Chattooga And Trion Back In Action Friday Night
Friday night football returns with both Chattooga and Trion in action, and WZQZ will have coverage of both local teams.
The Chattooga Indians travel to Ridgeland to take on the Panthers Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM. Chattooga enters the game at 0-3 after a close 14-7 loss at Coosa last week. Ridgeland is also looking for its first win of the season, entering Friday at 0-4.
Chattooga at Ridgeland will be this week’s WZQZ radio game, with coverage on 99.1 FM. The game will also be available on the WZQZ Facebook Page.
Meanwhile, the Trion Bulldogs return home Friday night to host Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Kickoff is also scheduled for 7:30 PM.
Trion comes into the game with a 3-1 record and has won two straight, including last Friday’s 42-35 victory at Dade County. LFO enters the contest at 0-3.
The Trion-LFO game will be carried live on the WZQZ Facebook Page, giving local football fans a chance to follow both Chattooga County teams Friday night.
WZQZ’s 2026 broadcast schedule includes selected radio games along with Facebook coverage throughout the season for both the Indians and Bulldogs.
Georgia Supreme Court Ruling Limits State’s Immunity For Property Damaged During Police Operations
A recent Georgia Supreme Court ruling could have implications for property owners and law enforcement agencies across the state, including here in Northwest Georgia, by rejecting the idea that the state is automatically protected from compensation claims whenever private property is damaged during police activity.
The case, Blue 42 Organics, LLC v. Georgia Department of Public Safety, stems from a July 2021 drug-suppression operation involving a licensed hemp farm in Dahlonega. The Georgia Supreme Court issued its decision on September 9.
Blue 42 Organics alleged that three helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft flew at low altitude over its property during an operation by the Governor’s Drug Suppression Task Force. According to the lawsuit, rotor and propeller wash destroyed two rows of hemp plants valued at approximately $37,000. The farm was legally registered with state and federal agriculture agencies and had provided the GPS coordinates of its growing operation.
The company sued the Georgia Department of Public Safety, arguing that the Georgia Constitution requires the government to provide just compensation when private property is taken or damaged for a public purpose.
A trial court dismissed the lawsuit, and the Georgia Court of Appeals upheld that decision after DPS argued that the damage occurred while the state was exercising its police powers.
The Georgia Supreme Court disagreed with the idea that exercising police power creates a blanket exemption from Georgia’s constitutional requirement for just compensation. The court noted that exceptions can exist in circumstances such as government action to eliminate a nuisance or during an urgent necessity, but DPS had not established either circumstance when seeking dismissal of this case.
The decision does not mean the hemp farm has been awarded $37,000 or that DPS has ultimately been found liable. Instead, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court ruling and sent the case back for further proceedings, allowing the farm’s compensation claim to continue. Other defenses may still be raised as the case moves forward.
The ruling could be significant beyond this particular case because it clarifies that simply labeling property damage as the result of a law-enforcement action does not automatically prevent a Georgia property owner from pursuing a constitutional compensation claim.
Chattooga County Man Charged With Terroristic Threats Following Domestic Dispute
A Chattooga County man was arrested after authorities say he sent threatening text messages to his mother and brother during a domestic dispute earlier this month.
According to a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office incident report, 37-year-old Michael Kyle Orr was arrested on September 10 after a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Highway 337 at approximately 5:25 PM.
Orr’s mother told the deputy that her son had been sending threatening text messages earlier in the day and that she was afraid of him. She also told authorities there was a pending case involving Orr and that she previously had a temporary protective order against him.
According to the report, one text message allegedly contained a threat to harm Orr’s mother. The report states another message was sent to Orr’s brother and allegedly contained a threat directed toward their mother as well. The deputy reviewed and photographed the messages.
The deputy then spoke with Orr, who reportedly said he was upset because he was hungry. According to the report, Orr said he did not intend to carry out the threats and claimed he was making the statements because he was hungry.
The report states the deputy also observed food inside the residence while speaking with Orr’s mother.
Orr was placed under arrest and charged with Terroristic Threats and Acts. He was transported to the Chattooga County Jail.
