Residents from across Northwest Georgia are invited to attend a free suicide prevention training this weekend at New & Living Way Church in Rome.
Georgia Power Promises Lower Rates, But Critics and Local Residents Say Bills Tell a Different Story
Georgia Power has filed its expected Fuel Cost Recovery and Storm Cost Recovery cases with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), saying the combined filings could result in slightly lower electric rates for customers beginning this summer. However, critics and many local residents across Northwest Georgia say that promise rings hollow as power bills continue to climb dramatically.
Berry College will host Olympic gymnast and Northwest Georgia native Brody Malone for the Cecil B. Wright III Integrity in Leadership Lecture on March 3.
As swarm season approaches across Northwest Georgia, local beekeepers are preparing by setting out honeybee swarm traps designed to safely capture and relocate swarming colonies.
Mrs. Amy Nicole Sparks, age 49 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Monday, February 16, 2026 at her residence.
Amy was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 22, 1976, daughter of Barbara Jones Sparks and the late Clarence Sparks. She was a member of the Sardis Baptist Church and was a stay at home mom and nanny. Amy was an avid music lover and enjoyed photography and photographs.
Amy is survived by a daughter, Kayla Goudy; “Son”, Justin Sword; mother, Barbara Sparks; boyfriend, Shaun Burleson; brother, Chris Layne; sister, Becky Sparks; former husband, Lloyd Cook; grandchildren, Marleigh Goudy, Shawn Goudy and Thunder Sword; and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Funeral Services for Amy will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Jamey Maples officiating. Interment will follow in the Johnson Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Chip Cook, Daniel Cook, Shane Sword, Eric Bailey, Johnny Cook and Matthew Cook.
The family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home Saturday from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Amy Nicole Sparks.
Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences.
Ms. Bernice “Bonnie” Ward age 73 of Gaylesville, AL passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026 at her residence.
Ms. Ward was born November 11, 1952 in St. Louis Missouri to the late Sandy Howard and Margaret Lea Ward. She was retired from Century Glove and was Baptist by faith. Ms. Ward was a very spirited person who loved caring for her family and especially her grandchildren.
Along with her parents she is preceded in death by Mildred Wilson, Lewis Wilson, Rita Wilson, and Jessica Bond.
Survivors include her spouse, Steve Wilson; children, Timothy Hogue, Beth (Mark) Floyd, and Crystal (Barry) Chandler; siblings, Howard (Linda) Ward, Richard (Pam) Ward, Andrew Ward, Sammy Ward, Marilyn (Ron) Stewart, Terrie Easton, and Mary Dillard; aunts, Glenda (Steve) Eden, Iva Lea, and Carol (Terry) Ramey; grandchildren, Collin Hogue, and Ashleigh Markison; great-grandchild, Aubry Markison, 1 great-grandchild on the way; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Ms. Ward will take place at 12:00 Noon EST at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Burns officiating. Interment will follow at Bankhead Cemetery with family members serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 AM EST until the service hour at the funeral home.
To share you condolences online, please visit www.MasonFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home, Summerville, GA.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, February 19, 2026:
Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia can expect above-average to near-record high temperatures today and Friday before rain and possible strong storms move into the area this weekend.