The Georgia House has approved legislation aimed at expanding how landowners and wildlife control operators can trap and hunt feral hogs—an invasive species blamed for widespread damage to crops, pastures, wildlife habitat, and property across the state. Supporters say the measure is designed to remove red tape and help reduce hog populations that reproduce quickly and are difficult to control.
A new wave of legal action over PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—is building across Northwest Georgia, and a lawsuit filed by Gordon County is adding fresh pressure on companies tied to the region’s carpet and chemical supply chain.
Shorter University welcomed middle school students from across Georgia as it hosted the Division B Regional competition for the 2025–2026 Georgia Science Olympiad.
The Georgia House of Representatives completed a busy fourth week of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers passed House Bill 973, the House’s version of the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support, is built on a revised $42.3 billion revenue estimate and includes $4.5 billion in surplus and new funding to support priorities through June 30, 2026.
Key investments in the amended budget include property tax relief through the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program, education funding for K–12 schools and higher education, and pay supplements for teachers, school staff, and early learning educators. The House also approved funding for HOPE and the new need-based DREAMS Scholarship, along with investments in school safety, mental health services, and workforce readiness initiatives.
The budget further prioritizes public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure, with funding for prison security upgrades, behavioral health facilities, rural healthcare access, and major transportation projects, including road resurfacing and rural bridge repairs. Lawmakers also heard the annual State of the Judiciary Address from Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson during the week.
In addition to the budget, the House passed several bills addressing issues such as newborn safety, feral hog control, rural eye care access, veterans’ burial eligibility, and early literacy initiatives. With the amended budget now moving to the Senate, the House will soon begin work on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget as the session continues.
See the complete legislative report below:
The Bank of LaFayette will host a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 W. Patton Street in LaFayette.
Community members are encouraged to give local and help save local lives. All donors between February 1–14 will receive a special “Donor for Life” tattoo shirt as a thank-you gift.
To prepare for donation, donors are asked to eat a good meal, drink extra water, avoid energy drinks, and bring a valid ID.
Appointments can be scheduled online at www.bloodassurance.org/bankla or by calling 1-800-962-0628.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, law enforcement agencies and consumer protection groups are warning residents to be on the lookout for romance scams, which tend to increase during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Scammers often target individuals through social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust before asking for money.
LUMBER FOR SALE – used 2×4’s, 2×6’s and other sizes all in good condition.
Also have some firewood and a great pulling trailer for sale. Trailer is all metal with wooden floor.
Call or text 762-407-7301
MR. EUGENE CORDELL, age 73, of East Washington Street, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Tuesday morning, February 10, 2026, at His residence. He was born in Chattooga County Georgia July 12, 1952 to the late Manuel H. Cordell and Mary Lou Smith Cordell. Mr. Cordell was a member of the Pennville First Baptist Church and was Superintendent for the Chattooga County Water District.
Surviving are His wife, Peggy Gilreath Cordell; daughter, Laura (Rick) Gann; son, Dustin E. (Melissa) Cordell; sister, Donnie Sue Brown; grandchildren, Maddie Wells, Caden Cordell, Gatlin Cordell, Gillian Gann, Axl Gann, and Ezra Gann; sister in law, Judy Gilreath; Best Friend, His Golden Retriever-“Hemingway”; nieces, Leslie Weaver, Melissa Frost; nephews, Barry Gilreath,Jr., Jerry Brown.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 13th, at 11:00 A.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, with Rev. Ralph Sumner, Rev. Tim Evans, and Minister Barry Gilreath, Jr. officiating, interment in Macedonia Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Caden Cordell, Gatlin Cordell, Mike Rutledge, Tim Allen, Jerry Lathem, Greg Martin, Jerry Pollard, Bear Brown, Jacob Brown, Marlon Barrett, Rex Evans, Wayne Weaver, Mike Frost, Ricky Hammonds, Robbie Lathem, Adam Lathem, Scott Clements, and Jamey Hughes, Seth Weaver, Logan Gass, Alex Frost.
The Family will receive friends Thursday from 6 until 8 P.M. at the Funeral Home.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangememnts for Mr. Eugene Cordell, who passed away Tuesday.
Mr. Mickey Alton “Mountain Man” Silvers, age 57 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026 in a Rome hospital.
Mickey was born in Rome, Georgia on November 15, 1968, son of the late Thomas Silvers and Kathleen Corbin Silvers. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and prior to retirement, had been employed as a slasher helper with Mt. Vernon Mills. Mickey enjoyed grilling, woodworking, thrift store shopping and going to Trade Day, but his favorite activity was spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, Mickey was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Silvers; maternal grandparents, Lee Corbin and Nellie Hill Corbin; paternal grandparents, Paul and Louise Silvers; uncle, “Little” Morris Silvers; and special friends, Danny Davis, Dale Bain and Tim Perry.
Mickey is survived by his wife, Marilyn Henderson Silvers; daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and Austin Campbell; brother and sister-in-law, Rickey and Brenda Silvers; sister and brother-in-law, Tammy and Jamie Mitchell; four grandchildren, Trae Campbell, Anna Silvers, Zayden Campbell and Xander Campbell and seven nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mickey will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Rickey Biddle officiating. Interment will follow in the Summerville Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include Gary Cook, Steve Helton, Nick Dooley, Kyle Spear, Austin Campbell and Cody Collins. Honorary Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Durham, Kevin Bain, Randy Brown and Tommy Odom.
Mickey’s family will receive friends Thursday at Coffman Funeral Home from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Mickey Alton “Mountain Man” Silvers.
Please visit www.coffman.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences.
Ms. Melissa Saralyn “Lisa” Morrow, age 55, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, February 8, 2026, at her residence.
Ms. Morrow was born May 25, 1970, in Summerville, GA, daughter of the late Russell David Morrow and Carolyn Etta Yarbrough. She had previously been employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Ms. Morrow loved NASCAR and was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs. Lisa was such a warm and loving person, so much so that all the kids in the neighborhood loved coming to visit her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Clint McCary and Mike McCary.
Survivors include her son, Patrick Morrow; special friend, Greg Plunkett; brothers, Jeff (Michelle) McCary, Greg Morrow; aunt, Brenda Ward; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kevin J. Norton officiating. Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers include her cousins and nephews.
Ms. Morrow will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Wednesday.
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.
