Georgia Methodist Conferences Move Toward Historic Merger

Methodist churches in North Georgia and South Georgia have taken a major step toward forming one statewide conference.

The North Georgia Annual Conference approved a proposal this week to merge with the South Georgia Annual Conference, voting 96 percent to 4 percent in favor of the plan during its annual meeting in Athens. Earlier this month, the South Georgia Annual Conference also approved the same Unification Plan, with 96.6 percent voting in favor.

The proposal would create the Georgia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, bringing both conferences together under one statewide structure.

Church leaders say the vote marks an important step, but the merger is not yet final. The Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference must still decide whether to hold a special virtual session in August 2026 to consider the proposal.

If approved, Bishop Robin Dease would call a joint special session of both annual conferences in September to help prepare for the transition. Under the current proposal, the new Georgia Annual Conference would officially begin on January 1, 2027.

A worship and celebration service is planned for January 2027, with the first session of the newly unified Georgia Annual Conference scheduled for June 2027 in Athens.

Low-Cost Spay And Neuter Assistance Available For Chattooga County Pet Owners

Animal Advocates of Chattooga County has announced a new partnership with My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic to help local pet owners offset the cost of spay and neuter procedures for their dogs and cats.

Read more

Argument During Child Exchange Leads To Police Response In Summerville

Summerville Police officers responded to a reported disturbance involving a child custody exchange at a residence on Carol Drive.

According to the incident report, a disagreement arose regarding the transportation of bicycles during a child exchange between family members. Police spoke with those involved and determined the situation was a civil matter.

The report states that an argument occurred between family members over where the bicycles would be transported. Officers mediated the dispute, and after several phone calls, the parties reached an agreement regarding the bicycles.

No criminal charges were filed, and the incident was cleared following mediation by the Summerville Police Department.

Trion Proposes $14.7 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

The Town of Trion has released its proposed budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and is inviting residents to review the spending plan before its adoption later this month.

Read more

Nearly Half Of Chattooga County Households Struggle To Afford Basic Needs, New ALICE Data Shows

A newly released report from United For ALICE paints a sobering picture of financial hardship in Chattooga County, showing that many local families are struggling to make ends meet despite being employed.

Read more

Arrest Report – Saturday – June 13, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, June 13, 2026:

Read more

Summerville Recognizes Municipal Court Clerks Week

The City of Summerville is recognizing Georgia Municipal Court Clerks Week and honoring the court professionals who help keep the city’s municipal court operating efficiently.

City officials extended appreciation to Chief Municipal Court Clerk Paula Womack and Deputy Court Clerk Stephanie Lathem for their service, professionalism and commitment to the community.

The city said their work includes assisting citizens, coordinating court proceedings, maintaining records and supporting daily court operations.

Officials said Womack and Lathem play an important role in helping ensure the fairness and effectiveness of City Court.

Summerville Recreation Extends Sign-Ups for Youth Age Groups

Summerville Parks and Recreation has extended sign-ups through this Friday, June 12, to fill several remaining youth age group spots.

Openings remain for 6U, 8U and 11U participants. The department says it can still accept 10 more players in the 6U division, 5 more in 8U and 5 more in 11U.

Registration is available online at www.summervillerec.org.

Rome Shrine Club Members Raise Concerns After Downtown Concert Incident

Members of the Rome Shrine Club attended Monday’s Rome City Commission meeting after an incident during Saturday’s First Friday concert in Downtown Rome, where a Shriner was asked by police to stop collecting donations.

Read more

Trion Recreation Department Summer Baseball Registration Ends Today

Parents still have time to sign up their children for Trion Recreation Department Summer Baseball, but the registration deadline is today, Monday, June 8.

The summer league will offer three age divisions, including 6U Coach Pitch, 8U Coach Pitch, and 11U Machine Pitch. The season is scheduled to run from July 10 through August 14.

The registration fee is $30 per player, and player age eligibility is based on the child’s age as of September 1.

Families interested in participating are encouraged to register at Trion Recreation before today’s deadline. Officials remind parents that registrations must be completed by the end of the day to guarantee participation in this year’s summer program.

The summer baseball program provides young athletes with an opportunity to develop their skills, learn teamwork, and enjoy organized competition during the summer months.

For additional information or to register before today’s deadline, contact or visit the Trion Recreation Department 90 Dalton Street in Trion.