'Two boys rescued from Little River' and other Chattanooga region news

Two boys rescued from Little River

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. - DeKalb County emergency services personnel rescued two boys from the Little River on Monday evening, according to a news release.

The rescue team included members of the National Park Service, the Fisher Rescue Squad, the Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department and other organizations.

Rescue swimmers were lowered into the water and swam across to the two boys, who were huddled together, the release states. The water temperature was 64 degrees, and the air temperature was rapidly dropping below 60 degrees.

Rescuers, fearing hypothermia, worked quickly to move the boys to the opposite bank, where EMS personnel evaluated them before turning them over to their mothers, the release said.

The boys told rescuers they were hiking along the river when they found a spot that looked safe to cross to the opposite bank. While they tried to cross, the powerful water swept their feet out from under them and they were carried downstream to Martha's Falls.

The two were able to reach the bank before going over the falls. They hiked back to the Little River Falls, but couldn't climb up the bank.

Two people saw the boys from the boardwalk area and called 911.


Prescription drug drop box installed

LaFAYETTE, Ga. - The Georgia Council on Alcohol and Drugs has provided the Walker County Sheriff's Office with a prescription drug drop box at no charge, according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

The box is in the lobby of the sheriff's office at 105 S. Duke St. in LaFayette. The drop box is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for county residents to dispose of expired or unused prescription medications, as well as pet medications.

Wilson urged residents to take advantage of the free service. "Too many of our young people in Georgia are dying prematurely because of prescription drug overdoses," he said.


UGA unveils new license plate

ATHENS, Ga. - The University of Georgia has revamped its specialty license plate in hopes of getting even more backers of Bulldog Nation to show their support.

UGA already has about 60,000 of the specialty license plates on the road. The new design features the university's iconic "G" logo with the words "University of Georgia" in red.

For each license plate, $10 is directed annually for need-based scholarships through the UGA Foundation. The new license plate replaces one that had featured UGA's mascot, Uga.

Those interested in the new tag will have to pay a $25 manufacturing fee plus a $35 special tag fee and any other standard fees and taxes if applicable. After receiving a temporary tag, the specialty tag will be shipped within seven to 10 business days.

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