A developing winter storm is expected to affect parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic late Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing the potential for heavier snow and travel impacts mainly to areas east of Northwest Georgia. Forecast guidance continues to point the most significant winter weather toward the eastern Carolinas and into southern Virginia, with confidence increasing for impactful snowfall in those regions.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, January 28, 2026:
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will continue to feel the grip of a dry and chilly weather pattern as high pressure and steady northwest to west winds keep moisture confined to the Gulf of Mexico. High-level cirrus clouds drifting overhead from passing disturbances aloft will come and go, but sunshine breaking through later today should allow afternoon temperatures to rise into the lower 40s to lower 50s across lower elevations, while mountain areas remain colder in the 30s. Another increase in cloud cover is expected Thursday morning, though temperatures should remain similar or slightly warmer than today.
Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding residents that about 1,900 parcels remain unpaid for 2025 property taxes that were due December 10, 2025. Hampton says delinquent letters will be mailed out this week and encourages anyone who may have missed a bill to make payment soon to avoid added costs.
Flu activity across the United States is beginning to decline, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but emergency room visits among school-aged children are increasing.
Georgia Highlands College has signed a new agreement with the University of West Georgia that allows students to be enrolled at both institutions at the same time, creating an easier transfer process and guaranteeing admission to UWG for qualified students.
Drivers across Georgia are seeing slightly higher prices at the pump as severe winter weather continues to disrupt energy production nationwide. The state average gas price rose six cents to $2.70 per gallon on Monday, with additional fluctuations possible in the days ahead.
Current prices are six cents higher than last week, the same as one month ago, and 26 cents lower than this time last year. For motorists filling up a standard 15-gallon tank, the average cost now comes in at approximately $40.50.
AAA says colder temperatures are playing a key role in the recent uptick. “Colder weather has pushed fuel costs up, leading to slightly higher gas prices across the state even though demand hasn’t changed,” said Montrae Waiters, spokesperson for AAA–The Auto Club Group. Officials are also urging drivers to limit travel until weather conditions improve and roads are safer.
Nationally, the average gas price also edged higher, increasing four cents to $2.86 per gallon. While winter weather kept many drivers off the roads, gasoline demand typically reaches its lowest levels this time of year, helping keep crude oil prices in the high-$50 to low-$60 range. Demand is expected to rise later in February and early March as warmer temperatures arrive and Spring Break travel begins.
Area gas price averages:
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating three individuals wanted in connection with the theft of three vehicles from a local car lot.
Chattooga County Scouts are inviting the community to take part in a drive-thru food drive as part of Scouting America’s annual “Scouting for Food” campaign. The event will be held Friday, February 7, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon on Ralph Stanley Drive in Summerville.
Cub Scout Pack 38 and Scouts BSA Troop 7 will be on site to collect nonperishable food donations. Residents are encouraged to simply drive through and drop off items without leaving their vehicles. Most-needed items include canned vegetables and fruit, canned meats such as tuna or chicken, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, cereal, boxed meals, and shelf-stable soups.
All donations will benefit the Chattooga Resource Center, helping provide food assistance to local families in need. Organizers say every donation makes a difference and thank the community for its continued support.
North Georgia EMC sent line crews to help restore power in other areas after Winter Storm Fern, using the mutual-aid network that electric cooperatives rely on when storms cause widespread damage. NGEMC said it has both provided and received assistance through this system in past emergencies.
After it became clear NGEMC’s service area missed the worst impacts of the storm, three NGEMC crews were dispatched Sunday to regions hit much harder. One crew assisted Amicalola EMC on Sunday before continuing on to Habersham EMC in northeast Georgia on Monday, January 26. Two additional crews traveled north to support Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative in Tennessee.
NGEMC asked residents to keep storm victims and the crews working long hours in their thoughts as recovery continued. North Georgia EMC serves 3,614 members in Chattooga County.
