The National Health Eligibility Center (HEC) has informed 1. 5 million Veterans that their Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) has expired or will soon. While not mandatory for VA health care, having a VHIC makes check-in for VA appointments easier. Veterans are advised to renew their VHIC online by scanning the QR code on the postcard they receive or by visiting the website directly. Once submitted, the renewal request will be placed “On Hold” for manual review. If the submission is not valid, Veterans will be informed via email for re-submission. Renewal processing takes approximately 7-14 days domestically and 21-30 days internationally, with delays possible. Veterans who do not receive their renewed card within 30 days should contact their local VA facility for assistance. In-person renewals require a valid ID, and travel pay is not provided solely for VHIC renewals. Veterans are reminded to act promptly.

A 47-year-old Chattooga County woman, Jessica Garfield, was arrested after law enforcement discovered methamphetamine and multiple loaded syringes during a search of her residence in connection with a burglary investigation.

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The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) is offering $65,000 in scholarships to Georgia students pursuing degrees in agriculture, veterinary medicine, family and consumer sciences, or related fields. Scholarships are available in four categories:

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The Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) is hosting a Georgia State Agency Career Fair on Thursday, Nov. 14, at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GTNC) Floyd County Campus in Rome.

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The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) has awarded 92 Georgia nonprofit organizations up to $150,000 each to improve their security measures and protect the communities they serve. This grant program, administered by GEMA/HS on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, aims to enhance the security of nonprofits at risk of violent acts. A total of $11,664,003. 00 was awarded to eligible organizations. The recipients’ names remain confidential due to security concerns, and an additional application period will open soon thanks to supplemental funding from Congress. The next application window for funding will be from November 4, 2024, to January 2, 2025. For more details, contact GEMA-GRANTS@gema. ga. gov.

A twenty-eight-year-old Chattooga County man was arrested at the Chattooga Emergency Department in Trion after his probation officer spotted him inside Walmart.  According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Steven Amerson was seen inside Walmart as his probation officer was shopping.  The officer notified deputies that Amerson had a warrant for his arrest and that Amerson had been previously banned from Walmart.  By the time deputies arrived, Amerson had left the store, but video surveillance cameras revealed that Amerson had driven next door to the Chattooga Emergency Department.  Deputies went to the Emergency Department and arrested Amerson on the outstanding warrant and additionally charged him with criminal trespass.

On Election Day, voters in Chattooga County, and voters across the Peach State, overwhelmingly supported Constitutional Amendment 1 for the homestead exemption. The amendment, geared towards preventing sharp property tax hikes, garnered an impressive 62. 93% approval. Statewide, there were 3,080,093 votes in favor and 1,814,547 against, the measure that permits the General Assembly to establish a state-wide homestead exemption. This exemption will restrict property value increases for qualifying residences to inflation rates. Essentially, if home values rise faster than inflation, the amendment aims to cap the increase for financial relief. While some say it is a significant win for the property owners, homeowners should note that local entities like municipalities, county governments, and school boards may choose to opt out of this exemption.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, November 7, 2024:

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Former President Donald Trump won the electoral votes in Georgia on Tuesday night and was declared the winner in the hotly-contested race.  Trump garnered almost 51% of the vote to Vice-President Kamala Harris.  In Chattooga County, Trump was overwhelmingly the choice on the ballot for over 80% of Chattooga County voters.

Trump carried every precinct in the county but did better in some areas compared to others.  The Subligna Precinct was the heaviest pro-Trump area in the county, where the former President won over 90% of the vote.  However, in the county’s largest precinct of Summerville, Harris kept Trump below the county-wide average of 80%, with the Vice-President getting over 23% of the vote.

Most notably in Tuesday night’s election, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene lagged behind the rest of the Republicans on the ticket.  Democrat Shawn Harris managed to get almost 24% of the vote in the county.  Subligna and Haywood were the two precincts where Greene did the best, and Summerville is where she had the least support.

All of the county-wide races were decided in the Republican Primary in May.