Dr. Kenneth Jones Named FMC Executive VP & Chief Medical Officer Floyd President and CEO Kurt Stuenkel has named Kenneth Jones, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. The announcement comes nearly six months after the veteran physician was named interim CMO. Dr. Jones worked for several years as an emergency physician at Floyd Medical Center, Polk Medical Center and Cherokee Medical Center prior to the March announcement naming him interim CMO. He has continued providing hands-on patient care. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Mercer University and attended the University of Georgia. He completed his residency with Floyd Family Medicine Residency. “I am delighted that Dr. Jones has agreed to work full time for us as our Executive VP and CMO,” Stuenkel said. “When I asked him in March, we were all working hard on all the issues surrounding COVID-19. I needed a well-respected physician leader to help us. He willingly agreed and has been a Godsend. I am glad that he likes the challenges of medical leadership and the people and culture of the Floyd organization.”

Mullis Comments On Teacher Performance Rating Bill

Cherokee County Man Injured On Tractor A Cherokee County, Alabama man was inured on Tuesday afternoon after a tractor fell on him and pinned him underneath. The accident happened on Cherokee County Road 58, located between Jamestown and Cedar Bluff. Firefighters from Broomtown along with Rescue Squad members, Floyd EMS Medics and Sheriff’s Office deputies all responded to the scene. The man was transported by EMS ground units to the hospital; his condition is unknown at this time. The accident occurred at a location on County Road 58. WEIS Radio

Northwest Georgia Woman Charged With Stealing From Charity According to Bartow Sheriff Clark Millsap, forty-two-year-old Misty Dawn Baynard of Cartersville, Georgia has been arrested and charged with 42 counts of Theft by Taking (Fiduciary) and one count of Exploitation of an Elder or Disabled Person following an investigation into financial documentation discovered during a forensic audit conducted by the Good Shepherd Foundation of Bartow County, Inc. Board of Directors. The Good Shepherd is a sheltered work center for the developmentally challenged adults in our community. Their clients take pride in their work, and only the highest quality of work is produced for their customers. Baynard was employed as the Director by the Good Shepherd Foundation at the time of the incident which took place between July 2019 to May 2020. Approximately $45,000 was taken by Baynard from the foundation. Baynard is currently being held in the Bartow County Adult Detention Center pending a bond hearing before the Bartow County Magistrate Court.

Shriners Asking For Donations For Burned & Crippled Children For the first time in thirty-eight years, there was no Chattooga County Shrine Telethon. The event, which normally raises thousands of dollars for the Shriner’s Hospitals for burned and crippled children, had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, nearly all of the Shriner’s fundraising activities across the United States have had to be canceled in 2020. The Shriners say that they are continuing to offer free medical care to thousands of children, despite the economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Chattooga County Shriners said that they reached the difficult decision not to host the Chattooga County Shrine Telethon, their biggest fundraising activity. In the past, the Chattooga Telethon raised more money than any other Shrine Telethon in the nation. Local Shriners say that even though the telethon wasn’t held this year, you can still send in your donations to the Chattooga County Shrine Club, P.O. Box 652 Summerville, Georgia 30747.

Tillitson Grant Applications Being Accepted It’s that time of year again. The Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation will now begin accepting grant applications for 2020. The Foundation began in 2005 with a $1,000,000 donation from Tillotson Corporation and over the next five years the Tillotson Corporation contributed an additional $9,000,000 to the Foundation. The amount of grant money is generally determined by the amount of interest accrued each year on the principle amount in the foundation account. According to the Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation’s mission statement, “the Foundation shall seek to support, promote, improve and maintain the health, educational and cultural institutions serving the citizens of Menlo and Chattooga County and some surrounding areas”. The Foundation intends to further its purpose by awarding financial assistance grants in the following areas: educational and individual skills improvement; healthcare; economic development; community enhancement; individual and human development; the arts, culture and social welfare; and environmental improvement. The foundation’s board members include Janet Tillotson Munchak, Roswell, GA; Eddie Robertson, Centre, Ala.; Jeffrey Richardson, Cedar Bluff, Ala.; Bill Alico, Buffalo, New York, Menlo Mayor, Theresa Canada, Menlo; Menlo School Principal, Paula Buice, Menlo; Robert McWhorter, Summerville; Arch Farrar, Summerville; Chattooga County Probate Judge, Summerville, Carol Mitchell, Menlo serves as Administrative Coordinator for the Foundation. Over the past fourteen years a total of $5,380,350 has been awarded to provide funds for 632 worthwhile projects. The foundation hopes to award grants for 2020 and encourages all eligible groups and organizations to apply. Organizations recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for these grants, as well as other public agencies. Please note this year all 501(c)(3) organizations are required to attach written verification of their current tax-exempt status. Those organizations not generally eligible for support are religious programs, individuals and start-up organizations. All applicants should be aware any previous version of the grant application will not be accepted. Any questions regarding the grant process should be directed to the Foundation’s Administrative Coordinator, Carol Mitchell. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, blank applications can be picked up in the lobby entrance of Menlo City Hall. All applications must be received in hand by the Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation’s Administrative Coordinator Carol Mitchell by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020. The recipients of the grants will be announced in December of this year.

