A new wave of legal action over PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—is building across Northwest Georgia, and a lawsuit filed by Gordon County is adding fresh pressure on companies tied to the region’s carpet and chemical supply chain.
Shorter University welcomed middle school students from across Georgia as it hosted the Division B Regional competition for the 2025–2026 Georgia Science Olympiad.
The Georgia House of Representatives completed a busy fourth week of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers passed House Bill 973, the House’s version of the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support, is built on a revised $42.3 billion revenue estimate and includes $4.5 billion in surplus and new funding to support priorities through June 30, 2026.
Key investments in the amended budget include property tax relief through the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program, education funding for K–12 schools and higher education, and pay supplements for teachers, school staff, and early learning educators. The House also approved funding for HOPE and the new need-based DREAMS Scholarship, along with investments in school safety, mental health services, and workforce readiness initiatives.
The budget further prioritizes public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure, with funding for prison security upgrades, behavioral health facilities, rural healthcare access, and major transportation projects, including road resurfacing and rural bridge repairs. Lawmakers also heard the annual State of the Judiciary Address from Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson during the week.
In addition to the budget, the House passed several bills addressing issues such as newborn safety, feral hog control, rural eye care access, veterans’ burial eligibility, and early literacy initiatives. With the amended budget now moving to the Senate, the House will soon begin work on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget as the session continues.
See the complete legislative report below:
The Bank of LaFayette will host a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 W. Patton Street in LaFayette.
Community members are encouraged to give local and help save local lives. All donors between February 1–14 will receive a special “Donor for Life” tattoo shirt as a thank-you gift.
To prepare for donation, donors are asked to eat a good meal, drink extra water, avoid energy drinks, and bring a valid ID.
Appointments can be scheduled online at www.bloodassurance.org/bankla or by calling 1-800-962-0628.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, law enforcement agencies and consumer protection groups are warning residents to be on the lookout for romance scams, which tend to increase during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Scammers often target individuals through social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust before asking for money.
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will continue to experience unusually warm February weather this week, with temperatures climbing well above seasonal averages. Highs are expected to peak today and Wednesday, reaching the upper 60s to mid-70s across the region.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, February 10, 2026:
A sweet and gentle pup named Ariana is this week’s Pet of the Week and is looking for a loving forever home through the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.
Ariana is a female dog who is spayed, good with other dogs, and described by shelter staff as shy and gentle. She would make a wonderful companion for a patient family willing to give her time to settle in and feel comfortable.
The adoption fee for Ariana is $25, making it an affordable way to give a deserving pet a second chance.
The Chattooga County Animal Shelter is located at 464 Red Oak Drive in Summerville. The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Wednesdays available by appointment. For more information about Ariana or the adoption process, call 706-857-0679.
Pet of the Week is brought to you by WZQZ FM 99.1 / AM 1180, highlighting adoptable animals in need of loving homes.
An Armuchee man is facing a possession of methamphetamine charge following an arrest over the weekend.
According to Floyd County Jail records, 30-year-old Sebastian Duane Barker was found with meth while he was being arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Jail records also indicate Barker is being held for the Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office in connection with that agency.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has partnered with Georgia Power to offer a new Electrical Lineworker Program at the college’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart, providing hands-on training for those seeking entry-level careers in the power industry.