A murder trial is taking place this week in Chattooga County Superior Court involving the June 2025 shooting death of 27-year-old Christopher “DJ” Chapman.
With Georgia hunting seasons approaching, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to make sure they have completed required hunter education before heading to the woods or purchasing a season hunting license.
A Florida man is facing a theft charge after authorities say he used a deceptive email to convince a Rome man to wire $45,000 to the wrong bank account.
According to the arrest warrant, 47-year-old Herbert Titus Wilson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is accused of sending an email to the victim in February 2025 that appeared to come from a legitimate business associate.
Investigators say the email address was altered by just one letter, making the message appear authentic while allowing Wilson to provide different banking and routing information.
The victim reportedly believed the instructions were legitimate and wired $45,000 to Wilson. The money was intended to pay for the purchase of a piece of equipment.
Wilson has been charged with theft by deception.
A Summerville woman contacted police after she said a motorcycle she allowed another person to use was not returned.
According to a Summerville Police Department report, 36-year-old Brittany Money of Kelly Street reported the incident to police. The case was documented as a miscellaneous, non-criminal report.
Money told police she had allowed another individual to use the motorcycle, but it had not been returned as expected. According to the narrative on page two of the police report, when contact was made concerning the motorcycle, the person reportedly refused to return it and said the situation would be a “police matter.”
The report states that the motorcycle was last known to be at Kawasaki of Rome.
At the time the report was filed, Summerville Police classified the matter as a miscellaneous report rather than a criminal offense. The report does not indicate that an arrest had been made or that criminal charges had been filed.
A proposed memorial in Rome would honor the Cherokee Nation and commemorate the forced removal of the Cherokee people from North Georgia.
Local bakers who believe they make the best apple pie around will have a chance to prove it during the upcoming Old-Fashioned Apple Festival in Summerville.
Summerville Main Street is putting out the call for competitors for both the Standard Apple Pie Contest and Fried Apple Pie Contest during this year’s festival.
There is no registration fee to enter, and organizers say the contests offer local bakers an opportunity to showcase their favorite recipes while competing for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded in each division. First place will receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50.
The Old-Fashioned Apple Festival is set for Saturday, September 5, from 10 AM until 3 PM at the Summerville Depot. Along with the apple pie competitions, the festival will feature apple-themed products, craft and food vendors, live demonstrations, children’s activities and live music throughout the day.
Those interested in entering either apple pie competition can contact Summerville Main Street at 706-859-0900, extension 1337, or email slocklear@summervillega.org for contest rules and registration information.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, August 26, 2026:
The world has lost one of country music’s most beloved voices.
Dolly Parton died Tuesday at the age of 80. The Tennessee native rose from humble beginnings in the Smoky Mountains to become one of the most recognizable and loved entertainers in the world.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Dolly gave us classics including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You. But her legacy reaches far beyond music. Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, she helped put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children around the world.
Singer. Songwriter. Actress. Businesswoman. Philanthropist. And, through it all, unmistakably Dolly.
For those of us in this part of the country, she always seemed a little closer to home — a Tennessee mountain girl who never forgot where she came from.
Dolly Parton was 80 years old.
Rest in peace, Dolly. The Smoky Mountains — and the world — will never quite sound the same.
Northwest Georgia will enjoy a mostly sunny and seasonable Wednesday before rain and thunderstorm chances increase heading into Thursday.
A 66-year-old Lyerly man died Tuesday following an accident involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle on Highway 114, according to the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office.
The Coroner’s Office says it was notified of the fatal accident at approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The accident occurred in the 6000 block of Highway 114 in Lyerly.
The victim was identified as Tony L. Edgeworth, 66, of Lyerly.
According to the release, Edgeworth was treated at the scene by Atrium Floyd EMS and LifeForce Air Medical personnel. Officials initially prepared for possible air transport, but Edgeworth was determined to be too unstable to be transported by helicopter.
He was instead transported by ambulance to Atrium Floyd Chattooga Emergency Room, where he later died from his injuries.
Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating the accident. Additional details about the circumstances surrounding the collision were not included in the initial release.
The Coroner’s Office asked the community to keep Edgeworth’s family in their prayers during this difficult time.