The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has received confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the first detection of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula or SLF), an invasive planthopper that poses a serious risk to the state’s agriculture, was made in Fulton County, Georgia on October 22, 2024, and confirmed by USDA APHIS on November 14, 2024. The first confirmed detection of the Spotted Lanternfly was made in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has spread to 17 states, including Tennessee and North Carolina.
Georgia Department of Corrections officials are seeking an increase in state funding to address staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and improve inmate health care. The state saw a significant decline in correctional officers during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a turnover rate increasing to 40% at one point. The Commissioner of Corrections, Tyrone Oliver, highlighted recruitment challenges in retaining correctional officers, citing better-paying jobs in other industries as a factor. Deteriorating infrastructure in prisons poses safety risks, with inmates using it to create weapons. The department aims to add more single-bunk cells to reduce inmate assaults. Funding would also help address the issue of contraband weapons and cellphones reaching inmates, potentially through drones. The aging prison population has led to increased healthcare needs, including chronic illnesses. Self-help programs for inmates, such as substance abuse and cognitive issue programs, have shown positive outcomes in reducing criminal behavior. Lawmakers are expected to prioritize funding for the prison system in the upcoming legislative session.
The highly anticipated Rink at Ridge Ferry Park is set to open for its second season on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Located under a large tent in front of the Coca-Cola Stage, this enchanting winter wonderland features a real ice rink, providing a delightful experience for skaters of all ages.
A truck driver, Parvinder Singh, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 18 years probation for causing a fatal accident in Floyd County on May 2 that resulted in the death of Letha Lamb of Calhoun.
The first round of the GHSA state high school playoffs start tonight and both Chattooga and Trion will be on the road for their 1st round matchups. Chattooga will play tonight at 7:30 pm at Dodge County and Trion will play on Saturday at 6pm at Schley County.
The Chattooga Indians finished the regular season 6-4 overall and fourth place in region 7-A Div 1 with a 3-4 record. The Indians will make a 4 hour drive south today to Eastman, GA to take on the Dodge County Indians. Dodge County is ranked 10th in the state according to the AJC after finishing the regular season 8-2 overall and third place in region 2-A with a record of 7-2. Dodge County was 8-0 heading into the final two games of the season and ranked 6th in the state before two blowout losses to Northeast 40-19 and Dublin 50-33. Just like Chattooga, this year was Dodge County’s first winning season in 3 years and also their first playoff appearance since 2021. The winner of tonight’s game will advance to play the winner of Coosa vs Worth County.
The 7th ranked Trion Bulldogs finished the regular season 8-2 overall and secured a 3rd place finish in Region 7-A Div 2 with a 2-2 record. The Bulldogs will also be making a four hour drive south to Ellaville, GA to take on the Schley County Wildcats. Schley County is unranked and finished the regular season 6-4 overall with a 5-1 Region 6-A record that was good enough for a 2nd place finish behind region champion Macon County. Schley County’s only region loss was to Macon County 44-29. The Wildcats also suffered non region defeats to Seminole County, Irwin County and Early County. Saturday’s game 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 Saturday’s game will advance to the second round to play the winner of ECI vs Telfair County.
Due to GHSA rules, neither game can be video streamed tonight but both games will be audio streamed on the WZQZ Facebook page and on 99.1 FM and AM 1180. Join Chris “Bubba” Wilson and Steiner Davis tonight for the pregame show at 7:15 pm with kickoff to follow at 7:30. Jeremy Burke and Paul Cavin will call the Trion game on Saturday night starting at 6pm.
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Georgia State Patrol, is actively seeking information regarding a tragic incident that occurred early Saturday morning, resulting in the death of a pedestrian on Highway 114, just south of Lyerly in the Chattoogaville area.
According to a report this week from the Chattooga County Sheriffs Office, earlier this month, deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on Haywood Valley Road. The responding deputy received a call about concerning behavior from forty-six-year-old Travis Campbell. Campbell’s parents reported that he had stolen $190 from his mother’s pocketbook and tried to take his parent’s car. Campbell’s parents said that they wanted to press charges. Deputies detained Travis after he admitted to taking the money and attempting to take the car. Travis was read his Miranda Rights and arrested for theft by taking. Campbell was arrested and booked into the Chattooga County Jail on charges of theft by taking.
Graduates from GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program for fall 2024 are (from left, front row) Memphis Hudgens, Anthony Wilson, Chase O’Neal, Jovanny Martinez Cordero, Peyton Pope, Pacey Smith; (back row) Braxton Vinson, Mason Reid Crozier, Bragen Fischel, Antony Morales Avalos, Christopher Braden Barrett, Brayden Cole and Ryan Turley.
Thirteen students graduated on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Electrical Lineworker program during a ceremony at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.
