don’t happen by accident; they are the product of strong fiscal policies and a commitment to empowering job creators and hardworking Georgians. As we close out the year, Georgia remains a perennial leader in opportunity, innovation and prosperity.”
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, December 28, 2024:
