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:
A routine traffic stop turned confrontational on Tuesday when a 39-year-old man was arrested for multiple offenses following an encounter with Georgia State Patrol troopers on GA 20 near Horseleg Creek Road. Joshua Keith Williams, a resident of Rome, was initially pulled over for driving with an expired tag decal. According to Floyd County Jail Records, the situation escalated when troopers approached Williams’ vehicle, and he became verbally combative, refusing to present a valid driver’s license. During the interaction, officers discovered that Williams’ driver’s license had expired on August 6th, prompting them to issue a citation. In a defiant display, Williams allegedly tore up the citation in front of the troopers while continuing to direct abusive language towards them. As a result of his actions, Williams is now facing several charges, including driving without a license in possession, driving on an expired license, operating a vehicle unlawfully, and obstruction.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its most severe warning regarding thousands of eggs distributed to Costco locations across five states. The agency has cautioned that consuming these eggs could lead to serious health consequences, including severe illness or even death.
Andy Allen and Joy Hampton took their oaths of office on Friday in the main courtroom of the Chattooga County Courthouse. Allen will take office as Chattooga County’s Sole Commissioner on January 1, 2025. He won the Republican Primary in May, defeating incumbent Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry with over 60% of the vote. For the first time in over 150 years, there was no Democrat on the ballot in December, ensuring Allen’s election in the General Election in November. Hampton was reelected without opposition in the Republican Primary and also faced no Democratic opposition in the General Election. Hampton was first elected in 2016 after defeating incumbent Kathy VanPelt Brown in the Democratic Primary. She went on to win the General Election by just 9 votes against Republican Rickey Hughes. Hampton switched to the Republican Party in 2019.
