Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader joined fellow sheriffs at the State Capitol to support proposed state budget funding for a new 300-bed mental health hospital, a move aimed at addressing Georgia’s long-standing shortage of inpatient psychiatric beds.
The Pride of Trion Marching Band is reminding families that the deadline to register for the annual Miss Trion Pageant is March 6.
The pageant will be held on March 14, with organizers encouraging participants to sign up soon and be part of the long-standing community tradition.
Online registration is available at:
http://trionhighschoolbandboostersinc.org
Paper registration forms are also available in the school office. Completed forms and payment may be turned in there.
Organizers are also seeking sponsorships to help support the event. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring can do so through the band boosters’ online sponsorship link.
The Miss Trion Pageant serves as both a showcase for local students and a fundraiser supporting the Pride of Trion Marching Band.
City of Summerville water customers may experience low water pressure on Monday, February 23, 2026, due to maintenance work at the city’s water treatment plant.
City officials say the maintenance will begin and conclude on Monday, February 23. Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly and use water conservatively if needed during the work period.
The City of Summerville thanked customers for their patience and understanding while the maintenance is completed.
For the 5th year, the Chattooga County Democratic Party will sponsor a Black History Month celebration on Saturday, February 28 at 7 pm. The event, titled “Celebrating Our Heritage Through Poem and Song,” will feature local talent performing songs, dances and spoken word tributes to black history. This special event will take place at the Chattooga County Civic Center in Summerville.
New filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Initial jobless claims in Georgia — often used as a snapshot of layoffs — fell to 4,070 for the week ending February 14, down from 5,350 the previous week.
Nationally, initial unemployment claims also moved lower. The U.S. total dropped to 206,000 last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, down 23,000 from 229,000 the week before.
Among the states, Iowa saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims rising 15.4%. Virginia recorded the largest percentage drop, with new claims falling 42.5%.
Mental health advocates in Georgia are urging lawmakers to strengthen and enforce the state’s Mental Health Parity Act, arguing that too many people still face denials, delays, or limited access when trying to get behavioral health care covered by insurance.
Georgia drivers may finally be seeing a break after years of rising insurance premiums.
This month, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King announced more than $25 million in auto insurance rate reductions, led by major carriers including Allstate and Country Mutual. State officials say the filings signal a potentially more stable and competitive auto insurance market—welcome news for families who’ve watched monthly bills climb.
More than 30 Hardee’s restaurants across Georgia abruptly closed in late 2025 following a major franchise dispute between Hardee’s parent company, CKE Restaurants, and one of its largest operators, ARC Burger.
“Are ya ready, kids?!” SpongeBob SquarePants is headed to the stage as Rome Little Theatre presents The SpongeBob Musical at the historic DeSoto Theatre from March 20 through March 29.
Based on the popular animated television series, the high-energy production will feature performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Rehearsals are already underway, and RLT Executive Director Jessica Stewart says she is excited for audiences to experience the show’s uplifting message about friendship and community.
Tickets are now on sale, and Stewart anticipates strong attendance throughout the run. For tickets and additional information, visit www.romelittletheatre.org.