With winter weather and colder temperatures in the forecast, the City of Summerville is reminding residents to take a few simple steps now to reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes. The city recommends letting faucets drip at a thin stream—about the size of a pencil lead—especially for sinks on exterior walls, and opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to help warmer air circulate around plumbing. Officials also advise disconnecting garden hoses from outdoor spigots and using insulated covers if available. Residents are encouraged to make sure everyone in the home knows where the main water shut-off valve is located in case a pipe breaks. For questions or assistance, residents can contact the City of Summerville at 706-859-0900.
Voters in Chattooga County and neighboring counties in Northwest Georgia are expected to see an additional special election tied to the shakeup in the 14th Congressional District. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a call to fill Georgia Senate District 53, the seat vacated by Colton Moore after he qualified to run for the open U.S. House seat.
With snow, ice, and sleet creating hazardous travel conditions, AAA – The Auto Club Group is urging drivers to take proactive steps to stay safe on winter roads. AAA notes winter weather can be deadly, citing U.S. Department of Transportation figures showing 1,300 people are killed and 116,000 injured each year in crashes on snowy or icy pavement.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has selected three students as its finalists for the 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to GOAL program coordinator Trish Wiggins. The finalists are Brittney Elrod of Ringgold (Business Management, Catoosa County Campus, nominated by Dr. Dwight Watt), Latasha Fluker of Rome (Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, nominated by Mark Upton), and Noelia Sargento of Rossville (Business Management, Walker County Campus, nominated by Tracy Gentry).
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate for December 2025 was 3.6%, up slightly from a revised 3.5% in November. GDOL said Georgia’s rate remained 0.8 percentage point below the national unemployment rate, and matched the state’s rate from one year ago.
Registration is now open for the Miss Trion Pageant, scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Trion. The event is being hosted by the Pride of Trion Marching Band and will be held at the Trion High School Gym, located at 919 Allgood Street, Trion, GA.
Organizers say all information, registration, and online payment can be completed online at trionhighschoolbandboostersinc.org, and paper registration forms are also available through the school office. The pageant is listed as a public event, open to participants and supporters whether or not they use Facebook.
The Chattooga County Democratic Party is inviting the public to a town hall meeting with Shawn Harris, a candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 14th District, set for Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Chattooga County Civic Center, located at 44 GA-48 in Summerville. Doors are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m., and organizers say “all questions answered” will be the focus of the evening.
Harris is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and combat veteran who also previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps, spending roughly four decades in uniform before returning home to Northwest Georgia. In addition to his military career, Harris is a cattle farmer and has emphasized rural priorities in his campaign, including issues affecting small towns, veterans, and working families across the district. He was also the Democratic nominee in the 14th District race in 2024 and is again seeking to represent the region in Congress.
Event organizers say RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated for ADA assistance, and an email contact has been provided for anyone needing accommodations. The gathering is also being used as a food drive drop-off, with attendees encouraged to bring what they can, if they can.
Anyone interested in starting beekeeping can “start your beekeeping journey” at a Beekeeping Short Course hosted by the Northwest Georgia Beekeepers Association on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The class will be held at the Walker County Ag Center, and organizers say seats are limited with registration available online.
The cost is $65, and the course is designed to cover the basics needed to get started with beekeeping. Organizers say the fee includes the book First Lessons in Beekeeping, a binder with handouts, lunch, a one-year membership to NWGBA for new members, and a chance to win door prizes.
The event is sponsored by the Northwest Georgia Beekeepers Association, Walker County Extension, Forester Farms & Apiary, and the Georgia Honey Bee License Plate Grant. For more information, visit the association’s event list online or email info@nwgabeekeepers.com
Forecasters say a high-impact winter storm is increasingly likely across Georgia this weekend, with freezing rain and ice expected to be the primary hazards and the potential for widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions. The Winter Storm Watch has been expanded to include most of North Georgia and a small portion of Central Georgia, with the watch starting 1:00 AM Saturday for the far northern tier and beginning 1:00 PM Saturday for areas generally near and south of I-20. Both time periods extend through 10:00 AM Monday.