If one of your 2026 goals is to add more culture and creativity to your life, a close-to-home option is calling: Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, located in the Pennville Community in Chattooga County near Summerville.
The Chattooga County Community Red Cross Club is inviting residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia to help save lives at an upcoming community blood drive on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The drive will be held at the Chattooga County Chamber & Civic Center.
Organizers say every donation can make a difference for patients in need of emergency care, surgeries, cancer treatments, and chronic illness support. Winter months can also bring increased strain on blood supplies due to illness and weather-related disruptions, making local donor turnout especially important.
As an added incentive, all presenting donors will receive a $20 e-gift card as a thank-you for taking the time to donate.
Appointments are encouraged. Donors can schedule a time, get more information, and complete RapidPass paperwork online by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering the sponsor code RedCrossClub. The American Red Cross also notes donors can use the Blood Donor App for scheduling and updates.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, January 14, 2026:
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.
A Summerville hit-and-run investigation has led to the arrest of Charm Hedgecoth, 31, in connection with a crash that injured Ray Blount at the intersection of Commerce Street and East First Avenue.
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.
Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy “Big Mac” McElhaney is reminding residents about a free, simple way to help first responders reach loved ones faster in an emergency: add emergency contact information to your Georgia driver’s license or ID record.
Summerville Police say reports that a recent crash was a hit-and-run were inaccurate, and that the incident was a single-vehicle accident.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, January 13, 2026:
CRC Chattooga is inviting the community to come together this evening to help prepare for the annual Point-in-Time, or PIT Count, a nationwide effort to better understand and serve neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Organizers are looking for compassionate volunteers to help with the unsheltered count on the night of January 26, when small teams will respectfully visit known outdoor locations to ensure everyone is seen and counted. CRC Chattooga says the effort is safe, dignity-focused, and aimed at improving local support and services.
The Homeless Collaborative meeting is set for this evening at 6 p.m. at the CRC Chattooga Cafeteria, located at 50 Eleanor Avenue in Summerville. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to comment or message CRC Chattooga for more information.