Summerville Police are investigating suspicious activity reported behind Advance Auto Parts on Commerce Street.
According to the report, officers responded after the store manager discovered someone had apparently tried to break into the business by damaging a power meter box near the back of the building.
Police also reported finding a pile of trash behind the dumpster containing items that did not appear to belong to the business, including toilet paper, canned foods, and other materials.
Extra patrols were requested around the property, and the investigation remains ongoing.
May is National Foster Care Month, and local officials are encouraging families in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia to consider opening their homes to children in need.
According to Georgia foster care data, more than 10,800 children are currently in foster care statewide, with hundreds of children still waiting for permanent homes and supportive families.
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services says foster parents play a critical role in providing safe, stable, and caring environments for children who have been removed from unsafe situations because of abuse, neglect, or other family crises.
Officials say there continues to be a need for additional foster families in rural communities like Chattooga County, especially for sibling groups, teenagers, and children with special needs.
People interested in becoming foster parents must complete training, background checks, and home evaluations before children can be placed in their care. State officials say foster families receive support services and guidance throughout the process.
The Chattooga County DFCS office is located at 102 Highway 48 in Summerville, and residents can call 706-857-0817 for more information about fostering or adopting children.
Additional statewide foster care information is also available by calling 1-877-210-KIDS.
A Summerville man was arrested by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office following a late-night traffic stop and drug investigation on Saturday, May 23.
Georgia Power customers are being warned about active scams involving people pretending to represent the utility company.
Scammers may contact customers by phone, text message, fake websites, or even door-to-door visits, claiming a bill is overdue and threatening immediate disconnection unless payment is made right away.
Georgia Power says customers should be especially cautious if someone demands payment through prepaid debit cards, gift cards, Cash App, Venmo, Bitcoin, or similar methods. The company says it does not collect payments door-to-door and does not demand those types of payments.
Customers should also watch for fake caller ID information and lookalike websites designed to steal personal or payment information.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call or visit should hang up, avoid giving out personal information, and verify the request by calling Georgia Power directly at 888-660-5890 or visiting GeorgiaPower.com.
Customers approached at home by someone suspicious should also contact local law enforcement.
The Chattooga County Animal Shelter is encouraging residents to help shelter animals during the final week of National Pet Month by donating treats for cats and dogs currently in the shelter’s care.
Shelter officials say donations can be dropped off Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3 PM until 4 PM at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter located at 464 Red Oak Road in Summerville.
The shelter says community support helps provide comfort and care for animals waiting for adoption and reminds residents that even small donations can make a big difference.
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should prepare for several more days of wet and stormy weather as an active weather pattern continues to bring repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms across the region.