Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, July 25, 2026:
A strong thunderstorm Friday afternoon caused flooding in downtown Summerville and damaged Chattooga County’s emergency communications system after lightning struck the county’s communications tower on Taylor’s Ridge.
Summerville City Manager Jason Winters told WZQZ News that the primary flooding occurred along Commerce Street in front of Bryant and Sons Lumber Company. Winters said the flooding was likely caused by a drainage tile beneath the state-owned railroad tracks becoming clogged with debris. He said the city has contacted the state and will work to have the tile cleared.
Meanwhile, Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen told WZQZ News that a lightning strike shortly after 5 p.m. caused major damage to the communications tower used by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, county fire departments and EMS. Allen said service was partially restored by 6 p.m. and was expected to be fully restored before nightfall. He said permanent repairs to the tower are expected to be costly but should be covered by the county’s insurance.
Press Release:
From Chattooga County Government, EMA/E-911
A lightning strike associated with a severe storm this (Friday) afternoon impacted the Chattooga County Public Safety Communications Building, affecting portions of the county’s communications infrastructure.
Emergency communications remain operational, and dispatch services continue to support public safety agencies throughout the county. Personnel are actively working to restore all systems to full functionality.
Currently, there are no unmet public safety needs, and emergency services continue to respond to calls for service.
The public is encouraged to use 911 for emergencies as normal. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as crews work to complete repairs.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, July 24, 2026:
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is correcting what he says is an inaccurate headline published in this week’s edition of The Summerville News regarding the recent indictment of a woman accused of inappropriate contact with an inmate.
A Menlo woman was arrested earlier this month after allegedly returning to a business from which she had previously been banned.
According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the Handi Mart in Menlo at approximately 6:10 a.m. on July 16 in reference to a trespassing complaint.
The store manager told deputies that Kimberly Joy Basham, 55, of Menlo, had been issued a criminal trespass warning and was not allowed on the property. Chattooga County E-911 also advised the responding deputy that Basham had been trespassed from the business and had previously been arrested for violating the warning.
After speaking with the manager, the deputy located Basham in the store parking lot and took her into custody. She was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident.
Basham was charged with Criminal Trespass.
A man faces multiple charges following a domestic violence investigation in Chattooga County.
A traffic stop in Lyerly earlier this month resulted in the arrest of a 23-year-old woman on multiple drug charges after Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputies allegedly discovered more than 100 suspected oxycodone tablets during a vehicle search.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, July 19, 2026:
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, July 18, 2026:
Organizations planning to use raffles as fundraisers should be aware that Georgia law allows only qualified nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations to conduct them legally.
Under O.C.G.A. § 16-12-22.1, only qualified nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations—including charities, churches and schools—may operate raffles in Georgia. Individuals and for-profit businesses are prohibited from conducting raffles, and unauthorized raffles may constitute illegal commercial gambling, which is a felony under Georgia law.
To qualify, an organization must have maintained valid IRS 501(c) tax-exempt status for at least 24 months and obtain an annual raffle license from the sheriff’s office in the county where the organization is based. The application fee may be up to $100.
Georgia law also requires raffles to be conducted only on property owned by the nonprofit, property leased by the organization for purposes other than conducting raffles, or property leased from another qualified nonprofit organization. Participants must be at least 18 years old, unless accompanied by an adult.
Organizations holding four or more raffles each year must submit an annual report of raffle receipts and expenditures, signed by a certified public accountant, to the sheriff by April 15.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader makes raffle license applications and related forms available online through the Sheriff’s Office website at https://chattooga-ga-sheriff.org/.