Woman Charged With Shoplifting At Trion Walmart
A 32-year-old woman was arrested Monday after she was accused of shoplifting at Walmart in Trion.
According to a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Stefanie Maria Mitchell was arrested on September 14 after Deputy Rob Villagomez was dispatched to the store at approximately 12:23 PM.
The report states that Walmart employees told the deputy that Mitchell went through the self-checkout and allegedly failed to scan several items. According to the report, she scanned some clothing items but allegedly placed other clothing into a bag without scanning them.
The deputy reported reviewing surveillance video of the transaction and said the video appeared to show Mitchell scanning some items while failing to scan others.
According to the report, Mitchell told the deputy that she did not intentionally fail to scan the merchandise and said she was having difficulty using the self-checkout.
Mitchell was charged with theft by shoplifting and taken into custody.
West Nile Virus Infections Increasing Across Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health is warning residents to continue protecting themselves against mosquito bites as West Nile virus infections increase across the state.
DPH has confirmed eight human cases of West Nile virus in Georgia so far in 2026, along with one death. Health officials say the number of cases is expected to increase before mosquito season ends. Mosquito traps have also tested positive for the virus in several counties, including Chatham, Fulton and DeKalb.
Mosquito season in Georgia typically continues through October, meaning the risk of exposure remains even as summer winds down.
Most people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms. Those who do may experience fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Symptoms generally begin within several days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Older adults, people with compromised immune systems and those with certain underlying medical conditions face a greater risk of severe complications, including illness affecting the central nervous system.
DPH recommends using an EPA-registered insect repellent containing ingredients such as DEET or picaridin and wearing loose-fitting long sleeves, pants and socks when possible. Mosquitoes can bite during both the day and night.
Residents are also encouraged to eliminate mosquito breeding areas around their homes. After rainfall, check flowerpots, buckets, children’s toys, wading pools and other containers and dump any standing water. Health officials recommend doing a check at least once each week.
Anyone experiencing symptoms or concerned about possible West Nile virus infection should contact a healthcare provider or their local health department.
Finster Fest Returns To Paradise Garden This Weekend
Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Pennville will welcome visitors from across the region this weekend for Finster Fest 2026, a two-day celebration of art, music, food and the legacy of renowned folk artist Howard Finster.
The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, from 10 AM until 5 PM each day at Paradise Garden, located at 200 North Lewis Street.
Davia Weatherill, executive director of the Paradise Garden Foundation, says this year’s festival will feature a wide variety of arts and crafts, live music, speakers and demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Visitors will also find plenty of Southern food along with children’s art activities, making the event suitable for the entire family.
General admission is $10. Tickets may be purchased in advance through the Paradise Garden Foundation website or at the gate. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available online.
Free parking will be available at Walmart on U.S. 27 near Paradise Garden, with a complimentary shuttle providing the short ride to the festival grounds. Limited onsite parking will be available for visitors with mobility challenges.
Finster Fest is one of Chattooga County’s signature events, celebrating the distinctive artistic legacy of Howard Finster and Paradise Garden while showcasing artists, musicians and craftspeople from across the region.
Georgia Unemployment Falls To 3.2 Percent As Labor Force And Employment Reach Record Highs
Georgia set new records for both the size of its labor force and the number of people employed during August, while the state’s unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in two and a half years.
The Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday that the state’s unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent in August, down from 3.3 percent in July and 3.4 percent a year ago. Georgia’s rate was also 0.9 percentage points below the national unemployment rate.
Georgia’s labor force increased by nearly 9,500 people during August, reaching an all-time high of 5,490,319. The number of employed Georgians climbed by more than 13,000 to a record 5,314,822. Over the past year, employment has increased by more than 76,000.
The number of unemployed Georgians declined by more than 3,500 during August to 175,497, while the state’s total number of jobs increased by 8,000 to approximately 4.99 million. Despite the monthly improvement, Georgia had 7,300 fewer jobs than it did one year earlier.
Among industries adding the most jobs during August were administrative and support services and state government, each gaining 3,200 jobs. Retail trade added 2,200, while durable goods manufacturing and health care and social assistance each added 1,300.
