It’s back to school today for students in Walker County Schools and Chickamauga City Schools. That means school zones are active again, and drivers can expect increased traffic during morning and afternoon hours. Be sure to slow down, watch for buses and students, and give yourself extra time on the road.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their own. Retired Deputy Sheriff Elbert O’Kelly has passed away. He served the department for more than 23 years, dedicating his life to protecting the community. In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office called him a trusted colleague, a mentor, and a friend. Our thoughts are with the O’Kelly family and all who knew and worked with him.
A Lyerly woman has been arrested following a joint investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities executed search and arrest warrants Tuesday after receiving a cyber tip related to the possession of child sexual abuse material. Investigators say 31-year-old Lillian Angelique Hughes was found to be sharing illegal content online, including images involving child exploitation and a video involving an act of bestiality. Hughes is charged with three felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of bestiality. She’s currently being held at the Chattooga County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Officials say Hughes has previous ties to the foster care system, but there’s no indication at this time that any foster children were depicted in the seized material. The investigation is ongoing.
Two felony arrests on Tuesday in Walker County. 67-year-old Wanda Kay Dixon was booked on possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV, DUI along with other traffic violations.