More than 120 new laws passed by the Georgia General Assembly will officially take effect Wednesday, July 1, bringing a wide range of changes that will impact consumers, public safety, agriculture, criminal justice, financial institutions, and businesses across the state.
With dangerous heat and heat index values climbing above 100 degrees across Northwest Georgia, veterinarians and agricultural experts are urging pet owners and livestock producers to take extra precautions to protect animals from heat-related illness.
The Georgia Department of Transportation says interstate lane closures will be suspended for the July 4th holiday weekend to help improve safety, ease travel, and reduce delays.
The suspension begins Friday, July 3, at 6 a.m. and continues through Monday, July 6, at 6 a.m.
Georgia DOT says some construction crews may still be working near roadways, and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related lane closures may also happen at any time.
Motorists are reminded to stay alert, slow down in work zones, move over when possible, and watch for changing weather conditions. Georgia DOT says rain increases crash risk, while extreme heat can lead to more road debris and tire blowouts.
Tickets are now on sale for the Community Resource Center of Chattooga’s second annual “Dancing With Our Stars – Chattooga Style” fundraiser.
The event benefits the Community Resource Center and is presented by VistaLife and Vitality Labs. Local community members have volunteered to take the stage in support of the CRC and its mission of serving families throughout Chattooga County.
The fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Chattooga High School Auditorium.
Organizers say last year’s inaugural event raised more than $58,000 to support the CRC’s programs and services. They hope this year’s event will build on that success while providing an entertaining evening for the community.
Tickets are available now through the “Dancing With Our Stars – Chattooga Style” Facebook page.
Blood Assurance is urging area residents to donate blood as local hospitals continue using blood faster than donations are coming in ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
From today through July 7, all eligible blood donors will receive a $40 e-gift card that can be redeemed at a variety of participating retailers, including grocery stores and gas stations.
The nonprofit says donations often decline during holiday weeks because of travel and vacation schedules, while hospitals must remain prepared for emergencies and trauma patients. Blood Assurance reports it has recently had less than a one-day supply of blood, platelets, and plasma, well below the recommended two- to three-day inventory needed to meet patient demand.
Blood Assurance is the primary blood supplier for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond, meaning local donations directly benefit patients in Northwest Georgia.
Type O donors have an opportunity to earn even more. Those enrolled in Blood Assurance’s Hero Club can receive a $50 gift card for a double red cell donation. Combined with the current promotion, eligible donors could receive up to $90 for a single donation.
Appointments can be scheduled at bloodassurance.org, by calling 800-962-0628, or by texting BAGIVE to 999777.
Fresh sawed 1×12’s 8 feet long for sale. Contact 706-936-2506.
Mr. Matthew “Matt” Dylan Tapp, age 28, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Cartersville, Georgia on June 11, 2026.
Mr. Tapp was born in Dalton, Georgia on April 25, 1998, son of John David Tapp, Jr. of Trion, Georgia and Carissa Blackwell Thomas of Panama City Beach, Florida. In high school, Matthew enjoyed playing football and wrestling for Chattooga High and also Coahulla High School in Dalton, Georgia. He was a hard dedicated worker as an employee of Plateau Excavation working as a pipe layer. Matt was a wonderful father where his son, Xander and daughter, Ivory were the light of his life.
Matthew was preceded in death by a Grandfather, William Blackwell, Jr.; a Grandmother, Cyclinda Youngblood and a Grandfather, John David Tapp, Sr.
Matthew is survived by his fiancée, Mya Weddle; grandmothers, Betty Brooks, Paulette Lowrance; father, John David Tapp, Jr(Amber); mother, Carissa Blackwell Thomas; 6 year old son, Xander Byron Tapp; 7 month old daughter, Ivory Lynn Tapp; brothers, Michael Tapp(Amie), Zack Tapp(Shawnna), Zach McGuire, Levi McGuire, Cameron Tapp, Zayden Tapp; sisters, Kristina Tapp, Alexia Evans(Josh), Destinee McGuire and Andrea Tapp. A number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a community of friends also survive.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11 a.m. from chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory with the following officiating: Sean Ledbetter, Steve Collins and Mitchell House. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Michael Tapp, Zach McGuire, Zack Tapp, Levi McGuire, Zack McKeithan, Cameron Strickland and Hunter Kautz. Honorary pallbearers will be the Plateau Pipe Crew.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 29, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. at the Coffman Funeral Home.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, June 29, 2026:
