Arrest Report - Sunday - August 30, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, August 30, 2026:
Hot, Mostly Dry Weather Ahead For Chattooga County
Sunny skies and increasingly hot temperatures are in store for Chattooga County as high pressure builds across the Southeast, bringing mostly dry conditions through much of the upcoming week.
Today, look for plenty of sunshine with a high near 90 degrees. Winds will be light, becoming southeast around 5 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 71.
The warming trend continues Monday, with sunshine and a high near 92 degrees. The heat index could reach 98 degrees during the afternoon. Monday night will be mostly clear with a low around 71.
Temperatures climb another degree Tuesday, with sunny skies and a high near 93. Tuesday night will remain mostly clear with a low around 72.
Wednesday could be one of the hottest days of the week, with sunshine and a high near 94 degrees. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 72.
Rain chances remain very limited until late in the week. Thursday will be sunny with a high near 93 and just a 20% chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm after 2 PM. Any evening storms should quickly diminish, with a low around 73.
A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms returns Friday, although sunshine is still expected and temperatures could reach 94 degrees. Friday night carries a 30% storm chance with a low around 72.
For Saturday, there is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms with otherwise sunny skies and another high near 93 degrees.
The National Weather Service says a strengthening ridge of high pressure will suppress much of the typical summertime thunderstorm activity while allowing temperatures to steadily increase.
While the greatest heat-index values are expected farther south in Georgia, North Georgia will also feel the effects of the building heat. Afternoon temperatures in Chattooga County will climb from around 90 today into the lower and middle 90s for much of the week.
With overnight temperatures remaining in the lower 70s, there will also be less relief from the heat during the nighttime hours.
Anyone spending extended periods outside this week should drink plenty of water, take breaks from the heat when possible and remember to check on children, pets and those particularly vulnerable to hot weather.
Sunday Brings Final Day Of 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair
The 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair wraps up Sunday, but there will still be a full afternoon and evening of activities before the gates close on this year’s fair.
The fair will be open Sunday from 2 PM until 9 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville. General admission is $5, children four and under are admitted free, and unlimited-ride armbands are $30. Concerts and scheduled events are included with gate admission, while carnival rides are additional.
Young People Return To The Show Ring
Agriculture will once again be a major part of Sunday’s schedule.
The 4-H and FFA Junior Dairy Show is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, giving local young people another opportunity to showcase their livestock projects. The fair’s official livestock schedule lists the dairy show at 2 PM.
Then at 6 PM, Chattooga County FFA and 4-H members will participate in the Market Hog Preview Show.
The hogs are part of the 10th annual Chattooga Youth Pig Project, coordinated by the Chattooga County Young Farmers Association. Students received their hogs in June and have been raising them in preparation for the final show and auction in November.
Sunday’s event will give the public an early look at those projects, with showmanship divisions followed by weight classes to select a Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. The final show and auction is scheduled for November 9 at the Agricultural Center.
Final Demonstration Kitchen Programs
The Demonstration Kitchen, sponsored by Chattooga County Farm Bureau, will also have three programs Sunday.
At 2:30 PM, Melanie Morris presents MacGyver Meals — Batch Cooking, Pantry Staples and Leftovers, an interactive demonstration focusing on creative ways to turn ingredients already on hand into meals.
At 4 PM, Donna Sausville will demonstrate DIY Low-Toxin Dishwasher Detergent, using simple ingredients and a plastic-free method.
The final demonstration of the fair comes at 5:30 PM with Ice Cream in a Bag, presented by Sandy Wheat and Chattooga County Farm Bureau.
The Statler Experience Takes The Stage At 6 PM
One of Sunday’s biggest attractions will come at 6 PM, when The Statler Experience featuring Wilson Fairchild and Jack & Davis Reid takes the stage.
The show brings three generations of the Statler Brothers family legacy to the Chattooga County Fair.
Wilson Fairchild is made up of Wil Reid and Langdon Reid, sons of the late Harold Reid and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers. They’ll be joined by their sons, Jack and Davis Reid, representing the third generation of the family.
The performance will feature the harmonies, country and gospel music, family stories and humor associated with the Statler Brothers legacy. The Statler Experience was added to Sunday’s lineup after Guy Penrod was forced to cancel his scheduled appearance because of illness.
