Updated Property List Released For August 4 Chattooga County Tax Sale

Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Cooper Hampton has released an updated list of properties scheduled for the county’s August tax sale.

The sheriff’s sale will be held Tuesday, August 4, on the steps of the Chattooga County Courthouse in Summerville. Properties will be offered at public outcry between the legal sale hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Payment must be made with cash or certified funds.

The properties are being sold under tax executions issued for unpaid state and county taxes. Only as much property as necessary to satisfy the tax debt and related costs will be sold.

Prospective buyers are reminded that this is a buyer-beware sale. All properties will be sold as-is, and the Tax Commissioner’s Office makes no warranty regarding title. Properties may also be subject to recorded covenants, easements, rights-of-way and the legal right of redemption following a tax sale.

Purchasers are responsible for title costs, transfer costs, taxes, advertising expenses and recording fees. At the discretion of the Tax Commissioner’s Office, payment may be required within two hours after the sale concludes.

The updated property list was released July 28. Anyone considering bidding should carefully research the property and consult an attorney before participating. You can see the updated list below:

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Chattooga County Schools Hiring Custodians For Two Elementary Schools

The Chattooga County Board of Education is accepting applications for two custodian positions at local elementary schools.

A full-time, 208-day custodian is needed at Lyerly Elementary School. The position requires employees to work 9.25 hours per day, Tuesday through Friday, and includes benefits such as health insurance, retirement, sick leave and vacation leave.

The school system is also hiring a part-time, 208-day custodian at Leroy Massey Elementary School. That position is 4.5 hours per day, Tuesday through Friday and is not eligible for benefits.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, although it is preferred rather than required. Duties include cleaning and maintaining school buildings and grounds.

Applications are available at the Chattooga County Superintendent’s Office or online at chattooga.k12.ga.us by selecting District Services and then Human Resources. Completed applications, along with required documents, should be submitted to Dawn Campbell, Human Resources Director, at the Chattooga County Board of Education in Summerville.

Automated Ice Machine Damaged Near Dollar General On Highway 114

The Summerville Police Department is investigating damage to an automated ice machine located near the Dollar General on Lyerly Highway.

According to an incident report, Officer M. Kinnamont was dispatched shortly after 10:30 a.m. on July 27 to the ice machine at 356 Highway 114 after receiving a report of damage.

The operator, Logan Hilton, told police the machine’s monitoring software alerted him to a malfunction around 7 a.m. the previous day. Someone also reportedly called him around 9 a.m. to report the damage.

Police observed damage to the front panel where customers make payments. The machine’s credit card reader was missing, and the power switch on the rear had been turned off.

Hilton told police the automated ice machine had last been checked about two months earlier. He was advised to install security cameras and contact police if he receives any additional information.

The case was documented as criminal trespass damage and forwarded to investigators.

Summerville Man Reports Losing More Than $10,000 In Vacation Rental Scam

A Summerville man reported losing more than $10,000 after falling victim to an apparent vacation rental scam, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police say 48-year-old Brian Dover reported on July 27 that he and his wife had been communicating with someone claiming to be the owner of a vacation rental property listed on VRBO.

According to the incident report, Dover said he made an initial payment of $10,000, followed by another $500 transfer for the rental. He then traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida, to stay at the property, where he discovered the transaction was fraudulent.

The incident occurred at Dover’s residence on Back Penn Road in Summerville. The case remains under investigation by the Summerville Police Department.

Authorities remind residents to use caution when booking vacation rentals online. Travelers should verify property listings through legitimate rental platforms, avoid sending money outside of official payment systems, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Cooler Air Arrives Before Weekend Storm System Brings Increased Rain Chances

A refreshing change in the weather is settling into Northwest Georgia as a cold front pushes south, bringing lower humidity and several days of dry conditions before another storm system arrives this weekend.

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Happening This Evening: Public Invited To Weigh In On Proposed Tiny Home And Container Development Moratorium

Chattooga County residents will have another opportunity this evening to weigh in on a proposed temporary moratorium involving certain nontraditional residential and mixed-use developments.

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Summerville Main Street Accepting Vendor Applications For 2026 Santa Special Mistletoe Market

Summerville Main Street is now accepting vendor applications for the 2026 Summerville Santa Special Mistletoe Market, a holiday shopping event that coincides with the popular Santa Special train excursions later this year.

The market will feature five train excursions on Saturdays and four excursions on Sundays, providing vendors with an opportunity to reach thousands of holiday shoppers visiting downtown Summerville. Indoor booth spaces are limited and will be filled through a juried application process.

Interested vendors must submit an application by September 25. There is no application fee to be considered. Indoor booth spaces are 10-by-8 feet for $85 per weekend, while outdoor spaces are 12-by-12 feet for $70 per weekend or $35 per day.

Indoor vendors are required to commit to the full two-day weekend. Outdoor vendors may apply for individual event days if space is available.

Applications and additional information are available by emailing slocklear@summervillega.org.

Chattooga County Animal Shelter Seeking Donations Of Cat Litter

The Chattooga County Animal Shelter is asking the community for help by donating cat litter to care for the many cats and kittens currently at the shelter.

Shelter staff say their feline residents go through a large amount of litter every day, and donations help keep the animals comfortable, healthy, and happy while they wait to find their forever homes.

Anyone wishing to help can drop off cat litter donations at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, located at 464 Red Oak Drive in Summerville. The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with Wednesday visits available by appointment.

For more information, contact the shelter at 706-857-0679. Shelter officials say every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in the lives of local animals awaiting adoption.

Chattooga County Tax Sale Scheduled For August 4 With Important Guidance For Bidders

The Chattooga County Tax Commissioner’s Office is reminding anyone interested in purchasing property at an upcoming tax sale to understand the process and respect private property rights.

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Celebrate Living Local Market To Welcome Steam Train Excursion August 1

Residents and visitors are invited to downtown Summerville on Saturday, August 1, for the Celebrate Living Local Market, held in conjunction with the arrival of a Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum excursion train.

The market will feature local businesses, artists, craftspeople, and food vendors. Participants will include Sabo’s Golden Nectar with an educational observation beehive and locally produced honey, artist Billy Smith, Willow Flowers at Teloga Springs Farm, Acolyte Realty, and additional community vendors.

Food and refreshments will be available from Twisted Treatz Bakery, Eneya’s Lemonade & Sipsations, Granny Hon’s Great Food, Rosita’s, and Small Town BBQ.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engine 4501 is expected to arrive at the Summerville Depot at approximately 12:45 p.m. with passengers aboard. During the train’s roughly 90-minute layover, visitors will be able to watch the locomotive being turned on the historic Summerville Turntable before it continues its journey.

The event offers an opportunity to shop with local vendors, enjoy food and refreshments, and see one of the South’s best-known steam locomotives in action.