Over the past year, health care and social assistance recorded the largest increase, adding 19,100 jobs. Meanwhile, professional and technical services, federal government, non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and construction recorded year-over-year declines.
Initial unemployment claims also declined in August, falling by more than 3,300 from July and by nearly 1,800 compared with a year earlier.
The figures are statewide. Updated county-level unemployment figures, including numbers for Chattooga County and surrounding Northwest Georgia counties, are released separately by the Georgia Department of Labor.
Heat And Dry Weather Affecting Early Deer Season In Northwest Georgia
Georgia’s archery deer season is underway, but hunters across Northwest Georgia are dealing with unusually hot and dry conditions during the opening days of the season.
Archery season opened September 12, and temperatures across Northwest Georgia reached the low to mid-90s during opening weekend. Despite the heat, hunters across the region still reported a number of successful harvests.
The dry weather is also affecting deer food sources. According to a September 16 Northwest Georgia field report from Georgia Outdoor News, natural browse remains an important food source, while some planted food plots are struggling because of the lack of rainfall.
Hunters are seeing plenty of persimmons and muscadines, while pin oak and water oak acorns have already begun falling in some locations. Those changing food sources can influence where deer concentrate and where hunters are most likely to see activity.
Deer across Northwest Georgia are still largely following their summer movement patterns, according to the report. Bucks are expected to gradually begin transitioning toward fall patterns as September progresses. Rubs have been observed in some locations, but widespread scraping activity has not yet developed.
The heat is especially important for hunters who successfully harvest a deer. Warm temperatures can cause meat to spoil quickly, making it important to recover harvested deer promptly and cool the meat as soon as possible.
Georgia’s statewide archery deer season continues through October 9, followed by primitive weapons season and the regular firearms season later in October.
For hunters in Chattooga County and the surrounding Northwest Georgia mountains, conditions may begin changing as additional rain chances return and September moves toward October.
Traffic Change Planned On Rena Street During Finster Fest
Chattooga County EMA is advising motorists about a temporary traffic change near Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Pennville during Finster Fest this weekend.
According to the Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency, Rena Street will temporarily operate as a one-lane road during the festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20.
The traffic change is expected to go into effect Saturday morning between 7 and 8 AM and remain in place until the conclusion of the event.
County officials say the adjustment is necessary because of the large number of pedestrians expected to be walking to and from Finster Fest, along with buses transporting festival attendees throughout the weekend.
Motorists traveling through the area are being asked to use caution, watch for pedestrians and be prepared for possible delays.
Finster Fest will be held Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM each day at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Pennville.
Arrest Report - Thursday - September 17, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, September 17, 2026:
Sunny And Hot Thursday With Heat Index Near 99
Another round of unusually hot September weather is in store for Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia on Thursday, with temperatures climbing well into the 90s.
The National Weather Service says Thursday will be sunny with a high near 95 degrees. Humidity will make it feel even hotter, with heat index values reaching as high as 99 degrees during the afternoon. Winds will remain calm.
A strong upper-level ridge over North Georgia continues to produce warmer-than-normal temperatures while suppressing most shower and thunderstorm development. Forecasters expect dry conditions throughout the day Thursday.
Anyone working or spending extended periods outdoors should take precautions against the heat, including drinking plenty of water and taking breaks when possible.
Thursday night will remain mostly clear and warm, with a low around 71 degrees and calm winds.
Even hotter weather arrives Friday. The forecast calls for sunshine and a high near 96, with the heat index potentially reaching 101 degrees.
Rain chances begin returning over the weekend. Saturday will be sunny and hot with a high near 95 and a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Sunday will reach around 94 with a 20 percent chance of afternoon storms.
A better chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms arrives early next week as a front approaches the region, helping temperatures gradually fall back into the upper 80s and lower 90s.
Trion Farmers Market Open This Morning With Local Favorites
The Trion Farmers Market is open this morning with another selection of locally made foods, produce and homemade favorites.
The market is held at the pavilion near the track field in Trion, off Simmons Street, giving residents an opportunity to shop locally and support area growers and vendors.
