A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for a large portion of North and Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga and Walker County areas, from late Friday night through Monday morning. The National Weather Service says heavy mixed precipitation is possible during that time, with total snow and sleet accumulations up to four inches and ice accumulations greater than one quarter of an inch also possible.
Details released this week in an incident report indicate a dispute that started with bickering inside Walmart and escalated into an argument over recording on a cellphone led to a physical fight at the Trion Walmart earlier this month.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture says Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed at a commercial poultry operation in Walker County, marking Georgia’s first confirmed HPAI case of 2026 and the fourth case in a commercial poultry operation in the state since the nationwide outbreak began in February 2022.
State officials say the producer noticed increased mortality on Sunday, January 11, and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network. Samples were collected and tested Monday, with the positive result confirmed by the state lab Monday evening and later confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Tuesday, January 13.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management Team deployed to the site to begin depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection. The affected premises housed approximately 71,264 broiler breeders, and response operations are expected to continue through the week.
A 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) quarantine zone has been established around the operation. Officials say all commercial poultry operations within that radius are under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks, and the affected premises has been secured so that only authorized personnel may enter.
A Summerville hit-and-run investigation has led to the arrest of Charm Hedgecoth, 31, in connection with a crash that injured Ray Blount at the intersection of Commerce Street and East First Avenue.
Clay Fuller has officially resigned as District Attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, effective January 12, 2026, after qualifying to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Fuller is entering the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, a seat previously held by Marjorie Taylor Greene and one that includes Chattooga County. The contest is already drawing heavy interest, with more than 20 other Republicans, Democrats, and Independent candidates also announcing intentions to run for the seat.
With Fuller stepping down, Deanna Reisman is serving as the circuit’s acting District Attorney.
A protest is planned TODAY (Sunday, January 11) at 2 p.m. at Dowdy Park in Summerville, organized in response to Mayor Rickey Hughes’ recent comments about removing beavers from local waterways.
Chattooga High School will welcome future students and their families during Rising Freshman Night for the Class of 2030 on Thursday, January 15, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on campus.
School officials say the evening is designed to help incoming freshmen and their families become familiar with life at Chattooga High School. Attendees will have the opportunity to take campus tours, meet staff, and learn about graduation requirements, class schedules, career pathways, athletics, and other academic and extracurricular opportunities available to students.
Rising Freshman Night also gives parents and students a chance to ask questions and better understand expectations as students prepare to transition from middle school to high school.
Families of current eighth-grade students planning to attend Chattooga High School are encouraged to attend.
Pre-K registration for Trion Elementary School begins Friday, February 13th for all students wishing to enroll in the 2026-2027 school year. Parents/Legal Guardians may stop by the elementary office beginning at 8:30 am on February 13th to pick up enrollment packets and turn in required documentation.
The City of Summerville is inviting the public to a reception recognizing Mayor Harry Harvey for his years of dedicated service to the community.
The reception will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Summerville City Hall. City officials say the event is an opportunity for residents to stop by, offer congratulations, and celebrate Mayor Harvey’s leadership and contributions to Summerville.
The public is invited to attend.
The City of Summerville Fire Department will conduct routine fire hydrant flushing on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of ongoing system maintenance.
Officials say the work will primarily affect northeast Summerville, including the Highway 27 area and West Washington Avenue area. During the maintenance period, fire department personnel will perform essential tasks on hydrants across the city, including lubrication, flushing, and function checks.
Residents in affected areas may notice brief periods of water discoloration during the flushing process. City officials emphasize this is normal and safe. If discoloration occurs, residents are advised to run their tap for a few minutes until the water clears.
The City of Summerville thanks residents for their cooperation and understanding as crews carry out this important work to ensure the reliability of the city’s fire protection system.
