Georgia professionals seeking licenses can now experience a significantly streamlined and user-friendly process, thanks to the official launch of the Georgia Online Application Licensing System (GOALs) by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger last week. Emerging from its pilot phase, GOALs represents a “best in class” overhaul of the state’s professional licensing system, placing applicants directly in the driver’s seat and eliminating previous bureaucratic hurdles.
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Department of Economic Development announced strong business growth for Fiscal Year 2025, highlighting support for 423 facility expansions and new locations.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Commercial Truck Driving program recently received a significant boost to its student resources thanks to a generous donation from J. J. Keller & Associates Inc. The contribution aims to further strengthen the curriculum and support the college’s emphasis on safety and professionalism in the trucking industry.
Northwest Georgia residents are invited to immerse themselves in a vibrant weekend of art, music, and community at Finster Fest 2025, hosted by the Paradise Garden Foundation. The beloved festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st, from 10 am to 5 pm daily, at the iconic Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Pennville.
Chattooga County Public Works, under the direction of Commissioner Andy Allen, has announced a temporary change to traffic patterns on Rena Street in the Pennville community for the highly anticipated Finster Festival on September 20th and 21st, 2025. The street will be converted to one-way traffic for the duration of the event weekend to improve vehicular flow, reduce congestion, and enhance pedestrian safety for festival visitors and residents.
Residents across Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, can expect a beautiful stretch of weather from today, Wednesday, September 17th, through Sunday, September 21st, thanks to a robust high-pressure system. The forecast calls for predominantly clear skies, unseasonably warm temperatures, and pleasantly low humidity for the majority of the week.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, September 17, 2025:
A Summerville man, Ryan Lynn Bolenbaugh, 21, was arrested in Rome recently after a traffic stop for allegedly driving at a high rate of speed while impaired led to the discovery of illegal drugs.
As Georgia’s bow season officially opened last Saturday, hunters in Chattooga County are being encouraged to participate in the “Hunters Ending Hunger” initiative, transforming their venison harvests into a vital source of protein for local families and schools facing food insecurity.
Kurt Stuenkel, President of Atrium Health Floyd, has been awarded the prestigious University System of Georgia (USG) Regents Hall of Fame Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award, recognizing his profound support and pivotal role in strengthening Georgia Highlands College (GHC). The award was presented during the USG Foundation’s 21st annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala, which raised over $4.5 million for need-based scholarships across the state.
