Ms. Angela Hardy Fose, age 70 of Trion, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at an Atlanta Hospital.
Ms. Fose was born April 18, 1956 in Atlanta, GA to the late Romaine Hardy and Mary Ann Eatmon. She was retired from the trucking industry and loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Phillip Hardy.
Survivors include her children, Alex (Shawna) Tanner, Josh (Rachael) Bullock, and Mary (Blake) Wright; sister, Sherry Kendall; 9 grandchildren; and several extended family and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ms. Fose will take place at 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin J. Norton officiating.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00 PM until the service hour at the funeral home.
A dangerous stretch of summer heat is expected to settle across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia this week as temperatures climb into the upper 90s and heat index values soar into the triple digits.
Today will be sunny with a high near 96 degrees, but high humidity will make it feel closer to 102 degrees during the afternoon. While the Heat Advisory remains focused farther south and east, residents across Northwest Georgia should still take precautions against the heat by staying hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and checking on elderly neighbors and those without adequate air conditioning.
Tonight will be clear with a low around 76, offering little relief from the heat. Tuesday will be nearly identical, with another sunny day, a high near 96, and heat index values reaching 103 degrees.
The hottest weather of the week is expected Wednesday through Friday, when afternoon highs climb to 97 degrees. Combined with the humidity, heat index values above 100 degrees will be common each day, and some locations across Georgia could experience heat index values exceeding 105 degrees. Additional Heat Advisories may be issued as the week progresses.
While high pressure will dominate the weather pattern, isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms remain possible throughout the week. Rain chances stay relatively low, generally between 20 and 30 percent, but any storm that develops could produce frequent lightning, heavy downpours, and gusty winds.
Looking ahead to the Independence Day holiday, Saturday is expected to be hot and mostly sunny with a high near 96 degrees and a 30 percent chance of afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase to around 40 percent by Sunday as moisture gradually returns to the region.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Thursday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Friday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Independence Day
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
The Menlo City Council has officially accepted the resignation of Town Clerk Nicki Hoard and has appointed a former clerk to serve in the position while the search for a permanent replacement gets underway.
During last week’s meeting, Mayor Kris Willis informed the council that Hoard had submitted her resignation prior to the meeting. Willis thanked Hoard for her service to the city and said she left on good terms. The council unanimously voted to accept her resignation.
To help maintain day-to-day operations, the council approved the appointment of Julie Willingham, a former Menlo city clerk, as interim clerk. Willis said Willingham has agreed to assist the city during the transition and will serve on a part-time basis until a full-time clerk is hired.
An advertisement for the permanent town clerk position is expected to be published in the local newspaper, with applications anticipated to remain open for at least two weeks, or longer if needed, before the position is filled.
In other business, Willis announced a new leadership team for the Menlo Recreation Department. The board includes President Levi Robinson, Vice President Nick Stout, Treasurer Kelli Weaver, and board members Keith Lutz and Kevin Payton. The volunteers will serve one-year terms with the option for renewal.
Many Georgia Power customers may have noticed that electric bills remain high this summer, even though the utility recently lowered the fuel portion of its rates.
According to WABE, the biggest reason is increased summer electricity use. As temperatures climb, air conditioners run longer and harder, driving up the amount of electricity households consume. At the same time, Georgia Power’s higher seasonal summer rates take effect, meaning customers pay more for electricity during the months when demand is greatest.
Although the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a reduction in Georgia Power’s fuel costs that lowered the average residential bill by about $4 per month beginning in June, those savings are often outweighed by increased air conditioning use and higher summer rates.
Georgia Power recommends several ways to reduce bills, including raising the thermostat by one degree, using a programmable thermostat, replacing HVAC filters regularly, sealing air leaks around doors and windows, and taking advantage of free home energy audits and available rebates for energy-efficient improvements. Consumer advocates also encourage customers to carefully review optional billing plans before switching, as some may cost more over time depending on energy usage.
Authorities in Florida say a Georgia prison inmate has admitted to posing as a sheriff’s deputy in a phone scam that stole money from a Palm Coast, Florida resident.
Residents in Trion could see no increase in property taxes or utility rates under the town’s proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.
The proposed budget totals approximately $14.7 million across all funds, a decrease of about 3.2 percent compared to the current fiscal year. According to Trion Town Clerk Missy Duncan, most of the reduction is tied to lower projected natural gas sales.
Duncan said Mount Vernon Mills, the town’s largest employer and largest natural gas customer, is expected to use less natural gas during the coming fiscal year based on projections from the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. Even with the anticipated decline in gas revenue, town officials are not proposing any increases in water, sewer, natural gas, sanitation, or property tax rates.
The proposed budget includes approximately $4.05 million for the General Fund, $5.21 million for the Gas Revenue Fund, $4.75 million for the Sewer and Wastewater Treatment Fund, $292,500 for the Water Fund, and $391,950 for the SPLOST Fund.
Town officials also expect to receive about $33,000 per month in Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) revenue, providing additional funding for transportation projects.
Residents will have an opportunity to review the proposed budget and offer comments during a public hearing before the budget is considered for final adoption
Families of children with special needs across Georgia are raising concerns after proposed Medicaid payment reductions could make it harder to access critical therapy services.
The City of Summerville is continuing work to improve how sludge from its wastewater treatment plant is handled, with officials reporting progress on a long-term solution.
The Chattooga High School Class of 1996 is making plans to celebrate its 30-year class reunion this fall.
Organizers are currently planning to hold the reunion on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and are encouraging classmates to reconnect and help spread the word to fellow graduates.
Those wishing to stay updated on reunion plans can join the Facebook group “CHS Class of 1996 – 30-Year Reunion.” The group will provide information about the event, including location, schedule, and other announcements as plans are finalized.
Classmates who are not on Facebook can contact reunion organizer Ben Sellers by email at nauticalarch@yahoo.com to receive updates and additional details.
Organizers encourage members of the Class of 1996 to reach out to former classmates and help make the reunion a memorable celebration.
Chattooga County transit services, administrative offices, and other county departments will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
County officials say the Chattooga County Transfer Station and county dump sites will remain open and operate on their regular schedules.
For emergencies or any issue requiring a county crew to be dispatched, residents should call 911.
County officials wished residents a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend and offered thanks to all who have served the country and those who continue working to protect America’s freedom.
