Chattooga Coroner “Big Mac” McElhaney Urges Residents to Add Emergency Contacts to Georgia License Records

Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy “Big Mac” McElhaney is reminding residents about a free, simple way to help first responders reach loved ones faster in an emergency: add emergency contact information to your Georgia driver’s license or ID record.

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Clay Fuller Resigns as Lookout Mountain DA to Run for Congress; Deanna Reisman Serving as Acting DA

Clay Fuller has officially resigned as District Attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, effective January 12, 2026, after qualifying to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fuller is entering the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, a seat previously held by Marjorie Taylor Greene and one that includes Chattooga County. The contest is already drawing heavy interest, with more than 20 other Republicans, Democrats, and Independent candidates also announcing intentions to run for the seat.

With Fuller stepping down, Deanna Reisman is serving as the circuit’s acting District Attorney.

Arrest Report – Tuesday – January 13, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, January 13, 2026:

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Cold Case: 17 Years Since Flintstone Business Owner Michael Mullens Was Murdered

Last Friday, December 19, marked the 17th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Michael Mullens, a father and local business owner who was shot and killed outside his machine shop in Flintstone, Georgia.

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Chattooga County Farm Bureau Honored at State Convention for Excellence in Agricultural Advocacy

Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall (left) presents Chattooga County Farm Bureau President Bill Bryan with the Planter Award during the 88th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention on Jekyll Island.

Chattooga County Farm Bureau continues to demonstrate its commitment to agriculture education and community involvement across Northwest Georgia. The organization says it is grateful to be an active part of the local community and values opportunities to interact with residents and students to promote agricultural awareness.

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PSC Approves Georgia Power Data-Center Expansion, Critics Say Georgians Will Pay the Price

The Georgia Public Service Commission voted unanimously this past Friday (Dec. 19) to approve Georgia Power’s request to acquire nearly 10 gigawatts of new energy capacity—a major expansion the utility says it needs to meet projected electricity demand from data centers in coming years. The vote was taken before two new Democratic Public Service Commissioners take office next month, a timing critics say is hard to ignore.

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Lyerly Man Arrested Last Thursday on Aggravated Battery Warrant, Held in Floyd County Jail

A Lyerly man was arrested Thursday of last week and booked into the Floyd County Jail on a felony warrant charging him with aggravated battery.

According to the warrant, 35-year-old Branden Lee Salas is accused of attacking a woman at a location on Blacks Bluff Road in Rome on May 8. The victim reportedly suffered a fracture to her left arm.

In addition to the aggravated battery charge, Salas is being held on a probation violation. Jail records also list him as a fugitive from justice, citing an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Cherokee County, Alabama, on unspecified charges.

GNTC Adult Education Celebrates Fall 2025 Graduates at Ceremony in Calhoun

 

Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Office of Adult Education held its Fall 2025 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 18, honoring students who earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas.

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Summerville Police Take Report on Vehicle Damage from Hit-and-Run Incident

The Summerville Police Department is investigating a report of vehicle damage stemming from an apparent hit-and-run incident last week.

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Chattooga Chamber Relocates to Hurley Community Development Center

The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce has moved its offices to the Hurley Community Development Center in downtown Summerville, a transition leaders say will strengthen the Chamber’s ability to serve members and support continued growth across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia.

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