City Of Summerville Launches Water Bill Protection Plan

The City of Summerville has launched a new Water Bill Protection Plan designed to help residents avoid unexpected spikes in their water bills caused by major leaks.

City Manager Jason Winters said the city has occasionally received complaints about unusually high water bills caused by leaks that went undetected for several days. The new program is intended to provide a safety net for customers in those situations while still encouraging residents to monitor their water usage.

Officials say the protection plan is designed to help cover situations where a major leak runs for several days before being discovered, which can cause water usage to increase dramatically. City leaders note that similar programs are offered in many other cities and say the plan is meant to provide peace of mind for residents while helping protect them from extremely high utility bills.

Chattooga High School Announces Athletic Schedule For March 16–21

Chattooga High School has released its athletic schedule for the week of March 16 through March 21, featuring several home and away competitions for baseball, soccer, tennis, and track and field.

Read more

Trion City Schools receives GAEL Vision Award for Educator Development

Trion City Schools has been recognized with the 2025–2026 GAEL Vision Award, an honor that highlights school districts across Georgia that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting and encouraging professional development for educators.

Read more

Arrest Report – Saturday – March 14, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, March 14, 2026

Read more

Warm Saturday for Chattooga County before Storm Threat Monday and Hard Freeze Next Week

Chattooga County and the rest of northwest Georgia will get one more dry and unusually warm day today before a much more active stretch of weather arrives Sunday and Monday, followed by a sharp blast of cold air that could bring widespread freezing temperatures by the middle of next week. Forecasters say today will stay sunny, dry, and very mild, with afternoon temperatures climbing well into the 70s and possibly nearing 80 degrees in parts of northwest Georgia. That will make today the warmest and quietest day in the forecast before conditions begin changing quickly.

Read more

Georgia Net Tax Collections Dip Slightly in February, Remain Up for Fiscal Year

Georgia’s net tax collections totaled $2.12 billion in February, a slight decrease of 0.1% compared to February of last year.

Even with that small monthly decline, the state remains ahead overall for the fiscal year. Through the first eight months of the budget year, Georgia has collected about $21.88 billion, an increase of 1.6% over the same period a year ago.

The biggest drop in February came from individual income tax collections, which fell 4.1%. Higher tax refunds were a major factor in that decline, even as withholding payments showed a slight increase.

At the same time, sales tax collections moved higher, providing one of the brighter spots in the report. Motor fuel tax revenues also increased from the same month last year.

Meanwhile, corporate income tax collections posted a sharp decline for the month. The state also reported smaller decreases in motor vehicle tag, title and fee collections.

Despite the mixed results in February, Georgia’s overall revenue picture remains positive for the year so far, with collections continuing to run ahead of last fiscal year’s pace.

 

UGA Extension Offering Diabetes Cooking School Series In Chattooga County

The University of Georgia Extension – Chattooga County is inviting residents to participate in a Learning to Live With Diabetes” Cooking School Series, designed to help individuals better manage diabetes and other chronic health conditions through healthier cooking and nutrition choices.

The 2026 Lunch and Learn Series will cover several topics including label reading and portion control, sweeteners, carbohydrates and fiber, hypertension and sodium, and modifying recipes for healthier alternatives. Classes will be held Wednesdays from noon until 1:30 p.m. beginning March 25 and continuing through April 22.

Each class costs $15 and includes lunch. Sessions will take place at the Chattooga County Extension Office, 40 Middle School Road in Summerville. To register, residents can call 706-857-0744 or email rbt@uga.edu.

IRS Extends Office Hours At Taxpayer Assistance Centers During Filing Season

The Internal Revenue Service has announced extended weekly office hours at more than 200 Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country to give taxpayers more time to receive in-person help during filing season. The expanded weekday hours will remain in place through Thursday, April 30.

Taxpayers can find out whether a nearby Taxpayer Assistance Center is offering extended hours by using the TAC Locator tool on IRS.gov. The online tool provides office locations, directions, available services, and information about extended hours.

In addition to longer weekday hours, many Taxpayer Assistance Centers will also be open on select Saturdays through June 2026. During those Saturday hours, taxpayers can access all regularly available TAC services except for making cash payments. The IRS encourages taxpayers to check the website regularly because participating locations and available hours may change without notice.

Carrie Rowe Named Chattooga County School District Teacher Of The Year

Leroy Massey Elementary School is celebrating one of its own after Mrs. Carrie Rowe was named Chattooga County School District Teacher of the Year.

School officials shared the announcement on social media, congratulating Rowe and thanking her for her dedication to students and the school community. Leroy Massey Elementary said they are grateful for her continued commitment to supporting students, fellow educators, and the community.

District Teacher of the Year honors are awarded to educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, leadership within their schools, and a strong commitment to student success.

Sheriff Schrader Joins National Warning About “764” Threat Targeting Children Online

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is joining law enforcement agencies across the country in warning parents about a violent online extremist network known as “764,” which authorities say targets minors through social media, gaming platforms, and private chat features.

Read more