Northwest Georgia will have pleasant, dry weather in the coming days with little to no rain expected due to a dry continental air mass and a high-pressure ridge. Hurricane Milton will make landfall in central Florida but is not expected to have a significant impact on Georgia, with only a few isolated showers possible in east-central areas. A cold front near the Florida panhandle will block tropical moisture, causing minimal rainfall. As Milton moves into the Atlantic on Thursday, drier air will push westward, lowering dew points and temperatures. Highs will be in the upper 70’s to low 80’s, with lows in the low 40’s to low 50’s. The long-term forecast calls for continued dry and pleasant conditions, with temperatures in the low to mid-70’s and low humidity. Sunshine and ideal outdoor activity conditions are expected.

Pickup truck loaded with water from Chattooga County delivered to Coffee County last week by Chattooga Young Farmers

Farmers in southeast Georgia are struggling to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, the most destructive and costly hurricane the region has ever seen, surpassing even Hurricane Katrina. The storm, which struck last week, brought with it a foot of rain and hurricane-force winds of 125 mph, causing widespread damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure. The epicenter of the storm’s impact was Coffee County, where 30 tornadoes touched down during the hurricane, further compounding the damage.

Last week, Chattooga County Young Farmers gathered donations and took them to Coffee County to help farmers who had been impacted by the storm.  Chattooga Young Farmer Director Lauren Jarrett told WZQZ News that the devastation from the storm was widespread and catastrophic for multiple farmers.

The impact of Hurricane Helene will be felt for years to come, with many farmers facing a long road to rebuild and recover from the devastating losses. They are calling on state and federal officials to provide immediate disaster assistance to help them get back on their feet.

Chattooga Young Farmers are holding their meeting for October this evening at the Chattooga County Ag Building and will be discussing more ways to help farmers in areas of the state impacted by the hurricane.

Dirt Town Deli and General Store in Gore is accepting donations of new or gently worn coats and new blankets for Hurricane Victims in North Carolina.  Area residents can drop off donations during the store’s regular business hours.  If you have any questions, contact Dirt Town Deli at 706-857-1589.

As the November elections approach, Georgia voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a significant measure that could impact homeowners across the state: a proposed statewide homestead exemption. This initiative aims to provide property tax relief to homeowners, making it a central topic of discussion in the lead-up to the election.

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Amalfi Cucina & Mercato, a traditional Italian restaurant, welcomes hurricane evacuees traveling into the area to visit their establishments to enjoy a hot meal and simply Pay What You Can on the food portion of their bill (excluding alcoholic beverages). This offer is valid at both restaurant locations (downtown Atlanta and Buckhead) to anyone in the area that has been displaced by mandatory evacuations. Guests only need to ask for a manager when the bill arrives and show a valid ID from one of the hurricane areas affected. 

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The Floyd County Commission has approved a 90-day moratorium on commercial poultry and feedlots due to an increase in requests to the Rome-Floyd Planning Department. The Commission Chair, Allison Watters, emphasized the need to pause and assess what is best for the county. Plans for eight chicken houses were approved, but they are situated far from residences on a 100-acre property. The County Attorney, Chris Jackson, highlighted differences in zoning regulations for commercial chicken operations compared to neighboring counties, prompting a review to align with them. Discussions among commissioners focused on ensuring new regulations are not overly restrictive to the agricultural community. Jackson suggested increasing the distance from property lines for commercial chicken houses to 1,000 feet and considering proximity to streams and schools. Existing operations are not affected by the moratorium, including the property on Bethel Church Road with approved new buildings.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, October 9, 2024:

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Hometown Headlines in Rome reports that Andy Welborn celebrated his family’s five decades of auto sales in Northwest Georgia by purchasing the Nissan dealership on the bypass across from Unity Christian School from Shottenkirk and re-branding it as “Riverside. ” The temporary signage is up, with plans for a remodel over the next two years. The Riverside group, led by T. J. Forsyth and Corey Dowdy, with John Arrington serving as executive manager, will operate the Nissan campus. This acquisition adds to Riverside Auto Group’s existing dealerships in Rome and Cartersville. Welborn, a third-generation auto salesperson, emphasized the company’s commitment to the region and its values. He highlighted the growth in Cartersville and residential construction in Rome as key factors in the purchase. Welborn reassured the Nissan staff that the Riverside team is there to stay.

The American Red Cross continues to work to restock critically needed blood products uncollected due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the Southeast. Donors outside of affected areas are encouraged to make an appointment to give now and help keep the blood supply stable in the weeks to come.

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