Arrest Report – Wednesday – September 16, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, September 16, 2026:

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Pilot Killed In DeKalb County Plane Crash Remembered As Longtime Albertville Aviation Leader

The pilot killed in Tuesday morning’s plane crash in neighboring DeKalb County, Alabama, was a longtime fixture in the region’s aviation community.

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$2 Million In CDBG Grants Awarded For Chattooga County Water And Summerville Sewer Projects

Two major infrastructure projects in Chattooga County are receiving a combined $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding, with money going toward water line upgrades in the Welcome Hill area and continued sewer improvements in Summerville.

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Summerville Police Investigate Attempted Check Fraud

Summerville Police are investigating a possible case of check fraud after a check originally written for just $65 was allegedly intercepted, altered and rewritten for $13,900.

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Berry College To Host Landowner Meeting On Prescribed Fire And Forest Management

Private landowners and others interested in forestry, wildlife habitat and prescribed burning are invited to a free land-management meeting at Berry College on Monday, October 19.

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Georgia Helps Develop National Education Playbook Focused On Better Student Outcomes

Georgia is one of just eight states that helped develop and test a new national education framework designed to help states determine which programs are working and where education resources can have the greatest impact on students.

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Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Receives $1.5 Million EPA Brownfields Grant

The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission has been awarded a $1.5 million federal Brownfields grant to help identify, assess and prepare properties across the region for potential redevelopment.

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DeKalb County Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash Near Fort Payne

A 62-year-old DeKalb County man was killed Tuesday morning when the small plane he was piloting crashed near Fort Payne.

The victim has been identified as Douglas Emge of DeKalb County, Alabama. DeKalb County EMA officials said Emge was the only person aboard the aircraft when it crashed on September 15.

The crash occurred near the 4700 block of County Road 3 in the Whiton community, near the Whiton water tank.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported the crash at around 8 AM Tuesday and asked the public to avoid the area as emergency crews responded.

Federal Aviation Administration records list Emge as the registered owner of the aircraft, identified as N469TW.

Residents near the crash site reported hearing the crash and seeing flames and smoke from the wreckage. Some neighbors said they had known Emge and his family for years and were saddened by his death.

Emge’s family has been notified.

The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene and is investigating the crash.

Red Cross Blood Drive Coming To Berry College Thursday

The American Red Cross is asking Northwest Georgia residents to help maintain the nation’s blood supply by donating blood this week at Berry College.

A Red Cross blood drive will be held Thursday, September 17, from 2 until 7 PM at the Krannert Center, located at 2277 Martha Berry Boulevard in Mount Berry.

The Red Cross says the nation’s blood supply remains vulnerable following critically low levels during a summer blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure hospitals have blood products available for patients.

Berry College has a long history of supporting blood donations. The college’s Blood Donor Program was started by students in 1974, and Berry says Red Cross and Blood Assurance visits typically collect more than 450 units of blood annually. The Berry College Red Cross Club assists with blood drives on campus.

There’s also an incentive for Thursday’s donors. Those who give blood through September 20 can receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last.

Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or through the Red Cross website.

Greg “Hawk” Hawkins Appointed Deputy Coroner In Chattooga County

Greg “Hawk” Hawkins has been appointed Deputy Coroner of Chattooga County, continuing a long career of service in local emergency services.

Hawkins was sworn in Monday by Judge Gary Woods, with Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and Senior Deputy Coroner Earle Rainwater in attendance.

A longtime resident of Menlo, Hawkins has served Chattooga County for many years in emergency medical services. He worked as a paramedic and supervisor with Redmond EMS, building decades of experience responding to emergencies throughout the county.

Hawkins is also a 2018 graduate of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Chattooga class.

Earlier this year, Hawkins received regional recognition for his service in emergency medicine. In March, he was honored as the EMS Pioneer of the Year by the Northwest Georgia Regional Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.

His appointment as Deputy Coroner adds another chapter to a career centered on public service and emergency response in Chattooga County.