A Catoosa County couple has been sentenced after being found guilty on multiple counts of child abuse. The couple was charged in December of 2023 following an investigation by local authorities. According to the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office, the couple lived with their teenage children in a mobile home that didn’t have proper heat, no hot water, and the only running water was in the bathtub. Evidence collected revealed the home was in a state of disrepair and filthy. The Catoosa County Codes Enforcement found the home to be inhabitable. It was also discovered that the father was an electrician that testified to earn $1,100-$1,800 per week after taxes. Along with the inhabitable conditions of the home, the couple was repeatedly punishing the children by shooting them with airsoft guns. They also restricted what their daughter could eat and had a padlock installed on the refrigerator to keep her from accessing food. The daughter had also been molested by her older half-brother. The DA’s Office said he bribed her to allow sexual acts in exchange for food. The half-brother was sentenced to life with 25 years to serve incarcerated. The parents were each charged with two counts of 1st degree and two counts of 2nd degree cruelty to children. They were each given a 20-year prison sentence. The District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that they will not be releasing the names of the couple or the children involved in this case.
Approximately 200 students from GNTC will receive their degrees or certificates on Thursday. GNTC’s Spring Commencement Ceremony is set for Thursday at 6pm at the Forum River Center in Rome. The graduation starts at 6pm. A complete list of graduates can be found on our website at DiscoverWalker.com.
Gas prices continue to slide both locally and across the state. According to AAA, the average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Walker, Catoosa and Dade County is $2.76. That’s the cheapest in the state. Statewide, the average is $2.92. Nationally the average remains over $3 at $3.15. The good news is that you’re paying somewhere around $8.00 less to fill up a 15-gallon tank today compared to 12 months ago.
The Walker County Historic Preservation Commission is hosting a meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library, located at 305 South Duke Street in LaFayette. This meeting is open to the public, and all interested residents are encouraged to attend.
Despite winning 14 games this season LaFayette baseball will miss out on the state playoffs. The seedings were announced yesterday morning. The Ramblers did not qualify. Gordon Lee is the #1 seed in Class A. The Trojan will host Brantley County. In Class AA Ringgold will face Jackson in Round One. Heritage is on the road they will play Riverdale. LFO and Ridgeland also missed out on the post season.