Arrest Report - Thursday - May 16, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, May 16, 2024:

Chattooga River Group Seeks Vendors For Chattooga River Fest

The Chattooga River Group is gearing up for the Third Annual Chattooga River Fest.  The festival moves each year to Chattooga County municipalities located along the Chattooga River.  In its inaugural year, the festival took place in Lyerly; last year it was in Trion and this year it will be held in the City of Summerville.

Organizers say that River Fest is in fact, three events in one.  There are events that are held on the Chattooga River and the festival will be held at Dowdy Park in downtown Summerville.  Additionally, there will be a block party with live music.

The Chattooga River Group is currently seeking outdoor commercial, service, nonprofit, arts and crafts and unique item vendors for the event.  There are no food vendor slots left.  For more information, call Cindy at 706-857-4033.

Rep. Lumsden Announces Funding For Tooga Theater

Chattooga County has received $250,000 in grant money for the county-owned Tooga Theater.

State Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), chairman of the House Insurance Committee, announced this week that Tooga Theater in Summerville, Georgia has been awarded a one-time grant of $250,000 allocated under House Bill 915, the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget. These Special Project funds are awarded through the Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development charged with empowering the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences and economic prosperity.

“The Tooga Theater, nestled in historic downtown Summerville, has long been a cherished hub for cultural and community activities, serving as a testament to our rich heritage,” said Chairman Lumsden. “This grant not only bolsters the theater’s role as a cultural and historical asset for the citizens of Chattooga County but also promises to attract more tourists, stimulate business growth and provide vital support to our local businesses. It’s a win-win for our community, celebrating our heritage while fostering economic opportunities.”

“We commend the Georgia General Assembly for providing these one-time appropriations to support arts in rural communities,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly. “Arts events enhance downtowns, support small businesses, and provide jobs while creating excitement and unity.”

AAA Makes Memorial Day Predictions

AAA forecasts there will be a significant number of Georgians planning to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. According to AAA, 1.3 million Georgians will journey 50 miles or more, which is 52,824 more holiday travelers than the previous year.

Nationally, AAA projects the second highest-traveled Memorial Day on record. Nearly 43.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more during the holiday travel period*. That’s 1.7 million more travelers than last year (4% increase), yet slightly behind 2005’s record of 44 million.

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades. The main driver of the projection is strong consumer interest in traveling both domestically and abroad.  Interest in traveling internationally is at the highest level in recent years.”

Road trips are expected to set a record in Georgia and nationwide, with nearly 1.5 million more Americans on the road than last year. AAA projects nearly 38.4 million will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2001. The national number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019.

“Traveling by car is appealing for many Georgians because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, Memorial Day drivers may have to pay more at the gas pump this year.”

During last year’s holiday weekend, Georgia’s gas price average was $3.25 per gallon. Today, the state average is $3.40.  Visit Georgia gas price average to view daily state and metro average prices. Drivers can use the free AAA mobile app to find the lowest gas prices in their area and get discounted pricing at the pump by participating in the Fuel Rewards Program.

“Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump as the summer driving season gets underway,” Waiters continued. The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.”

Airports are bracing for a spike in travelers. AAA expects 3.51 million Americans to travel by air this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and a 9% jump compared to 2019. This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005 when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post-9/11. This Memorial Day weekend, air ticket prices are comparable to last year.

According to AAA booking data, the average price for a round-trip domestic flight will cost $778. That’s 2% more than last year’s holiday weekend. International flights are 4% more expensive – averaging $1485 for a roundtrip ticket. Several factors play into how much travelers pay for airfare, including destination, number of stops, and fare class. For example, passengers who book nonstop flights with seat selection and carry-on bags included will likely pay more than those who select basic economy with a layover.

In reviewing all hotel bookings with AAA, domestic hotels are 5% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last. The total average cost per stay (which can be multiple nights) is $500. International hotels are about the same as last year. The average cost per stay is $660.

Nearly 2 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. AAA projects 1.9 million people will take these other modes of transportation, an increase of 5.6% compared to last year. “This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic,” Haas said. “Now – five years later – we’re back to 2019 numbers. Leading the charge is the resurgence in both ocean and river cruising, which came back extremely strong and continues to gain popularity. With ships of all sizes being introduced each year, there is constantly something new and exciting to explore for first-time and repeat cruise enthusiasts.”

