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July 31, 2026

Inmate Charged After Altercation With Officers At Chattooga County Jail

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An inmate at the Chattooga County Jail is facing additional charges following an incident that deputies say involved resisting officers and assaulting a detention officer.

According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Martin Roberson, 37, was charged following an incident on July 23 inside the jail. Deputies reported Roberson had been damaging a jail-issued tablet with a glass screen and also damaging a jail cell window when officers responded to restrain him.

The incident report states Roberson refused repeated commands to get off a table inside a cell block. Officers deployed a Taser after he allegedly resisted efforts to remove him from the table. Deputies reported the Taser was effective, and Roberson was then secured in a restraint chair.

Afterward, a detention officer reported that Roberson spit on him, with saliva striking the officer’s right hand. The officer requested that charges be filed.

Roberson was charged with Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers (Misdemeanor) and Simple Battery Against a Law Enforcement/Detention Officer.

July 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville Police Investigating Repeated Political Sticker Incidents

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The Summerville Police Department is investigating after a city resident reported someone repeatedly placing political stickers on his vehicle without permission.

According to an incident report, police met with Dominick Bennett on July 25 regarding a criminal trespass complaint at a residence on Martin Street.

Bennett told police he first discovered “Trump” stickers placed on his vehicles about a month earlier while they were parked at his home. He said there was no damage to the vehicles and did not report the incident at that time.

According to the report, Bennett contacted police again after his wife discovered another “Trump” sticker inside the gas tank door of one vehicle. Later that same day, Bennett found an additional sticker on the rear passenger-side window of the same vehicle.

Bennett told officers he believes he and his family are being harassed because of their political views. He identified a nearby neighbor as a person of interest but acknowledged he has no evidence to support that belief. Bennett requested a follow-up investigation and told police he wishes to prosecute if the person responsible is identified.

The case has been turned over to the Summerville Police Department’s Investigations Division.

July 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Power Breaks Ground On Major Plant Bowen Expansion As Supporters, Critics Debate Future Of Energy

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Hundreds of invited guests gathered this week at Plant Bowen in Northwest Georgia as Georgia Power officially broke ground on one of the largest electric generation expansion projects in the company’s history.

July 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Woman Charged With Shoplifting Following Summerville Store Investigation

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A Chattooga County woman was arrested after deputies responded to a reported shoplifting incident at a local business.

According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Alan Garmany was dispatched on July 22 after store personnel reported a suspected shoplifter. Investigators said Brenda Sue Ingram, 71, allegedly concealed six items inside her purse after checking out and attempted to leave the store without paying for the merchandise.

The incident report states that while confronting Ingram, store personnel discovered what was believed to be marijuana in her purse and turned it over to law enforcement. Deputies also obtained a copy of the store’s surveillance video as evidence.

According to the report, Ingram apologized and told deputies she did not have enough money to pay for all of the items. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Chattooga County Jail.

Ingram was charged with Theft by Shoplifting.

As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

July 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GDOT Encourages Northwest Georgia Residents To Review Transportation Projects

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The Georgia Department of Transportation is encouraging residents across Northwest Georgia to review proposed transportation projects and submit feedback online as part of the draft 2027–2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

GDOT is encouraging citizens to participate through its interactive STIP website, where users can search for projects by county, view detailed project descriptions, funding information and anticipated timelines, and submit comments electronically. The public comment period remains open through August 15, 2026.

The STIP serves as Georgia’s four-year transportation plan for federally funded projects outside metropolitan planning areas and includes proposed highway, bridge, safety, resurfacing, bicycle, pedestrian and railroad improvements. Public comments will help GDOT identify local transportation priorities as it finalizes the 2027–2030 program.

Residents can review projects affecting Chattooga County and other areas of Northwest Georgia and submit feedback online through the Georgia DOT STIP website before the August 15 deadline.

You can find out more HERE

July 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Thursday – July 30, 2026

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Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, July 6, 2026:

July 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sunny, Less Humid Weather Arrives Before Weekend Storms

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Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will enjoy a brief break from the recent heat and humidity today and Friday before showers and thunderstorms return for the weekend.

July 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Steam Locomotive Rolls Into Summerville Today As International Model Railroad Convention Visits Region

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Rail fans will have a rare opportunity today as a historic steam locomotive arrives in downtown Summerville as part of the 2026 National Model Railroad Association Convention, being held this week in Chattanooga.

July 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Fair Releases Rules Ahead Of August Event

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Organizers of the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair are reminding visitors of several rules that will be in effect during this year’s fair, which runs August 27-30 at the Chattooga County Fairgrounds and Agricultural Center in Summerville.

The fair will be held rain or shine, and organizers say no refunds will be issued because of weather.

Among the rules, no outside food or beverages, no glass containers and no alcohol will be permitted on the fairgrounds. Animals are also prohibited, with the exception of service animals and animals participating in livestock shows.

Fair officials say all bags and backpacks are subject to search, and firearms and other weapons are prohibited. Because the fair is held on school property, Georgia law also restricts weapons on the grounds.

Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. Guests who engage in disorderly conduct may be removed from the fairgrounds without a refund.

Those attending concerts are also reminded that umbrellas and tents are not permitted in the concert seating area, although visitors are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs.

Additional information, including entertainment schedules, livestock events and Blue Ribbon entry guidelines, is available at www.chattoogafair.com.

July 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Playground Fence Damaged At Summerville Church

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The Summerville Police Department is investigating damage to a playground fence at First United Methodist Church in downtown Summerville.

According to an incident report, Officer Matt Kinnamont responded to the church at 220 West Washington Street on July 28 after receiving a report of property damage.

Pastor John Privett told police someone had damaged the chain-link fence surrounding the church’s playground. Officers observed the fence had been removed from one side, bent, and that the top rail pieces had been broken.

Privett told police that several groups of children often use the playground and nearby basketball court, but it was unclear who was responsible for the damage. He said he was first notified of the incident on Saturday, July 25.

Police documented the damage with photographs and advised the church to consider installing security cameras. The case has been forwarded for further investigation.