A Summerville woman has been cited following an investigation into animal cruelty after multiple dogs were found in poor condition at a residence on Northwest Congress Street.
Today is Sine Die at the Georgia State Capitol, the final day of the legislative session when lawmakers must give final approval to bills if they are to become law this year. The term “Sine Die” is Latin for “without a day,” meaning the General Assembly adjourns without setting a date to return for the current session.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, April 1, 2026:
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is warning residents about a scam involving fake notices claiming your vehicle registration is about to be canceled.
The scam message appears to come from a Georgia court and threatens enforcement action over an alleged traffic violation. It often includes a QR code and urges immediate action.
Officials say the notice is fraudulent and designed to scare recipients into responding or providing personal information.
Hampton urges residents to be cautious and look for red flags, including missing personal details like your name, license plate number, or address. She also warns never to scan QR codes or respond to suspicious messages.
If you receive a message like this, do not engage. Instead, report it and verify any concerns directly through official state or county offices.
Authorities remind residents that legitimate government agencies will not request sensitive information through unsolicited messages.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, March 30, 2026:
A pedestrian was injured Thursday evening following a vehicle accident at a busy Summerville intersection.
According to the crash report, the incident occurred around 6:43 PM on March 26th at the intersection of Rome Boulevard and Lyerly Highway.
Authorities say a pickup truck driven by a 61-year-old Lyerly man, identified as Carlton Battles, was traveling north on Rome Boulevard and was turning left onto Lyerly Highway when the collision occurred.
The pedestrian, a 28-year-old Summerville woman, identified as Derrian Baker, was walking north along the sidewalk and entered the crosswalk to cross Lyerly Highway while traffic was stopped at a red light.
Investigators say the driver reported that sun glare obstructed his vision, and he did not see the pedestrian until the moment of impact. A witness at the scene told officers the pedestrian was clearly within the crosswalk when she was struck.
Police say the woman was hit by the vehicle’s side mirror and knocked to the ground. She was transported by EMS to Floyd Hospital with complaints of pain to her right foot and ankle.
Battles was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, according to the report that was released to WZQZ on Friday afternoon.
Residents in Chattooga County who are served by the Summerville Water Department are being notified of planned hydrant flushing set for Monday, March 30th, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
According to the City of Summerville Fire Department, crews will be working in areas including Highway 48, Smallen Road, and Fish Hatchery Road as part of routine system maintenance.
During this time, residents may notice brief periods of water discoloration. Officials say this is normal and safe, and if it occurs, simply running your tap for a few minutes should allow the water to clear.
The maintenance work includes hydrant lubrication, flushing, and function checks, all of which are essential to ensure the system remains reliable and ready for emergencies.
City officials thank residents for their patience and cooperation as they complete this important work to keep the community protected.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, March 29, 2026:
Fire officials are warning that high fire danger conditions are expected today, Sunday, across much of North Georgia, with the threat lasting from the morning hours into the evening.
Georgia officials are continuing to warn residents about the growing threat posed by the invasive yellow-legged hornet, a species that can create serious problems for honeybees, agriculture, and the environment.