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).
A new Georgia law taking effect July 1st will allow property owners to seek compensation if they believe local governments are not doing enough to enforce public nuisance laws.
House Bill 295 applies to issues such as public camping, vandalism, and panhandling. Supporters say the law is designed to push cities and counties to enforce existing ordinances when public nuisance activity hurts businesses, property values, or public safety.
State Representative Jesse Petrea, who co-sponsored the bill, said some business owners have complained about losing customers and property value when people feel unsafe near encampments or panhandling areas.
However, critics worry the law could have a negative impact on people experiencing homelessness. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said public spaces should remain open to everyone as long as people are not creating a nuisance.
Property owners who file claims will have to prove that nuisance behavior caused financial loss and that local government willfully failed to enforce the law.
House Bill 295 became law on May 12th and is scheduled to take effect July 1st.
With school letting out and summer getting underway, safety officials are reminding families across Northwest Georgia to use caution when riding ATVs and other off-road vehicles.
A sweeping new insurance reform measure signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp is expected to bring significant changes for Georgia homeowners, drivers and insurance companies.
Teen drivers in Georgia are facing some of the highest insurance costs of any age group, as insurers point to increased risk and inexperience behind the wheel.
The Chattooga County Tax Assessor’s Office has announced that the tax books are now open for the return of 2026 state and county taxes, with property owners required to make their return on or before April 1, 2026.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, February 23, 2026:
A 70-year-old man was arrested in Chattooga County after deputies responded to a reported suspicious person and vehicle call on Highway 114 and later charged him with criminal trespass and false report of a crime, according to an incident arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.













