
More than 87,000 Georgia Pre-K students will soon receive a new book of their own as part of a statewide effort to promote early literacy and learning.

More than 87,000 Georgia Pre-K students will soon receive a new book of their own as part of a statewide effort to promote early literacy and learning.

The Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle, continuing a program that has provided more than $8.4 million for projects benefiting Menlo, Chattooga County and surrounding areas over the past two decades.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is offering an opportunity for adults to earn their GED in just three days at no cost through an accelerated program coming up in October.
The program will be held October 15-17 at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus, located at 2310 Maddox Chapel Road in Dalton.
Participants who qualify will receive free GED instruction, free practice tests and free GED testing, along with free meals and snacks during the three-day program.
Pre-registration is required by September 16, and space is limited. Those registering must also attend an assessment session on either September 19 or September 24.
The program is available to adults 18 and older, and a government-issued ID is required. GNTC notes that not every applicant will qualify for the accelerated three-day program, but other learning options are available for those who do not.
Anyone interested in participating can contact GNTC Adult Education at 706-272-2909 or adulted@gntc.edu for additional information.

Speak Life, a special needs family support group serving Chattooga County, will hold its August gathering Saturday, August 29, at 11 AM at the Trion Recreation Department.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is currently accepting applications for a Financial Aid Technician.
GNTC announced the job opening this week and is directing interested applicants to the State of Georgia’s online careers website to apply.
The Financial Aid Technician position supports the college’s financial aid operations, which help students navigate the process of obtaining financial assistance for their education.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College serves students throughout northwest Georgia with campuses in Catoosa, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Polk and Walker counties.
Those interested in the position can view the complete job description, qualifications and application information and submit an application online through the State of Georgia Careers website at careers.georgia.gov.
GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.

School employees from across Northwest Georgia are invited to put their detective skills to the test during a special Educator Night — Mysteries at the Museum at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville.

Young drivers in Chattooga County will have an opportunity this fall to complete a driver’s education course that meets the requirements of Georgia’s Joshua’s Law.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College will offer Driver’s Education at the Chattooga County Educational Center October 6-9, 2026. Classes will meet Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The course provides the training required under Joshua’s Law, including 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of drive time with a certified instructor for students seeking a Class D driver’s license.
Students who successfully complete the course may also qualify for the Teen Driver’s Education insurance discount offered by many insurance companies.
The cost of the course is $400 per person, but families should know that scholarships are available through the Georgia Driver’s Education Grant Scholarship program. Those interested in financial assistance are encouraged to apply for a scholarship before enrolling.
GNTC is also offering Driver’s Education courses at several of its other Northwest Georgia locations. September classes are planned at the Catoosa County Campus, followed by the Chattooga County course in October. Additional classes are scheduled in Floyd, Catoosa, Whitfield-Murray and Walker counties through the spring of 2027.
For registration information, contact GNTC’s Office of Economic Development at 706-516-5442 or by email at DriversEd@gntc.edu.
The Chattooga County class is scheduled for October 6, 7, 8 and 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Chattooga County Educational Center.

New Georgia Milestones results are providing a look at how Chattooga County students performed in mathematics, science and social studies during the 2025-2026 school year, with the results showing both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

Hundreds of thousands of Georgians are in default on their federal student loans, with the amount of defaulted debt across the state now approaching $11 billion.

The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is preparing to launch the 2026-2027 Georgia FLEX program, giving local high school students an opportunity to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills through hands-on experience and community involvement.