The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for only the second time in its history as blood donations continue to fall well below hospital demand.
The Community Resource Center’s 2026 Back to School Bash helped 500 students from Trion and Chattooga County prepare for the new school year.
According to Maisha Ludy, each student received a backpack filled with school supplies. Families also had access to additional community resources designed to help them begin the school year with the support they need.
Organizers thanked the volunteers, community partners, donors and others who contributed their time, resources and encouragement to make the event possible.
Ludy said the strong community support made a meaningful difference for local children and families as students prepared to return to the classroom.
The annual event reflects the Community Resource Center’s continued commitment to serving families throughout Trion and Chattooga County.
The owner of a used car lot in Summerville has pleaded guilty in Chattooga County Superior Court to a serious injury by vehicle charge stemming from a February 2024 traffic crash that left a local woman with significant injuries.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, July 27, 2026:
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should be prepared for a mix of thunderstorms and dangerous heat over the coming week, according to the National Weather Service.
Chattooga County recorded an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in the latest report from the Georgia Department of Labor, the highest rate among the nine Northwest Georgia counties included in the regional report.
A Lyerly woman has been indicted by a Chattooga County Grand Jury on charges related to child sexual abuse material and bestiality following a joint investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
The Chattooga High School Class of 1996 is making plans for its 30-year class reunion, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, October 3.
Classmates are encouraged to join the Facebook group “CHS Class of 1996 – 30-Year Reunion” to stay informed about plans and additional details.
Those who are not on Facebook may contact Ben Sellers by email at nauticalarch@yahoo.com for more information.
Organizers are asking classmates to help spread the word so as many members of the Class of 1996 as possible can be included.
Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden will once again host Finster Fest 2026 on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, bringing artists, music, food and family activities to Summerville.
The annual festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Paradise Garden, 200 North Lewis Street.
Festival organizers say this year’s event will feature more than 60 folk artists and craftsmen from across Georgia and around the country, showcasing paintings, pottery, sculpture, stained glass, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork and other handmade creations. Several artists will be exhibiting at Finster Fest for the first time, while others are returning after previous appearances.
In addition to the artist market, Finster Fest will include live music, Southern food, children’s art activities, guest speakers and special exhibits throughout the weekend. A list of performing musicians will be announced closer to the festival.
Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, one of Northwest Georgia’s best-known folk art attractions, draws visitors from across the nation each year to celebrate the legacy of the internationally recognized artist and minister.
Additional information and updates are available through the Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden Facebook page.
A growing number of Georgia drivers are making car payments of $1,000 or more each month, according to a new LendingTree analysis, placing Georgia fourth in the nation for borrowers carrying four-figure auto loan payments.
The study found that 12% of Georgians with active auto loans have at least one monthly payment of $1,000 or more. Only Texas, Alaska and Wyoming ranked higher. Nationwide, the figure is 9.6%. The analysis was based on approximately 180,000 anonymized credit reports from the fourth quarter of 2025.
Consumer finance experts say several factors are driving the trend in Georgia, including higher vehicle prices, elevated interest rates, the popularity of larger trucks and SUVs, long commuting distances and lower average credit scores, which can result in higher borrowing costs.
LendingTree Chief Consumer Finance Analyst Matt Schulz cautioned that qualifying for a large auto loan does not necessarily mean it’s affordable. He recommends buyers focus on the total cost of the vehicle rather than just the monthly payment, avoid unnecessarily long loan terms and purchase less vehicle than they think they can afford whenever possible.