Dalton State College, Georgia Highlands College, and Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) have formed Northwest Georgia Connect, a new partnership to enhance educational opportunities for local students. The leaders of the colleges signed an articulation agreement that allows GNTC students to complete associate degrees and then transfer to Dalton State or Georgia Highlands for corresponding Bachelor of Science degrees.

This initiative opens up pathways in several fields like Criminal Justice, Health Science, and Information Technology. The agreement aims to improve workforce development and educational opportunities, benefiting both current and future students. It simplifies transfer processes, as GNTC will send graduates’ transcripts free of charge, and students will have application fees waived for eligible programs.

The partnership also plans to expand the number of participating programs in the future, with potential additions by spring 2025.

A sewer leak was discovered, according to Chris Tuggle of the City of Summerville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The spill off Bellah Avenue that was flowing into the tributary that leads to Town Creek was found by Summerville Public Works. According to the city, over the course of roughly two weeks, 362,880 gallons of raw sewage leaked. The spill was reported to the public health department and the EPD. According to Tuggle, the City of Summerville will keep an eye on the area for the next 12 months to ensure that the stream is not negatively impacted.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, December 19, 2024:

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Christopher Michael Money, a 32-year-old man, was arrested last week after a domestic incident involving threats and a knife. The event took place at a home on Silver Hill Road. Deputies responded to a report of the altercation and found four individuals in a utility truck who confirmed no injuries but indicated Money was still inside the house. After searching the house and surrounding area, officers could not find him. The victim, Cameron Lewis, explained that an argument started over a coffee pot and escalated when Money threatened him with a knife. Lewis called 911 after managing to close the door on Money. Later, deputies arrested Money in a company vehicle. He faces charges of aggravated assault.  He was booked into the Chattooga County Jail.

Walker County Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting for December, the final meeting of 2024, at 6:30 PM this evening.  Commissioners will be voting on a resolution to adjust the compensation of several constitutional office holder.  According to an agenda released on Friday, the commissioners will be voting to adjust the supplement to compensation for the Walker County Solicitor General.  Also, they will be setting the annual compensation for the Walker County Coroner and will vote to establish a supplement to compensation for the Walker County Sheriff.  The meeting will be held at the Walker county Courthouse Annex III, located at 201 South Main Street in LaFayette and the public is invited to attend. You can see an agenda for this evening’s meeting below:

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Three Democratic senators requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the costs of Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program, known as “Georgia Pathways to Coverage. ” This program is the only active Medicaid work requirement in the U. S. and has spent tens of millions of dollars on administration and consulting, enrolling only 5,542 people as of November 1. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon criticized this initiative, arguing it complicates healthcare access for Americans. Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock joined Wyden in the request.

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After a national search, Berry College has appointed a new Dean of the Evans School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Interim Dean and Dana Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Kirsten Taylor will begin her official position as Dean on Jan. 1, 2025. Taylor, who has served on the faculty since 2002 has a Ph.D. in political science from McGill University, where she also earned her master’s degree.

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Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Commissioner of Securities, has issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order against Trage Technologies Limited (Trage), its principals Graeme Gary Hearn, Michael “Mike” Holloway, and Georgia resident Eric Ture Muhammad for multiple alleged violations of the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008.

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Georgia Power customers will see yet another rate increase in 2025. Georgia energy regulators have approved a 3. 5% rate increase for Georgia Power customers, effective January 1. The state Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously voted for the increase, raising average residential bills by $5. 48 per month. This increase is part of a series of hikes that have already raised monthly bills by over $40 in recent years. Two previous increases were linked to the completion of new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle, with the second unit starting commercial operation last spring. Another increase approved last May was to help manage rising fuel costs. Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald expressed concerns about the timing of the increase as prices for food and gasoline are beginning to drop, stating the need to minimize rate hikes. Georgia Power’s lawyer defended the increase as necessary due to ongoing investments.