Arrest Report - Wednesday September 23, 2020 Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday September 23, 2020:

Prowler Reported Monday Night On Ridgewood Circle A homeowner on Ridgewood Circle called for sheriff’s deputies on Monday night of this week regarding someone prowling outside his home. When a deputy arrived on the scene, he spoke with the complainant who said he was awakened by someone outside his residence. The homeowner turned his dogs loose and they ran onto the adjacent property. The homeowner jumped in his truck and drove to the adjoining property and observed a vehicle nearby turn on the headlights and then drove past his residence. The complainant was able to get a license plate number. Deputies found the vehicle in question in the parking lot of Mohawk Industries. Deputies spoke with a woman who was sitting in a truck next to the suspicious vehicle. The woman said that she and her boyfriend had an argument earlier in the evening, but she denied being parked near the Ridgewood Circle address and denied having anyone else with her that evening. Deputies returned to the Ridgewood Circle address to check for damage or theft. No arrests were made, according to a report from the sheriff’s department.

Ag Secretary Announces New COVID-19 Relief For Farmers This week, President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) began on September 21st and will run through December 11, 2020. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will use funds being made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and CARES Act to support row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture and many additional commodities. Producers can apply for CFAP 2 at USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices. This program provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a farmer in Chattooga County and would like more information, you can contact Lauren Jarrett with the Chattooga County Young Farmers.

Woman Killed In Whitfield County Fire The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced Tuesday that a Whitfield County woman died in a fire on Sunday, September 20. The fire started in a front bedroom and completely destroyed a residence at 1173 Cavender Road in Dalton. Around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night, local authorities were contacted about the fire on Cavender Road, and they asked for the assistance of Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigations Unit within 30 minutes. “The Whitfield County Fire Department discovered the body of the deceased which has been sent to the GBI crime lab for identification and autopsy,” said Commissioner King. “We are not releasing the identity of the deceased at this time, but this fatality marks the 60th fire fatality in Georgia this year.” Prior to the fire, the home on Cavender Road was around 1,000 square feet and about 60 years old. The cause of the fire is undetermined. State investigators, the Whitfield County Fire Department, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department, and the Whitfield County Coroner’s Office are working together on this case.

Chamber Virtual Lunch & Learn To Feature DOT Talking About Taylor's Ridge The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce has announced the guest for its next “Virtual Lunch & Learn.” The virtual meeting will take place next Tuesday, September 29th at Noon. Grant Waldrop with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will be speaking with the Chamber members about ongoing and upcoming highway projects, including the project on Highway 27 at Taylor’s Ridge. The webinar is free, but registration is required. To register, click the link below: The webinar is free. Registration is required. REGISTER HERE for VL&L 09.29.2020