Among the items available today are fried pies, chicken salad, muscadines, peanut brittle, cashew brittle, no-bake cookies and cornflake candy.
Shoppers can also find Granny Parker Pickles, other pickles, relish, salsa, Zippy, jams and jellies, pickled Vidalia onions, pickled eggs and pickled okra.
The Trion Farmers Market has become a regular Thursday stop for residents looking for locally produced foods, homemade treats and specialty items.
Residents are encouraged to stop by the pavilion near the track field off Simmons Street in Trion this morning and support local vendors.
Georgia DOT Using Roadsides To Help Protect Monarch Butterflies
Those patches of taller grass and wildflowers motorists sometimes see along Georgia highways may be serving a purpose beyond simply beautifying the roadside.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is using portions of highway rights-of-way across the state to help provide habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Monarch butterflies make an annual migration of as much as 3,000 miles across North America, passing through Georgia along the way. The butterflies depend on suitable habitat for food, shelter and reproduction, but habitat loss and other environmental pressures have contributed to declining populations.
Georgia DOT joined the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for Monarch Butterflies on Energy and Transportation Lands in 2021. The voluntary conservation program encourages transportation agencies and utilities to create, maintain and manage monarch habitat on property they already control.
One of GDOT’s approaches is something called conservation mowing.
Instead of mowing selected roadside areas frequently, vegetation is allowed to grow so native plants and flowers can bloom and provide food and habitat for pollinators. Those areas are generally mowed during specific periods when pollinator activity is lower.
The program isn’t limited to South Georgia. Conservation mowing areas are located in North Georgia, including portions of State Route 136 and State Route 441 in Georgia DOT’s District 1. Other conservation mowing areas are located along highways in west-central, east-central and southern Georgia.
GDOT also establishes and maintains wildflower areas throughout Georgia each year, providing nectar sources for monarch butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Other conservation practices include targeted herbicide applications intended to control invasive plants while protecting beneficial native vegetation, prescribed burning at selected locations and areas where roadside vegetation is intentionally allowed to grow with limited disturbance.
Another important part of the effort involves milkweed.
Milkweed is essential to monarch reproduction because monarchs lay their eggs on the plant and monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on it. GDOT is working with The Ray Anderson Foundation, known as The Ray, on projects that incorporate butterfly milkweed and other native flowering plants along selected roadside slopes.
The partnership grew out of a 2022 pilot project along Interstate 85 in LaGrange that examined whether pollinator-friendly wildflowers could also help stabilize erosion-prone highway slopes and potentially reduce long-term maintenance requirements.
The project is now being expanded into additional areas, with researchers monitoring plant growth, coverage and pollinator activity to determine its effectiveness.
Georgia residents can also help create habitat at home. Georgia DOT makes wildflower seed packets available through its State Maintenance Office and provides information about establishing pollinator-friendly areas through the department’s Wildflower Program.
The effort means that when motorists see sections of Georgia highway rights-of-way with taller vegetation or blooming wildflowers, at least some of those areas may be intentionally managed differently as part of GDOT’s effort to provide habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Driver Arrested After Deputy Reports Erratic Driving On Trion Teloga Road
A 55-year-old man was arrested after a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported observing a vehicle being driven erratically on Trion Teloga Road.
According to the incident report, Deputy Justin Claxton was traveling westbound on Trion Teloga Road on Tuesday, September 8, when he observed a green Jeep Wrangler traveling in the opposite direction.
The deputy reported seeing the Jeep make a sudden turn into a driveway without signaling before backing into the roadway and continuing toward Harrisburg Road.
The deputy turned around and caught up with the vehicle approximately two-tenths of a mile later. According to the report, the Jeep was traveling slowly and crossed the center line several times.
After stopping the vehicle, the deputy identified the driver as Anthony Lee Hogue, 55. The report states Hogue had slow and slurred speech and that his face appeared red.
Hogue reportedly told the deputy that he had consumed two small Fireball shooters several hours earlier. The deputy also reported seeing an alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hogue performed field sobriety testing and was subsequently placed under arrest.
