Floyd County

School officials ‘heartbroken’ after student dies from COVID-19

School officials in Floyd County say they are "hearbroken" after a student died from COVID-19 earlier this week. The child who died was a student at Coosa High School, which runs from grades 8 through 12. "The loss of a child, at any time, under any circumstances, is a tragedy. We are heartbroken that COVID-19 has taken the life of a child," said Floyd County Schools Superintendent Glenn White. "We extend our deepest sympathy to this child’s family and all others who have lost a loved one to this virus." Floyd County Schools will be closed to all students and…

32-year-old Joshua James Usry has been missing since July 2019

Authorities in Georgia are still searching for clues into the disappearance of a 32-year-old man on July 2, 2019. Details of Disappearance: Joshua James Usry was swimming at mother-in-law's residence in Coosa with his wife and kids and he said he was going to take a walk. He has never been seen again. His shoes were left at the pool and his shirt was found on a trail in the woods nearby. Distinguishing Characteristics: Joshua is a male described as bald with a red beard. He has a Superman sign tattoo on upper right arm shoulder, kryptonite lettering on left forearm. He…

Seven Georgia inmates charged with sexually assaulting another inmate

Seven Floyd County Jail inmates were charged Tuesday for physically and sexually assaulting another inmate in the jail in December 2020. The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to immediately look into the incident after it was reported to them on Dec. 18. All seven of the inmates are alleged to be members of the Ghostface Gangsters criminal street gang. According to the GBI, during the investigation, one of the inmates under investigation threatened the life of the victim resulting in additional charges. The inmates and charges are below. Scotty Joel Venable, 38 years old: Participation…

Jail officials say Georgia inmate threw urine on officer

A Bartow County man is in hot water after Floyd County Jail officials say he threw urine on an officer at the jail Wednesday. The man was being housed at the Floyd County Jail after being arrested on an aggravated stalking charge last January. According to Floyd County Jail records, 24-year-old Jesse Tyra Glaze now faces felony charges for an unlawful act of violence in a penal institution, aggravated assault on an officer and obstruction of an officer. Glaze also has charges in Bartow County from February of 2020 if simple battery against a police officer, obstruction of law enforcement…

Floyd County officials tell residents how to be a coronavirus hero

The Floyd County Commission is asking residents to be heroes in the fight against coronavirus. Commission Chair Scotty Hancock released a statement today calling on Floyd County residents to join with healthcare heroes to do what they can to fight the holiday COVID-19 surge in the county. "No laser vision or super strength is needed to be someone else’s hero at this time. All we need to do is simply follow the guidelines of the CDC and the Department of Public Health. Wear a mask, practice good hygiene and wash our hands, and watch our distance maintaining at least six feet between…

Floyd County elections chief fired

Earlier this week the Georgia Secretary of State's office called for the firing of Floyd County's elections chief after the statewide recount of the presidential race uncovered about 2,600 uncounted votes -- today, the Floyd County Board of Elections fired him. Robert Brady, the clerk of elections for Floyd County, was terminated today by the county board of elections. The board initially voted to reprimand Brady, but since it was his second reprimand in six months, he was fired from his post. The uncounted ballots discovered in the recount did not change the outcome of the presidential race in Georgia,…

2,600 uncounted ballots discovered during Georgia’s hand recount

State elections officials say 2,600 uncounted ballots were discovered in Floyd County during Georgia's hand recount. The hand recount is currently under way and state elections officials say they have not seen any other irregularities at this point. The 2,600 votes were found in Floyd County and were apparently votes from a memory card from an early voting machine that were not put through on election night. State elections officials say the issue was likely related to human error, but they are calling on the Floyd County elections director to step down. The new ballots did not change the election…

Floyd County switches to remote learning

The News: After just one week in school, Floyd County Schools announced the school system will be moving to a remote-only model effective at the end of class Friday. The school district plans to restart in-person learning Sept. 8. The Reason: According to the school district, the reason for this change stems from a change in the way the district has to classify teachers and not due to a large number of COVID-19 infections. The school district currently has more than 10 positive coronavirus tests and more than 350 students and employees in quarantine. However, the closure is more related…

Rome man charged with several armed robberies

ROME -- A 27-year-old Rome man has been charged with multiple armed robberies. Earlier this month, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Anthony Lavell Williams, of Rome, following a search warrant at his residence by the Floyd/Rome SWAT team. Williams was arrested on an armed robbery warrant from Carrollton Police Department. According to the GBI, Williams is suspected to have conducted armed robberies in Rome, Summerville, Fort Oglethorpe, and Carrolton. Williams has also been suspected in several other armed robberies targeting Family Dollar, CVS, and Walgreens stores in the northwest Georgia area. The GBI has been assisting the Federal…

GBI: Georgia Man arrested after attempting to run over police officer

ROME -- A 30-year-old Rome man is in jail after being arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer. The incident occurred Friday. According to the GBI, Kerry Lamar Grier attempted to run over Floyd County Police Officer Lieutenant Christopher Hovers. Members of the Rome/Floyd Metro Drug Task Force stopped Grier’s vehicle by force. During the arrest, officers found Grier was in possession of a handgun, a felony amount of suspected marijuana, and a quantity of cash. Grier and a Floyd County police officer were taken to Floyd Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Grier was released…

Three charged in homicide of two sisters found under Rome Bridge

ROME -- Three people have been charged in the May homicide of two sisters who were found dead under the Etowah Bridge on Loop 1 in Rome. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Desmond Lavonta Brown, Devin Lashawn Watts and Christopher Leedarius Pullen have been charged in connection with the deaths of 30-year-old Clarice Truvenia Campbell and her sister 19-year-old Vanita Nicole Richardson. Brown and Watts have both been charged with Malice Murder and Pullen has been charged with Felony Murder. All three are in custody at the Floyd County Jail. The GBI also announced that Vanita Richardson’s vehicle…