Georgia’s net tax collections slipped slightly in January, with the state reporting $3.03 billion in net tax revenue for the month — down $18.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to January of last year. State officials framed the dip as a modest month-to-month decline, not a major shift in overall revenue performance.
RACHEL SOUTHERLAND TAYLOR, age 94, of Trion, Georgia passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at her residence. She was born November 8, 1931 in Ellijay, Georgia a daughter of the late Pola and Lola Holt Southerland. In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her first husband, the late J. C. Fletcher; second husband, the late Bill Taylor; daughter, the late Rebecca Fletcher; son-Joel Fletcher; brothers, the late Robert Southerland, the late Wayne Southerland, and the late Lowell (Sonny) Southerland; sisters, the late Betty Denmark and the late Elaine Adams. She was retired from Riegel Textile Corp. rebeaming department and was a member of Pleasant Grove Church of Christ.
Surviving include her sons and daughters in law, Tim (Carol) Fletcher, David (Linda) Fletcher, Steve (Becky) Fletcher, daughters and sons in law, Donna Fletcher and Gayle (Todd) VanEtten; nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 1 p.m. from the J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Minister Hugh Glaze officiating, interment in Berea Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Jeremy Fletcher, Matt Fletcher, Zack Fletcher, Clayton Fletcher, Parker Fletcher, Jake Singletary and James Martin. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center in Pennville and Members of Pleasant Grove Church of Christ.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Funeral Home.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Rachel Southerland Taylor.
For Sale:
Mr. Frederick Malcolm Bankston age 69 of Pasadena, CA (formerly of Summerville, GA) passed away December 20, 2025.
Mr. Bankston was born August 17, 1956 in Summerville, GA to Jessie and the late Betty Bankston. He enjoyed tennis & traveling.
Along with his mother is preceded in death by his brother, James Morris Bankston; and niece Cijivea Bankston Mitchell.
Those left to cherish his memory include his father, Jessie J. Bankston; sisters, Gwendolyn (John) Nichols, Valerie Thompson, Karen Price, and Belinda Bankston; Aunts, Doris Shepherd and Jean Bankston; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Bankston will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 12 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Min. John Lewis officiating.
To share your condolences with the family 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 Wednesday, February 11, 2026:
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will see a damp start to Wednesday, followed by unseasonably warm temperatures through the rest of the week before a stronger weather system brings widespread rain this weekend.
Georgia lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and administer hormonal contraception, potentially making birth control more accessible across the state without a doctor’s visit.
