Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable individual to fill a seasonal Naturalist position at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Chattooga County. This is a fantastic opportunity for nature lovers to share their passion for the outdoors with park visitors and contribute to the preservation of Georgia’s natural beauty.
Georgia’s lottery-funded pre-kindergarten program was once considered the best in the nation, offering quality education for free, but enrollment began to decline after 2019, worsened by the pandemic. The National Institute for Early Education Research noted a long-term drop in enrollment for states like Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. In the last school year, Georgia’s program scored below other states, managing an 8 out of 10 due to large class sizes.
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pressing major baby formula manufacturers for answers following a recent Consumer Reports study that revealed potentially harmful levels of lead and inorganic arsenic in some infant formulas sold across Georgia and the nation.
Northwest Georgia residents should prepare for possible isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and continuing through the week, according to the latest weather forecast. The National Weather Service predicts a 30 percent chance of showers mainly between 2 pm and 5 pm today. The day will be partly sunny with a high near 84 degrees. Winds will be calm, becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Tonight, there is a slight chance of showers before 7 pm, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 63 degrees. Looking ahead, the forecast indicates a higher probability of scattered thunderstorms across Northwest Georgia on Thursday. A strong or isolated severe thunderstorm is possible Thursday afternoon, bringing the potential for gusty winds. The threat of thunderstorms becomes more widespread from Friday into Saturday. While most storms are expected to be of the average variety, a few could become strong to marginally severe, with the potential for gusty winds, small hail, and frequent lightning. Residents are advised to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions, such as seeking shelter indoors during thunderstorms and avoiding outdoor activities when lightning is present. The forecast looks brighter for Sunday, with clearing skies, plenty of sunshine, and highs in the mid-70s.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, April 30, 2025:
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.
