Residents of Northwest Georgia awoke to a chilly start today, with temperatures dipping below freezing in some areas. A freeze warning remained in effect until 10 AM. However, the cold snap is expected to be short-lived, as sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s are predicted for later today. Despite the pleasant afternoon forecast, a significant weather shift is on the horizon. A cold front, currently developing over the upper Mid-Western states, is expected to bring precipitation back to North Georgia around daybreak on Thursday. The front will linger throughout Thursday afternoon, bringing approximately an inch of rainfall to most of Northwest Georgia. The combination of daytime heating and available moisture raises the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has upgraded a significant portion of Northwest Georgia to a “slight risk” area (level 2 of 5) for severe weather. Isolated cells with hail and damaging winds are the primary concerns. Looking ahead to Thursday night, the threat of severe weather continues as a surface low advances from the Lower Midwest. Damaging wind gusts and hail remain the primary threats. The severe weather threat is expected to diminish overnight as instability decreases. Cooler temperatures and breezy northwest winds are expected on Friday following the front’s passage. The weekend is expected to bring a welcome reprieve with mostly clear skies and benign weather, though temperatures will be cooler than average.

Walker County is taking a firm stance against roadside litter, announcing increased enforcement of Georgia’s unsecured and uncovered load law (O.C.G.A. 40-6-248.1) this month. The move comes in response to growing concerns about trash accumulating along county roads. Starting April 7th, Walker County Code Enforcement officers will be issuing warnings to drivers operating vehicles with unsecured or uncovered loads. The grace period will allow residents to familiarize themselves with the law, which mandates that vehicles be constructed, loaded, or covered in a way that prevents any part of its cargo from dropping, escaping, or shifting in a manner that creates a safety hazard or deposits litter on public or private property. However, the warning period will be short-lived. On May 1st, the county will begin issuing citations to offenders. Repeat offenders will face progressive penalties, sending a clear message that Walker County is serious about keeping its roads clean and safe. Those found in violation of the law will be summoned to Walker County Magistrate Court, where they could face fines ranging from $100 to $1,000. In extreme cases, offenders may even be sentenced to up to 60 days in the Walker County Detention Center. Residents are urged to properly secure and cover all loads to avoid potential fines and contribute to a cleaner Walker County.

The Georgia Emergency Communications Authority (GECA) is joining 911 professionals statewide in recognizing April as 911 Education Month, a crucial time to emphasize the vital role of the 911 system and ensure Georgians understand how to effectively use it.

Read more

Samantha Hyatte, 37, of Dayton, Tennessee, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with the first 16 to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections, after pleading guilty to multiple charges stemming from a violent home invasion in Catoosa County. The sentencing, handed down by Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Melissa Hise, followed Hyatte’s guilty plea on February 25, 2025, to two counts of Home Invasion in the First Degree, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Armed Robbery.

Read more

Georgia drivers are feeling the pinch as gas prices have risen significantly over the past week. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline across the state now sits at $3.04, according to the latest data, a figure that could fluctuate daily. This average represents a 10-cent jump compared to last week, a 12-cent increase from a month ago, although it remains 29 cents lower than the price at this time last year. Filling a 15-gallon tank will now cost Georgians approximately $45.60, still nearly $5.00 less than it would have a year ago. “We were kind of expecting gas prices to rise in April since that’s when refineries do their tune-ups, which typically bump up the cost at the pump,” explained Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “However, there is also an unpredictable atmosphere surrounding tariffs and their impact on the global stage, which may push those prices even higher.” While the refinery maintenance season is a known factor, the potential for further increases due to global economic uncertainties is causing concern among analysts. Locally, gas prices in Chattooga County are averaging $3.06 per gallon, according to AAA.

A Calhoun man is in custody after allegedly stabbing another individual Sunday evening. Gordon County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Millstone Subdivision in Calhoun after receiving a call that a stabbing victim had arrived seeking help. Upon arrival, deputies and EMS personnel provided assistance to the victim, who was then transported by ambulance to a nearby medical facility for treatment of multiple stab wounds. The victim reported that the attack occurred while riding in a vehicle on Boone Ford Road. Following the assault, the victim managed to walk to the Millstone Subdivision to seek assistance. Acting on the victim’s description, deputies quickly located a suspect matching the description walking on Boone Ford Road. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Daniel Edward Woody of Calhoun, was taken into custody without incident. Investigators interviewed witnesses and collected physical evidence from the scene, including the knife believed to have been used in the assault. Woody has been charged with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Knife in the Commission of a Crime. He is currently being held at the Gordon County Jail. The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the victim is expected to make a full recovery.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, April 8, 2025:

Read more