After being closed for over two decades, the iconic World’s Folk Art Church at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden will reopen to the public tomorrow, Sunday, June 22nd, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of this unique artistic landmark. The five-story structure, built by the late Rev. Howard Finster beginning in the mid-1980s, served as his art studio and museum for artifacts. Finster, with the support of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, constructed the 56-foot-tall building atop a small country church without formal architectural plans. Completed in 1987, the church quickly became a central feature of Paradise Garden. However, the World’s Folk Art Church faced weather-related damage and safety concerns, leading to its closure in 1999, shortly before Finster’s passing in 2001. In 2011, Paradise Garden, including the church, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A renewed commitment to preservation efforts gained momentum in 2018 when the Paradise Garden Foundation received a grant to develop a comprehensive preservation plan. Architectural assessments confirmed the church’s structural stability, paving the way for a successful fundraising campaign in 2023. Rehabilitation work commenced in June 2024, with local carpenters leading the restoration process. “This reopening represents years of dedicated effort and a deep appreciation for Rev. Finster’s artistic vision,” said [Insert Name and Title of Paradise Garden Foundation Representative Here]. “We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to experience the unique messages and artistry within the World’s Folk Art Church.” To celebrate the grand reopening on June 22nd, Paradise Garden will host a series of

Two Rome men are facing a slew of charges related to the sale and possession of fentanyl following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The arrests were made as part of an ongoing effort to combat the distribution of dangerous narcotics in the Floyd County area.

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Northwest Georgia residents can expect a mostly dry weekend with increasingly hot temperatures, according to the latest weather forecast. Patchy fog is expected this morning but should dissipate by 10 AM, otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 88 and calm winds.  Tonight, mostly clear with a low of 66.  The chance of rain remains minimal through Saturday, with only isolated instances possible in the far southern and southeastern regions. This shift to drier conditions comes after the passage of a weak cold front, bringing marginally drier air into the northern half of the area. An upper ridge currently positioned to the west is forecast to expand eastward and build overhead by Saturday, further contributing to the dry weather and rising temperatures. By Saturday, temperatures will climb further, reaching the low to mid-90s across the region. While heat index values will be slightly higher than the air temperature, they are not expected to reach Heat Advisory levels this weekend. However, residents should prepare for the warmest temperatures of the year so far next week.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, June 20, 2025:

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A proposed federal budget championed by Republicans in Washington, D.C.  may cut important funding for services that support over 170,000 Georgians with developmental disabilities, threatening the state’s disability support network. The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network in Georgia, including the Georgia Advocacy Office, University Centers for Excellence, and Developmental Disabilities Councils, could face significant program reductions or termination.

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A Weaver, Alabama, man is facing felony charges after allegedly failing to return a rental truck he rented in Northwest Georgia, valued at $57,000. Ahmad Malik Robinson, 28, was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Tuesday, according to jail records, on a warrant charging him with theft by conversion. The warrant states that Robinson rented a 2022 International MV607 truck from Penske rental on Shorter Avenue in Rome on May 8th. The rental agreement stipulated the truck was to be returned on May 20th. When the truck was not returned as agreed, Penske sent demand letters to Robinson’s address. However, those letters were returned as undeliverable. Authorities eventually located Robinson in Turner County, Georgia, still in possession of the missing vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and is now awaiting further legal proceedings in Floyd County.

Today is the first day of summer and Northwest Georgia is bracing for a surge in temperatures as a warming trend is expected to peak early next week, bringing potentially hazardous heat conditions to the region. After a week of stable temperatures, meteorologists are predicting a significant increase, culminating in heat indices of 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Weather Service is advising residents, particularly sensitive groups such as the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Outdoor activities, especially during peak heat hours, should be carefully considered and potentially avoided. “These elevated heat indices can pose a significant risk if proper precautions are not taken,” stated a local meteorologist. “Staying hydrated, seeking shade, and limiting strenuous outdoor activity are crucial to staying safe during this period.” Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather forecasts for updates and heed any advisories issued by local authorities. The intense heat is expected to last for several days, requiring proactive measures to ensure public safety and well-being.

A Chattooga County woman was arrested after neighbors witnessed an assault, according to a report released this week by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. Brooke Machelle England, 31, of Summerville, was arrested and charged with Simple Battery on June 11, 2025, following a domestic dispute at a residence on Stenitt Road. According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were dispatched to 637 Stenitt Road at approximately 10:31 PM in response to a report of a verbal and physical altercation between England and Larry King. Upon arrival, deputies heard a female yelling and a male attempting to calm her down. Observing England stumble and fall backwards, deputies initially believed a physical altercation was in progress. However, they determined that England had fallen on her own. England reportedly told deputies that she and King had been at the hospital with her daughter and that she had consumed alcohol. She stated that they were arguing but that no physical violence had occurred. However, witnesses at the scene provided conflicting accounts. One witness, a resident of the home, stated that England had struck King multiple times prior to the deputies’ arrival. Another witness corroborated this account, adding that England was responsible for a cracked front window on a vehicle at the residence. King confirmed that he and England had been arguing because he had removed the car battery to prevent her from driving under the influence. Based on witness testimony and the damage to the vehicle, deputies arrested England for Simple Battery. She was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a sixth case of measles in the state for 2025. This latest case involves an unvaccinated individual who is a family member of the confirmed measles case reported in May.

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The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate for May 2024 has fallen to 3.5%, a decrease of one-tenth of a percent from the revised 3.6% in April. This rate is also significantly lower than the national unemployment rate by seven-tenths of a percent.

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