Domestic car rentals are 17% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last. The average total cost for a rental (which is typically for a few days) is $439. International car rentals are 16% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last. The average total cost for a rental (which is typically for a few days) is $617.

• Cities with the highest rental demand this Memorial Day weekend are Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas.
• The busiest pick-up dates are Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24, with rental reservations averaging five days in length.
• The most popular vehicle classes reserved for Memorial Day weekend are mid-size and full-size sedans, small and mid-size SUVs.

Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters. Travelers going back home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.

“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.

Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.

For example, Atlanta routes = ET.

Source: INRIX

Source: INRIX

Top Destinations

This Memorial Day weekend, travelers are seeking theme parks and entertainment venues in Orlando, New York, Las Vegas, and Southern California. Seattle, Anchorage, and Vancouver rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Florida beaches and cruise ports will also be packed.

European cities dominate the international list. The top 10 domestic and international destinations below are based on AAA booking data.

Travel Trends 

As travelers make plans for summer and beyond, AAA Travel has identified the following trends:

• Bucket Lists: Travelers taking once-in-a-lifetime trips and working through their wish lists.
• Milestones: Families booking anniversary, retirement, and family reunion trips.
• Asia: More travelers are interested in visiting Asia, especially Japan.
• Solo Trips: More people, especially women, are interested in traveling by themselves or with other like-minded individuals.
• Luxury Vacations: More travelers seeking high-end cruises and tours.
• Trains: Many travelers interested in rail vacations across New England, Canada, and Europe.
• Adventure in Nature: Travelers booking trips to Antarctica, Africa, and the South Pacific.

Travel Agent Survey

A recent survey of AAA travel agents highlights topics travelers are frequently discussing when booking trips:

• Travel Insurance: 51% of agents say more travelers are interested in protecting their trips.
• Cruises: 77% of agents say travelers are interested in ocean cruises and 67% say river cruises.
• All-Inclusive: 70% of agents say travelers are interested in all-inclusive vacations.

Holiday Forecast Methodology  

Travel Forecast

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices, including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.

Historical travel volume estimates come from DK SHIFFLET’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/Monitor^SM. The PERFORMANCE/Monitor^SM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. DK SHIFFLET contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, and forecast U.S. travel behavior, all after the trips have been taken.

The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was prepared the week of April 15, 2024.

*Memorial Day Holiday Travel Period

For this forecast, the Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27, 2024.

Newnan Man Charged With Attempting To Bring Contraband Into State Prison

A Newnan man is accused of conspiring to smuggle contraband into the Floyd County Prison.

According to the arrest warrant:

37-year-old Eldrin Jejuan Hand, while an inmate at the prison, hatched a plan with another inmate and a third person to leave two packages of marijuana, weighing over 30 grams, at a work detail at Rome City Public Works.

Hand and the other inmate are seen during a video visit at the prison giving directions to the other person on May 7, 2023.

The contraband was found underneath a rock at the public works site 12 days later.

Hand is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of items prohibited for inmates, use of a communications facility to commit a crime, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

WRGA

We Care Vet Fair Today At The Forum River Center In Rome

United Military Care is thrilled to announce its second annual Northwest Georgia “We Care Vet Fair,” taking place today at the Rome Forum River Center. Building on the success of its inaugural event, United Military Care reaffirms its dedication to assisting veterans and their families by facilitating access to vital resources and services across Georgia.

The “We Care Vet Fair” cultivates a nurturing environment for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. It offers an array of services and information tailored to their specific needs. This year’s fair is poised to be even more extensive, featuring participation from over 100 agencies, organizations, and businesses committed to providing assistance and guidance.

Attendees can access resources encompassing healthcare, mental health support, housing assistance, employment opportunities, education benefits, legal services, financial planning, and much more. The fair addresses various facets of veterans ‘ lives, from aiding in job placement to offering counseling services and VA benefits.

Kim Scofi, President of United Military Care, expressed excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “We are thrilled to organize the 2nd Annual ‘We Care Vet Fair’ and continue our mission of serving those who have served our country. This event underscores our steadfast commitment to supporting veterans and their families as they navigate the challenges of post-military life. By uniting a diverse range of agencies and resources, we aim to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our veterans.”

The “We Care Vet Fair” is scheduled for May 16th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Rome Forum River Center in Northwest Georgia. Admission is free, and the event welcomes all veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.

For further details regarding the 2nd Annual “We Care Vet Fair” and United Military Care’s mission, please visit unitedmilitarycare.org or contact Kim Scofi at (770) 973-0014.

AdventHealth AngioScreen Bus In Trion

AdventHealth Medical Group at Trion is hosting the AngioScreen bus on Monday, May 20 from 8 am to 3 pm. The AngioScreen bus will be parked at 160 Central Ave, Trion, Ga. An AngioScreen is a noninvasive, 10-minute vascular screening designed to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke.

This painless 10-minute assessment delivers immediate results at the time of screening. An AngioScreen includes carotid artery screening ultrasound looking for plaque (the leading cause of stroke), 5 lead EKG of the heart rhythm, ankle brachial indices and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. If you have any of the following risk factors, you should consider scheduling an appointment today:

· Age 55 or above

· High blood pressure

· High cholesterol

· History of smoking

· Family history of stroke

· Diabetes

· Obesity

· Family history of heart attack

· A personal medical history of other cardiovascular issues

The screening is $85 per person and is HSA eligible. To register for this screening, visit https://bit.ly/3vTFXsB.

Trion & Chattooga Spring Football Scrimmages Tonight

Football fans will get their first glimpse of the 2024 Trion Bulldogs and Chattooga Indians tonight as both teams will go on the road to Whitfield County for their spring scrimmages.  The Class A Trion Bulldogs will be stepping up a few weight classes tonight as they go on the road to play the AAAA powerhouse Dalton Catamounts.  Dalton finished last year with an 8-4 record and advanced to the 2nd round of the state playoffs.  The two teams have faced off against each other 9 times but the most recent meeting was all the way back in 1963.  Dalton leads the series with a 5-3-1 record.  Trion’s last victory against Dalton came back in 1947.

The Chattooga Indians will be heading to Dalton as well but will take on the Southeast Whitfield Raiders.  The Raiders struggled last year to a 1-9 record and missed out on the state playoffs.

WZQZ will be broadcasting the Trion vs Dalton scrimmage tonight on the radio as well as live video streaming on the WZQZ Facebook page.  Join Ben Groce, Jeremy Burke and cameraman Jim Warnock for the pregame show live from Dalton tonight at 6:30pm.  Kickoff will follow at 7pm.

Due to a confilicting work schedule with our Chattooga announcers, WZQZ will not be able to broadcast tonight’s Chattooga vs Southeast Whitfield scrimmage.  Chattooga’s scrimmage will begin tonight at 7:30 pm.

Two Arrested In Connection With Drive By Shooting In Summerville

Summerville Police have arrested two people in connection with a drive by shooting that took place on Scoggins Street last Saturday.  Police say that no one was struck by the gunfire, despite four adults and three juveniles being outside the residence that was targeted.  Another juvenile was inside the residence.

In a press release, Summerville Police said, “During the investigation it was determined that approximately 6 to 7 shots were fired that struck the residence and a vehicle at the residence. Two suspects were identified and with the assistance of the Lafayette Police Department they were located in Lafayette”.

Investigators from the Summerville Police Department and Lafayette Police Department interviewed both suspects, 22-year-old Aries Vaughn-Curry and 20-year-old Tristan Patterson concerning the incident.

Both were ultimately charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault and Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.

The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute and was not a random event.

One Arrested In Connection With Tuesday Night Shooting

A fifty-one-year-old Chattooga County man was arrested in connection with a shooting incident on Spring Creek Road on Tuesday night.

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says that deputies responded at 7:32 PM to 118 Spring Creek Road after reports that a man had been shot during a domestic dispute.  When deputies arrived, they found the victim lying in the driveway in front of the residence.

Investigators determined that the domestic was between a father and son and the father had shot the son twice with a .22 caliber rifle.  The son was transported to an area hospital by Atrium Health Floyd EMS. He was listed in stable condition.

A search warrant was executed during the course of the investigation and suspected methamphetamine and marijuana were located inside the residence.

