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September 23, 2026

AdventHealth Gordon Gets State Approval For Level II NICU

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Families in Gordon County and across Northwest Georgia could soon have access to more advanced newborn care closer to home.

The Georgia Department of Community Health has issued AdventHealth Gordon a Certificate of Need to establish a four-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within the hospital’s existing Women’s Services Area. The approval is still subject to a standard 30-day appeal period.

AdventHealth Gordon is the only hospital in Gordon County and currently provides obstetric and newborn care. The proposed Level II NICU would allow more babies requiring additional medical support following birth to receive specialized care in Calhoun rather than having to be transferred farther from their families.

Hospital officials say the unit would also provide additional support for monitoring newborns, parent education, bonding, breastfeeding and discharge planning.

Justin Birmele, president and CEO of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray, said the approval represents an important step toward expanding care for Northwest Georgia families and allowing mothers and babies to remain closer together when additional care is needed.

Georgia classifies Level II neonatal services as specialty or neonatal intermediate care, providing a higher level of newborn care than basic Level I services.

The state approval does not mean the new unit will open immediately. The Certificate of Need remains subject to the 30-day appeal period before the project can move forward.

September 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Blood Assurance Honors Dolly Parton With Special ‘9 To 5’ Donor Shirt

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Blood Assurance is combining country music and a lifesaving cause this week with a special tribute to Dolly Parton.

On Friday, September 25, anyone donating blood at a Blood Assurance donation center or participating mobile blood drive will receive an exclusive, one-day-only Dolly-inspired “9 to 5” T-shirt, while supplies last.

The shirt features a quote from Parton encouraging people to make a difference in the world around them. Blood Assurance says the promotion is intended to turn that spirit of goodwill into action by encouraging more people to donate blood.

Blood Assurance is particularly important to Northwest Georgia. The nonprofit is the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, along with Cartersville Medical Center. The organization says it now needs more than 600 donors every day to supply its partner hospitals.

All blood types are needed. Appointments are encouraged but aren’t required. Donors can schedule an appointment through Blood Assurance or by calling 800-962-0628.

September 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summer Burn Ban Ends Next Week In Northwest Georgia

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Chattooga County residents will once again be able to burn certain yard debris beginning next week as Georgia’s annual summer open-burning ban comes to an end.

September 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Gas Prices Climb Above $4 Across Northwest Georgia

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Drivers across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are paying considerably more at the pump this week, with regular gasoline now above $4 per gallon throughout much of the area.

September 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

USDA To Drop Oral Rabies Vaccine Baits Across Chattooga County In October

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Residents in Chattooga County can expect to see low-flying aircraft again this fall as the U.S. Department of Agriculture prepares for another oral rabies vaccine bait distribution across Northwest Georgia in October.

September 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GNTC Seeking Culinary Arts Program Director And Instructor

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Georgia Northwestern Technical College is accepting applications for a Culinary Arts Program Director and Instructor based at the college’s Floyd County Campus.

September 20, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Congressman Clay Fuller Joins EPA Officials In Chickamauga For $6 Million Brownfields Announcement

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Congressman Clay Fuller, who represents Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, joined federal, state and local officials in Chickamauga Friday to highlight $6 million in federal funding aimed at cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated or underused properties across Northwest Georgia.

September 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Busy Saturday Ahead In Chattooga County And Across Northwest Georgia

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Saturday will be a busy day across Chattooga County and the surrounding area, with Finster Fest, a community food distribution, activities at Sloppy Floyd State Park, a special Trion High School event, and several events just a short drive away.

September 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Child Cruelty Charges Filed Following Armuchee Drug Investigation

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Two people already jailed on methamphetamine trafficking charges are now facing additional charges after authorities say a 2-year-old child was found living in unsafe conditions at an Armuchee-area residence.

According to Floyd County Jail records, the new charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on September 4 at a home on Turkey Mountain Road.

Investigators say the child was living inside a bug-infested residence where methamphetamine was within reach. Authorities allege the conditions inside the home were so unhealthy that they caused physical and mental pain to the child.

45-year-old Roland Jovan Johnson and 27-year-old Marissa Shaye Cannon are each charged with second-degree cruelty to children.

Both Johnson and Cannon were already being held in jail following their earlier arrests in connection with the Turkey Mountain Road investigation.

They had previously been booked on charges including trafficking methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The additional child cruelty charges were filed after investigators reviewed the conditions found inside the residence during the September 4 search

September 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga High Looks To Defend Regional Title At Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge

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The Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge returns to Rome in October, and Chattooga County will again have a strong connection to the regional skilled-trades competition.