GHC Celebrates 50 Years This Fall Georgia Highlands College (GHC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary year this fall after opening in 1970 as Floyd Junior College. In fall 1970, Floyd Junior College opened in temporary offices in downtown Rome with the first college president David B. McCorkle leading 19 faculty members who taught 545 students. Soon after, in 1971, students were welcomed back from winter break to a new 233-acre campus in Rome on U.S. Highway 27. Decades later, GHC holds the second highest enrollment among state colleges in Georgia with hundreds of faculty members teaching thousands of students across Northwest Georgia at sites in Rome, Cartersville, Dallas, Douglasville and Marietta. GHC is celebrating the long history and golden anniversary in several ways. A dedicated website details the complete history of the college, campus events and more at 50years.highlands.edu “Georgia Highlands College is an exceptional institution with a bright future and a continuous dedication to our students, the value of their study, and the elimination of any cost barrier to higher education,” President Don Green said in an opening letter on the website. “If I’ve learned anything in my time at GHC, it’s a community of people who take charge and who help others take charge, too. Please take time to review our 50th site for details on GHC’s history, upcoming events, and news surrounding this milestone year.” As a part of the ongoing anniversary celebration, GHC will hold “50th Anniversary Celebration Stations” at each location for students, faculty and staff the week of Sept. 21 through Sept. 24. Each station is organized to be “grab and go” and will include a “celebration in a bag” so students, faculty and staff can commemorate the 50th virtually, remotely and while continuing to follow campus guidelines. Through a special section of the 50years.highlands.edu website, GHC is also inviting members of the community to join everyone at GHC in submitting memorabilia to the virtual GHC Archives. Currently, the college has several items on virtual display that span the history of the college from Floyd Junior College to Floyd College to Georgia Highlands College. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees and members of the community are also invited to submit a personal video to be included in the “GHC 50th Celebration Video Memory Book.” More details about that project and an example video can be found by visiting 50years.highlands.edu and clicking the link at the very top of the page that says “Share a memory.” Visit highlands.edu for information on GHC or stop by 50years.highlands.edu to read more about all the great things happening around the 50th anniversary year this f

Man Dies In Fiery Crash On Old Trion Highway In Walker County A driver who had been chased by a Walker County deputy, died in a fiery crash off Old Trion Highway, early Sunday morning. The GMC Yukon burned in the crash and the body was sent to the crime lab. As of Tuesday evening, the identity of the driver has not been released. The chase happened Southbound on Highway 151, but the officer lost sight of the Yukon. The crash occurred across the Highway 27 intersection at 151 Spur. The Georgia State Patrol says the vehicle crossed both lanes of Old Trion Highway, went airborne and hit a tree. A fire quickly engulfed the vehicle. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. WQCH

Georgia One Step Closer To Home Delivery Of Alcohol

Arrest Report - Tuesday September 22, 2020 Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday September 22, 2020:

Welcome To The First Day Of Fall Changing leaves, fall festivals, Halloween and cooler temperatures are things we all associate with fall. Some things on that list are scrapped this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but today’s temperatures let us know that autumn is officially here! The fall equinox takes place when the sun crosses the Earth’s celestial equator. Also called the autumnal equinox or September equinox, the first day of fall arrives today at 9:30 AM. After the fall equinox, the sun begins to rise later and nightfall comes sooner. This ends with the December solstice when days start to grow longer and nights shorter. Winter will officially begin on Friday, December 21st. This year fall will be a good bit different. The normal fall festivals and activities planned by communities have been canceled. Also, the annual Halloween Walk in downtown Summerville has been cancelled. We can enjoy some beautiful fall weather today. We woke up this morning to temperatures in the low 50’s with a few upper 40’s in the higher elevations. We can look forward to sunny skies and a high temperature in the low to mid-70’s for this the first day of fall in Chattooga County.

Trion Town Council Meeting Thursday The Town of Trion will have their regular Workshop / Council Meeting in the Town Hall Conference Room, Tuesday, September 29, 2020. The Workshop will begin at 6:00p.m. and the Regular Meeting will follow shortly after. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Mayor Larry Stansell or the Town Hall Office.

Trion High School Releases Stadium Reminders Trion High School has released some “stadium reminders” for fans headed to the Bulldog Home Football Games:

Man Dies At Weiss Dam In Cherokee County, Alabama A DeKalb County, Alabama man drowned after falling into the water while fishing at the Weiss Dam on Saturday. Cherokee County, Alabama Coroner Jeremy Deaton identified the man as 49-year old Gary Wayne Houston of Fyffe. Deaton said Houston was fishing and dropped his pole into the water and while attempting to reel in a catch; he jumped in to retrieve his fishing rod and never resurfaced. His body was later recovered. WEIS Radio