Rodney G. Kinsey (51) was arrested and charged with Reckless conduct, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault FVA, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana. He is currently being held in the Chattooga County Jail.

Arrest Report - Wednesday - May 15, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, May 15, 2024:

Chattanooga Man Banned From Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit As Part Of Sentence

A forty-year-old Chattanooga, Tennessee man will be banned from Dade, Walker, Catoosa and Chattooga Counties upon his release from prison as part of a sentence handed down by Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Chris Arnt.  According to a report released by the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office yesterday, Ruben Santos was convicted of breaking into the home of an acquaintance in Catoosa County and performing lewd acts with her undergarments.   The victim in the case said that Santos had tried to kindle a romantic relationship with her prior to the incident.  Santos was sentenced to twenty years with the first fifteen to be served in prison.  In addition to being banned from Northwest Georgia and prison time, Santos will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.  See the full report from the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s office below:

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, a Catoosa County jury convicted Ruben Santos, a 40-year-old man from Chattanooga, of Burglary in the First Degree. Evidence presented over the course of a two-day trial showed that Santos was a long-time family friend of the victim, a 25-year-old woman.

Santos befriended the victim when they were coworkers and also became a friend of the victim’s father. Santos repeatedly expressed interest in engaging in a romantic relationship with the victim over the course of several years but was rejected. Santos became more brash in his attempts to kindle a relationship with the victim, to the point where the victim avoided being at the home she shared with her parents when Santos would visit.

In July 2023, Santos, unbeknownst to the family of the victim, stole a housekey from the victim’s mother. After the housekey went missing, the victim and her family noticed items missing from the residence. After returning home from work in the evenings, the victim noticed that items of clothing in her bedroom were out of place. The victim became suspicious that someone was entering the family home while she and her parents were at work during the day, and she installed a surveillance camera in her bedroom.

The day following the installation of the camera, as soon as the victim arrived at work, the camera system alerted her that motion was detected in her bedroom. The victim accessed the camera feed and observed Santos entering her bedroom and rummaging through her laundry hamper and selecting multiple pairs of underwear. Santos placed the underwear on his face and in his mouth. Santos then laid on the victim’s bed and began to masturbate using the victim’s underwear. Before leaving the bedroom, Santos placed two pairs of the victim’s underwear in his pocket.

At the trial, presided over by Superior Court Judge Chris Arnt, the victim provided emotional testimony as to how Santos had destroyed her sense of security in her own home. The jury was able to view the videos depicting Santos’ conduct in the victim’s bedroom. Santos was sentenced to twenty years with the first fifteen years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections. Santos will be banished from the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit on release and will be required to comply with sex offender conditions of probation.

The State of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman. Victim Advocate Shelby Bradshaw assisted the victim through difficult and highly emotional testimony throughout the course of the prosecution.

The case was investigated by Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Detective Josh Moore. “The home should be a sanctuary from the outside world,” said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. “This creeper violated that sanctity in the most vile of ways, and ADA Reisman and her team have found him a new home to spend time in—prison.”

City Manager Cites Family Emergency As Reason For Abrupt Resignation

WZQZ News reported on Tuesday that Summerville City Manager Andrea Surratt had announced her resignation at Monday night’s meeting of the Summerville City Council.  Surratt, who has served in the position for less than eighteen months, cited a family emergency as the reason for her resignation.

WZQZ News obtained a copy of the resignation letter that was submitted by Surratt and addressed to Summerville Mayor Harry Harvey and the Summerville City Council.  In the letter, Surratt said that an “ongoing family emergency” prompted her to leave her job.  Surratt told the mayor and council members that she could “no longer fulfill the duties” of her contract because of the situation.

Surratt’s letter said that she would be leaving in 90 days from the date of her letter – which was delivered to Mayor Harvey last week on May 8th.

You can see a copy of the letter from the city manager to the mayor below:

Georgia Chamber Agrees With Kemps Data Center Tax Break Veto

Governor Brian Kemp recently vetoed a bill that would have rescinded tax credits for certain types of data center projects in Georgia.

In his veto message, the governor wrote that the timing of the measure would have left companies planning to set up data centers in Georgia — such as Microsoft in Rome — in the lurch.

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce backed the veto, according to President Chris Clarke who was in Rome Monday as of the Georgia Chamber’s New Economy Tour.

