Authorities in Chattooga County are investigating after a badly decomposed body was discovered inside a home south of Holland on Monday. Deputies were called to the residence off Highway 100 just before noon, where investigators found a body in an advanced stage of decomposition. A search warrant was obtained for the home and surrounding property. A GBI crime scene technician and agent responded to assist, and the Chattooga County Coroner was called to the scene. Early findings suggest the individual may have been dead for more than a year. Investigators say there were no signs of forced entry, and believe the resident lived alone. The Sheriff’s Office is now working to confirm the identity and notify next of kin. Officials say there is no indication of any broader safety concern for the community. The body is being sent to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination, and the investigation remains active.
The Walker County Development Authority has rescheduled its regular December meeting. Originally planned for last night, the meeting will now take place next Tuesday December 16th. The session will begin at 10 a.m. at the Walker County Civic Center, located on Highway 27 in Rock Spring.
There were five felony arrest in Walker County on Monday. Among those booked, 24-year-old Drew Garrett Avans was stopped for a break lights violation and booked after being discovered a fugitive. 33-year-old Elijah Covotent Smith was booked on failure to appear charges. Juston Chase Langston, 27-years-old was arrested on a probation violation. 69-year-old Robert Edwin Itter was arrested as a fugitive from justice. 51-year-old Stephen Dale Kinsey was arrested for possession of meth. The complete arrest report is available online at DiscoverWalker dot com. It’s updated every day.
Walker County voters will face a busy election calendar in the months ahead, including a special election to choose the next member of Congress for northwest Georgia. With Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation, the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District now moves to a special election on March 17, giving Walker County residents their first chance to weigh in on who should represent them in Washington. If no candidate clears the threshold of 50 percent plus one, a runoff election will be held on April 14. Walker County voters will return to the polls again on May 19 for the state’s regularly scheduled general primary election, which will help shape local, state, and federal races later in the year.