Arrest Report - Thursday - May 28, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, May 28, 2026:
Rain Chances Ease Today Before Storms Increase Again Friday And Saturday
A brief break in the more widespread wet weather pattern is expected across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, but forecasters say the break will likely be short-lived.
The National Weather Service says scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain possible today, though coverage should be slightly lower than what is expected heading into Friday and Saturday. The overall weather pattern is shifting, with a front expected to move into the region tonight before stalling across the area on Friday. That front will help bring a renewed increase in showers and thunderstorms as the week comes to a close.
Forecasters say the main concern with any thunderstorms will continue to be locally heavy rainfall. A very moist air mass remains in place, and rainfall could become heavy in stronger storms. As repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms continue over the next several days, it may take less rainfall to cause localized flooding problems, especially in areas that have already received recent rain.
The greatest concern will come from storms that move over the same locations for an extended period of time. Rainfall rates in some storms could be heavy enough to cause ponding on roads, poor drainage flooding, and rising water in low-lying areas.
Rain chances are expected to remain elevated through the weekend and into early next week. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be possible each day, with highs generally in the upper 70s to around 80 degrees and overnight lows in the mid-60s.
Chattooga County Assessor’s Office Informs Residents About Property Appraisal Visits
The Chattooga County Assessor’s Office is notifying residents that representatives from Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions & Services, Incorporated — known as GMASS — are currently visiting properties throughout the county.
According to the notice released by the Assessor’s Office, the company has been contracted by the Board of Assessors to perform various appraisal services as part of county property assessments.
Officials say the inspections are being conducted in accordance with Georgia law and that appraisers will carry identification badges showing they are working for the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office. Their vehicles will also display the GMASS logo.
The Assessor’s Office says employee photos and vehicle information have been provided to Chattooga County 911 and local law enforcement agencies.
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Chattooga County Assessor’s Office at 706-857-0737.
Walker County Couple Charged With Child Trafficking, Rape, And Aggravated Sodomy
A Walker County couple is facing multiple serious felony charges following an investigation into alleged child abuse and trafficking.
According to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began May 15 after deputies received a tip concerning possible abuse involving a child.
Investigators later obtained warrants charging 60-year-old David Rutherford and 43-year-old Heather Rutherford, both of Flintstone, with trafficking, rape, and aggravated sodomy.
Deputies executed a search warrant May 22 at a residence on Nancy Lane in Flintstone as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities say the couple had already been taken into custody in Rhea County, Tennessee before the search warrant was carried out.
Officials stated the arrests were made without incident and involved coordination between the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Walker County Commissioners To Consider Rezoning Requests, Road Closure, And County Projects
The Walker County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Walker County Courthouse Annex IV in LaFayette.
Among the items on the agenda is a public hearing involving a rezoning request from Renard Lanier, who is seeking to rezone property on South Highway 27 in LaFayette from Agricultural to Commercial use. The Walker County Planning Commission previously recommended denying the request as submitted.
Commissioners will also revisit a rezoning request from Joan Brown involving property on Highway 151 that has already been tabled several times during previous meetings.
Other agenda items include a proposed abandonment of Concord Road in East Armuchee, approval of funding applications for the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, and a contract for replacement of the roof at the Walker County Department of Family and Children Services building.
Commissioners are also expected to consider setting fees tied to the county’s newly approved spay and neuter ordinance and approving an agreement involving See Rock City Incorporated and Walker County property.
Additional business includes the purchase of two Ford Rangers for Walker County Fire and Rescue and renewal of the county’s electronic meeting and records management platforms.
The meeting will also feature a presentation from Morning Pointe Senior Living concerning the Lantern at Morning Pointe facility in Happy Valley.
Deadline Approaching For Trion Summer Baseball Sign-Ups
Parents still have time to register their children for Trion Recreation Department summer baseball, but the deadline is quickly approaching.
Registration is now open for 6U and 8U coach pitch leagues along with an 11U machine pitch league. The season is scheduled to run from July 10th through August 14th.
The cost is $30 per player, and player age will be determined based on age as of September 1st.
Officials say the deadline to sign up is June 7th. Registration is taking place through Trion Recreation.
