The Rome News-Tribune reports the new Rural King store at Mount Berry Mall is expected to hold its grand opening in mid-March, according to sources. The 85,000-square-foot store is moving into the former Sears space, and officials say the location is fully staffed with workers currently stocking tens of thousands of items throughout the building. Plans also include about 35,000 square feet of outdoor space for displaying tractors and other heavy equipment.
The Coosa River Basin Initiative is keeping lines of communication open with local legislators on several water-related issues during the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly.
Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic are making an additional investment in their local workforce, announcing an increase in the minimum starting wage for eligible teammates in Northwest Georgia to $18.85 per hour, beginning with Jan. 30 paychecks. Leaders say the change is meant to strengthen long-term workforce stability and support the employees who provide care across the region.
Chattooga County Schools have canceled all extracurricular activities scheduled for tonight, Friday, January 30, 2026, as well as events planned for this weekend, due to the forecast for snow beginning tonight and continuing into Saturday. School officials said information on rescheduled dates and times will be shared once details are confirmed.
The announcement was issued by Jeremy Heathcock with Chattooga County Schools, who encouraged families to stay warm and safe as winter weather moves into the area.
Mr. Jeremy Wayne Elrod, age 43, of Summerville, GA, died Thursday, January 29, 2026, at his residence.
Jeremy was born September 19, 1982, in Rome, GA, to Dennis and Peggy Elrod. He was Church of God by faith and had been employed with Iris Networks.
Jeremy was a man of many talents who had an immense love for his family and friends. He was a true warrior who fought a long, hard battle. He had a heart of gold and would do anything he could to help those in need. Jeremy was a life-long resident of Chattooga County and was a multi-talented athlete from youth through high school.
Jeremy and his high school sweetheart, Crystal Lee, married and chose to grow their family in Chattooga County near Jeremy’s family. His family meant everything to him. His wife, his girls, his parents, and his animals were his world. Jeremy had a heart for helping, was incredibly intelligent, fiercely witty, and a razor sharp mind. He was stubborn in the best way, strong-willed, and determined.
Jeremy was a people person and had so many friends. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing him and his humor, his charm, his smile, and his light, was truly lucky. Jeremy was truly one-of-a-kind and can never be replaced. His loss has dimmed the world’s light just a bit more.
Jeremy was preceded in death by his grandfather, Alfred Crabtree; grandparents, Robert and Jean Elrod; and several uncles.
Survivors include his wife, Crystal Lee Elrod; daughters, Ramsey (Noah) Edgeworth, Addison Elrod; chosen daughter, Everly McBride (Jeremy was her “J.J.”); parents, Dennis and Peggy Elrod; sister, Brittany (Scott) Riddle; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Adam (Tina) Lee; mother-in-law, Darlene Scoggins (Jerry Warren); father-in-law, Sammy (Lynn) Lee; nieces and nephews, Anna Crawford, Mac Lee, and Coleman Lee.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, February 1, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Steve Keith officiating. Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Taylor Elrod, Jeff Jarrett, Neil Hardy, O.W. Carpenter, Jason Ware, and Tim Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be Audrey Clark, Scott Crowe, Randy West, Lee Denton, Mike Bennett, David Parker, Mike Adevedo, Waymond Wesson, and Wade Blevins.
Jeremy will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Sunday.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).
To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.
A winter storm moving across parts of Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas will be the main weather story over the next 24 to 48 hours, with widespread snowfall expected across portions of the region. Forecasters say confidence is high in the overall setup: an unusually strong upper-level low dropping out of Canada will drive a surge of Arctic air into the Southeast, while a surface low strengthens rapidly off the Georgia and South Carolina coast. As that coastal system intensifies, moisture will wrap back into Georgia, combining with lift from the upper-level low to produce snow—though where the western edge of the snow sets up remains one of the biggest uncertainties.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, January 30, 2026:
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 7 PM Friday – 7 PM Saturday
EXTREME COLD WATCH 7 PM Saturday – 1 PM Sunday
An approaching winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to portions of the South and northeast Georgia over the next 48 hours. Much like last weekend, Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties will be on the western edge of the expected winter precipitation. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area, with snow expected Saturday, generally ranging from a dusting to around one inch.
