A Walker County jury has convicted Michael Forker, a 74-year-old man from LaFayette, on charges of Child Molestation, Sexual Exploitation of Children, and five counts of Invasion of Privacy. Following the verdict on December 3, 2025, Forker was sentenced by Lookout Mountain Superior Court Chief Judge Brian House to 65 years in prison, with 58 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Gas prices across Georgia eased over the weekend, supported by strong in-state fuel supplies and softer regional demand, even as the national average moved higher. As of Monday, the statewide average for regular unleaded is $2.66 per gallon, though minor day-to-day fluctuations are still possible.
The Chickamauga City Council issued a prepared statement Saturday night, Jan. 31, following Friday’s public hearing that had been scheduled regarding Mayor Trey Deck.
City officials apologized for what they called a lack of space to accommodate the public at the special-called meeting on Jan. 30, saying the turnout was so large that many people were unable to enter the venue. The council said it unanimously voted to postpone the hearing until a larger, more suitable location can be arranged.
The statement also says the city is following legal guidance on what information can be released publicly to protect the mayor’s right to a fair hearing. The council noted that the mayor’s attorney received notice and evidence of the allegations on Jan. 15, and that one of the allegations involves a human resources matter requiring discretion. The city says details and evidence will be presented during the rescheduled public hearing, where the mayor will have the opportunity to respond.
Qualifying is now underway for the District 53 seat in the Georgia State Senate. The Special Election will be held on March 10 in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Walker, and a portion of Floyd Counties to fill the vacancy created by Senator Colton Moore’s qualifying for the special election in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives.
While the heaviest snowfall is expected to remain east of our area, Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties in Northwest Georgia will see light snow showers this morning, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
Chattooga County’s unemployment rate fell to 4% in December, continuing a positive trend and reflecting improving labor conditions heading into the new year. According to data released by the Georgia Department of Labor, the county’s rate dropped from 4.7% in November and improved from over 5% in December 2024, signaling steady recovery and job growth locally.
Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic are making an additional investment in their local workforce, announcing an increase in the minimum starting wage for eligible teammates in Northwest Georgia to $18.85 per hour, beginning with Jan. 30 paychecks. Leaders say the change is meant to strengthen long-term workforce stability and support the employees who provide care across the region.
A winter storm moving across parts of Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas will be the main weather story over the next 24 to 48 hours, with widespread snowfall expected across portions of the region. Forecasters say confidence is high in the overall setup: an unusually strong upper-level low dropping out of Canada will drive a surge of Arctic air into the Southeast, while a surface low strengthens rapidly off the Georgia and South Carolina coast. As that coastal system intensifies, moisture will wrap back into Georgia, combining with lift from the upper-level low to produce snow—though where the western edge of the snow sets up remains one of the biggest uncertainties.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 7 PM Friday – 7 PM Saturday
EXTREME COLD WATCH 7 PM Saturday – 1 PM Sunday
An approaching winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to portions of the South and northeast Georgia over the next 48 hours. Much like last weekend, Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties will be on the western edge of the expected winter precipitation. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area, with snow expected Saturday, generally ranging from a dusting to around one inch.
Once again, Georgia and much of the Deep South appear headed for a round of winter weather this weekend, but like last weekend, the best chance for frozen precipitation looks to stay mainly east of Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties. The National Weather Service says confidence continues to increase for measurable snowfall across parts of northeast and east-central Georgia between Friday night and Saturday night, prompting a Winter Storm Watch for those areas.
