
A new Georgia law designed to reduce educational disruptions for children in foster care is now in effect, requiring public schools to enroll foster students within three school business days of a request for enrollment.

A new Georgia law designed to reduce educational disruptions for children in foster care is now in effect, requiring public schools to enroll foster students within three school business days of a request for enrollment.

Fifteen students graduated from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker program during a ceremony held Wednesday, July 15, at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.

Coming up tomorrow, the City of Summerville will welcome residents and visitors downtown for a Multicultural Market and special train arrival celebration at the historic Summerville Depot.
The free community event will be held Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will celebrate friendship, international cultures and foods from around the world.
Special seating will be available inside the depot’s freight room, where visitors can enjoy food and entertainment throughout the day.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum passenger train is expected to arrive at the Summerville Depot between 12:30 and 1 p.m. The arrival will be followed by the turning of the steam engine on the Summerville Turntable, an event that is especially popular with railroad enthusiasts.
The public is invited to welcome arriving passengers and take part in the celebration. Organizers hope the event will encourage friendship, positivity and a shared commitment to making the community and the world a better place.
For more information, visit the City of Summerville’s Facebook event page or contact Summerville Main Street at 706-859-0900.

Chattooga Curtain Call is preparing to bring the Broadway musical Newsies Jr. to the stage later this month, continuing its long-standing tradition of providing local students with opportunities to perform and develop their talents in the performing arts.
The production features a cast of area students who have spent the summer rehearsing the high-energy musical, which is based on the true story of the 1899 New York City newsboys’ strike. The family-friendly show follows a group of young newspaper sellers who band together to stand up for fair treatment while learning valuable lessons about courage, friendship and teamwork.
Chattooga Curtain Call, a local nonprofit organization, has spent more than a decade offering theater experiences for students throughout Chattooga County and surrounding communities. In addition to entertaining audiences, the organization provides young performers with training in acting, singing and stage performance while helping keep the performing arts thriving locally.
Newsies Jr. performances are July 31st at 7:00pm and Aug. 1st at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are $10. You can purchase tickets via Venmo @Chattooga-Curtain-Call. You will receive confirmation with ticket numbers and your tickets will be held for you at the door. You can also purchase tickets at the door with cash/check. All performances will be held at Connect City Church.

Pet owners in Chattooga County have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for spay and neuter surgeries through a partnership between Animal Advocates of Chattooga County and My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic.
The program helps cover a portion of the cost of spay or neuter surgery and a rabies vaccination for dogs and cats owned by Chattooga County residents. Surgeries will be performed at My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic, located at 169 Waterfront Way in Dalton.
Pet owners must contact the veterinary clinic directly to schedule an appointment. Animal Advocates of Chattooga County is not able to schedule appointments.
A $40 deposit per pet is required when scheduling. Twenty dollars of that deposit will be refunded when the owner arrives for the appointment. Owners are responsible for any additional veterinary services their pet may need.
The program is limited to 10 pets per household and is available while funding lasts. If a pet is pregnant, owners are asked to notify the clinic when scheduling.
To schedule an appointment, call My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic at 706-671-1104, option 4.

AdventHealth celebrated the official opening of its new Cancer Pavilion in Rome with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, July 15, marking a major expansion of comprehensive cancer care in Northwest Georgia.

The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair has announced its entertainment lineup and event schedule for the 2026 fair, which will be held August 27 through August 30 at the Chattooga County Fairgrounds and Agricultural Center, located at 40 Middle School Drive in Summerville.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, July 16, 2026:

The annual Back to School Bash is happening today, Thursday, July 16, from 4 until 6 p.m. at Chattooga High School.
Coordinator Maisha Ludy says organizers are ready to welcome students and families for an afternoon of free activities, food and back-to-school resources.
Students attending the event can receive free backpacks and school supplies. Free hot dogs and shaved ice will also be available, along with music provided by DJ Marty Mar.
Four local barbers will offer free simple haircuts, while Primary Health Care will provide school-required Form 3300 paperwork. High for Sight will also offer free vision screenings for children ages 8 through 18.
Organizers emphasize that children must be present to receive a backpack and school supplies.
The Back to School Bash is open to students who attend Chattooga County Schools and Trion City Schools.
Ludy thanked the community, volunteers and participating organizations for helping make the event possible as local students prepare for the beginning of another school year.

The number of immigrant children entering Georgia’s foster care system has increased significantly over the past year as federal immigration enforcement actions have intensified, placing additional demands on the state’s child welfare system.