Wiring Stolen Out Of Vacant House

The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office was called to a Back Berryton Road address last week after the owner of a house reported damage.  Upon arrival, the responding deputy spoke with the owner who said he had purchased the vacant house in a tax lien sale.  The deputy noted that sheet rock had been cut and wiring pulled from the walls.  Also, there were four windows missing from the house which had been empty for some time.  The owner of the house said he would be installing security cameras and requested a report of the incident.

Arrest Report - Wednesday - April 17, 2024

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, April 17, 2024:

Facebook Marketplace Scam Reported To Police

A Summerville man reported a scam to police on April 12th.  According to a report released this week, Jacob Bankston came to the Summerville Police Department and said that a female using the name “Gloria Vanessa Simon” had used Facebook marketplace to scam him out of $1,000.  Bankston said that the seller requested a $500 deposit through Apple pay as a down payment on a vehicle.  Bankston sent the money and then received a message from the scammer saying that the payment had been canceled due to a delay in accepting the funds.  Bankston then sent another $500 to a friend of his to forward to the seller.  It turns out, the seller received both payments and then blocked both Bankston and his friend on Facebook.  The incident was turned over to an investigator with the Summerville Police Department.

Meth Found At Area Gas Station & Dollar General Store

A convenience store attendant called the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday after finding suspected narcotics at the store.  On Monday, employees at an area Dollar General found suspected methamphetamine inside the store.

A deputy responded to the Trion Discount Food Mart – locally known as the “Shell in the Hole” – around 2:30 AM on Sunday morning. The store employee gave the deputy a small piece of pink, tied-up plastic with suspected methamphetamine inside that was found on the premises.  The deputy took the suspected drugs and placed it in an evidence locker at the sheriff’s office to be destroyed.

In a separate incident on Monday, deputies were called to the Dollar General Store in Lyerly after store management found a latex glove with suspected methamphetamine inside.  The manager and staff showed the responding deputy store surveillance, but it was inconclusive as to who might have dropped the meth-filled glove near the front checkout area of the store.

Woman Accused Of Kicking & Cussing At Police

A fifty-three-year-old Summerville woman was arrested earlier this month after Summerville Police served a warrant and the woman became belligerent towards the arresting officers.  According to a report released this week, police found Lisa Sizemore at a convenience store on Highland Avenue and attempted to serve an outstanding warrant.  Police said that Sizemore told them several times that she had to use the restroom in an attempt to get away from the officers.  When officers attempted to place Sizemore in cuffs, she allegedly kicked one of the officers and continued to resist even after being placed in the patrol car.  Police say that Sizemore was yelling and cussing at them all the way to the Chattooga County Jail.  Sizemore was charged with obstruction of law enforcement.  During the arrest, Sizemore was found to be in possession of suspected drugs and was additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Georgia Senator Blasts USPS

Georgia’s Senator Jon Ossoff is not happy with the United States Postal Service.  Ossoff says that there is no excuse for the extreme delays that have been plaguing the mail service since the opening of a new regional operations center in Georgia. 

Ossoff grilled the head of the postal service in a U.S. Senate hearing this week saying that only around 36% of inbound mail is being delivered on time in Georgia.  He told Postmaster General Louis DeJoy  “I’ve got constituents with prescriptions that aren’t being delivered. I’ve got constituents who can’t pay their rent or mortgages. I’ve got businesses that aren’t able to ship products or receive supplies. You are failing abysmally to fulfill your core mission in my state.”

DeJoy says that the mail service will improve but the USPS needs time to complete the transition to new regional centers.  DeJoy said that those issues should be worked out by mid-summer.

But that wasn’t good enough for Senator Ossoff, who told the Postmaster General, “You’ve got weeks, not months to fix this. If you don’t fix it, I don’t think you’re fit for the job.”

Compiled Sources

Disc Golf Tournament Coming To Trion Next Month

Prodigy Disk is hosting their third-annual disc golf tournament at Trion Recreation Center on Saturday, May 4, 2024.   The event is a C-Tier, 2-round shot gun start.  Trophies will be awarded for the top three per division.  Activities will begin that morning with a player check-in starting at 7:40 AM and the tournament gets underway at 9 AM.  Lunch will be available at the Trion Recreation Center.  You can find out more about the event HERE

GHC Announces New Bachelors Degree In Organizational Leadership

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) will offer an online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership starting this fall, the ninth bachelor’s degree program option at the college.

The program, offered in partnership with University System of Georgia (USG) eMajor, can be completed fully online.

Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sarah Coakley says the program would be a good fit for self-motivated, independent learners interested in a leadership role within the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

“The broad reach of the bachelor’s in organizational leadership creates maximum job opportunities for program graduates,” Coakley said. “Graduates could work as city managers, heads of public departments or agencies, heads of nonprofit organizations, or office managers in a number of businesses.”

It’s also an excellent degree choice for those seeking to grow an existing career.

“This degree program is perfect for working adults, military members and transfer students as the program is fully online and consists of 8-week courses,” Program Coordinator Alan Nichols said. “Also, with the degree program being fully online, working adults can fit courses around their busy work and life schedules.”