Summerville Man Arrested After Alleged Shoplifting Incident In Floyd County
A Summerville man was arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident at the Dollar General on Calhoun Road in Floyd County.
According to Floyd County Police reports, 33-year-old Dalton Taylor Worthington was observed taking a backpack from a store shelf before going into the restroom and returning a short time later.
Investigators say the backpack was then used to conceal two Shamrock drinks along with other merchandise while store employees watched the incident unfold.
Police said Worthington walked past all points of sale without paying for the items, which had a reported total value of $19.25.
Worthington was later charged with Theft by Shoplifting.
Summerville Man Arrested After Disorderly Conduct Incident
A Summerville man was arrested by the Summerville Police Department following a disorderly conduct incident at a residence on Sixth Avenue.
According to the police report, officers responded to the home after receiving complaints about a disturbance involving loud yelling, profanity, and aggressive behavior. Officers reported that the suspect, identified as 60-year-old Freddie Lee Newton, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Police said Newton became upset during an argument at the residence and allegedly threw a set of car keys at another individual. Officers stated they detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Newton and observed behavior they described as erratic and disorderly.
According to the report, officers attempted to calm the situation and advised Newton several times to stop yelling and causing a disturbance. Police said he continued using profanity and refused commands before officers placed him under arrest on a charge of disorderly conduct.
The report states Newton later refused to sign a citation at the Chattooga County Jail and allegedly threw the paperwork into a trash can while continuing to curse at officers before leaving the area after his release.
The incident was handled by the Summerville Police Department without further problems.
New Georgia Law Allows Property Owners To Sue Over Public Nuisance Enforcement
A new Georgia law taking effect July 1st will allow property owners to seek compensation if they believe local governments are not doing enough to enforce public nuisance laws.
House Bill 295 applies to issues such as public camping, vandalism, and panhandling. Supporters say the law is designed to push cities and counties to enforce existing ordinances when public nuisance activity hurts businesses, property values, or public safety.
State Representative Jesse Petrea, who co-sponsored the bill, said some business owners have complained about losing customers and property value when people feel unsafe near encampments or panhandling areas.
However, critics worry the law could have a negative impact on people experiencing homelessness. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said public spaces should remain open to everyone as long as people are not creating a nuisance.
Property owners who file claims will have to prove that nuisance behavior caused financial loss and that local government willfully failed to enforce the law.
House Bill 295 became law on May 12th and is scheduled to take effect July 1st.
Salvation Army Leaders Preparing To Leave Rome
Majors Hank and Eunice Harwell, current Corps Officers for The Salvation Army of Rome, are preparing to say goodbye to the community.
The Harwells will leave Rome in mid to late June to take on new leadership roles with The Salvation Army in Dothan, Alabama.
Major Hank Harwell says they will miss Rome and the people of Northwest Georgia, but he is also excited about the future of the local organization under incoming leaders Lieutenants Cory and Cristina Tilley.
The Salvation Army of Rome serves both Floyd and Chattooga counties, providing assistance and support to families in need throughout the area.
Major Harwell is encouraging continued community support in the years ahead. For more information, visit salvationarmyrome.org or call 706-291-4745.
Suspicious Activity Reported At Summerville Advance Auto Parts
Summerville Police are investigating suspicious activity reported behind Advance Auto Parts on Commerce Street.
According to the report, officers responded after the store manager discovered someone had apparently tried to break into the business by damaging a power meter box near the back of the building.
Police also reported finding a pile of trash behind the dumpster containing items that did not appear to belong to the business, including toilet paper, canned foods, and other materials.
Extra patrols were requested around the property, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Arrest Report - Wednesday - May 27, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, May 27, 2026:
Rain Chances Ease Slightly, But Stormy Pattern Sticks Around In Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia will get a little break from the heavier coverage of showers and storms today and Thursday, but the rainy pattern is far from over.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are still expected across Chattooga County and surrounding areas, with today bringing somewhat better storm coverage than Thursday. While the threat for repeated storms and localized flash flooding is lower than it has been in recent days, locally heavy rainfall remains possible, especially in stronger downpours.
