Mr. David Wayne Guenther, age 82 of Lafayette, Georgia, formerly Ft. Myers, Florida, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the local emergency department.
Mr. Guenther was born in Zumbroto, Minnesota on October 21, 1943, son of the late Bernhard Joseph Guenther and Dorothy Therese Laque Guenther. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country for over 27 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Guenther was a good husband, father and master piddler. He enjoyed collecting Die Cast John Deere Tractors and going to swap meets. Mr. Guenther had attended the Lafayette First Baptist Church and was of the Catholic Faith.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Guenther was preceded in death by four brothers, Gerald Guenther, Robert Guenther, Bernie Guenther and Mike Guenther; and a grandson, Kenny Brown.
Mr. Guenther is survived by his wife of 46 years, Shirley Guenther; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Peggy Hooper; daughters and son-in-law, Beverly Hooper and Linda and Mike McCrary; sisters, Marie Robinson, Eileen Bauers and Betty Miller; 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services for Mr. Guenther will be held Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with his son-in-law, Mike McCrary officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park.
Mr. Guenther’s family will meet and receive friends following the memorial service Sunday.
Mr. David Ray Parris, age 58 of Summerville, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026 in a Rome hospital.
David was born in Rome, Georgia on February 14, 1968, son of the late Donnie Ray Parris and Patricia Elaine Bowers Parris. He was an avid football fan, enjoyed watching and making TikToks. David enjoyed playing horse shoes, music and fishing, but his favorite activity was hanging out with his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a sister, Allison Elaine Abernathy.
David is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Zach Parris and Brandon and Brittany Parris; daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Will Lamb; sister, Shannon Trammell(Mark Reed); brother, Jason Parris; nieces, Lexie Parris, Keyli Parris, Lacie Trammell, Lynn Trammell, and Haley Fowler and nephews, Ladon Trammell, Josh Baine and Danny Baine; and five grandchildren.
David’s family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
The 52nd Annual Sum Nelly Festival is still on for Saturday, October 3, but organizers are making several significant changes because of anticipated weather conditions.
A small earthquake was recorded early Wednesday morning just north of the Chattooga-Walker County line in the Cloudland area of Northwest Georgia.
The Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis recorded the magnitude 1.97 earthquake at 4:25 AM Wednesday, September 30. The earthquake had a reported depth of about 3.2 miles.
Coordinates provided for the earthquake — 34.631 degrees north and 85.440 degrees west — place the epicenter just inside Walker County, north of the Chattooga County line and closer to the Pigeon Mountain area.
The location can still be described locally as the Cloudland area, which extends beyond the community itself and includes portions of the Lookout Mountain area in Chattooga, Walker and Dade counties.
The earthquake was reported by CERI as approximately 10.4 miles north of Menlo.
At just under magnitude 2.0, Wednesday’s earthquake was relatively small and would not normally be expected to cause damage. People close to the epicenter, however, may have noticed a brief vibration or rumbling.
It is also the second small earthquake recorded near Chattooga County in a little more than a month. A magnitude 2.08 earthquake was recorded about one-half mile west of Trion on August 24.
Residents who felt Wednesday morning’s earthquake can report what they experienced through the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Did You Feel It?” system.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, September 30, 2026:
Chattooga County will close out September with sunshine and temperatures well above normal, but a major change in the weather pattern is expected by the weekend.
The National Weather Service says Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 89 degrees. Winds will be light, becoming southeast around 5 mph during the afternoon. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 61.
Forecasters say Wednesday’s temperatures across the region will run approximately 8 to 12 degrees above normal for the final day of September.
The warm weather continues Thursday with sunshine and a high near 90. Friday could be even warmer, with a high near 91 before moisture begins returning to the area. A 30% chance of showers develops Friday afternoon, increasing to 50% Friday night.
A much wetter pattern is expected for the weekend.
The chance of rain increases to 70% Saturday, with showers likely and thunderstorms possible during the afternoon. Rain chances climb to 80% Saturday night and Sunday.
The National Weather Service says Sunday will need to be watched for the possibility of stronger thunderstorms as a weather system moves through the region. Forecasters caution that details concerning the strength of the storms could change as the weekend gets closer.
Heavy rainfall could also become a concern. Current guidance indicates several inches of rain could be possible from Friday into early next week, potentially creating a risk of flash flooding in parts of north Georgia.
Temperatures will turn noticeably cooler behind the system. Sunday’s high is forecast near 78, followed by highs around 76 Monday and 74 Tuesday.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday
A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 78. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Chattooga County is moving forward with a new round of bidding for the first phase of renovations to the historic Tooga Theatre in downtown Summerville, with contractors invited to a pre-bid meeting Thursday morning.