New Report Shows More Than 660 Chattooga County Residents Live In Subsidized Housing

A new report from USAFacts, using data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, shows that hundreds of Chattooga County residents rely on federally subsidized housing programs.

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Georgia Lawmakers Advance Bill To Delay Ballot QR Code Changes Until 2028

Georgia lawmakers have taken the first major step toward resolving a voting system issue that threatened to complicate the state’s upcoming elections.

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DNR Says Invasive Tegu Lizards Can Be Killed On Sight In Georgia

Georgia wildlife officials are asking residents to be on the lookout for a large invasive lizard that poses a threat to native wildlife.

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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.

Arrest Report – Saturday – June 20, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, June 20, 2026:

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Water Service Interruption Expected in Hwy 48 Area

Some City of Summerville water customers may experience low water pressure or no water service today due to a scheduled Georgia Power outage.

The outage is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, and will affect the city’s water pump station located on Highway 48.

Areas that may be impacted include Peach Orchard Road, Highway 48, Hairlake Road, and Beavers Road.

City officials say the estimated restoration time is approximately three hours.

Anyone with questions can contact the City of Summerville Maintenance Department at 706-859-0907.

 

Arrest Report – Friday – June 19, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, June 19, 2026:

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Summerville Police Investigating Theft Of Wheels And Tires From Vehicle

The Summerville Police Department is investigating the theft of wheels and tires from a vehicle at a local auto dealership.

According to the incident report, the theft involved a white 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer located at a dealership property on Martin Street. The stolen property was listed as four wheels and tires removed from the vehicle.

Police documented the theft and advised the vehicle owner that the case would be turned over to investigators. Officers also indicated that extra patrols would be conducted in the area as the investigation continues.

No suspects had been identified at the time of the report, and the case remains under investigation by the Summerville Police Department.

Woman Arrested On Criminal Trespass Charge In Summerville

A woman was arrested on a criminal trespass charge after allegedly returning to a property from which she had previously been banned, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police identified the suspect as Sandy Waynette Wilson, 48, of Summerville.

According to the report, officers learned Wilson had been criminally trespassed from the property approximately 13 days earlier and was prohibited from being there. After confirming that information through dispatch, officers placed Wilson under arrest and transported her to the Chattooga County Jail.

The charge listed in the report is criminal trespass. The case was handled by the Summerville Police Department.

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.