Registration is now open for the 2024 Toys For Tots program in Floyd County, Polk County, and Chattooga counties, which provides toys to children in need. Last year, the program distributed toys to almost 1,500 families, totaling over 13,000 toys for more than 3,500 children. This year, the program coordinator, Linda Hatcher, anticipates serving up to 4,000 children due to increasing demand.
Tyshion Nautese Hicks, a woman from Georgia, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for her involvement in a scheme that defrauded the state Department of Labor of over $30 million in unemployment benefits. Along with seven co-conspirators, Hicks filed over 5,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims between March 2020 and November 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group created fake employers and fictitious employees using information from identity theft victims, then submitted fraudulent claims on the labor department’s website. They received benefits through prepaid debit cards sent to chosen addresses, many in Vienna and Cordele. Hicks pleaded guilty to mail fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. The scheme was one of the biggest cases of COVID fraud ever prosecuted, according to Nicole Argentieri of the U. S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division. In addition to serving prison time, Hicks must have three years of supervised release and pay restitution of an undetermined amount.
An Armuchee man, Joshua Glenn Ashworth, age 48, is accused of physically assaulting a child by repeatedly hitting them with his hand and a shoe, causing visible bruising. The incidents took place in July at a residence on Old Dalton Road. Ashworth’s actions were not isolated, as he reportedly struck the child on multiple occasions, raising concerns about the child’s safety. Kayleigh Nicole House, 25, has also been charged with 1st-degree cruelty to children for allegedly allowing Ashworth’s abusive behavior to continue. Authorities believe both individuals contributed to the harm inflicted on the victim. The charges against Ashworth and House are serious, as 1st-degree cruelty to children is a felony offense.
Early voting has been brisk in Chattooga County over the past two weeks. The Chattooga County Registrars Office tells WZQZ News that 2,399 people voted last week, with 287 of those votes taking place on Saturday. The previous week, 2,584 people voted – bringing the total to 4,983. Early voting will continue this week and the Chattooga County Registrars Office hopes that voters will take advantage of extended hours. This week, voting will take place from 8:30 AM until 6 PM. All early voting in Chattooga County takes place at the Chattooga County Registrars Office, located at 10017 Commerce Street in Summerville. Remember to bring a picture ID when you come to vote.
The Summerville-Trion Optimist Club hosted their annual Halloween Walk in downtown Summerville on Saturday. The event was in conjunction with several other Halloween-themed events put on by Summerville Main Street – but there are more opportunities for Halloween fun in Chattooga County on Halloween night.
Residents who live in Walker County on Lookout Mountain expressed their opposition to a proposed gun range despite the withdrawal of the permit request. Even though the agenda item for the sporting clay range was removed from the Walker County Commission meeting, neighbors in the area still voiced their concerns. At the meeting, every person who spoke against the proposed gun range cited issues such as noise, environmental pollution, increased traffic, and the potential devaluation of neighboring properties. Questions were raised as to why the range was still being considered after the Planning & Zoning Commission had unanimously voted to deny the application the previous week. Critics pointed out that one of the eight requirements on the rezoning application had not been satisfied by Duane Horton of the Scenic Land Company. However, the county’s planning department confirmed that Horton had withdrawn the application before the commission voted on the denial. Despite this, residents near the proposed site may have a respite of about six months before the issue could resurface with a new application.
Two high schools, about 20 miles apart, in two different states, made headlines in Georgia and Alabama last Friday. Chattooga running back Zayden Cook surpassed 2,500 rushing yards for the season and the Gaylesville Trojan’s running back Alex Baty set an Alabama state rushing record.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, October 27, 2024:
Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center have awarded over $2 million to the Rome-Floyd YMCA for their 25th Anniversary Capital Campaign at Grizzard Park. The funding will support anti-hunger efforts, cardio room maintenance, and community programs. Atrium Health Floyd also recently granted $1. 3 million to 33 community agencies. The partnership will provide healthcare services, education, and screenings. Atrium Health Floyd supports the YMCA’s mobile food markets and activities for children. The Foundation aims to improve community health and address social determinants of health in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama.
Truett McConnell University dedicated the Dr. Charles F. Stanley Global Impact Center in honor of the late Charles Stanley. Stanley, known for his impactful preaching and prayer life, served as pastor of Atlanta’s First Baptist Church for over 50 years and founded In Touch Ministries. The center, housing the Stanley Chair of Theology, was designed to spread the message of Christ worldwide, as inspired by Psalm 67:2. In addition to broadcasting “In Touch” in 160 languages, the center showcases Stanley’s photography and ministry artifacts.
