Northwest Georgia will have a major national voice on campus this Martin Luther King Jr. Day as four-time GRAMMY-winning Christian hip-hop artist, author, and actor Lecrae headlines Berry College’s MLK Day celebration on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Krannert Ballroom.
Candidate qualifying concluded on Wednesday for the Special Election to fill the unexpired term of Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress. There are 17 Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian, and one independent who will be vying for the seat during the March 10 election.
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office reports 18-year-old Ivan Ethan Shaw was arrested January 7, 2026 after a deputy responded to a call about an employee who may have active felony warrants.
Residents in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia are without representation in the U.S. House for now following the resignation of former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. But the Fourteenth Congressional District of Georgia District Office says some constituent services will continue during the vacancy.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, January 15, 2026:
Chattooga County and the rest of Northwest Georgia are in for a blustery, sharply colder day Thursday, January 15, 2026, as dry air pours in behind a cold front. Forecasters say northwest wind gusts of 20–30 mph will combine with very low humidity this afternoon, creating elevated fire danger conditions across North and Central Georgia.
Army Lt. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. has made history after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, a position newly elevated to a four-star rank. Carden becomes the first vice chief to wear four stars, and he will serve alongside National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus—marking the first time two four-star generals have led the bureau at the same time.
Local veteran advocate and former State Rep. Barbara Massey Reece noted the promotion is especially meaningful for Chattooga County, pointing to Carden’s long-standing presence at local Veterans Day and Vietnam Veterans events and his past service as Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard.
Carden most recently served as deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, helping coordinate homeland defense and military support for civil authorities. His career includes leadership roles in the Georgia National Guard, overseas assignments, and deployments to Iraq and Bosnia, along with multiple domestic response missions.
Chattooga High School is set to welcome future students and their families this evening for Rising Freshman Night for the Class of 2030, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on campus.
School officials say the event is designed to help incoming freshmen and their families get familiar with what life is like at Chattooga High School before the transition from middle school. Families who attend this evening will have the chance to tour the campus, meet staff, and get important information on what students can expect once they begin high school.
Organizers say Rising Freshman Night will also cover key topics including graduation requirements, class schedules, career pathways, athletics, and a variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities available to students. It’s also an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions and better understand expectations for the next four years.
Families of current eighth-grade students planning to attend Chattooga High School are encouraged to participate.
