UPDATED 1:51 PM – THURSDAY

Here are closings and cancellations due to the Tropical Storm Warning in Northwest Georgia:

Chattooga County Schools – Closed Friday

Trion City Schools – Closed Friday

Rome City Schools – Friday

Floyd County Schools – Friday

Walker County Schools – Friday

Georgia Highlands College – Friday

Georgia Northwestern Technical College – Friday

Chattooga County Senior Center –  Friday

Trion Recreation Center – Closed Friday – Plan to reopen at Noon on Saturday

Trion Town Hall – Closed Friday

Walker County Commissioners Meeting – Postponed for Thursday

Truist Bank in Summerville – Closing at 3 PM on Thursday

Regions Bank in Summerville – Closing at 3 PM Thursday

The lobby of Chattooga DFCS will be closed THURSDAY and FRIDAY.  Reports of child abuse and neglect can be made to 1-855-GACHILD.  Please visit gateway.ga.gov to apply for benefits or check on your benefits case.  The lobby will re-open at 9 AM on Monday.

Chattooga County Governmental Offices will be closed on Friday

Redmond Family Care in Trion will be closed Friday morning and may reopen at 1 PM depending on conditions.

Summerville City Offices will be closed on Friday

The Chattooga County Health Department will be closed on Friday

Dr. Jeff Appelbaum would like his patients to know that Summerville Chiropractic will be closed tomorrow, Sept. 27, and will re-open at 9am on Saturday, Sept. 28th, conditions permitting.

Showa will be closed on Friday

(Map as of 4 AM – Thursday, September 26, 2024)

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Chattooga County and all of Northwest Georgia, signaling that residents in the affected areas should be prepared for potentially hazardous weather conditions in the coming hours and days. The latest local forecast indicates the potential for wind speeds ranging from 39 to 57 miles per hour, which falls within the typical range for a tropical storm. While this wind threat has remained relatively steady from previous assessments, it still poses a significant risk that requires careful planning and preparation. Residents should make plans to protect their property, securing loose items and reinforcing vulnerable structures like porches, awnings, and mobile homes. Power outages are also possible, with the potential for downed trees, large limbs, and damaged fences and road signs. Driving conditions could become treacherous, especially on bridges and elevated roadways.

The more pressing concern, however, is the threat of major flooding rainfall. A flood watch is currently in effect, with the potential for an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain, with even higher localized amounts. This extreme rainfall could lead to widespread, dangerous flooding, with many evacuations and rescues likely. Tributaries, streams, and small waterways may rapidly overflow their banks, turning into raging rivers that threaten nearby communities. Flood control systems could become overwhelmed, allowing floodwaters to inundate homes, businesses, and escape routes. Driving would become extremely hazardous, with many roads and bridges washed out or submerged. Residents in flood-prone areas should be taking protective actions now, as failure to do so could result in serious injury or loss of life.

Fortunately, the situation appears unfavorable for the development of tornadoes, with the tornado threat remaining low. However, residents should still remain vigilant and monitor the latest forecasts, as showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur.

Residents should take the necessary precautions by staying informed, and heeding any official warnings.

As the federal farm bill approaches its expiration date this month, Georgia’s Black farmers find themselves in a precarious position, facing the prospect of a steep decline in farm profits. For decades, these farmers have endured a tragic history of racial discrimination at the hands of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leaving them uniquely vulnerable to the economic challenges that now loom on the horizon. Despite past efforts at reform, including a landmark 1999 class action lawsuit where Black farmers sued the USDA for denying them access to crucial low-interest grants and loans, the scars of this systemic injustice remain.

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The City of Summerville has issued a request for bids for a new public works building fence project. This competitive bidding process is seeking qualified contractors to submit detailed proposals for constructing a fence around the new public works building located adjacent to the Summerville Industrial Park off Highway 100.

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Georgia Highlands College (GHC) will offer its 10th baccalaureate degree – a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Communication – starting in fall 2025.

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North Georgia EMC (NGEMC) says scammers are trying to steal personal information from the electric co-op’s members. Email scams targeting utility customers like those from NGEMC are a common tactic used by malicious actors to steal sensitive information and financial credentials. In this particular scam, the scammers have spoofed the email address of one of NGEMC’s automated notification services in order to send messages prompting recipients to log in to another utility account to “avoid disconnection.”

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A twenty-eight-year-old Summerville woman was charged with obstruction of law enforcement officers after an incident in a traffic stop, according to a report released this week by the Summerville Police Department.

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The Georgia National Fair has unveiled an impressive and diverse lineup of musical acts set to take the stage during this year’s highly anticipated event. Kicking things off on Thursday, October 3rd, is the iconic country duo the Bellamy Brothers, known for their string of chart-topping hits like “Let Your Love Flow” and “Redneck Girl.” The following night, acclaimed country star Josh Turner will captivate the crowd with his rich, resonant vocals and beloved songs like the smash single “Your Man.”

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UPDATE: This event has been postponed until October 12, 2024.

The Friends of Shelby are rallying together to host a community yard sale, with all proceeds going towards Shelby’s mounting medical expenses and travel costs as she bravely battles a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer known as Diffused Astrocytoma IDH-Mutant.

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