Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, January 15, 2026:
Chattooga County and the rest of Northwest Georgia are in for a blustery, sharply colder day Thursday, January 15, 2026, as dry air pours in behind a cold front. Forecasters say northwest wind gusts of 20–30 mph will combine with very low humidity this afternoon, creating elevated fire danger conditions across North and Central Georgia.
Army Lt. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. has made history after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, a position newly elevated to a four-star rank. Carden becomes the first vice chief to wear four stars, and he will serve alongside National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus—marking the first time two four-star generals have led the bureau at the same time.
Local veteran advocate and former State Rep. Barbara Massey Reece noted the promotion is especially meaningful for Chattooga County, pointing to Carden’s long-standing presence at local Veterans Day and Vietnam Veterans events and his past service as Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard.
Carden most recently served as deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, helping coordinate homeland defense and military support for civil authorities. His career includes leadership roles in the Georgia National Guard, overseas assignments, and deployments to Iraq and Bosnia, along with multiple domestic response missions.
Chattooga High School is set to welcome future students and their families this evening for Rising Freshman Night for the Class of 2030, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on campus.
School officials say the event is designed to help incoming freshmen and their families get familiar with what life is like at Chattooga High School before the transition from middle school. Families who attend this evening will have the chance to tour the campus, meet staff, and get important information on what students can expect once they begin high school.
Organizers say Rising Freshman Night will also cover key topics including graduation requirements, class schedules, career pathways, athletics, and a variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities available to students. It’s also an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions and better understand expectations for the next four years.
Families of current eighth-grade students planning to attend Chattooga High School are encouraged to participate.
Cloudmont Ski Resort Watching Weather, Optimistically Targeting Saturday Opening on Lookout Mountain
Cloudmont Ski Resort on Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama says it’s watching conditions closely and, if the weather cooperates, is optimistically aiming for an opening day this Saturday, January 17. The resort plans to open at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is looking for career-minded applicants ready to take the next step with one of the largest technical colleges in the state. With more than 600 employees across six campuses, GNTC says it’s seeking talented professionals who want more than a job — they want a long-term career serving students, local industries, and communities across Northwest Georgia.
A Chattooga County man was arrested after a reported domestic dispute that authorities say involved calls to two nearby residences on January 9, 2026.
The arrest report lists the suspect as Ross Ladon Palmer, age 39, who was taken into custody on Jan. 9, 2026, and charged with simple assault.
According to the incident narrative, responders were dispatched to a residence on Kay Drive regarding a domestic situation, while another location on Fields Walk was also involved in the investigation. The report describes interviews with individuals connected to the call and outlines allegations that a confrontation took place, with accounts varying between those involved.
The narrative indicates the suspect was later contacted at another location, and the report notes that further investigation was expected, including reviewing any available video evidence, before a final decision was made on next steps in the case.
If one of your 2026 goals is to add more culture and creativity to your life, a close-to-home option is calling: Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, located in the Pennville Community in Chattooga County near Summerville.
The Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park is encouraging job seekers in Northwest Georgia and the Chattanooga area to explore multiple employment opportunities currently available in the park’s maintenance and resource management divisions. Applicants can view details and apply through USAJobs by visiting the park’s “Work With Us” page and selecting a specific position.
Details released this week in an incident report indicate a dispute that started with bickering inside Walmart and escalated into an argument over recording on a cellphone led to a physical fight at the Trion Walmart earlier this month.