The Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission has endorsed how the initial portion of a significant $638 million settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors should be utilized. $44. 4 million has been designated for 130 projects in the first year of a 20-year initiative, focusing on treatment, prevention, naloxone availability, and research to address the opioid crisis. Opioid overdose deaths have decreased nationwide for the first time since 2018, including in Georgia. The high demand for funding resulted in over 300 applications totaling $248 million, with the current distribution process involving regional boards and a trustee, Kevin Tanner. The aim is to finalize grants by the end of the year and start the next grant application cycle in the spring. The funding, which includes $638 million overall, will be mostly distributed through the grant process, with $159 million going to the city of Atlanta and major Georgia counties through a separate process. This funding originates from a $26 billion settlement with major pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson.
According to a report released last week by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s office, two men, Darius RayQuan Anderson and Justin Noah Minnitee, were arrested earlier this month in Summerville after a drone crash on Highway 27 that led to the discovery of illegal substances. The incident began when a witness saw a red Nissan Versa pick up the crashed drone and a black bag before leaving the scene. The vehicle was traced to a nearby McDonald’s, and later a traffic stop was initiated on Rome Boulevard. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a substantial amount of marijuana, along with cocaine, vacuum-sealed tobacco, and other drug-related items. Anderson’s driver’s license was suspended, and both men were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and driving with a suspended license. Additional items, including 15 Suboxone strips, were seized as well. The suspects were booked into the Chattooga County Jail. This incident has raised concerns about drug trafficking and the role of technology in illegal activities. The investigation is ongoing, with all seized items submitted as evidence for analysis.
The Trion Bulldogs went on the road Saturday night for the 1st round of the state playoffs and will return home with a 45-40 win over the Schley County Wildcats. With the win, the Bulldogs have now advanced to the second round of the playoffs for four straight years and won 9 games or more for four straight years. Trion went into time with a 31-21 lead and extended that lead to 45-27 with 11:20 left in the game. However Schley county would not go away and would get within five points of the Bulldogs but no closer.
Trion will make another four plus hour drive next Friday night to take on the region 4-A Champion Telfair County Trojans. Telfair County won a close game with Emmanual County Institute (ECI) last night 22-19. The Trojans are 9-2 on the year and have won nine games in a row after starting the season 0-2 with losses to Lamar County and Bacon County.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, November 16, 2024:
Just before 10:00 pm on Friday, emergency responders were called to the West Rome Walmart due to reports of a shooting incident.
According to the preliminary investigation, a domestic dispute was taking place outside of the Walmart store which led to one female being struck by a bullet. The alleged shooter attempted to flee from the scene, nearly striking a witness to the incident, but was quickly apprehended by officers. The victim has been transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
This incident is believed to isolated between familiar parties. Anyone with information that has not already been contacted by Rome Police Department investigators is encouraged to call 9-1-1.
UPDATE 7:15 AM – THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL SAYS HIGHWAY 48 HAS REOPENED
Highway 48 between Menlo and Cloudland is closed this morning due to an overturned tractor trailer. Law enforcement has the road closed until further notice. If you are going towards Cloudland or Mentone, you will want to find an alternate route. WZQZ will have more information as it becomes available.
In the first round of GHSA playoff action on Friday night, the Chattooga Indians traveled over three hours to Dodge County to take on the Dodge County Indians but were unable to bring home the win with a final score of Dodge County 40 to Chattooga’s 14.
The Trion Bulldogs will also be making a four hour drive south to Ellaville, GA today to take on the Schley County Wildcats. It will be the second time these two teams have played each other. They met in the second round of the playoffs back in 2018 when Schley County eliminated the Bulldogs 40-13. The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the second round to play the winner of ECI vs Telfair County.
WZQZ will have the game on the radio with kickoff at 6 PM. You can also listen to the game on our Facebook Page. Due to GHSA rules, there will be audio only on our Facebook broadcast.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger wants Congress to focus on election reform in the upcoming Republican-controlled government. He praised Georgia’s election administrators and highlighted the state’s transparent and secure elections with record turnout.
On Wednesday, November 13,2024 around 8PM, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force (DTF) was attempting to make an arrest on a subject, for Trafficking Methamphetamine in Chattooga County, at the Dollar Store in the Gore area. The driver later identified as Amar Diablo Bodrick, 43 year old of Rome, Georgia, was driving a gold Chevrolet SUV when he fled the scene, ramming a DTF vehicle causing damage to the front of the vehicle.