Shorter University in Rome has announced a nationwide search for its next president, following the tenure of President Don Dowless. The university is seeking a Christ-centered, visionary leader to guide the school forward, noting the search as a chance to reaffirm its mission to “Transform Lives through Christ.”
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are heading into a stretch of dry, breezy weather that could elevate fire danger this weekend, followed by a noticeable warm-up as next week begins.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has announced the 2026 recipients of the LAA–Mohawk Scholarship, recognizing students who are engaged in the Latino/Hispanic community and pursuing career and technical education across Northwest Georgia. The announcement was made during a ceremony held in the Conference Center on GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.
The Superior Court of Floyd County has dismissed all Temporary Protective Order petitions filed against Dr. Raj Miniyar, a pediatrician practicing in Rome who also operates a clinic in Trion, giving the case local interest for families in Chattooga County as well.
Voters across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will have four names to choose from in the Georgia State Senate District 53 special election on March 10, after qualifying ended Monday, February 2, at 1 p.m.
The countdown is on for one of Northwest Georgia’s biggest spring events, as the 2026 Wings Over North Georgia Air Show is now just two months away. The show is scheduled for Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, at Rome’s Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, and will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as the headlining act.
An Armuchee man has been arrested on a felony warrant charging him with theft by conversion.
According to the warrant, 41-year-old Timothy Jacob Morgan allegedly took a woman’s 2010 Subaru Legacy on June 4 under the promise he would perform mechanic work for $300. The warrant says Morgan was paid a total of $1,143 for parts and services, but by November he stopped responding to the woman’s requests to get her vehicle back.
Authorities say the vehicle was moved from Morgan’s shop to an unknown location sometime between November and January.
In his latest legislative report, State Rep. Eddie Lumsden says the Georgia House returned to full work after Winter Storm Fern prompted a State of Emergency and briefly slowed the start of the 2026 session. Lumsden, a Republican from Armuchee, represents Chattooga County and a portion of Floyd County in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Lumsden says House Appropriations subcommittees resumed meetings to review the AFY 2026 and FY 2027 budget proposals, while the House Rules Committee met for the first time this session and the chamber passed its first legislation of 2026. He also noted lawmakers recognized utility crews, first responders, and agencies for storm response and power restoration efforts across North Georgia.
Among key actions, the House passed HB 443 to create offshore fishing endorsement fees to support Georgia-based fisheries surveys, and unanimously adopted HR 1008 to update the state’s water planning council structure. Lumsden also cited final passage of SB 148, which would update public school policies including hunting safety lessons, outdoor learning, expanded personal leave, and changes to AED program requirements. He added that House Speaker Jon Burns introduced the Georgia HOME Act, a proposal aimed at phasing out homestead property taxes by 2032.
You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:
Gas prices across Georgia eased over the weekend, supported by strong in-state fuel supplies and softer regional demand, even as the national average moved higher. As of Monday, the statewide average for regular unleaded is $2.66 per gallon, though minor day-to-day fluctuations are still possible.
Atrium Health Floyd is offering two free community events this February in observation of American Heart Month, focused on blood pressure screenings and heart-health education.