He added, “The convenience of the degree for working adults cannot be understated.”

The program hosts four concentrations: Public Service, Social Justice, Office Administration and Technology, and Healthcare Administration.

The bachelor’s in organizational leadership provides current students an additional opportunity to continue their academic journey at GHC while meeting the needs of a diverse workforce and expanding economic development throughout the region and neighboring states.

“The curriculum is interdisciplinary and flexible, and students from a variety of academic backgrounds and pathways can enter the program,” Professor for the School of Social Sciences and Education Teresa Hutchins said. “For students who want to go into public service or work for nonprofit organizations, the bachelor’s in organizational leadership allows them to earn their credentials close to home, and upon graduation, the potential to stay in the community.”

Georgia Highlands College recently expanded its in-state tuition to the entire state of Alabama and assists students transferring from colleges in Alabama. General education courses for the bachelor’s in organizational leadership are $95 per credit hour, while courses in the major are $199 per credit hour.

Visit the GHC Transfer Equivalency System to see how your institution’s credits will transfer to GHC.

Learn more at highlands.edu. Apply now for summer or fall semester at apply.highlands.edu.

Congresswoman Greene Seeks Interns At DC Office

The Office of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is seeking interns for her office in Washington, DC. Applicants should be highly motivated, have excellent communication skills, and have interest in learning more about the legislative process. Start and end dates are flexible. Georgia ties are preferred, but not required. This is a paid position and college credit can be earned.

Interns will work in three different interest tracks:

• Policy: Interns will work closely with the Congresswoman’s legislative team. Tasks include answering phones, assisting with legislative research, processing constituent mail, attending policy briefings, and additional tasks to aid the legislative team.
• Communications: Interns will work closely with the Congresswoman’s communications team. Tasks include answering phones, compiling daily press and broadcast clips, organizing, maintaining, and updating media lists, drafting press releases, assisting with social media, and additional tasks to aid the communications team. Experience with the Adobe Suite is required.
• Administrative: Interns will work closely with the scheduler and staff assistants to complete tasks that are essential for day-to-day office organization. These include answering phones, compiling contact lists, processing constituent mail, leading Capitol tours, completing flag requests, drafting constituent correspondence, and assisting with weekly reports

Apply Here

City Of Summerville Posts Cemetery Rules

On Tuesday, the City of Summerville issued a statement about new rules for the Summerville Cemetery.  Along with the statement, the city made public the rules for the cemetery.  You can see the statement and the complete list of rules below:

Arrest Report - Tuesday - April 16, 2024

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

Summerville City Council Called Meeting This Evening

The Summerville City Council will hold a called meeting coming up this evening at 5:30 PM.  On the agenda for this evening’s meeting is a discussion of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and approval of the staff for the special election being held on May 21st to fill the unexpired term of Councilman David Ford who passed away earlier this year.  The public is invited to attend. You can see the complete agenda for the meeting below:

Georgia Gas Prices Continue To Rise

Georgia gas prices increased at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgians are paying an average price of $3.43 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline (subject to change overnight).

Monday’s state average was 10 cents more than a week ago, 17 cents more than a month ago, and 4 cents more than this time last year. It costs drivers an average price of $51.45 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. Georgians are now paying 60 cents more to fill up at the pump compared to a year ago.

“Crude oil prices hovering around $85 per barrel, high demand and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to bump pump prices higher,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Some good news is that Georgians are currently paying 20 cents less than the national average which sits at $3.63. Therefore, AAA continues to encourage drivers to take advantage of the money-saving gas tips listed below.”

Area gas price averages: Chattooga ($3.33), Walker ($3.30), Floyd ($3.35), Gordon ($3.40), DeKalb, AL ($3.18), Cherokee, AL ($3.14)

Trion City Schools Daycare Position Open

Trion City Schools has a position open for a full-time daycare provider.  You can see the requirements and more information below:

Job Description: Contract position for a full-time daycare provider for 6 children between ages 6 weeks and 1 year of age

Hours: Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm / 190 school days

Requirements:
· CPR certification or willingness to obtain certification
· Daycare experience
· Ability to relate well with children
· Evidence of sufficient judgment to handle crisis situations
· Ability to supervise activities (group and individual) conducive to the growth and development of young children
· Sensitivity to children’s individual needs
· The ability to maintain an orderly environment
· Physical: Employee is regularly required to lift 10 lbs. – 30 lbs.
· Plan and implement a program of activities conducive to the growth and development of young children
· Maintains clean, neat, and organized room; takes responsibility for the upkeep of supplies, materials, and equipment in order to make them effective for children
· Good character and equipped by education, training, and/or experience for working with
infant/toddler

Pay: Based on experience- $13.50 minimum

All employees must pass a background check.

Applications will be accepted at Trion City Schools central office. The position will remain open until filled.

Summerville Cemetery Announcement

The City of Summerville has put up baskets by the trash receptacles at the Summerville Cemetery for flowers that have been misplaced during weather events. Flowers will be left in the baskets for a week before discarding them. If you have questions please call City Hall 706-859-0900.