There is no additional charge for the concert beyond the regular $5 fair admission, and fair officials encourage concertgoers to bring folding chairs.
Along with Sunday’s scheduled events, fairgoers will have one final opportunity to enjoy the midway, carnival games, fair food, agricultural displays, livestock and Blue Ribbon exhibits before the fair closes for another year.
Sunday’s hours are 2 PM until 9 PM. The Agricultural Center itself closes one hour before the fair ends.
Chattooga County Schools Looking For Custodians
The Chattooga County School System is looking to hire full-time and part-time custodians for positions at Leroy Massey Elementary School and Lyerly Elementary School.
At Leroy Massey Elementary, both full-time and part-time positions are available. The 208-day positions call for employees to work 9.25 hours per day, Tuesday through Friday. The full-time position is eligible for benefits including sick leave, vacation leave, retirement and insurance.
A part-time custodian is also needed at Lyerly Elementary School. That position is for 208 days and requires 4.5 hours per day, Tuesday through Friday. The Lyerly position is not eligible for benefits.
A high school diploma or GED is preferred. Duties include cleaning and maintaining school buildings and grounds.
Applications are available through the Chattooga County Board of Education Superintendent’s Office or through the school system’s website under District Services and Human Resources.
Completed applications should be submitted to Dawn Campbell, Human Resources Director, Chattooga County Board of Education, 33 Middle School Road in Summerville. Applicants will also be required to complete professional reference forms and authorization for a background check and fingerprinting.
For additional information, contact the Chattooga County Board of Education at 706-859-3043.
Pizza Orders Lead Summerville Police To Fraud And Marijuana Arrest
A Summerville Police Department investigation into alleged financial transaction card fraud led officers to a residence where they also discovered marijuana, according to an incident report provided to WZQZ News.
The report says investigators were looking into unauthorized Papa John’s pizza orders allegedly made using a financial transaction card. Officers identified recent orders totaling $55.77 and $75.20 and went to a residence while investigating who had placed them.
According to the police narrative, officers smelled what they described as an extremely strong odor of burning marijuana as they approached the residence. After making contact with people inside, investigators said they observed multiple pizza boxes and marijuana in plain view on a kitchen table. The report describes an ashtray containing several half-smoked marijuana cigarettes.
Police questioned Dakhari Mobbs, 18, who officers said admitted the marijuana belonged to him. According to the report, Mobbs also told investigators he had lost the card allegedly used to order the pizzas.
Mobbs was placed under arrest on allegations of financial transaction card fraud and possession of marijuana less than one ounce and was advised of his Miranda rights. Police said his cellphone was retained as evidence while investigators sought a search warrant.
The report lists the offenses as financial transaction card fraud under Georgia law and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. The property section also lists a leafy green substance seized as evidence along with a cellphone connected to the fraud investigation.
The charges are allegations, and Mobbs is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Free Webinar To Help Georgia Business Owners Evaluate Funding And Use AI
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is inviting business owners across the state to participate in a free webinar next month focusing on business funding and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The FIN FIT webinar, “Funding Strategies & AI-Powered Decision Making,” will be held Monday, September 21 at 6 PM and will be available both online and by phone.
The program is designed to help business owners look beyond simply obtaining financing and better understand the costs and risks associated with different sources of capital.
Participants will learn how lenders evaluate business risk, how to distinguish sustainable sources of capital from financing that could put unnecessary pressure on cash flow, and how AI tools can be responsibly used to help evaluate funding decisions.
Raffensperger said business owners often concentrate on finding capital without fully considering its potential costs and risks. He said the webinar is intended to help entrepreneurs protect their bottom line and make better long-term financial decisions.
Award-winning journalist Donna Lowry will moderate the program. The featured speaker will be Anita Davis, president and founder of Praxis Strategic Solutions, a certified AI consultant and trainer and a board member of the Greater Women’s Business Council.
A question-and-answer session will also give participants an opportunity to ask about issues affecting their businesses.
FIN FIT is a financial empowerment initiative of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office administered through its Securities and Charities divisions. The program offers free webinars featuring industry professionals discussing financial literacy, money management and strategies for building wealth.
