The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of retired Deputy Sheriff W. Keith Smith, who passed away on February 26th, 2025. Sheriff Steve Wilson announced the news with deep sadness, expressing his condolences to Smith’s family and friends. Smith dedicated a significant portion of his life to law enforcement, beginning his career in 1972 with the Lafayette Police Department. He joined the Walker County Sheriff’s Office in 1974 and served under four different Sheriffs: Ralph Jones, Mike Ellis, Al Millard, and Steve Wilson. During his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, Smith held various positions, including Deputy, Detective, and Captain. He was a respected member of the force and a dedicated public servant. “Sheriff Steve Wilson and the employees of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office are saddened to hear the passing of retired Deputy Sheriff, W. Keith Smith,” a statement from the Sheriff’s Office read. “We extend our condolences and prayers to Keith’s many friends and family.”

Chattooga County’s basketball talent was on full display at the 39th Northwest Georgia Tip-Off banquet, with players from both the Chattooga Indians and Lady Indians squads earning prestigious awards.

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The Boys & Girls Club of Chattooga County is preparing for its annual “Bow Ties & Belles” fundraiser, themed around the Kentucky Derby, on May 3, 2025.

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A Silver Creek man is facing felony charges, including 1st-degree vehicular homicide, following a February 20th incident on Highway 53 that resulted in the death of a pedestrian. Joshua Cleveland Harker, 36, is accused of causing the death of 31-year-old Skyler Redden of Rome after allegedly striking him with his vehicle while texting. According to an arrest warrant and Floyd County Jail records, Harker was driving a 2014 Honda Accord on Highway 53 at Dempsey Road when the incident occurred. Authorities allege that Harker was using his cell phone to send a text message and failed to notice a broken-down vehicle on the right shoulder of the highway. Harker’s vehicle reportedly struck the rear of the disabled vehicle and then hit two pedestrians who were standing outside of it. Both pedestrians sustained severe injuries. Redden later succumbed to his injuries. In addition to vehicular homicide, Harker is also facing charges of reckless driving and distracted driving. He is currently being held in the Floyd County Jail.

Chattooga County Schools invites students, families, and community members to a free and engaging “Mask-erade of Innovation” District STEM Night on March 4th, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Chattooga High School. This vibrant event, themed around a festive Mardi Gras celebration, will explore the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Attendees can expect a variety of hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds. The event will feature interactive demonstrations, engaging experiments, and opportunities to discover the wonders of STEM in a fun and festive atmosphere. A highlight of the evening will be the “Parade of STEM Floats” competition, commencing at 6 PM. Students will showcase their engineering skills by creating imaginative floats that represent different aspects of STEM. This unique contest encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and artistic expression within a Mardi Gras-inspired setting. The “Mask-erade of Innovation” underscores Chattooga County Schools’ dedication to cultivating interest in STEM fields while providing an entertaining and educational experience for the entire community. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a festive and engaging environment.

The Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation (GBHCMF) has announced a significant investment in the health and well-being of Georgians, awarding $8,977,399.43 in grants to 87 health care ministries throughout the state in 2025. This marks a substantial increase of over 6.5% compared to the previous year’s funding.

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Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of Northwest Georgia from 11 AM to 8 PM today due to extremely high fire danger conditions. The National Weather Service issued the warning as a dry cold front sweeps through the region, bringing increased northwest winds and exacerbating the risk of wildfires. Dry conditions and low relative humidity are expected to continue through Monday, maintaining elevated fire danger levels. Residents are strongly urged to avoid any outdoor burning and exercise extreme caution with activities that could potentially spark a fire. Looking ahead, isolated thunderstorms are possible late Tuesday into Wednesday ahead of another cold front. While these storms may bring much-needed moisture, some could be strong, with the potential for gusty winds. The forecast for today is sunny with a high near 63 degrees. Northwest winds will be blowing between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 28 degrees. Sunday and Monday we will see partly sunny skies with highs in the 60’s.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, March 1, 2025:

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The Chattooga County Young Farmers will be holding their March meeting this Thursday, March 6th, at 7 PM at the Chattooga Ag Center. The meeting will focus on proactive herd health management, specifically pink eye prevention using autogenous vaccines. This month’s guest speaker is James Buck from Cambridge Technologies, a leading provider of innovative solutions for animal health. Buck will discuss the benefits of autogenous vaccines in cattle production and how Cambridge Technologies utilizes their Precision Vaccinology® platform to address herd health challenges. Precision Vaccinology® combines cutting-edge Next Generation Diagnostics with high-quality custom manufacturing to create targeted solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about identifying specific herd health problems and implementing preventative measures to improve overall cattle well-being. In addition to the informative presentation, the meeting will feature a delicious BBQ dinner with chips, slaw, baked beans, and dessert. The Chattooga County Young Farmers encourage anyone interested in cattle health and proactive herd management to attend. To ensure adequate food and seating, RSVP by Tuesday, March 4th, to Lauren Jarrett.

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting a free live webinar on April 2, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 PM, designed to equip small business owners and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources to unlock the capital they need to thrive.

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