All On Georgia - Walker

09/09/2026

FORMER BREMEN COACH GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS

Former Bremen coach Geoffrey Brad Matthews has been found guilty on all 13 counts submitted to a Haralson County jury following an eleven-day criminal trial, one of the longest criminal trials in the history of Haralson County.

The charges included child molestation and grooming-related offenses, among others. Throughout the eleven-day trial, the State called 33 witnesses, including seven victims from Bremen High School and two similar transaction victims. Following the presentation of evidence and arguments, the jury returned guilty verdicts on every count submitted for its consideration. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 6 at 9:00 a.m.

Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney Jaeson Smith praised the courage of the victims who came forward and helped bring the case to trial. “I want to thank these brave young men for coming forward,” District Attorney Smith said. “The level of courage it took for them to come forward and help bring this predator to justice is unbelievable. Their willingness to speak up not only made this prosecution possible, but demonstrated tremendous strength in the face of extraordinarily difficult circumstances.”

District Attorney Smith also commended Assistant District Attorney Jason Jones and the entire prosecution team for their extraordinary preparation and commitment throughout the eleven-day trial. “I want to personally thank Assistant District Attorney Jason Jones, D.A. Investigator Blake Terry and every member of our prosecution team who played a role in bringing this case to trial. Their dedication, professionalism, and countless hours of preparation were evident throughout this trial. The work they put into this case did not go unnoticed, and I could not be more proud of the way our entire office came together to seek justice for these victims.”

09/09/2026

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and The Ray have partnered to establish monarch butterfly pollinator meadows at nine Georgia DOT highway right-of-way sites across the state.

“Monarch butterfly populations have been declining in recent years, and these pollinator sites demonstrate how transportation infrastructure and environmental stewardship can create meaningful conservation opportunities,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “The Ray has long been a valued and trusted partner of the department, and we are pleased to continue our collaboration to help protect and preserve monarch butterfly habitats.”

Learn more here: https://allongeorgia.com/chattooga-local-news/georgia-dot-and-the-ray-partner-to-expand-monarch-butterfly-habitats-across-roadsides-in-georgia/

09/09/2026

There's a small wooden cabinet sitting along Patterson Road in LaFayette, right across from the Bee Well Clinic, and this week, it's full.

The community blessing pantry is officially stocked and open for anyone who needs a little help, no questions asked. Take what you need. Leave something if you can. That's the whole idea.

The pantry is sponsored by Mitchell's Plumbing & P.O.T.S., a local business that's been serving the LaFayette community since 1976, but the story behind it started somewhere else entirely: inside a dialysis clinic.

Owner Daniel Mitchell says his daughter, Kaytlin, works as a nurse at Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (D.C.I.) in the area, and she kept noticing something that stuck with her. Several of her patients ride the Walker County transit to get to their appointments, many on fixed incomes, and with grocery prices climbing, some of them simply weren't eating well at home.

"My daughter talked to my wife, Kela," Mitchell said. The two had already been quietly stocking a few blessing pantries around the area on their own, alongside collecting donations at the shop for The Haven, a local homeless shelter and outreach ministry in LaFayette.

So when Kaytlin brought the idea to her dad, the answer was simple.

"I told my daughter if I sponsored the little blessing pantry through Mitchell's Plumbing, if the dialysis clinic would allow us to put it over there, we would keep it full," Mitchell said. "So that's what we're doing. It's to help the community, plus help those that's coming in over there that needs an extra hand with their groceries."

Mitchell also wanted to give a special acknowledgment to the staff at D.C.I. for their help in making this possible and keeping it running.

Kela and Kaytlin have taken on keeping the pantry stocked, placing a Walmart grocery order every single week to restock the shelves. And the giving hasn't stopped with the family. Some of Mitchell's employees have started donating their own overtime pay toward the pantry. One employee, Abigail, gave her entire paycheck this week just to put food on those shelves. Others in the community have already stepped up too, chipping in with donations of their own to help keep the shelves full.

Mitchell says none of it is about recognition.

"We're not looking for a ribbon or anything," he said. "But Mitchell's Plumbing is very empathetic to the needs in our community, and that's why we decided to do this. As a company and as an individual, I have been blessed, and until I can't, I want to give back and be a blessing."

It's a simple message, but one this community has clearly taken to heart: sometimes a few groceries can make a bigger difference than we realize.

09/07/2026

From this week’s Faith Column: There is a difference between hoping God will do something and believing God will do something. Both hope and faith have an important place in the Christian life. Hope looks toward what God can do. Faith takes hold of what God has said. Hope lifts our eyes beyond our present circumstances, but faith moves us to act on what we believe. Sometimes our prayers sound more like wishes than declarations of trust.

Read more from Pastor P here: https://allongeorgia.com/chattooga-opinions/the-joy-of-the-journey-hope-and-faith/

09/04/2026

DPH Confirms Additional Measles Cases in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed three additional measles cases associated with the measles case confirmed August 18, for a total of 8 cases associated with the current outbreak. This outbreak is associated with a daycare setting in the metro Atlanta area; the children were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. DPH is working to notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and are at an increased risk of developing measles.

Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, but may range from 4 to 21 days. Symptoms usually start with high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then a rash of tiny red spots breaks out, usually starting at the head and spreading to the rest of the body.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can prevent measles and rubella. The vaccine is safe and effective, and parents with questions about the vaccine or the vaccination schedule can consult their physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.

Anyone who becomes sick or thinks they may have been exposed to measles should follow this guidance:

Contact your healthcare provider immediately and let them know that you may have been exposed to measles. If you do not have a doctor, please call the DPH Acute Disease Epidemiology Section at 404-657-2588 during business hours, Monday through Friday, or 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584) after hours on evenings and weekends.
DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without FIRST calling to let them know about your possible contact with measles. Your healthcare provider or public health nurse will advise you on what to do.
Stay at home and avoid contact with other people, especially babies less than 1 year of age or people with weakened immune systems.

DPH urges healthcare providers to maintain heightened awareness of measles. If you suspect measles in a patient, notify public health immediately by calling 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).

Including these additional cases, there have been 14 measles cases in Georgia in 2026. There were 10 confirmed measles cases in Georgia in 2025.

09/04/2026

Governor Brian Kemp said, “we’re celebrating another record-breaking year for investment in Georgia as we continue to deliver on the promise of bringing good-paying jobs to every zip code.”

Read more about the FY26 trade numbers here: https://allongeorgia.com/chattooga-local-news/gov-kemp-announces-another-record-breaking-year-for-economic-development-investments/

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

GNTC’s Nursing program achieves 100% pass rate

09/03/2026

No verdict yet in Clancy case

The jury remains deadlocked after five days and nearly 30 hours of deliberation. The judge has issued an instruction directing them to continue working toward a verdict rather than declare a mistrial. Clancy is accused of strangling her three children in their Duxbury home in January 2023. Her defense argues postpartum psychosis; prosecutors argue she is criminally responsible. A conviction carries a sentence of life in prison; a finding of not criminally responsible would send her to a state mental health facility.

What do you think?

Photo: Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool