Storm Damage Reported Across Trion Monday Evening

Trion residents are cleaning up this morning following a strong thunderstorm that caused widespread damage across the town Monday evening.

Trion Police Chief David Gilleland told WZQZ News Monday night that the damage was extensive, with numerous trees and limbs brought down across town.

Damage was reported in front of Mount Vernon Mills and along Simmons Street, Town Hall Drive, Marsh Avenue and Pine Street, as well as several other locations. Crews had already cleared the area in front of the mill when Gilleland spoke with WZQZ shortly before 7:45 PM.

One of the more significant areas of damage was at the Trion Recreation Department, where a large tree came down near the tennis courts.

Gilleland told WZQZ the falling tree took out the entire fence surrounding the tennis courts.

Some residents along side streets also experienced power outages Monday evening, although power remained on at Trion School following the storm.

Most importantly, Gilleland said no injuries had been reported as of Monday night.

Photos taken around Trion following the storm showed large trees and limbs down near homes and along roadways.

There was no immediate confirmation that a tornado was responsible for the damage. The storms that moved through the area were capable of producing strong, damaging wind gusts.

Crews were working Monday evening to clear trees and debris and assess the extent of the damage.

Summerville PFAS Lawsuit Moves Forward Against Major Chemical Manufacturers

A federal lawsuit over PFAS contamination of Summerville’s drinking water supply continues moving toward trial after a federal judge rejected efforts by major chemical manufacturers to dispose of significant portions of the case.

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Trion Council Approves $5-Per-Hour Pay Increase For Firefighters

The Trion Town Council has approved a significant pay increase for firefighters, a move aimed at improving compensation and helping retain fire personnel.

During the council’s August 27 meeting, Mayor Mickey McGraw made a motion to increase firefighter pay by $5 per hour. The motion was seconded and received unanimous approval from the council.

Under an ongoing cost-sharing arrangement between the town and Mount Vernon Mills, the company will pay half of the increase, or $2.50 per hour.

The increase represents an effort by town officials to improve compensation for the firefighters who provide emergency response and fire protection services to the Trion community.

The unanimous vote puts the higher hourly pay in place with the cost of the increase shared equally between the Town of Trion and Mount Vernon Mills.

AdventHealth AngioScreen Heart And Vascular Screening Coming To Trion Wednesday

AdventHealth will bring its AngioScreen heart and vascular screening program to Mount Vernon Mills in Trion this Wednesday, August 26, giving area residents an opportunity to check for warning signs of heart and vascular disease.

The screenings will be offered from 6 AM until noon at Mount Vernon Mills, 91 Fourth Street in Trion. The cost is $85 per person.

AngioScreen is a non-invasive and painless vascular health screening designed to identify potential problems before symptoms develop. The screening takes approximately 15 minutes and includes a carotid artery ultrasound to check for plaque buildup, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, an ankle-brachial index to evaluate circulation in the legs, an ECG to assess heart rhythm, blood pressure, and a review of vascular risk factors. Participants receive an immediate review of their results from the clinical team.

The screening may be especially important for people with cardiovascular risk factors, including those 55 or older, or those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, a history of smoking, or a family history of heart attack or stroke.

AdventHealth says up to 50 participants can be accommodated during the screening day. Appointments can be scheduled through the link provided by AdventHealth at bit.ly/MtVernonMills. Payment options include cash, checks, credit and debit cards, as well as HSA, TaxSaver and flexible spending cards.

Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Bus In Trion Today — Open To The Public

The CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital Breathe Easy Mobile Lung Screening Coach is in Trion today, Wednesday, August 19, offering low-dose CT lung cancer screenings — and the service is not limited to Mount Vernon Mills employees.

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Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Bus Coming To Mount Vernon Mills Wednesday

Residents in Chattooga County will have an opportunity Wednesday to take advantage of low-dose CT lung cancer screenings when the CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital Breathe Easy Mobile Lung Screening Coach visits Trion.

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Trion Proposes Smaller Budget With No Tax or Utility Rate Increases

Residents in Trion could see no increase in property taxes or utility rates under the town’s proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.

The proposed budget totals approximately $14.7 million across all funds, a decrease of about 3.2 percent compared to the current fiscal year. According to Trion Town Clerk Missy Duncan, most of the reduction is tied to lower projected natural gas sales.

Duncan said Mount Vernon Mills, the town’s largest employer and largest natural gas customer, is expected to use less natural gas during the coming fiscal year based on projections from the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. Even with the anticipated decline in gas revenue, town officials are not proposing any increases in water, sewer, natural gas, sanitation, or property tax rates.

The proposed budget includes approximately $4.05 million for the General Fund, $5.21 million for the Gas Revenue Fund, $4.75 million for the Sewer and Wastewater Treatment Fund, $292,500 for the Water Fund, and $391,950 for the SPLOST Fund.

Town officials also expect to receive about $33,000 per month in Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) revenue, providing additional funding for transportation projects.

Residents will have an opportunity to review the proposed budget and offer comments during a public hearing before the budget is considered for final adoption

Manufacturing Continues To Drive Chattooga County Economy

Manufacturing remains the leading employment sector in Chattooga County, continuing its long-standing role as the backbone of the local economy.

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Community Blood Drive Planned Wednesday At Mount Vernon Mills In Trion

A community blood drive will be held tomorrow at Mount Vernon Mills in Trion.

The blood drive is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the mill located at 91 4th Street in Trion. Organizers are encouraging donors to make an appointment ahead of time.

Blood Assurance officials remind donors to eat a healthy meal, drink plenty of water, and avoid energy drinks before donating blood.

Donors can also save time on the day of their appointment by completing the Blood Assurance QuickScreen health questionnaire before arriving.

Anyone with questions about donating blood, or those needing assistance in Spanish, can contact Mitzi at 706-618-9108.

 

Blood Drive Set For May 20 At Mount Vernon Mills In Trion

A community blood drive will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Mount Vernon Mills in Trion.

The blood drive will take place from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 91 4th Street in Trion. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment ahead of time.

Blood Assurance reminds donors to eat a good meal, drink extra water, and avoid energy drinks before giving blood. Donors can also save time by using Blood Assurance QuickScreen on the day of their appointment to answer health history questions before arriving.

Anyone with questions about donating or needing assistance in Spanish may call Mitzi at 706-618-9108.