The September 21 webinar is free, but registration is required
Some Walker County Residents Can Get 60% Reimbursement For Septic Repairs
Some Walker County homeowners with failing septic systems may qualify to have 60% of the cost of repairs reimbursed through a new round of grant funding.
The Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council has secured $268,000 to continue its septic repair program in portions of the Chattanooga Creek watershed. The money will be available to qualifying property owners over the next three years.
The program is available in eligible portions of Rossville, Flintstone, High Point and Lookout Mountain. It is not a countywide program, so Walker County residents must first determine whether their property is located within the qualifying watershed area.
Homeowners can check their eligibility through an online map provided by Limestone Valley. Those who qualify can then contact the project’s manager to begin the process.
The homeowner must obtain the required permit through the health department and enter into an agreement with Limestone Valley. After a contractor provides an estimate and the work is completed, the health department inspects the repair. Limestone Valley then reimburses the homeowner for 60% of the qualifying repair cost.
Limestone Valley Executive Director Stephen Bontekoe said repairing failing systems is important not only because of the expense and inconvenience for homeowners, but because leaking septic systems can introduce E. coli and other contamination into yards, streams and creeks, creating both environmental and public-health concerns.
The program has already produced results in Walker County. An earlier round of funding that began in 2023 helped 22 property owners repair failing septic systems. The previous program reimbursed up to 40% of qualifying costs; the new round increases the reimbursement to 60%.
Residents who believe they may qualify can visit the Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council website to check the eligibility map and begin the application process.
Jury Finds Deoveon Price Not Guilty Of Murder In Oak Street Shooting Death
A Chattooga County jury has found Deoveon LaWayne Price not guilty of murder in connection with the 2025 shooting death of 27-year-old Christopher “DJ” Chapman, but jurors convicted Price on two other charges.
The verdict came following several days of testimony in Chattooga County Superior Court. Price, now 25, was found not guilty of malice murder and not guilty of felony murder. Jurors did, however, find him guilty of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Sentencing on those convictions has not yet been scheduled.
The case stems from a shooting that happened on June 6, 2025, on Oak Street in Summerville.
As WZQZ News reported at the time, Summerville Police officers were dispatched to Oak Street at approximately 12:36 PM after receiving a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found Chapman unresponsive in the roadway with a serious gunshot wound.
Chapman was transported to Chattooga ER, where he was later pronounced dead.
The initial police investigation identified Price, who was 24 at the time, as the alleged shooter. Investigators said Price left the scene following the shooting and was later located driving a different vehicle on Taylors Ridge. He was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop.
Police said their investigation indicated that Price and Chapman had been involved in a physical altercation before the shooting. Authorities alleged that during that confrontation, Price produced a handgun and shot Chapman in the chest.
The investigation involved the Summerville Police Department, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force and Georgia State Patrol.
The case went before a Chattooga County jury this past week. Price was represented at trial by attorneys Sutton Connelly and Steve Miller, while Lynsay Chapman of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
The jury ultimately rejected the two murder charges but convicted Price of aggravated assault and the firearm offense.
Price will return to court for sentencing on those two convictions at a later date.
Trion Man Arrested In Cherokee County On Harassment Charge
A Trion man was arrested earlier this month in neighboring Cherokee County, Alabama, according to jail and arrest records.
Derrick Hogue, 31, of Trion, was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center on August 18. Records show Hogue was booked at approximately 8:33 PM.
Hogue was reportedly charged with harassment.
Available online booking information does not provide details concerning the circumstances that led to the harassment charge.
Records indicate Hogue was subsequently released from custody on August 20.
The arrest occurred in Cherokee County, Alabama, which borders Chattooga County to the west.
An arrest is based on probable cause, and Hogue is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Measles Outbreak Linked To Metro Atlanta Daycare
Georgia health officials have confirmed four additional cases of measles connected to a daycare in metro Atlanta, bringing the state’s reported total to 11 cases so far in 2026.
The Georgia Department of Public Health announced the new cases Friday. Officials said the four children were close contacts of a measles case confirmed last week. That initial case involved an unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident and was confirmed August 18.
