Students across the Chattooga County School District returned to classrooms today, marking the official start of the 2025-2026 academic year. The new school year opened with an optimistic message from Superintendent Michelle Helie, Ed.D., emphasizing the district’s commitment to community, excellence, and student success.
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Northwest Georgia experienced a slight increase in its unemployment rate for June, rising three-tenths of a point to 3.5% over the month. This uptick comes as the region navigates typical seasonal fluctuations, though one county, Chattooga, saw an unusually sharp increase in initial unemployment claims.
What began as an attempt to serve an arrest warrant for another individual unexpectedly led to the drug-related arrest of a Summerville man on Thursday evening. Raleigh Leon Styles, 63, was taken into custody after deputies allegedly discovered methamphetamine and fentanyl in his vehicle.
Trion City Schools has announced a revised start date for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, pushing back the first day of school to Monday, August 4, 2025. The decision, communicated by Supt. Dr. Phil Williams on Thursday, stems from ongoing construction projects aimed at enhancing campus safety and functionality.
Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading food companies, will invest $400 million to construct a new prepared foods operation in Walker County, creating more than 630 new jobs.
Authorities are continuing their investigation after two badly decomposed adult bodies were discovered Tuesday night in a residence near Chattooga High School on Lyerly Highway, leaving many questions unanswered about their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, July 24, 2025:
Residents across Northwest Georgia should prepare for isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening, bringing potential for gusty winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall that could lead to nuisance flooding.
The Town of Trion will hold their regular meeting this evening at Trion Town Hall. On the agenda for tonight, council members will hear from Kristin Croy, who will be seeking a donation for the annual Chattooga County Agricultural Fair that will be held next month. Also, council members will be introduced to JD Holland, a new employee at the Trion Wastewater Treatment Plant. The council will also be discussing the purchase of new bleachers for the Trion Recreation Department. The council is also expected to set the dates for qualifying for Town Council Seats 1, 2 and 3 and qualifying for Trion Mayor. You can see a complete agenda for tonight’s meeting below:
Runners looking to embrace the wild beauty and challenging terrain of Northwest Georgia’s trails can mark their calendars: The popular Twisted Ankle Trail Races are set to return to James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park on September 13, 2025. Featuring 5K, 10-mile, and half-marathon (13.1-mile) distances, early registration for this much-anticipated event is open now exclusively on Ultrasignup.
