Forty families in Chattooga County will have a happier holiday, thanks to Santa in Uniform.  Yesterday was the biggest day of the year for the organization, made up of law enforcement, first responders and emergency workers.  Public safety officials volunteered their time on Monday to take the children Christmas shopping at Walmart in Trion.  This year, $8,457.91 was donated and used to buy gifts for the children.  Also, each family received a Christmas ham, thanks to Santa in Uniform.

Also on Monday, Santa in Uniform announced that they had received a $3,500 check from the Walmart Spark Good Grant.  The funds will be used to spread more Christmas cheer in 2025.

Donations for Santa in Uniform are accepted year-round.  To donate:

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance (MCCD) Officers encourage motorists to exercise safe driving habits during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods.  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.

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To accommodate the anticipated increase in holiday travel, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will temporarily halt lane closures on interstates, major state routes, and roadways near key shopping areas, malls, and retail districts. This suspension will be in effect from 5 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2024, through 10 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs serving Chattooga, Gordon, Murray, and Whitfield counties will merge with The Boys and Girls Club of North Georgia, which serves Gilmer and Pickens counties, effective January 2025. This merger aims to combine strengths and resources to have a greater impact in the community.

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On Sunday afternoon, Summerville Police officers responded to a call about a man allegedly pointing a gun at a woman on Hunter Street. Lynn Gorham, the property owner, contacted emergency services to report her tenant, Christopher Matthew Meeler, for violating lease terms. She cited disturbances, including loud music and gunfire, leading her to deliver a hand-written eviction notice to him. Officers met with Gorham, who said Meeler pointed a silver gun at her while driving past her house. The landlord did not want to press charges but wanted to proceed with eviction. Officers spoke with Meeler’s ex-girlfriend, who denied knowing about the gun and claimed the landlord had threatened the tenant. Summerville Police advised the landlord to go through Chattooga County Magistrate Court and file proper eviction papers against the tenant.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, December 23, 2024:

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This evening, residents in the Subligna Community are invited out for the 5th Annual Subligna Christmas Parade.  Anyone is welcome to participate with decorated vehicles, ATV’s or tractors.  The parade, a true community event, started during the COVID-19 Pandemic and is a display of community spirit and pride for the residents in the Subligna Community.  Those planning to participate in this evening’s parade should gather at the Subligna Community Center at 4:30 PM with their decorated rides.  The route will start on East Armuchee Road and end up at the Subligna Community Center.  This year, Mrs. Odell Anderson, a lifelong resident of the Subligna Community, will be the grand marshal.

A woman, who was part of a multi-jurisdictional theft ring back in 2022, was sentenced to probation, ordered to pay restitution and was banished from the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, after a sentence was passed in Chattooga County Superior Court.  Kristie Nicole Cobb Carter pleaded guilty to stealing a trailer from a Chattooga County contractor. 

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Summerville Police were called to investigate a burglary on Bittings Avenue on December 17th.  According to a report, the homeowner returned home from work to find that someone had entered her house and stolen several items.  Police determined that the burglars had accessed the house through a back window on the north side of the house.  It appeared that the offenders exited the home through the back door. The report did not indicate what items were taken from the home.

A Chattooga County tradition continues tonight at Alpine Community Church on Highway 337, just south of Menlo.  For over thirty years, church members have donated their time and efforts during the holiday season to putting on one of the best live nativities in the area. The church’s members consider it a ministry to the community and spend the two days before, and Christmas Day each year putting on the Christmas event at one of Chattooga County’s oldest churches.  In addition to the live Nativity that features a camel and other live animals, you can go inside the church building and view the historic church decorated for Christmas.  Afterwards, you can go across the street to the fellowship hall and enjoy light refreshments.  The event is free and will take place this evening, Christmas Eve and on Christmas, starting at 7 PM.