Advance Voting Continues Through Friday of this Week

Advance voting continues this week for voters in the 53rd Georgia State Senate District and the U.S. House 14th Congressional District.  Voters in Chattooga County can vote early at the Chattooga County Registrars Office, located at 10017 Commerce Street, just south of the Chattooga County Courthouse.  Voting takes place from 8:30 AM – 5 PM.  Voters should bring a valid, government-issued I.D. when they come to vote. Advance voting ends this Friday, March 6, 2026.  The Special Election will be held next Tuesday, March 10, 2026.  On Election Day, all voters will vote in their local precinct.

Trion City Schools Seeking Student Advocacy Specialist for 2026–2027 School Year

Trion City Schools Hiring Student Advocacy Specialist; Applications Due March 6

WZQZ News — Trion City Schools is now accepting applications for a Student Advocacy Specialist for the 2026–2027 school year.

The district says the job is part-time, with a maximum of 20 hours per week, and the person hired will focus on helping identify and support students who may be struggling with mental or behavioral health concerns.

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Miss Trion Pageant Registration Deadline March 6; Pageant Set for March 14

The Pride of Trion Marching Band is reminding the community that there’s only one week left to register for the Miss Trion Pageant or sign on as an event sponsor.

Organizers say the registration and sponsorship deadline is Friday, March 6, and the pageant will be held Saturday, March 14.

Registration is available online through the Trion High School Band Boosters website. Paper registration forms are also available in the school office and can be turned in at the office with payment.

In addition to contestants, organizers say they are still seeking sponsors to help make the event a success, with sponsorship options available online.

New Cherokee County, Alabama Courthouse Nearing Completion; Grand Opening Targeted for April

Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Cherokee County Courthouse | Cherokee County Alabama

A major new landmark for Cherokee County, Alabama could officially open as soon as April, as contractors and the project architect complete final touchups on the county’s new courthouse.

The 37,500-square-foot facility, describing it as “state of the art” in both design and functionality. From its exterior appearance to the elegant interior finishes and upgraded courtroom technology, officials say the building is something Cherokee County residents can be proud of.

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Georgia DOE Launches Reading Readiness Dashboard; 65% of Third Graders Reading on Grade Level

The Georgia Department of Education has unveiled a Reading Readiness Dashboard designed to give parents, educators, and community members clear access to statewide data on student literacy.

State officials say the online dashboard makes it easier to view students’ grade-level reading status across Georgia, broken down by grade level and subgroup.

The tool uses the Georgia Milestones assessment’s Grade-Level Reading Indicator, which assigns students a Lexile score based on their performance on reading questions in the English Language Arts assessment. The indicator is aligned with the State Literacy Metric adopted by the State Board of Education, as required by the Georgia Early Literacy Act.

Users can click the “by subgroup” tab to view statewide percentages of students reading at or above grade level, then filter by subgroup or adjust the grade level or course being viewed.

According to the dashboard, 65 percent of Georgia third-grade students are currently reading at or above grade level.

State education leaders say the goal is to ensure transparency and provide families and communities with accessible data to better understand reading readiness and support literacy efforts across Georgia schools.

Trion City Schools’ Jason Lanham Named Region 7A–DII Athletic Director of the Year at 2026 GADA Conference

The 2026 Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA) Conference wrapped up in Athens, Georgia — the “Classic City” — after a multi-day gathering held from February 27 through March 2, 2026.

The annual conference is the largest statewide event for athletic administrators, bringing together school leaders from across Georgia for networking, professional development, and recognition of excellence in athletic programs — including honors such as Athletic Director of the Year awards.

Among this year’s recipients, Trion City Schools Athletic Director Jason Lanham was recognized as Athletic Director of the Year for Region 7A–DII, representing Northwest Georgia on the statewide stage.

Lanham credited the Trion community for the honor, saying he is “extremely grateful” to be supported by his school system, administrators, coaches, athletes, and students — emphasizing the team effort behind successful athletic programs.

City of Summerville Seeks Bids for Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion; Deadline Friday, March 6

The City of Summerville is now accepting sealed bids for the construction and installation of an Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion, with a submission deadline set for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Bids must be delivered to City of Summerville, 120 Georgia Ave., Summerville, GA 30747 by the deadline. City officials emphasize that late bids will not be accepted or considered, and the city will not be responsible for delays caused by the postal service, carriers, or other delivery issues.

Bids will be opened publicly at 2:00 p.m. on March 6 in the City Hall Council Room, and the contents will be made public for interested respondents and others properly involved. Officials note the bid will not be awarded immediately, allowing designated city officials time to review submissions.

All bids must remain valid for 60 business days and are subject to the conditions outlined in the bid document.

To be considered, submissions must be in sealed envelopes with “RFB-2026-120-Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion” clearly marked on the outside for identification.

“Stranger Things” Fans Flocking to Rome; New Film-Location Tour Set to Launch Next Month

One of Netflix’s biggest hits is continuing to draw tourists to Rome, and local leaders are working to turn quick photo stops into longer visits that benefit downtown businesses.

Tourism officials say the “Creel House” from Stranger Things — known locally as the Claremont House on Second Avenue — has become a major attraction. Last year, an estimated 5,000 fans visited the house, and so far this year, about 2,000 visitors have already made the trip.

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Georgia Gas Prices Climb to $2.78; Chattooga County Still Below State Average

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Rising global tensions and seasonal fuel changes are pushing gas prices higher across Georgia, with drivers beginning to feel the impact at the pump.

The statewide average now stands at $2.78 per gallon, up nine cents from last week and 12 cents higher than last month. Despite the recent increase, prices remain 16 cents lower than this time last year.

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Arrest Report – Monday – March 2, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, March 2, 2026:

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