A few storms could also become strong enough to produce gusty winds, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours when daytime heating helps fuel storm development.
Looking ahead, the unsettled weather pattern is expected to continue into the weekend, with rain chances staying elevated each day. Forecasters say the longer the wet setup remains in place, the less rainfall it may take to create flash flooding concerns in low-lying, poor-drainage, and flood-prone areas.
Temperatures will stay cooler than normal for late May thanks to the clouds and rain-cooled air. Afternoon highs are expected to hold mostly in the upper 70s to lower 80s, with overnight lows remaining in the 60s.
There is still no clear agreement on when the pattern will finally break. Some long-range guidance suggests changes could develop early next week, while other models keep the damp and unsettled setup in place into the first week of June.
For now, residents should keep an umbrella handy, stay alert for changing weather conditions, and be prepared for brief heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds with any stronger thunderstorm that develops.
Floyd County Expands Fight Against PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contamination
Tuesday evening, the Floyd County Commission approved Arnold & Itkin LLP as lead counsel to represent the county in pursuing legal claims connected to PFAS contamination affecting local landfills, drinking water wells, parks, and other public properties.
PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment and can remain in soil and water supplies for decades. Scientists and health officials have linked certain PFAS compounds to possible health risks including cancer, thyroid disease, immune system problems, and other long-term health concerns.
The issue has become one of the largest environmental concerns facing Northwest Georgia in recent years, particularly in areas tied to the region’s carpet manufacturing industry centered around Dalton and Whitfield County. Investigations by multiple news organizations found that PFAS chemicals were widely used for decades in stain-resistant carpet manufacturing products before wastewater carrying the chemicals entered local rivers and water systems.
Officials say PFAS contamination has created major financial burdens for local governments across Northwest Georgia as communities work to test water systems, monitor contamination levels, install treatment systems, and protect public infrastructure. Floyd County leaders say taxpayers could ultimately face millions of dollars in cleanup, remediation, monitoring, and long-term treatment costs if responsible parties are not held accountable.
The contamination concerns extend beyond Floyd County. Environmental groups and legal teams have expanded PFAS testing efforts into Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding, Chattooga, and Haralson counties. Recent testing efforts in Northwest Georgia reportedly found some of the highest PFAS concentrations detected anywhere in the country.
In nearby Rome, the city previously reached a major settlement tied to PFAS contamination in the Oostanaula River, with settlement funds helping pay for a reverse osmosis water treatment facility designed to remove the chemicals from drinking water.
Meanwhile, litigation and political debate surrounding PFAS continue to intensify across the region as residents, environmental advocates, and local governments push for accountability from manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and other entities connected to the contamination.
National Foster Care Month Highlights Need For Foster Families In Chattooga County
May is National Foster Care Month, and local officials are encouraging families in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia to consider opening their homes to children in need.
According to Georgia foster care data, more than 10,800 children are currently in foster care statewide, with hundreds of children still waiting for permanent homes and supportive families.
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services says foster parents play a critical role in providing safe, stable, and caring environments for children who have been removed from unsafe situations because of abuse, neglect, or other family crises.
Officials say there continues to be a need for additional foster families in rural communities like Chattooga County, especially for sibling groups, teenagers, and children with special needs.
People interested in becoming foster parents must complete training, background checks, and home evaluations before children can be placed in their care. State officials say foster families receive support services and guidance throughout the process.
The Chattooga County DFCS office is located at 102 Highway 48 in Summerville, and residents can call 706-857-0817 for more information about fostering or adopting children.
Additional statewide foster care information is also available by calling 1-877-210-KIDS.
Shorter University Announces New Dual-Degree Engineering Partnership With Kennesaw State
Shorter University has announced a new partnership with Kennesaw State University that will give students the opportunity to earn two bachelor’s degrees at the same time.
Through the program, students can graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Shorter University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
Students will complete 45 credit hours at Shorter before transferring to Kennesaw State. The coursework has been aligned so credits transfer smoothly and students remain on track toward graduation.
Shorter Provost Dr. John Reams said the partnership gives students a strong pathway toward careers in engineering and mathematics while expanding academic opportunities.
