Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site employees were honored yesterday during the annual Managers Conference. Accomplishments include improving Georgia’s natural habitats, protecting historic structures, leading outstanding ranger programs, rescues, major renovation projects, customer service excellence and more. Dozens of managers attended an awards ceremony celebrating those who make more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites outstanding destinations across Georgia. They also attended training sessions and shared ideas on park operations within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.  Katy Gramling, park manager for James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State park in Summerville received the “Most Outstanding Site Operation Award”.  Gramling and her team have a great attitude of “do a lot with a little.” Even when faced with staffing challenges, they keep accurate budget reports, develop and meet goals that highlight excellence, and repair utilities – all while welcoming park guests and offering ranger programs. Also, Sloppy Floyd State Park’s sole housekeeper, Anne Seagrave, was nominated for the Outstanding Housekeeping Award during this year’s ranger conference.

Georgia US Senator Jon Ossoff has announced a new Federal grant funding opportunity to help local communities build more housing units, drive costs down, and help families afford homes.

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Hospitality House for Women serves women in Northwest Georgia and invites members of the community to save the date for special events that have been planned for this October to mark the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here are the details on those events from the local nonprofit:

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Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal was in Rome this past week to promote his new children’s book.

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It’s the final day of the 2024 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair and there is plenty left to see and do at the fair.  Gates will open at 2 PM this afternoon and gate admission is $5.  Ride arm bands are $30 each.  The Chattooga County Farm Bureau demonstration area will be featuring programs from master gardeners, and a relish-making demonstration along with how to make ice cream in a bag.  Gospel music will be on tap on the Smith Iron Works Stage, with local gospel artists and then this evening, nationally-known gospel artist Adam Crabb will take the stage.  Adam Crabb is a member of the Gaither Vocal Band and was a member of the award-winning Crabb Family.  Don’t miss the last day of this year’s fair.

The Cloudland Volunteer Fire Department is inviting everyone out for a Labor Day Gospel Music Fest, coming up next month.  The annual event features open-mic gospel music throughout the day.  Singers are invited to bring instruments or use soundtracks and take the stage throughout the day.  The event is held adjacent to the Fire Hall on Gadsden Avenue at the Cloudland Community Park.  There is no admission fee and BBQ lunches will be sold for $10.  The lunches include a BBQ sandwich, chips and a dessert.  All proceeds go to the Cloudland Volunteer Fire Department.

Marty Youngblood, left and Chris Reynolds, right, of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board pose with a Ukrainian pastor. (GBMB/Marty Youngblood)

By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index

A team of Georgia Baptists from First Baptist Church of Jonesboro and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board recently returned from a fact-finding and ministry trip to Poland and Ukraine. Lanny Loe, missions pastor at FBC Jonesboro, in consultation with the International Mission Board, organized the visit to the war-torn nation with GBMB staff Chris Reynolds and Marty Youngblood.

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

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A report of smoke inside a home in Trion was reported on Friday night.  According to the Trion Fire Department, Trion, along with Summerville Fire Departments responded to the call.  When firefighters arrived, the home was full of smoke.  The resident at the house was at home and called 911 when the house began to fill with smoke.  There was only minor damages.  The Trion Fire Department issued a statement with this reminder: Make sure a working smoke alarm or heat alarm is installed in areas where devices or batteries are charged or stored. Don’t charge batteries or devices on combustible and insulating surfaces such as beds, sofas, or carpet, and keep them away from highly flammable materials such as blankets, clothing, and paper. Also, be aware that these batteries can also start a fire when not charging as the ones tonight did if, for some reason, they malfunction. Lithium batteries can catch fire even when not used. Please be aware at all times where batteries are within your property and homes, if possible, store them in an area that can prevent loss of property or life.

Day Three of the 2024 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair will see the gates opening at 2 PM this afternoon.  Gate admission is $5 today and ride armbands will be $30.  Under the livestock pavilion at 1 PM, the 4H and FFA Junior Beef Show will be happening.  Then this evening, the 4H and FFA Poultry Show and Auction will take place.  Participants have raised their poultry from three-day-old chicks and will be auctioning them off to the highest bidder at the fair.  On the Smith Iron Works Stage this evening, Dallas Walker will be performing at 7 PM and then at 9 PM, Lone Star Skynyrd will be playing the timeless classics of Lynyrd Skynyrd.  The weather will be great, so come on out for the Chatttooga County Agricultural Fair.