
The cost of living is becoming an increasingly important issue for Chattooga County households as residents face higher prices for several basic necessities — particularly gasoline, diesel fuel and groceries.

The cost of living is becoming an increasingly important issue for Chattooga County households as residents face higher prices for several basic necessities — particularly gasoline, diesel fuel and groceries.

Families are invited to spend a day outdoors at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park this Saturday, September 26, during the park’s Outdoor Adventure Day.
The event runs from 10 AM until 4 PM and will feature activities for both children and adults.
One of the highlights will be a Kids Fishing Rodeo, with 50 tagged fish offering chances to win prizes. Young visitors can also take part in archery instruction led by park staff.
The day will include several wildlife programs, including a snake show presented by Southeastern Reptile Rescue, a turtle show from Greg’s Turtle Haven, and a birds of prey program presented by Wings to SOAR.
Food will be available for purchase from food trucks, and the Friends of Sloppy Floyd State Park will have special “Rodeo Catfish” T-shirts available for purchase.
Outdoor Adventure Day is being presented by the Friends of Sloppy Floyd State Park. A $10 parking pass per vehicle is required.
The park is located at 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road near Summerville.

Parents of Trion Middle School and Trion High School wrestlers are encouraged to attend an important parent meeting today at 2 PM at the Trion Wrestling Building.
Coaches will provide an overview of the upcoming wrestling season and schedule and discuss team requirements and expectations.
The meeting will also cover parent involvement and volunteer opportunities, fundraising and program needs, dues and gear, food and team meals, and commitment and responsibilities for the upcoming season.
Parents of students planning to participate in the Trion wrestling program are encouraged to attend today to learn more about the season and ways they can support the team.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs interested in learning how artificial intelligence can help their businesses will have an opportunity to attend a free class in LaFayette later this month.
The class will be held Tuesday, September 29, from 5:30 until 7 PM at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library.
The session will be taught by Ed Bennett, an AI and automation architect, and will focus on moving beyond one-time questions to AI tools and workflows that can help businesses save time, automate routine tasks and generate new business opportunities.
The program is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
Organizers say the class is designed for people who want a practical look at ways artificial intelligence can be used in day-to-day business operations.
For more information, call the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library at 706-638-2992.

Chattooga County E-911 is looking for new dispatchers, offering paid training, benefits and a starting wage that increases after an employee’s first year.

With the November 3 General and Special Election approaching, the Chattooga County Elections and Registration Office is reminding local voters about several important upcoming deadlines.
The deadline to register to vote or make changes to an existing voter record, including a name or address change, is Monday, October 5. Georgia’s official 2026 election calendar confirms October 5 as the registration deadline for the November election.
Applications for an absentee-by-mail ballot are already being accepted. Chattooga County election officials say applications must be received no later than October 23. That deadline also appears on the Georgia Secretary of State’s official election calendar.
For most absentee voters, counties can begin mailing ballots October 5. Completed absentee ballots must be received by election officials by 7 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Military and overseas voters are subject to different deadlines.
Another important date arrived this weekend. Under Georgia’s 2026 election calendar, September 19 is the deadline for election officials to post sample ballots for public viewing, 45 days ahead of the election. Voters can also access their sample ballot and other personalized election information through Georgia’s My Voter Page.
The November ballot will include the General Election along with local and state questions and races applicable to Chattooga County voters.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, September 19, 2026:

Another hot and humid day is ahead across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 96 degrees. Heat index values could reach around 102, so anyone spending time outdoors should take precautions during the hottest part of the afternoon.

It was a split Friday night for Chattooga County’s two high school football teams, with the Trion Bulldogs rolling to a 49-0 shutout win over Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, while the Chattooga Indians fell 27-17 on the road at Ridgeland.

As cooler weather approaches and more people head outdoors, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding Northwest Georgia residents that fall is also an especially active feeding period for black bears.