Chattooga County and the rest of Northwest Georgia are in for a blustery, sharply colder day Thursday, January 15, 2026, as dry air pours in behind a cold front. Forecasters say northwest wind gusts of 20–30 mph will combine with very low humidity this afternoon, creating elevated fire danger conditions across North and Central Georgia.
A fresh blast of arctic air is sliding into Northwest Georgia, and Thursday morning (Jan. 15) is shaping up to be the coldest stretch of the week for Chattooga County and surrounding communities. Forecasters say biting wind chills between 0° and 15°F are expected across north Georgia as breezy northwest winds follow a passing cold front, making it feel far colder than the thermometer suggests.
In Chattooga County and across rural Northwest Georgia, the conversation about life after high school is changing — not because college suddenly got easier, but because more families are weighing the rising cost of a traditional four-year degree against the practical need for training that leads directly to a paycheck.
Qualifying opens today for the special election to fill Georgia’s vacant 14th Congressional District seat, and the field is already shaping up as one of the most crowded contests Northwest Georgia has seen in years, with multiple Republicans and Democrats publicly signaling they plan to run.
Northwest Georgia will see a blustery finish to the weekend as a secondary push of colder, drier air moves through Sunday, bringing gusty winds and a stretch of mostly dry weather that could elevate fire danger early this week across Chattooga County and surrounding communities.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was brought in last year after concerns were raised about county financial accounts, and that investigation has now resulted in an arrest tied to the Zentell Communications project.
The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is sharing a reminder from the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office that a new local sales tax rate is now in effect.
Officials say the Chattooga County sales tax rate increased to 8% beginning January 1, 2026, and businesses are being urged to make sure their registers, point-of-sale systems, invoicing software, and online checkout platforms have been updated to reflect the correct rate.
The reminder encourages all local businesses to verify compliance to avoid pricing errors and accounting issues.
For reference, the Georgia Department of Revenue maintains an online listing of sales tax rates by location.
Northwest Georgia will stay wet today as widespread rain continues through the morning and into the evening.
A Menlo man was arrested in Rome Tuesday of this week after reports indicated he was found in possession of cocaine at a shopping center near the Yamaha dealership on Martha Berry Highway.
Authorities say Lincoln Derrick Maddux, 24, of Menlo, was taken into custody by the Floyd County Police Department and is charged with possession of cocaine. No additional details were released in the initial report.
After a mostly quiet start to Friday in Chattooga County, residents should be ready for wet roads and off-and-on showers as rain builds back into Northwest Georgia late today and lasts into Saturday. Forecasters expect clouds to thicken through the afternoon as moisture streams north, setting the stage for showers to spread in late Friday evening and overnight.
