Trion First Baptist Church invites the community to a “Campfire Christmas” event this evening from 5 PM – 8 PM. This gathering will take place at Camp Hamby, off Hair Lake Road, offering an evening of food, family fun, and fellowship. Activities for children and youth will include games like Capture the Flag, Glow in the Dark Kickball, Hide and Seek, and Cookie Decorating. Participants will sing Christmas carols, play Christmas Trivia, and enjoy a special devotional. Attendees should bring a chair and a blanket for comfort. Located at 95 Church Street in Trion, the church looks forward to welcoming everyone for a joyful night at Camp Hamby. For more information, contact the church or visit their Facebook page.

Georgia’s economy is expected to grow by 2. 4% in 2025, slowing from a 3. 1% growth in 2024, according to the University of Georgia Selig Center for Economic Growth.

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The status of the Chattooga River as a “navigable” waterway is a hot topic as Georgia legislators deal with fishing rights. The main issue is defining which rivers and streams in Georgia are considered navigable and thus open to fishing. The Chattooga River is one of 64 waterways under review, with questions about its actual navigability based on an 1863 state law that requires a stream to transport boats with freight for part of the year. Transporting timber in small boats is not enough for a stream to be classified as navigable.

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

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The Trion Police Department is assisting in an investigating after a tanker truck explosion at Mount Vernon Mills that happened early Friday morning. When emergency responders arrived, they found the truck driver unresponsive and later declared him dead at the scene. The tanker was unloading salt needed for manufacturing when it exploded. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is leading an investigation into the accident.  Chattooga County Coroner Earle Rainwater confirmed to WZQZ News on Friday evening that the deceased truck driver was 53-year-old Richard Tooley of Christina, Tennessee.

The Rome Floyd Fire Department and Rome Police Department responded late Thursday night to a worksite accident on Coosawattee Avenue, near the Circle K off Shorter Avenue in Rome. Emergency units were dispatched at approximately 11:30 PM following reports of a traumatic injury involving construction workers.

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The seven acres surrounding Trion Heights Baptist Church has been transformed into a magical Christmas light and live nativity wonderland this holiday season. The church invites the community to partake in “The Light of Christmas,” a heartwarming event that allows visitors to experience the true spirit of the season through the eyes of a live nativity scene. The last night of the week-long event is this evening, starting at 6:30 PM.  The drive-thru event draws families and individuals of all ages to enjoy a drive along a quarter-mile path depicting various stages of Jesus’ life, particularly His miraculous birth.  As an expression of generosity and goodwill, the dazzling lights and the live nativity experience are offered free of charge to the community, celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. Trion Heights Baptist Church is located at 301 Rossville Boulevard, Trion. All are welcome to join in this festive celebration and create lasting memories this holiday season.

Donald Trump has chosen former Georgia Senator David Perdue as the ambassador to China. Perdue has much business experience in Asia, having served as the CEO of Dollar General and a top executive at Sara Lee and Reebok. He has lived in Singapore and Hong Kong and previously highlighted this expertise during his Senate campaign in 2014.

Trump praised Perdue’s background and his work on Senate committees related to armed services and foreign relations. He stated that Perdue will help maintain peace in the region and build a good relationship with China’s leaders. Perdue served one term in the Senate but lost his re-election in 2021. Trump had also recruited him to run for governor of Georgia in 2022, but he lost that primary significantly.

Perdue’s past support for moving jobs to Asia has clashed with Trump’s America First policy. Recently, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Chinese goods if they don’t address fentanyl trafficking.

A Chattooga County man is facing serious charges of child rape after enough evidence was found to bring the case to trial in Chattooga County Superior Court. The Summerville resident, John Michael Capo, 34, of 194 Crowe Street, has been charged with rape, statutory rape, three counts of child molestation, and first-degree cruelty to children. The case was sent to trial recently by the Chattooga County Grand Jury.  These allegations are from an incident on July 28, 2023, where Capo is accused of sexual relations with a female child. Court records show that on September 5, 2023, Capo allegedly caused harm to the child by coercing her to recant her claims, leading her to attempt suicide. The trial date will be set by a Chattooga County Superior Court Judge.

The Georgia Farm Bureau is calling on its members and the agricultural community to reach out to their Congressional representatives regarding the recently released USDA annual Farm Labor Survey (FLS) report.

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