A new exhibit at the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center in Rome is putting real cancer journeys front and center—through powerful portraits and personal stories from patients receiving care close to home. One of those featured is Miriam Little, an oncology social worker who spent a decade helping cancer patients find resources and support, before learning in 2023 that she had ovarian cancer herself.
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Northwest Health District office in Rome and health departments across 11 Northwest Georgia counties will be closed Monday, January 26, due to anticipated hazardous weather.
Counties included in the closure are Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, Polk, and Walker. Residents needing services are encouraged to plan ahead and monitor official updates for reopening information once conditions improve.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, January 24, 2026:
While Chattooga County and all of Northwest Georgia remain under an Ice Storm Warning, the National Weather Service forecast for our area is calling for only a slight chance of freezing rain before 10 AM this morning. Early temperatures were running marginal for widespread icing, with LaFayette and Mentone hovering just below freezing at 31 degrees, while Gaylesville, Alabama and Rome were closer to 40. Summerville was sitting at 35 degrees. Those readings are a bit warm for freezing rain in many spots, but sleet could still fall anywhere across the area, especially in heavier bursts of precipitation.
Families in Lyerly, Menlo, and Summerville can begin enrolling for Chattooga County Schools Pre-K for the 2026–2027 school year starting Thursday, February 5, 2026. Parents and guardians can register online by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by visiting the Chattooga County Schools website and selecting the Enrollment Center, with officials reminding families to use the Pre-K link and not the K–12 registration option.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Friday, January 23, 2026:
With winter weather and colder temperatures in the forecast, the City of Summerville is reminding residents to take a few simple steps now to reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes. The city recommends letting faucets drip at a thin stream—about the size of a pencil lead—especially for sinks on exterior walls, and opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to help warmer air circulate around plumbing. Officials also advise disconnecting garden hoses from outdoor spigots and using insulated covers if available. Residents are encouraged to make sure everyone in the home knows where the main water shut-off valve is located in case a pipe breaks. For questions or assistance, residents can contact the City of Summerville at 706-859-0900.
Voters in Chattooga County and neighboring counties in Northwest Georgia are expected to see an additional special election tied to the shakeup in the 14th Congressional District. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a call to fill Georgia Senate District 53, the seat vacated by Colton Moore after he qualified to run for the open U.S. House seat.
With snow, ice, and sleet creating hazardous travel conditions, AAA – The Auto Club Group is urging drivers to take proactive steps to stay safe on winter roads. AAA notes winter weather can be deadly, citing U.S. Department of Transportation figures showing 1,300 people are killed and 116,000 injured each year in crashes on snowy or icy pavement.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has selected three students as its finalists for the 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to GOAL program coordinator Trish Wiggins. The finalists are Brittney Elrod of Ringgold (Business Management, Catoosa County Campus, nominated by Dr. Dwight Watt), Latasha Fluker of Rome (Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, nominated by Mark Upton), and Noelia Sargento of Rossville (Business Management, Walker County Campus, nominated by Tracy Gentry).
