Last week, Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen released the county government’s 2024 audit. The audit covers the final year that former Commissioner Blake Elsberry was in office and points to serious problems in the county’s bookkeeping and financial oversight.
The Chattooga County Courthouse reopened Wednesday afternoon after a bomb threat prompted an evacuation and law enforcement search of the building.
According to Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen, the threat was reported to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday morning. Officials immediately evacuated and secured the courthouse while deputies conducted a thorough search of the facility.
Authorities later determined there was no active threat and gave the all-clear for employees and the public to return.
The courthouse resumed normal operations at 1 p.m.
Allen thanked the Sheriff’s Office, first responders, courthouse employees, and the public for their cooperation during the incident, saying the safety of the community remains the county’s highest priority.
No injuries were reported, and authorities have not released additional information about the source of the threat.
Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen has announced that the Mosteller Creek Bridge on Oak Hill Road west of Lyerly will close beginning June 16 following a state inspection that found structural concerns requiring immediate attention.
A recently released audit of Chattooga County’s 2024 financial records identified deficiencies involving accounting procedures, procurement practices, internal controls, budgeting, and documentation. Major findings included more than $333,000 in ARPA-funded broadband project expenses that lacked sufficient supporting documentation, payments on road projects that exceeded approved bid amounts, missing procurement records, untimely bank reconciliations, and several departments exceeding approved budgets. Auditors also cited inadequate segregation of duties and training deficiencies. Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen said “We walked into this mess” when he took office and agreed with the audit findings and said corrective steps have already been implemented, including added accounting staff, stronger oversight, improved documentation requirements, better procurement procedures, regular budget reviews, and additional employee training. (See full story below).
Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen has issued a statement addressing questions and concerns from residents regarding property appraisal work currently being conducted throughout the county by GMASS (Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions & Services).
As wildfires continue to burn in parts of Georgia, local officials in Chattooga County are taking steps to reduce fire danger closer to home.
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen put a countywide burn ban in place last Thursday at noon. The ban includes all outdoor burning and will remain in effect until May 1, 2026, when the Georgia EPD’s annual summer burn ban takes effect.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s summer open burning ban runs from May 1 through September 30 and includes Chattooga County. The EPD says the ban is aimed at reducing air pollution during the summer ozone season.
The local ban comes as Georgia officials respond to major wildfire activity, especially in South Georgia. Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties this week due to ongoing wildfires and extreme drought conditions.
Fire officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning, properly dispose of cigarettes, and use caution with anything that could spark a fire.
Chattooga County residents will soon see changes to their water bills after Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen approved a plan to gradually increase rates over the next five years.
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has announced several bids awarded after last Friday’s bid deadline, covering equipment purchases and facility improvements across the county.
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen says he and Sheriff Mark Schrader will be reviewing bids for a new roof at the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office on Underwood Dairy Road in Trion.
Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen is seeking sealed bids for two separate construction projects, including new pole barn buildings for the county’s Public Works Department and a roof replacement at the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
