Northwest Georgia will see a mostly sunny and seasonably warm Friday, with only a small chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm.
Chattooga County residents who have questions about their property assessments, appeals or tax bills will have an opportunity to hear directly from county officials during a free property tax class Monday, August 31.
The class, “Understanding Property Taxes in Chattooga County,” will begin at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.
The goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of how property taxes work at the local level, including assessments, appeals, exemptions, tax relief, tax bills and how the county millage rate is established.
Sole Commissioner Andy Allen will open the class with an overview of the property tax process and explain the roles of the different elected county officials involved. Allen will also discuss how the millage rate process works.
Chattooga County Tax Assessor Nancy Edgeman will explain the property tax appeal process and the duties of the Tax Assessor’s Office.
Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton will cover how taxpayers can understand and estimate their tax bills, the different layers of property tax relief available in 2026 and property tax exemptions.
The class comes at a particularly important time for local property owners, with many Chattooga County residents questioning their latest property assessments and filing appeals.
The program is Monday, August 31, at 6 PM at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.
A vehicle reported stolen from a Summerville residence was later recovered on Oak Street, according to a Summerville Police Department incident report.
Unemployment declined across Northwest Georgia in July, with the regional jobless rate falling to 3.1 percent, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.
That rate was down three-tenths of a percentage point from June and well below the 3.8 percent rate recorded one year ago.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said July brought lower unemployment in every metro area and region of the state. She credited cooperation among state leaders, local communities and businesses, saying the department remains focused on putting Georgians to work and expanding economic opportunity.
In Northwest Georgia, the labor force declined by 1,274 people over the month but was still up 7,400 compared with a year ago, reaching 459,530.
The number of employed residents increased by 164 over the month and by 10,492 over the year, bringing total employment in the region to 445,273.
Initial unemployment claims rose by 148 from June, totaling 1,956, but were still down sharply from a year earlier — by 2,196 claims.
The July numbers point to continued year-over-year improvement in Northwest Georgia’s labor market, with more people working and fewer residents unemployed than at the same time last year.
A Connecticut man was booked into the Floyd County Jail Thursday on charges involving alleged online contact with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
According to arrest warrants, 29-year-old Gabriel Reno Lorenzo Grant of Norwich, Connecticut, is charged with grooming a minor, obscene internet contact with a child, and terroristic threats and acts.
The warrants allege that Grant sent text messages between June 8 and June 11 to an individual he believed was a 14-year-old female. Investigators say the messages were intended to prepare, persuade or coerce the juvenile into a sexual offense.
The warrants further allege that Grant discussed various sexual acts during the messages and later made threats to blind, rape and murder the individual.
Grant was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Thursday. The charges are allegations, and Grant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
AdventHealth is inviting families from across Northwest Georgia to come together for an evening of music, worship and encouragement at the Night of Hope on Saturday, September 19, at Ridge Ferry Park in Rome.
Residents who still need to file a property tax appeal will have another opportunity to pick up a free appeal form Saturday morning in downtown Summerville.
Nancy Bishop says volunteers plan to be in front of the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office near Jefferson’s Saturday morning and will remain there until at least noon, or until rain moves in.
Drivers are invited to slow down or stop to pick up a form, but organizers are asking everyone to be careful and considerate of other traffic in the area.
The deadline to file a property tax appeal is Monday, September 14.
Bishop also reminds residents that they do not have to complete all of their research before filing an appeal. She says if a property owner later determines that the value they asserted was too low, they can raise that amount, but they cannot lower the asserted value after the appeal is filed.
Residents may also designate an agent to represent or assist them during the appeal process. According to the post, that agent does not have to be a real estate or insurance professional and could be a friend, family member, business associate or hired professional.
Organizers hope to get additional clarification about the agent process during Monday night’s property tax class at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.
Anyone who still needs an appeal form can stop by downtown Summerville Saturday morning.
Georgia could receive nearly $135 million under a landmark multistate settlement with Meta Platforms that will also bring major changes to how children and teenagers use Facebook and Instagram.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park will offer two special outdoor programs Saturday, August 29, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the park from sunrise through moonrise.
The day begins with a Sunrise Paddle from 7 until 8 AM. Participants will join park rangers for an early-morning paddle around the Lower Lake. Those attending should meet at the park office by 7 AM and bring water and clothing that can get wet.
The Sunrise Paddle costs $20 per person with kayak rental included, or $10 for participants who bring their own kayak. A $10 park pass is also required.
Saturday evening, the park will host a Moon Pie Hike beginning at 8 PM.
Rangers will lead an easy hike around the Lower Lake before participants enjoy Moon Pies and hot cocoa while watching the moonrise from the lower dam. Participants should bring a flashlight, a blanket to sit on and comfortable walking shoes.
The Moon Pie Hike costs $3 per person, in addition to the required $10 park pass.
Registration is required for both events. To register or get additional information, call the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park office at 706-857-0826.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park will celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Day with a special Hiking 101 program on Saturday, September 12.
The program begins at 2:30 PM, with participants meeting in front of the park office.
Park rangers will lead a guided hike along the Lower Lake Trail, teaching participants some of the basics of hiking. The program will cover how to safely hike trails, what hikers should pack and how to prepare for an emergency while enjoying the outdoors.
Organizers say the program is open to all ages and is designed for people who are new to hiking as well as those who simply want to spend some time outdoors and learn more about safely navigating trails.
The Hiking 101 program itself is free, although a $10 park pass is required.
Anyone interested in participating is asked to register by calling the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park office at 706-857-0826.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park is located near Summerville in Chattooga County.