“It’s not our position to say whether or not you shouldn’t incentivize a company or not, but you can’t change the rules in the middle of the game,” Clarke said. “We have $22 billion worth of data center projects are under construction in Georgia today. Many of them have used that tax credit to secure their financing, or it has been a part of that. So, we just said let’s let the companies in the process finish the process. I think the governor saw the same thing. Businesses want stability. They want to know what is going to happen, and I appreciate the governor for vetoing that bill and giving us an opportunity to continue that dialogue and that discussion.”

According to Clarke, data centers are there because of artificial intelligence and the importance of data in our daily lives.

There are tons of AI jobs coming to Georgia, future employees just have to be prepared for them.

Clarke added a recent survey showed 58 percent of Georgia businesses are already investing in AI robotics.

Braves Tickets For Blood Donation During June

How would you like to get free Atlanta Braves tickets just for donating blood to the American Red Cross? The Red Cross will benefit from the 16^th annual Atlanta Braves All-American Blood Drive in June. Blood drives will be held throughout that month according to Carla Maton, Executive Director of the Northwest Georgia chapter.

She adds that she and her family plan to attend a blood drive near Truist Park on June 4^th and snag some Braves tickets of their own. Information about upcoming blood drives is available at www.redcrossblood.org.

In addition to tickets, blood donors will also snag Braves t-shirts and hats, says Maton.

Blood drives are currently on hold at the American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia’s chapter office in Rome due to renovations and will resume in July.

Young Farmer Onion Pickup Today & Tomorrow

Each year, Chattooga Young Farmers have a Vidalia Onion fundraiser.  Orders are taken earlier in the year for the Georgia-grown onions.  Chattooga County Young Farmers headed down to Georgia’s onion country yesterday to pick up the onions and they will be distributed today and tomorrow to those who placed orders.

Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year between April through early September. As America’s favorite sweet onion, many look forward to this time of year. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season, contributing to high quality Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel voted to recommend April 17th as the 2024 pack date – or the earliest Vidalia onions could be sold to grocery outlets, restaurants and other distributors.

If you ordered onions for this year’s Young Farmer fundraiser, you may pick them up at the Chattooga County Ag Center today from 2 PM – 6 PM.  Tomorrow, the onions will be available at Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply in Lyerly from 2- 5 PM.  The onion distribution will be at the Pine Ridge Hay Shed on Thursday.

Red Lobster Closing Locations Nationwide

Red Lobster has announced that they are closing many locations nationwide as the company looks to avoid bankruptcy.   Three Red Lobster locations in Georgia were on the list and were closed as of Monday of this week. 

Woman Charged With DUI For Drugs

A thirty-one-year-old woman was charged with DUI for drugs after deputies noticed her vehicle without a tag in the drive through at the Summerville McDonald’s.

According to a report released yesterday, two deputies were patrolling together on May 8th and stopped for a coffee at McDonald’s.  While in the drive through, they noticed that the car in front of them did not have a tag and that the driver showed signs of impairment.

The deputies followed the vehicle after leaving McDonald’s and performed a traffic stop.  The driver gave the deputies a Florida drivers license and while speaking to the deputies, caused more suspicion that she was under the influence of drugs.  After a field sobriety test, deputies arrested the woman.  The woman became combative with deputies as they attempted to place her in the patrol car.  According to the report, the woman was placing her foot between the car door causing the door to hit her foot when deputies attempted to close it.  Finally, one deputy went to the other side of the vehicle and pulled the woman across the back seat of the patrol car while the other deputy pushed her into place.

Once at the jail, deputies asked the woman if she had any drugs on her person. At that point, the woman reportedly bared her breasts to the male deputies and said “I ain’t got nothin’ on me….see!”.

Shelby Ellarae Williams was charged with DUI for drugs, expired tag, failure to change address on drivers license, failure to maintain a single lane and a seat belt violation.  She was additionally charged with obstruction of law enforcement officers.

Shooting In Spring Creek Area On Tuesday Night

One person was shot in a domestic altercation in the Spring Creek area on Tuesday night.  Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader confirmed to WZQZ News that the person who was shot is in stable condition.  More details will be released and the investigation continues into the shooting incident. WZQZ will have more updates as they become available.