In a recent alert to residents, Sheriff Mark Schrader is sounding the alarm about a resurgence of telephone scams involving individuals impersonating representatives from Georgia Power. According to Sheriff Schrader, the sheriff’s office has received multiple reports from concerned citizens about callers claiming to be from the utility company. “Callers pretending to be from the Power Company are at it again,” he stated. “They assert that you owe money on your power bill and threaten to disconnect your service if you do not make an immediate payment.” Sheriff Schrader emphasized that this is a scam. The deceptive callers often disguise their phone numbers to appear on caller ID as Georgia Power, but they provide a different number for victims to call back. “We want to remind everyone to be vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited calls demanding payment,” he advised. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious calls to the sheriff’s office and to verify any claims directly with Georgia Power through their official channels. “If you receive a call like this, hang up and contact Georgia Power directly using a number from their official website,” Sheriff Schrader urged. The sheriff’s office is working to raise awareness about this ongoing scam, stressing that awareness and caution are the best defenses against fraud.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is hosting a Free Application Month in November to assist potential students looking to enroll for the spring semester. The $25 application fee will be waived for all incoming students from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 by entering the code FREEAPP24. The deadline for admissions for the spring semester is Dec. 3, with classes starting on Jan. 6. To apply, visit GNTC’s main webpage and click “Apply Now,” or contact the Office of Admissions for more information on Free Application Month. The Gordon County Campus is located at 1151 Highway 53 Spur, Calhoun. GNTC offers various educational pathways leading to associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates in fields such as aviation, business, health, industrial, and public service. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and provides education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. With an annual enrollment of 8,031 credit students and an additional 4,210 in various programs, GNTC aims to serve a diverse student population while complying with applicable Federal civil rights laws. Brittany Elrod serves as the Equity Coordinator for GNTC.

The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Family Violence Task Force convened at Greg’s Restaurant in Chickamauga under the leadership of its new chair, Donna Fincher. The meeting focused on identifying strategic goals for 2025 and exploring innovative approaches to enhance the task force’s impact across the circuit.

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U. S. Senator Jon Ossoff has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at improving federal oversight of state foster care systems following a 13-month investigation into abuse and neglect in Georgia’s foster care system. The investigation uncovered “hidden” foster care placements where children are informally placed with caregivers without judicial oversight, leading to concerns about their safety. Ossoff’s bill would require states to measure and report these informal placements to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with HHS submitting a public report to Congress for transparency. The proposed legislation is intended to protect foster children from various forms of abuse and human trafficking by enhancing accountability in the foster care system. Ossoff stressed the importance of reform and the need to address potential human rights violations faced by children in foster care.

The Georgia Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to reinstate recent election rule changes that were deemed invalid by a lower court. The new rules, approved by the State Election Board in September, included hand-counting of ballots by three county officials at each precinct and requiring county boards to certify election results after a thorough inquiry. These changes were aimed at enhancing accuracy and public confidence in election outcomes. The decision to maintain current election procedures has sparked debates over election integrity and transparency in Georgia, with advocates for reform expressing disappointment and others viewing the ruling as a victory for established electoral processes.

A proposed shooting range on Lookout Mountain appears to have stalled after the application for a special use permit was withdrawn hours before Walker County Commissioners were set to vote on the issue.

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, October 24, 2024:

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The Town of Trion will hold their October workshop and regular council meeting this evening at Trion Town Hall.  On the agenda for this evening’s meeting, the council will discuss purchasing one of two memorial crosses for the veteran’s memorial located near the track field.  According to Mayor Lanny Thomas, the town’s veteran’s committee has raised enough money to purchase one of the crosses and the mayor is asking the council to purchase the other cross at a cost of $9,100.  Also, the town council will hear from the Trion Recreation Department about the purchase of additional surveillance cameras for the rec center.  WZQZ News will carry this evening’s Trion Town Council meeting live on our Facebook page starting with the work session at 6 PM.  You can see a complete agenda for this evening’s meeting below:

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An accident on Tuesday on Highway 114 at Chattoogaville appears to have been caused by a driver attempting to get around a log truck that was turning into a private driveway.  The two-vehicle resulted in minor injuries. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the accident involved a 2018 Ford Mustang, driven by John Mark Weaver of Ringgold, and a 2000 Peterbilt Conventional truck operated by Anthony Jarrett of the M&K Dawson logging company. The incident unfolded as both vehicles were traveling eastbound on GA 114. Witnesses reported that while the Peterbilt truck was executing a left turn into a private driveway, the Mustang attempted to maneuver around it, unaware of the truck’s intention to turn. This misjudgment led to the Mustang colliding with the driver’s side of the truck. The collision left debris scattered across the roadway, snarling traffic for a period of time. Witness accounts indicated that the Mustang was traveling at a high speed prior to the crash. According to the report, Jarrett was taken by Atrium Health Floyd EMS with minor injuries, as were passengers in Weaver’s vehicle.  The incident is being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol Post in Rome.