Two Summerville residents, Traci Edwards and Samantha Witten, reported falling victim to a scam involving a fraudulent request for bond money from an individual impersonating a Chattooga County Jail official.
Eight adults were arrested in Bartow County on Thursday following an investigation into a one-year-old child who ingested methamphetamine. Bartow County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report from a Floyd County hospital regarding possible child abuse. According to authorities, a nurse reported that the child was being treated for methamphetamine ingestion, potentially in liquid form.
Travis Downie has been sentenced to 45 years in prison, with 18 years to be served without parole, after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges in Catoosa County Superior Court on February 25, 2025. The charges stemmed from an incident on May 26, 2024, where Downie fired multiple shots at a Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office patrol car on American Boulevard.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed several bills into law that he says ensures fairness in school sports, and will enhance student and teacher safety, and improve education quality in Georgia. Governor Kemp emphasized the importance of keeping children safe and providing them with a fair environment in schools, stating that girls should not have to share facilities with boys.
On Thursday, May 15th, the Chattooga County Ag building will be buzzing with the energy of over 300 fifth-grade students from every school in the county, as they participate in the annual “Ag Day.” This long-standing tradition offers students a hands-on experience, connecting them with Georgia’s leading industry: agriculture. Ag Day provides a crucial opportunity to showcase the vital role that agriculture plays not only in Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia but also across the entire state. Students will have the chance to engage directly with agricultural practices, ask questions, and learn from experts about the importance and impact of agriculture on their community and beyond. This interactive event promises an enriching experience for all participants. For those interested in getting involved and contributing to this year’s Ag Day, please contact Chattooga County Young Farmer Director Lauren Jarrett for more information.
Volunteers and stream cleanup organizers from Georgia gathered in Atlanta on April 24 to recognize the achievements of the Rivers Alive program, the state’s largest volunteer cleanup effort. The program aims to protect Georgia’s vast waterways, which exceed 70,000 miles. The Chattooga County 4-H program received one of the awards during this celebration.
Annual air quality restrictions will start soon for residents of northern Georgia. From May 1 to September 30, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will enforce a burning restriction in 54 counties to reduce smoke that can harm ozone levels in urban areas.
Two Northwest Georgia non-profits are calling on the community to donate gently-used items during their spring cleaning efforts. Habitat for Humanity – Coosa Valley, serving Chattooga, Floyd, and Polk Counties, and the Hospitality House for Women, Inc., are both seeking donations to support their respective missions.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, April 29, 2025:
Northwest Georgia residents can expect partly sunny skies today with a high near 82 degrees. Winds will be calm, becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Tonight, partly cloudy conditions will prevail with a low around 62. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 4 PM on Wednesday. The day will be mostly sunny with a high near 84. The chance of showers continues on Thursday, increasing to a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday night. Highs will remain near 84. Friday brings a 70 percent chance of precipitation with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 PM. Highs will drop slightly to near 80. Forecasters are tracking a mid-level low-pressure center over the four corners region. While a stationary frontal boundary remains across the north Florida panhandle, a second frontal boundary will approach from the north by early Wednesday. Temperatures will remain above normal through the period. Looking ahead to the long-term forecast, a cold front is expected to bring increasing shower and thunderstorm coverage by Friday, potentially lingering into Saturday. Cooler, drier conditions are favored late weekend into early next week. A shortwave lifting northeastward out of the Southern Plains will influence the area on Thursday. More widespread shower and thunderstorm coverage is anticipated on Friday as the cold front pushes into the region. While a widespread severe risk is not currently expected, there is a limited strong/severe threat possible on Friday afternoon. Uncertainty remains regarding the front’s progression on Saturday. Dry and cooler weather is favored Sunday into early next week.