Health officials have not identified the daycare or released the ages of the children. DPH said the children involved were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Investigators are working to identify additional people who may have had close contact with the infected children.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to DPH, the virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.
Symptoms generally develop seven to 14 days after exposure and can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A rash of small red spots typically follows, beginning around the head before spreading over the body.
DPH says the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. The CDC recommends children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. Georgia health officials say more than 95% of people develop immunity after one dose, with protection typically increasing to about 98% following a second dose.
Health officials are also reminding parents that anyone who develops symptoms consistent with measles should call a healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office, hospital or public health clinic. Calling ahead allows medical personnel to take precautions to prevent potentially exposing other patients.
There have been 11 confirmed measles cases in Georgia during 2026, compared with 10 during all of 2025.
Arrest Report - Saturday - August 29, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, August 29, 2026:
Friday Night Football Scores From Across Northwest Georgia
High school football teams across Northwest Georgia were back under the Friday night lights last night, with several rivalry games and decisive victories highlighting the August 28 schedule.
Locally, the Trion Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Model Blue Devils 31-7 at Sam R. McCain Stadium. Trion drops to 1-1 following its season-opening victory over Gordon Lee.
The Chattooga Indians had the night off. Chattooga returns to action next Friday night when the Indians welcome Model to the Little Big Horn.
Elsewhere around Northwest Georgia, Gordon Lee defeated Ridgeland 21-7, while LaFayette rolled past Dade County 56-13.
Dalton picked up a 35-9 victory over Northwest Whitfield, Ringgold defeated Heritage 42-28, and Coahulla Creek shut out Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 41-0.
Rockmart turned in one of the area’s most convincing performances, defeating Cedartown 49-13. Adairsville topped Woodland 33-25, while Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Calhoun 24-17.
In Floyd County action, Tucker defeated Rome 41-14, while North Cobb Christian rolled past Pepperell 49-6.
Cartersville also had a big night, defeating Mount Zion 49-14.
In Thursday night action, Walker defeated Armuchee 20-18.
WZQZ will continue following Trion and Chattooga throughout the 2026 high school football season, with the Bulldogs traveling to Ridgeland and the Indians hosting Model next Friday night.
- Model 31, Trion 7
- Gordon Lee 21, Ridgeland 7
- LaFayette 56, Dade County 13
- Dalton 35, Northwest Whitfield 9
- Ringgold 42, Heritage 28
- Coahulla Creek 41, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 0
- Rockmart 49, Cedartown 13
- Adairsville 33, Woodland 25
- Greater Atlanta Christian 24, Calhoun 17
- Tucker 41, Rome 14
- Cartersville 49, Mt. Zion 14
- North Cobb Christian 49, Pepperell 6
Also from Thursday night, Walker defeated Armuchee 20-18.
Model Hands Trion First Loss Of Season, 31-7
The Trion Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the 2026 season Friday night as the Model Blue Devils came to Sam R. McCain Stadium and defeated Trion 31-7.
Trion entered the game 1-0 after an impressive 36-7 season-opening victory over Gordon Lee, but the Bulldogs found themselves playing from behind early against a Model team that was able to capitalize on its opportunities.
The Blue Devils struck first to take a 7-0 lead. Trion answered, putting together a scoring drive to tie the game at 7-7, but Model regained control from there.
By midway through the first half, Model had moved back in front 14-7. The Blue Devils added another touchdown before halftime, stretching their advantage to 21-7. Trion had opportunities to move the football, but the Bulldogs were unable to finish drives with points as Model’s defense kept them out of the end zone for the remainder of the night.
The second half became a defensive battle for stretches, with Trion trying to find the big play needed to get back into the game. Model, however, added a field goal to increase its lead to 24-7.
The Bulldogs’ defense continued battling and kept Trion within striking distance for much of the second half, but the offense could not break through against the Blue Devil defense.
Model eventually added a late touchdown to put the game away and make the final 31-7.
The loss drops Trion to 1-1 on the season, while Model improves to 2-0 after opening its season with a 49-13 victory over Walker. The final score of Friday night’s game is also confirmed by Georgia Public Broadcasting and Georgia Prep Football.
