
The price posted on a diesel pump may look like a problem primarily for truck drivers, but with diesel now above $6 per gallon in Georgia, the effects could eventually be felt by almost every business — and household — in Chattooga County.

The price posted on a diesel pump may look like a problem primarily for truck drivers, but with diesel now above $6 per gallon in Georgia, the effects could eventually be felt by almost every business — and household — in Chattooga County.

A Lyerly man was arrested on a DUI charge following a traffic stop on Highway 27 early Monday morning, September 7.

Chattooga County is mourning the loss of longtime veteran, farmer, businessman and community leader Ronnie Winters, who passed away at his home in the Oak Hill community of Lyerly on Sunday morning.
Mr. Winters was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was known throughout Chattooga County for his service to his country, his community and his church.
He was a lifelong member of Oak Hill Methodist Church in Lyerly and remained closely connected to the Oak Hill community throughout his life.
For many years, Mr. Winters operated Bankston Tire and Oil in Summerville, where he became well known to generations of local customers and business owners. He was also actively involved with the Summerville-Trion Optimist Club, contributing his time and support to community projects and local causes.
Mr. Winters was married to the late Peggy Winters. He was the father of Kristi Beach and Jason Winters, who previously served as Chattooga County Commissioner and currently serves as Summerville City Manager.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home in Summerville. Service details are still pending and will be announced when they become available.
WZQZ Radio extends our condolences to the Winters family and joins the community in remembering Ronnie Winters for his service to his country, his county, his community, his church and his family.

A newly highlighted vulnerability in Georgia’s voting system is raising concerns about whether it may be possible in some circumstances to determine how individual voters cast their ballots.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Rome after a traffic stop Friday afternoon ended with gunfire.

CRC Chattooga is asking local churches, civic organizations, businesses, youth groups and other volunteers to lend a hand with several projects as the organization prepares for the fall and winter months.
The Summerville-based organization says it has two major projects coming up and hopes groups from throughout Chattooga County will consider volunteering.
The first project is a painting crew needed next weekend. CRC Chattooga is looking for one group, or several smaller groups, willing to help paint the organization’s Distribution Room and Produce Room.
Organizers say the project could be a good service opportunity for a church group, Sunday School class, youth group, business, civic organization or simply a group of friends looking for a way to help in the community.
CRC Chattooga is also looking for volunteers to help with its Clothes Closet as the organization makes the seasonal transition from summer to fall and winter clothing.
That project will include hanging and sorting clothes, organizing the Clothes Closet, putting away summer items and getting winter clothing ready for distribution. The work can be completed during the same weekend as the painting project or at another time during the following week.
CRC officials say having several volunteers working together can make relatively quick work of the projects while helping the organization prepare to serve families during the colder months.
The organization operates from 50 Eleanor Avenue in Summerville and provides assistance to people in need in Chattooga County.
Anyone with a church, business, organization, family or group of friends interested in taking on one of the projects is encouraged to contact CRC Chattooga directly. The organization can be reached at 706-808-0477 or through its Facebook page.
CRC Chattooga describes its mission with the message, “Fighting Hunger • Feeding Hope • Empowering Chattooga.”

The Summerville City Council has a busy agenda waiting when members meet Monday evening.
The regular called meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14, at 5 PM at the Summerville Depot.
Among the major items, council members are expected to award bids for city road resurfacing and the Summerville Recreation restroom renovation project. The council will also consider a contract for cloud-based storage of body-worn camera footage.
Another significant item involves data centers. The council is scheduled to discuss a possible moratorium and consider a resolution regarding data centers. Members will also discuss the sale of kratom within the city limits.
The council will consider renaming the Summerville Turntable in memory of former Mayor Joe Robert Norton and officially naming the drive serving the new soccer complex “Harry Harvey Dr.”
WZQZ News will have more on the individual agenda items ahead of Monday evening’s meeting.

AdventHealth Redmond has expanded its lung cancer diagnostic services with the launch of a new robotic bronchoscopy system designed to help doctors reach and biopsy small or difficult-to-access lung nodules.

A man was arrested by the Summerville Police Department following a reported disturbance at a residence on Spearmint Trail earlier this month.
According to an incident report, an officer was dispatched to 22 Spearmint Trail at approximately 12:15 PM on September 5 in reference to a man reportedly refusing to leave the residence.
Police said they encountered a man later identified as Trevor Wagner near the intersection of Scoggins Street and Spearmint Trail. According to the report, Wagner was carrying and drinking from a large container when the officer attempted to speak with him.
The officer reported that Wagner initially refused commands to stop and continued walking away before eventually stopping. Police said Wagner appeared intoxicated and smelled of alcohol.
According to the report, Wagner told the officer he had been at the residence with friends and had used marijuana. The complainant, John Smith, told police that Wagner had come to the residence from Jason Mitchell’s home and that he had given Wagner some food and allowed him to use his phone to call his mother.
The report states that Wagner then became involved in an argument with his mother over the phone. Smith told police he instructed Wagner to leave, but Wagner allegedly became irate and refused.
Police said Wagner was arrested and transported to the Chattooga County Jail.

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about another active scam after multiple citizens reported receiving fraudulent calls from people pretending to be Sheriff’s Office employees.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the callers tell residents they have missed jury duty and now have a warrant for their arrest. The scammers then claim the supposed warrant or other legal issue can be resolved by paying money.
In some cases, victims are instructed to purchase Green Dot cards or use other methods to send payment.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office says the calls are fraudulent and emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office will not call residents and demand money to resolve a warrant or missed jury duty.
Officials are urging residents not to send money to anyone they do not know, regardless of how convincing or urgent the caller may sound.
Anyone receiving one of the calls who is uncertain whether it is legitimate can contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the information before taking any action.
The warning comes as law enforcement agencies continue to see scammers impersonating officers and government employees in an effort to frighten victims into making immediate payments.