Georgia’s economy is expected to grow by 2. 4% in 2025, a decrease from 3. 1% this year, according to Ben Ayers, dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Despite this slowdown, Georgia’s performance will remain better than the national average of 1. 6% growth. Ayers noted that the slowdown is due to a planned policy change rather than unexpected shocks, which suggests it will be gradual and short-lived.
In a proactive effort to bolster emergency response and community safety, the Trion Fire Department is currently in the process of updating its pre-plans and digitizing them for easy access on emergency vehicles. This initiative aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of firefighting efforts throughout the community.
Georgia’s new school voucher program, the Georgia Promise Scholarship, is facing significant delays and criticism. The program, which aims to provide up to $6,500 to eligible public school students in lower-performing schools, also offers funding for tutoring services, speech therapy, and other educational needs. However, identifying eligible schools has been a critical piece of the rollout, with the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) citing the need for “validating additional data to ensure accuracy” as the reason for a retraction with a list of “underperforming schools” that included two in Chatttooga County – Leroy Massey Elementary and Summerville Middle School. The program’s reliance on standardized test scores to determine school eligibility has been criticized by Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, who believes it is problematic. The program’s rollout has been closely monitored by teachers’ unions, many of which have long opposed school choice initiatives. Verdaillia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers, expressed skepticism about the program’s implementation, referring to it as a “false promise” and referring to the program as a “symptom.” As the program faces mounting criticism and logistical hurdles, parents and educators are left in limbo, awaiting clarity on how or if the Georgia Promise Scholarship will deliver on its commitments.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced 23 projects in October 2024, which include bridge rehabilitation, resurfacing, safety improvements, and new bridge construction. The largest project is a bridge construction along 1. 003 miles on US 41/SR 11/SR 49 over the Norfolk Southern Railway, costing about $21 million. This project and three others make up 40% of the total funds awarded this month. Only one of the projects listed in the latest round of funding is in Northwest Georgia.
On Tuesday evening, the Cloudland Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Christmas Dinner. Jeffrey Mosher was recognized as the 2024 Cloudland Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter of the Year. The award was presented to Mosher by Cloudland Fire Chief Bobby Cavin. The department serves residents on Lookout Mountain in the Cloudland Community in both Chattooga County, Georgia and Cherokee County, Alabama.
Georgians are expected to travel in record numbers for the year-end holiday period (from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1). AAA predicts that 3.7 million Georgians will travel 50 miles or more from home. That’s 108,677 more travelers than the previous record high set last year.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, December 11, 2024:
Heather Ballard, owner of Hayden Taylor Designs in Summerville, was appointed to the Summerville Main Street Board of Directors on Monday during the Summerville City Council’s regular monthly meeting.
Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its annual list of best hospitals for maternity care. The list classifies the hospital as “high performing,” the highest level of achievement possible
Authorities are investigating a tragic incident that occurred Friday, which is being treated as an apparent murder-suicide. The DeKalb County, Alabama Coroner confirmed that the event unfolded at a residence, involving a married couple, 76-year-old Kenneth Trowbridge and 69-year-old Vicky Patrick.