Friday’s loss also snapped a three-game Trion winning streak in the series. The Bulldogs had beaten Model 28-21 last season, 22-12 in 2024 and 31-12 in 2023.
Trion will now turn its attention to another road test. The Bulldogs travel to Ridgeland next Friday, September 4, before visiting Dade County on September 11.
Sunny Saturday With Heat Building Into Next Week
Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia can expect a mostly sunny and warm Saturday, with hotter temperatures building during the coming week.
Today will be sunny with a high near 89 degrees. Winds will be calm early, becoming southeast around 5 mph this afternoon. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 70.
The National Weather Service says scattered thunderstorms are possible across parts of Georgia today, and a few storms could become strong with gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall. The better chances for storms appear to be outside the immediate Chattooga County area, where the local forecast remains dry.
Sunday will bring patchy fog before 9 AM, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 89. There is a 20 percent chance of a shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon. Sunday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 70.
Temperatures begin climbing as the new work week gets underway. Monday will be sunny with a high near 91, along with a 20 percent chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. Monday night’s low will be around 71.
By Tuesday, sunshine will dominate with a high near 93. Wednesday and Thursday are both forecast to be sunny with highs around 94 degrees, while overnight lows climb into the lower 70s.
Friday remains hot with a high near 94 and only a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
The Weather Service says high pressure building across the Southeast will suppress most afternoon thunderstorm development while allowing temperatures and heat indices to rise. Triple-digit heat index readings are expected across much of Georgia during the work week, particularly farther south.
For Northwest Georgia, the main weather story will be the return of midsummer heat despite September being just days away.
Saturday At The Fair Packed With Livestock Shows, Poultry Auction And Live Music
Today is expected to be one of the busiest days of the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, with a full Saturday schedule featuring livestock competitions, the popular poultry show and auction, demonstrations, carnival rides, fair food and two live bands.
The fair is open today from 2 PM until 11 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.
Agricultural activities get underway even before the midway opens. The 4-H and FFA Junior Beef Show begins at 1 PM, giving local young people an opportunity to showcase the cattle they have raised and prepared for competition.
Poultry Show And Auction Today
Another highlight today will be the 4-H and FFA Poultry Show and Auction.
Local students began their poultry projects back in April, when each participant received eight three-day-old chicks to raise. This year’s project features Black Australorp and Buff Orpington chickens. Students have spent the past several months caring for their birds, keeping records and selecting their best animals for competition.
Poultry judging begins at 4 PM, with awards announced at 6:30 PM. The students’ pens of three hens will then be sold during the Poultry Auction at 7 PM, with all proceeds going directly to the student who raised the birds.
Anyone interested in purchasing chickens should arrive by 6:30 PM to receive a bid number. Buyers will receive cages for their chickens built by students in Mr. Yarbrough’s eighth-grade Chattooga County FFA Basic Agriculture class.
Demonstrations Throughout The Afternoon
The fair’s Demonstration Kitchen, sponsored by Chattooga County Farm Bureau, also has a busy schedule today.
At 2:30 PM, Katie Bandy Carlson of Sunset Creek Farms will demonstrate DIY Low-Toxin Detergent.
At 4 PM, Logan Money of Pine Ridge Outdoors presents Dirt Cheap Gardening, offering ideas for economical plant choices and ways to stretch a landscaping budget.
At 5:30 PM, the program turns to No-Bake Protein Bites, featuring an easy make-ahead food option for busy families.
Two Bands Take The Stage Tonight
There’s also plenty of live music at the fair tonight.
The Band Chickamauga takes the stage at 7 PM, followed by Lone Star Skynyrd at 9 PM. Lone Star Skynyrd brings the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd and classic Southern rock to the fair, while The Band Chickamauga offers a mix of country and classic rock.
Fair officials encourage those planning to watch the concerts to bring a folding chair.
The musical performances are included with $5 gate admission, and unlimited-ride armbands for the midway are $30 today.
Along with the scheduled events, fairgoers can enjoy midway rides and games, fair food, Blue Ribbon exhibits, agricultural displays and other attractions throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair wraps up tomorrow, with Sunday’s hours from 2 PM until 9 PM.