The report states Hogue was read Georgia’s implied consent notice and agreed to submit to a state-administered chemical test of his blood.
He was transported to the Chattooga County Jail and charged with DUI – Drugs and failure to maintain lane.
Price Sentenced To 25 Years In Oak Street Shooting Case
A Summerville man who was acquitted of murder in the 2025 shooting death of Christopher “DJ” Chapman has now been sentenced on the two charges for which a Chattooga County jury found him guilty.
Deoveon LaWayne Price was sentenced Tuesday by Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Melissa Hise to a total of 25 years, with the first five years to be served in confinement and the remaining 20 years on probation.
The case stems from the June 6, 2025 shooting on Oak Street in Summerville that claimed the life of 27-year-old Chapman. Summerville Police responded to Oak Street shortly after 12:30 PM and found Chapman unresponsive in the roadway with a gunshot wound. He was transported to Chattooga ER, where he was pronounced dead.
Price was taken into custody a short time later during a traffic stop on Taylors Ridge. Police said their investigation indicated Price and Chapman had been involved in a physical altercation before Chapman was shot.
Following a trial last month in Chattooga County Superior Court, jurors found Price not guilty of malice murder and felony murder. He was convicted of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Jurors found him not guilty on another firearm count.
According to the final disposition, Price received 20 years on the aggravated assault conviction and five years on the firearm conviction, with the firearm sentence running consecutively. The combined sentence is 25 years, with five years in confinement and the balance on probation, subject to the conditions imposed by the court.
Price will receive credit for time already served dating back to June 6, 2025, when he was arrested. He was represented by attorneys Sutton Connelly and Steven Miller. The case was prosecuted by Lynsay Chapman with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Chattooga High Looks To Defend Regional Title At Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge
The Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge returns to Rome in October, and Chattooga County will again have a strong connection to the regional skilled-trades competition.
The Associated General Contractors of Georgia will hold the 2026 Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge on Thursday, October 22, in Rome, one of eight regional competitions being held across the state.
Students will compete in hands-on construction and technical events including blueprint reading, cabinetmaking, carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, TeamWorks, welding and welding fabrication. The Northwest Georgia competition will also include metal studs and drywall.
For Chattooga High School, this year’s event follows a standout performance in 2025.
Chattooga High won the Alliance Cup as the overall winner of the 2025 Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge, with the school earning multiple first-place and top-three finishes across several competition categories.
The regional event gives high school students an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in front of construction industry professionals while also learning more about careers in the skilled trades.
According to AGC Georgia, last year’s Skills Challenge Series drew more than 2,300 student competitors and observers from 108 schools, along with nearly 350 participating industry firms.
The competition can also serve as a pathway to the state level. Eligible SkillsUSA Georgia students competing in several categories can earn advancement to the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference, scheduled for March 11-13, 2027, in Atlanta.
For Chattooga High, the October event will provide another opportunity for local students to represent Chattooga County and build on the school’s overall regional championship from last year.
Chattooga County EMA To Host Blood Drive In October
The Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is teaming up with Blood Assurance for a community blood drive next month in Summerville.
The blood drive will be held Friday, October 9, from 12:30 until 3:30 PM at the Chattooga County EMA office, 170 Farrar Drive in Summerville.
Blood Assurance encourages residents who are able to donate to participate, emphasizing its message of “Give Local, Save Local.” Blood collected through the organization helps provide a local supply for hospitals and patients throughout the region.
Those planning to donate are encouraged to eat a good meal beforehand, drink extra water, avoid energy drinks and bring identification.
As an added incentive, donors who give blood during the month of October will receive a “Blood Donors Are Game Changers” T-shirt, while supplies last.
Appointments can be made using the QR code included on the blood drive flyer.
The Chattooga County EMA blood drive is scheduled for Friday, October 9, from 12:30-3:30 PM at 170 Farrar Drive in Summerville.
Trion Man Charged With DUI After Traffic Stop On Highway 48
A Trion man was arrested on a DUI charge following a traffic stop on Highway 48 during the early morning hours of Saturday, September 12.
