A lawsuit filed by the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP and the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda seeks to overturn two provisions of Georgia’s recently passed election law, Senate Bill 189. The first provision allows legal challenges to voters registered at nonresidential addresses, such as college dormitories, senior living facilities, and homeless shelters. The lawsuit argues that denying someone’s right to vote based on their nonresidential address is unjust. The second provision, effective January 2024, requires homeless voters to use their county election office for election-related mail. Critics say this places an unfair burden on homeless voters compared to others. Supporters believe the provisions uphold election integrity, while opponents see them as part of a broader effort to disenfranchise certain voters. The lawsuit could impact voting access and fairness in Georgia moving forward.

Photo Credit: Trion Fire Department

Emergency responders worked an accident on Saturday morning involving an overturned vehicle on Penn Bridge Road.  The single-vehicle accident involved a black sedan that went over the guardrail and overturned. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader said that the driver of the car was not seriously injured.  WZQZ News will have more information when a report is released by law enforcement.

Last week, a Summerville Police officer was on patrol when he observed a beige Chevrolet Equinox with a temporary license plate traveling northbound on Commerce Street. As the officer  monitored the vehicle’s movements, he noticed it veer across the white fog line and into a parking lot. The officer watched as the driver erratically weaved between the painted parking space lines, eventually coming to a stop in the lot of the Amaco gas station. Deciding to initiate a traffic stop, the officer approached the driver’s side of the Equinox and found a female behind the wheel, accompanied by a male passenger who was not wearing his seatbelt.

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Blood Assurance is in immediate need of blood and platelet donors after the devastating landfall of Hurricane Helene and its impact on Georgia.

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While the Northwest Georgia region, including Chattooga County, largely escaped the brunt of the powerful Hurricane Helene, other parts of the state were not so fortunate. The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) is urging caution and advising travelers to check road conditions before venturing into the affected areas. In the coming days, the DOT plans to dispatch additional teams from District Six which covers Northwest Georgia, to provide support and aid the recovery process in other regions of Georgia that were hit much harder by Hurricane Helene.

The state of emergency declared by Georgia’s governor remains in effect until October 2, 2024, underscoring the significant impact of this natural disaster. The DOT is working closely with federal, state, and local authorities to assess the damage and spearhead cleanup operations across the state.

Flooding, debris, fallen trees, and downed power lines continue to pose challenges in many areas, and the safety of the traveling public is of paramount concern as the DOT shifts its focus to the task of repairs from storm damage. Motorists are strongly advised to  check road conditions and exercise caution before traveling to the impacted regions of Georgia, as the recovery efforts are still very much ongoing.

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The Republican-led group, Eternal Vigilance Action, has taken issue with Georgia’s new requirement that poll workers count the total number of ballots by hand, viewing it as another overreach by the State Election Board.

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On the morning of September 18th, a Chattooga County Deputy was dispatched to the Mohawk facility in the small town of Lyerly in response to a reported burglary. Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy witnessed the burglary suspect, later identified as Cody Mobbs, hastily fleeing the premises and running towards a nearby wooded area.

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The Trion Bulldogs were on the road on Saturday and traveled to Meriwether County to face off with the Manchester Blue Devils.  The Saturday game was announced earlier this week due to the projected path of Hurricane Helene in West-Central Georgia.  The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, losing by a score of 34-7.  The Bulldogs return to Sam R. McCain Stadium next Friday to host the visiting Eagles from Mount Zion.