United Way Hiring 211 Community Resource Specialist Serving Chattooga, Floyd And Polk Counties
United Way FPC is looking for a new Community Resource Specialist to help connect residents of Chattooga, Floyd and Polk counties with vital community services.
The organization recently posted the opening for a 211 Community Resource Specialist, a part-time position serving as a frontline representative for the United Way’s 211 program.
The specialist will work directly with people seeking assistance through telephone calls, internet inquiries, texts and online chat. Those contacts can range from someone simply looking for information about a community program to more complicated situations involving several needs, advocacy or crisis intervention.
Among the specialist’s responsibilities will be determining what assistance a caller needs, identifying appropriate local resources, explaining eligibility requirements and following up to determine whether referrals were successful. The employee will also advocate for people who encounter barriers while attempting to obtain services and provide crisis intervention according to established protocols.
Another major part of the job involves maintaining the 211 community resource directory. The specialist will communicate with social-service organizations to verify information about available programs and add new resources to the database. During disasters or emergencies, the employee will also be responsible for helping ensure that information placed in the database is accurate and removing temporary resources when they are no longer available.
The position is part-time at 20 hours per week, with a regular schedule of Monday through Friday from 9 AM until 1 PM. Pay is listed at $17.50 per hour. The job may be performed on-site in Rome, remotely or through a hybrid arrangement, depending on the organization’s business needs.
Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or GED, while a bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field is preferred. Previous human-services or information-and-referral experience is also preferred. United Way says preference will be given to applicants who are bilingual in Spanish and English. The person hired will be required to obtain Inform USA Community Resource Specialist certification within one year.
Those interested should submit a resume and letter of interest to icey@unitedfpc.org, using “211 CRS” as the email subject line.
Summerville Gas Department Asking Customers To Complete Safety Survey
The City of Summerville Gas Department is asking its natural gas customers throughout Chattooga and Floyd counties to participate in a new Public Awareness Survey designed to help evaluate pipeline safety information and community awareness.
While the notice is being issued by the City of Summerville, the city’s natural gas system serves customers well beyond the Summerville city limits, including customers in both Chattooga and Floyd counties.
The survey asks customers about their knowledge of natural gas and pipeline safety. According to the city, responses will help the Gas Department evaluate how effectively important pipeline information is reaching residents and businesses and identify areas where additional public education may be needed.
City officials say participation can help support a safer and more reliable natural gas network for the communities served by the Summerville system.
The survey can be downloaded from the City of Summerville’s website. Customers can also stop by Summerville City Hall to complete a copy. Completed surveys may be mailed to City of Summerville, P.O. Box 580, Summerville, Georgia 30747.
The city is encouraging Summerville Gas customers in both Chattooga and Floyd counties, including residential and business customers, to take a few minutes to participate.
Tax Commissioner Explains Senior Property Tax Questions Heading To November Ballot
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is providing additional information about property tax exemption questions voters will see on the November ballot, including proposed changes affecting homeowners who are at least 70 years old on January 1, 2027.
For Chattooga County taxes, a “yes” vote would increase the income limit for the senior exemption from $20,000 to $38,000 for the applicant and spouse. Those who qualify would receive an exemption of $70,000 from the assessed value of their homestead property.
Because Georgia generally assesses property for taxation at 40% of fair market value, Hampton says that exemption is equivalent to $175,000 in fair market value, regardless of acreage or additional buildings.
The existing county senior exemption uses a sliding scale providing a 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% exemption on the home and five acres, depending on income.
School Tax Exemption Would Also Change
Voters will also consider a change involving Chattooga County school taxes.
Under that proposal, the maximum income for qualifying seniors would increase from $20,000 household income to $38,000 for the applicant and spouse.
Those who qualify would receive an exemption of $41,150 in assessed value in 2027, increasing to $55,000 in subsequent years. Hampton says that represents approximately $102,875 in fair market value in 2027 and $137,500 thereafter.
The current school exemption provides qualifying homeowners with a $40,000 exemption from assessed value.
Hampton said the proposals were developed after examining approximately a decade of data, census information and inflation. She said the objective was to provide additional relief for lower-income senior citizens while limiting the amount of the tax burden that could be shifted to small businesses and newer homeowners.