According to a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Deputy Riley Reeves was called by Deputy Claxton regarding a possibly impaired driver at approximately 2:36 AM. Claxton had stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 48 after reportedly clocking it at 69 miles per hour in a posted 45-mile-per-hour zone.
The driver was identified as 40-year-old Travis Hutchison Beavers.
According to the report, Beavers told the deputy he had been drinking earlier in the morning but had stopped around 3 AM. The deputy reported smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage and conducted field sobriety testing.
The report states Beavers showed several indicators during the tests. A portable breath test was also administered, with the deputy reporting a positive result for alcohol.
Beavers was placed under arrest and read Georgia’s implied consent notice. According to the report, he agreed to a state-administered blood test and was taken to EMS Station 12, where the blood draw was completed.
Beavers was then transported to the Chattooga County Jail.
He was charged with DUI – Alcohol – Less Safe and speeding.
Georgia DOT Proposing Changes To School Zone Speed Camera Rules
The Georgia Department of Transportation is proposing changes to state rules governing automated speed detection cameras in school zones, and the public has until Monday to submit comments on the proposed amendments.
Georgia DOT has announced its intention to amend several sections of Chapter 672-20 of Georgia’s rules and regulations, which governs the permitting of Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices in school zones.
The devices use cameras and speed-detection technology to record vehicles traveling above the posted speed limit in marked school zones. Under Georgia’s existing permitting system, a school or, in the case of a public school, the school system must obtain a permit from Georgia DOT before an automated traffic enforcement device can be placed within a school zone.
The rules address more than simply where a camera can be installed. They establish requirements for applications, operation and maintenance of the equipment, record keeping, school-zone signs and flashers, and circumstances under which a permit can be changed or canceled.
For a permit application, documentation can include the proposed camera location, traffic information showing the number and speed of vehicles at the location, identification of schools within the school zone, proof that necessary property rights and permissions have been obtained and written approval from the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Permit holders are also responsible for operating and maintaining the devices and maintaining required school-zone signage and flashers. Calibration tests and performance records required under state law must be maintained and made available to Georgia DOT.
Georgia DOT can also cancel a permit under certain circumstances, including when a school relocates, a school zone is changed or removed, a speed-detection permit is revoked or expires, equipment isn’t properly maintained, or the permit holder fails to comply with applicable requirements.
The proposed amendments are significant because automated school-zone enforcement programs have become increasingly common in Georgia communities in recent years. Georgia DOT says the purpose of allowing the devices is to improve safety in school zones by reducing vehicle speeds and giving motorists and schoolchildren additional time to recognize and react to potential hazards.
Public comments on the proposed changes must be received by Georgia DOT no later than 5 PM Monday, September 21. Comments may be submitted electronically to RuleComments@dot.ga.gov or mailed to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Office of Legal Services in Atlanta.
Following the public-comment period, the State Transportation Board is scheduled to consider final action on the amended rules at its October 15 meeting.
The proposed changes involve school-zone speed enforcement cameras and are separate from Georgia DOT’s permitting rules for automated license plate readers, which are devices used by law enforcement agencies to capture license-plate information along state highways and interstates.
Trion Man Arrested Following Domestic Dispute On Back Penn Road
A 49-year-old Trion man was arrested following a reported domestic dispute on Back Penn Road last week.
According to a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office incident report, deputies were dispatched to 695 Back Penn Road in Trion at approximately 11:54 PM on Thursday, September 10.
The report states that Brian Eugene Dover had allegedly been drinking alcohol and gotten into an argument with his girlfriend. Deputies said Dover appeared to be highly agitated and intoxicated when they arrived.
According to the report, Dover became upset while deputies were speaking with others at the residence and began yelling at his daughter and several juveniles. Deputies repeatedly instructed him to calm down and stop yelling.
The report states that Dover then walked toward the roadway while continuing to yell and use loud and boisterous language. A deputy reported that Dover was loud enough that he could be heard from approximately 235 yards away.
Deputies arrested Dover for public drunkenness.
The report states that Dover complained of trouble breathing following his arrest. EMS responded and evaluated him before clearing him for transport.
Dover was then transported to the Chattooga County Jail, where he was booked on the charge.