Students who complete the requirements for the Shorter mathematics degree will receive that degree through reverse transfer while finishing their engineering degree at KSU.
For more information, visit shorter.edu/admissions or call 706-233-7319.
Chattooga County Deputy Arrests Summerville Man Following Pursuit And Drug Investigation
A Summerville man was arrested by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office following a late-night traffic stop and drug investigation on Saturday, May 23.
According to an incident report filed by Deputy Matt Wilson with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy observed a green Dodge Dakota traveling south on Old Highway 27 with a cracked windshield and attempted to initiate a traffic stop after observing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.
The report states the driver continued through several intersections before eventually traveling onto Mt. View Road, where deputies said the vehicle crossed lanes and drove into grassy areas while attempting to evade the stop. The deputy estimated the vehicle was traveling 60 miles per hour or more on the slick roadway.
Authorities said the vehicle later turned onto East Valley Road where deputies observed a white object allegedly thrown from the passenger side window before the vehicle stopped.
The driver was identified as James Edward Shook. According to the report, deputies later recovered a white pill bottle from the roadside containing suspected methamphetamine and suspected marijuana.
Deputies also reported locating additional suspected marijuana and drug-related items inside the vehicle during a probable cause search.
Shook was taken into custody by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
City Of Summerville Accepting Applications For Gas Maintenance Worker
The City of Summerville is accepting applications for the position of Gas Maintenance Worker.
According to the job posting, the position involves assisting with the installation, repair, and maintenance of gas lines and system components throughout the city. Duties include locating and repairing gas leaks, installing and maintaining pipelines and meters, conducting inspections and pressure tests, mowing, servicing valves, maintaining tools and supplies, and responding to emergency repair calls, including after-hours emergencies.
The position also requires employees to operate trucks and equipment, locate underground utilities, and complete service reports.
City officials say the work is performed primarily outdoors and may involve exposure to inclement weather, machinery, dirt, dust, and heavy lifting.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent experience along with experience related to gas system maintenance or similar work. A valid Georgia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one is also required.
Applications are available through the City of Summerville.
Georgia Road Trips Offer Summer Travel Ideas From Mountains To Coast
With summer vacation season getting underway, Georgia travelers looking for a quick getaway have plenty of road trip options without ever leaving the state.
One of the most popular destinations remains the North Georgia mountains, where cooler temperatures and scenic drives attract thousands of visitors each summer. Stops along the mountain loop include Helen, Blue Ridge, Brasstown Bald, Amicalola Falls, and Tallulah Gorge. Travelers can enjoy hiking, waterfalls, lake activities, tubing, and scenic mountain views.
Along Georgia’s coast, visitors continue heading south toward Savannah, Tybee Island, and the Golden Isles. Savannah’s historic district, Tybee’s beaches, and Jekyll Island’s famous Driftwood Beach remain top attractions during the summer travel season.
Southwest Georgia also offers unique destinations including Providence Canyon, often called Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” along with Plains, the hometown of former President Jimmy Carter, and the Okefenokee Swamp, known for wildlife tours and outdoor recreation.
History lovers may also enjoy Georgia’s Antebellum Trail stretching between Athens and Macon with stops in Madison and Milledgeville featuring historic homes, museums, and downtown shopping.
Travel officials remind drivers to prepare for heavier traffic during the summer months and to stay weather aware as afternoon thunderstorms become more common across Georgia.
Georgia Power Warns Customers About Active Utility Scams
Georgia Power customers are being warned about active scams involving people pretending to represent the utility company.
Scammers may contact customers by phone, text message, fake websites, or even door-to-door visits, claiming a bill is overdue and threatening immediate disconnection unless payment is made right away.
Georgia Power says customers should be especially cautious if someone demands payment through prepaid debit cards, gift cards, Cash App, Venmo, Bitcoin, or similar methods. The company says it does not collect payments door-to-door and does not demand those types of payments.
Customers should also watch for fake caller ID information and lookalike websites designed to steal personal or payment information.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call or visit should hang up, avoid giving out personal information, and verify the request by calling Georgia Power directly at 888-660-5890 or visiting GeorgiaPower.com.
Customers approached at home by someone suspicious should also contact local law enforcement.