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July 30, 2026

Governor Kemp Proclaims August as Shooting Sports Month in Georgia

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Governor Brian Kemp has officially proclaimed August 2026 as Shooting Sports Month in Georgia, recognizing the state’s long-standing hunting traditions, recreational shooting opportunities, and the economic impact of the industry. The proclamation encourages Georgians of all experience levels to safely enjoy shooting sports throughout the month.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is encouraging residents to visit one of the state’s more than 45 public archery and shooting ranges, many of which are located on Wildlife Management Areas and Public Fishing Areas. The agency also promotes firearm safety training and responsible participation in shooting sports.

According to DNR, Georgia’s shooting sports and hunting industry contributed an estimated $2.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2024 and supports nearly 11,000 jobs. In addition, Georgia received more than $19.2 million in federal wildlife conservation funding in 2025 through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which is funded by excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. Those funds help support wildlife management, habitat conservation, hunter education, and public shooting ranges across the state.

The proclamation highlights the role hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts play in conservation while encouraging safe, responsible firearm ownership and recreation throughout the month of August.

July 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

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

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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.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Wednesday – July 29, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, July 29, 2026:

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Cooler Air Arrives Before Weekend Storm System Brings Increased Rain Chances

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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.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

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

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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.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

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

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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.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia DNR Releases 2026-2027 Hunting And Fishing Regulations Guide

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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division has released the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations and Seasons Guide, giving hunters and anglers an updated resource ahead of the upcoming outdoor seasons.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Animal Shelter Seeking Donations Of Cat Litter

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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.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Extension Encourages Producers To Have Hay Tested

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Chattooga County Extension is encouraging livestock producers to have their hay and other stored forage tested while this year’s hay crop is being harvested.

Forage testing provides information about the nutritional value and overall quality of hay, helping producers make better decisions when developing feeding programs for times when fresh grass is unavailable. Hay quality can significantly affect livestock health, growth, performance and the amount of supplemental feed needed during the winter.

University of Georgia Extension specialists say appearance alone cannot reliably determine the nutritional value of a particular supply of hay. A laboratory analysis can measure factors such as crude protein, fiber, digestibility and total digestible nutrients, allowing producers to build a feeding plan around the actual needs of their animals.

A representative sample is important for accurate results. UGA recommends using a clean forage probe and collecting samples from multiple randomly selected bales rather than simply pulling hay from the outside of a bale.

With hay now being cut and stored across the area, Chattooga County Extension says this is a good time for producers to test their forage and begin planning for the upcoming winter feeding season.

July 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Commissioners To Hold Budget Work Session Thursday

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The Walker County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called budget work session on Thursday, July 30, to discuss the county’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the conference room of Courthouse Annex I, located at 101 South Duke Street in LaFayette. According to the published agenda, commissioners will call the meeting to order, take attendance, conduct the Fiscal Year 2026 budget work session, and then adjourn.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Walker County Board of Commissioners is set for Thursday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m.