Other Property Tax Exemptions
Hampton also reminded taxpayers that other mechanisms affect property taxes.
Chattooga County has a freeze exemption covering inflationary growth on a home and five acres. There is also a state floating homestead exemption that is automatically applied and designed to offset inflationary increases in property values while allowing taxable values to decline if property values decrease.
ESPLOST Renewal Also On Ballot
In addition to the property tax questions, Chattooga County voters will consider an ESPLOST renewal in November.
Hampton emphasized that the ESPLOST question is a renewal of the existing education sales tax rather than the creation of a new sales tax.
The proposals will ultimately be decided by Chattooga County voters in the November 3, 2026 election.
Substitute Teacher Arrested Following Incident At Summerville Middle
A substitute teacher working for the Chattooga County School System was arrested following an incident at Summerville Middle School.
Zachary E. Duncan, 31, of Trion, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and disrupting a public school, according to the report.
The incident reportedly happened at approximately 11 AM on August 14 inside Summerville Middle School.
According to Chattooga County Deputy Chris Clark, the substitute teacher was allegedly using vulgar and abusive language in the presence of students under the age of 14.
The report states that Duncan allegedly made comments about the dress of female students, including comments concerning the use of tight upper-body clothing by pre-teen or juvenile children.
School Resource Officer Clark stated in the arrest report that the incident created a disturbance on school property.
According to the newspaper, Clark said the disturbance occurred during school hours in the seventh-grade hallway and disrupted normal activities and schedules of school administrators and teachers. The report also states that the incident occurred in an area where students were present and witnessed the disturbance.
Duncan was subsequently arrested on two charges.
Chattooga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie declined to comment on the incident, telling The Summerville News that it is a personnel matter.
Duncan’s termination from his position as a substitute teacher was confirmed by local school officials, according to the newspaper.
The charges are allegations, and Duncan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
AAA Warns Labor Day Travelers To Expect Higher Costs And Heavy Traffic
Americans planning a Labor Day getaway should prepare for higher travel costs and heavier traffic, according to a new holiday travel outlook from AAA.
AAA booking data shows strong demand for travel during the September 3-7 Labor Day period, with Atlanta ranking 10th among the nation’s most popular domestic destinations. Seattle tops the domestic list, followed by Orlando, Boston, Denver and New York.
Travelers are paying more for several parts of their vacations this year. Average domestic roundtrip airfare is 2% higher than last year at about $750, while flights to the most popular domestic destinations are nearly 20% higher, averaging about $790. Domestic hotel costs are up 9%, while international hotel bookings are 12% more expensive. One bright spot is international airfare, which is down 4%, while cruises departing from U.S. ports are about 4% cheaper.
Georgia Drivers Paying Much More For Gas
Motorists traveling from Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are also facing substantially higher gasoline prices than they did last Labor Day.
AAA’s latest figures show Georgia regular gasoline averaging about $3.80 per gallon, compared with approximately $2.89 on Labor Day 2025. In the Rome market, which includes much of the immediate Northwest Georgia area, regular gasoline was averaging about $3.73 per gallon Thursday.
Nationally, regular gasoline is around $4.09 per gallon. AAA says August is on track to become the most expensive August on record at the pump, with the national average remaining above $4 throughout the month.
Avoid The Afternoon If Possible
Traffic could also become a major issue as the holiday approaches. INRIX expects some of the heaviest congestion on Thursday and Friday, when holiday travelers will be sharing the highways with normal commuter traffic.
The worst travel periods are expected to be 2-7 PM Thursday, noon-8 PM Friday, 1-5 PM Saturday and 2-5 PM on Labor Day Monday. AAA recommends leaving early and avoiding afternoon travel whenever possible.
Atlanta-area travelers could encounter particularly significant delays returning home. AAA and INRIX project the I-20 corridor from Atlanta toward Birmingham could see travel times approximately 65% longer than normal Monday evening.
AAA is also urging drivers to check their vehicles before leaving. During last year’s Labor Day holiday period, the organization responded to more than 400,000 roadside assistance calls, including dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts and vehicles requiring towing.
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, and AAA recommends motorists check tires, batteries and fluid levels before hitting the road and carry basic emergency supplies.