Chattooga County Plant Swap Seeks Vendors

Summerville Main Street Kicks Off Friday Night Live Series This Week

Summerville Main Street will kick off the 2024 Friday Night Live Free Concert Series on Friday, April 19. This concert series will feature musical entertainment, vendors and fun on the third Friday of April – July. April’s first concert will feature a famous group that entertained Summerville in 2023 known as The Sock Hops. The concert will be held at the Open Air Space on East Washington Street from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

The Sock Hops specialize in the four-part harmony sounds of doo-wop, Motown, beach music and more. This fan favorite group hits all the popular music of the 50s, 60s and 70s in a delightful evening with a stroll down memory lane. Although this group is guaranteed to get the crowd up dancing, the public is still encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy this evening of music and fun.

East Washington Street will be blocked off from Commerce Street to Economy Street for this event beginning at 5:30 p.m. and remain blocked until 9:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to support downtown restaurants by having supper downtown prior to the concert, but there will also be a few vendors on site. Public restrooms will be available inside the Summerville Depot for the nighttime concert. In the event of rain, the concert location will be moved inside to The Summerville Depot. This concert is sponsored by The City of Summerville Main Street. For more information on upcoming city events visit The City of Summerville Georgia Facebook Page or www.summervillega.org

AG Carr Kicks Off "Georgia Legal Food Frenzy"

Attorney General Chris Carr, Feeding Georgia, and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia are kicking off the 13th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, a two-week fundraising competition to benefit the state’s regional food banks. This year’s drive will take place from April 15-26, 2024, and is open to everyone in the legal community, including law firms, legal organizations, corporate or in-house counsel, clerks and judges. Every dollar raised directly benefits the regional food bank in each competitor’s respective community, and every $1 donated helps to provide up to four meals to our neighbors in need. Registration is available now and will remain open until April 26, the final day of the competition. Those who wish to participate can do so by visiting www.galegalfoodfrenzy.org.

“We know that time is a lawyer’s most valuable asset, and what better way to dedicate our time than to fighting hunger and ensuring Georgia’s students are well-fed all year round,” said Carr. “That’s why I’m once again challenging our fellow attorneys to donate the equivalent of one billable hour during the competition so we can make this another record-breaking year in support of children and families across our state.”

Nearly one in eight children in Georgia is food insecure, and 60 percent of students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals at school. Over the summer, their families often struggle to put enough food on the table without the daily guarantee of school meals. For this reason, the annual Legal Food Frenzy has historically been timed to stock the food banks in anticipation of this summer surge.

“The Legal Food Frenzy has raised more than $5 million in the 12 years that it has been operating,” said Executive Director of Feeding Georgia Danah Craft. “All funds stay local, which means donations from law firms and legal organizations go directly to the regional food banks within their communities. It’s a tremendous effort that aligns with our mission to ‘end hunger in Georgia, together.’ I’m certain this fundraiser would not have the reach and response from attorneys state-wide without the continued support of the Attorney General’s Office and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar. And for that, we are deeply appreciative of this valued partnership and the contributions of the entire Georgia legal community.”

“The Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia is honored to support the annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy,” said YLD President Brittanie Browning. “Each year we aim higher to raise even more funds for our local food banks across the State of Georgia. Together we can join as a profession to help our neighbors, senior citizens, families, and children. Hunger is a statewide issue impacting our communities, including litigants and clients. By supporting the Legal Food Frenzy and our food banks, we improve the quality of legal services in our state. I hope every Georgia lawyer will join our efforts – whether it’s their first or 13th year participating – and help to combat food insecurity in our local communities.”

Last year, Georgia’s attorneys raised a total of $829,239 for the state’s regional food banks – the equivalent of over 3.2 million meals. For every dollar raised, teams will earn four points towards their competition score. In 2023, Habachy Law of Atlanta won the Attorney General’s Cup for the 10th consecutive year, earning 94,222 points – the most per person. Coleman Talley LLP took home the Bar President’s Award for the fourth time, earning 226,874 points – the most overall.

The Legal Food Frenzy is spearheaded by a team of young lawyers who oversee the promotion of the competition across the state. The 2024 efforts are led by the Young Lawyers Division Legal Food Frenzy Co-Chairs Brittanie Browning, Ashley Akins, and Caroline Scalf as well as regional representatives listed here.

A current list of all competing firms is available here.

Man Arrested At Family Dollar Store On Sunday

A forty-one-year-old Marvin Avenue, Summerville man was arrested on Sunday at the Family Dollar Store on Commerce Street in Summerville.  Summerville Police say that the incident started at the man’s residence on Marvin Avenue.  Police were called because the suspect was screaming and yelling.  When officers arrived the suspect told police to “just shoot” him.  Police called for EMS to check the suspect out, but the suspect ran from the scene.  Police followed the suspect down Kelly Street to Commerce Street and then arrested him at the Family Dollar Store Parking lot.  Jeremy Rich was charged with disorderly conduct and booked into the Chattooga County Jail.