Despite ice‑cold temperatures and snowfall, the 2026 Pinewood Derby Race for Pack 38 Cub Scouts roared ahead as planned, proving that a little winter weather couldn’t slow down Scout spirit.
Families bundled up and made their way to the race venue, where Scouts proudly presented the wooden cars they had designed and built over the past several weeks. Inside, the atmosphere was warm with excitement as cars raced down the track and cheers filled the room.
Pack 38 held their annual pinewood derby on Saturday January 31 at the Ag Center in Summerville. A popular Cub Scout Activity, pinewood derbies feature unpowered miniature wood cars that compete in timed races on a sloped track.
Georgia lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and administer hormonal contraception, potentially making birth control more accessible across the state without a doctor’s visit.
The Georgia House has approved legislation aimed at expanding how landowners and wildlife control operators can trap and hunt feral hogs—an invasive species blamed for widespread damage to crops, pastures, wildlife habitat, and property across the state. Supporters say the measure is designed to remove red tape and help reduce hog populations that reproduce quickly and are difficult to control.
A new wave of legal action over PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—is building across Northwest Georgia, and a lawsuit filed by Gordon County is adding fresh pressure on companies tied to the region’s carpet and chemical supply chain.
Shorter University welcomed middle school students from across Georgia as it hosted the Division B Regional competition for the 2025–2026 Georgia Science Olympiad.
The Georgia House of Representatives completed a busy fourth week of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers passed House Bill 973, the House’s version of the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support, is built on a revised $42.3 billion revenue estimate and includes $4.5 billion in surplus and new funding to support priorities through June 30, 2026.
Key investments in the amended budget include property tax relief through the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program, education funding for K–12 schools and higher education, and pay supplements for teachers, school staff, and early learning educators. The House also approved funding for HOPE and the new need-based DREAMS Scholarship, along with investments in school safety, mental health services, and workforce readiness initiatives.
The budget further prioritizes public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure, with funding for prison security upgrades, behavioral health facilities, rural healthcare access, and major transportation projects, including road resurfacing and rural bridge repairs. Lawmakers also heard the annual State of the Judiciary Address from Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson during the week.
In addition to the budget, the House passed several bills addressing issues such as newborn safety, feral hog control, rural eye care access, veterans’ burial eligibility, and early literacy initiatives. With the amended budget now moving to the Senate, the House will soon begin work on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget as the session continues.
The Bank of LaFayette will host a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 W. Patton Street in LaFayette.
Community members are encouraged to give local and help save local lives. All donors between February 1–14 will receive a special “Donor for Life” tattoo shirt as a thank-you gift.
To prepare for donation, donors are asked to eat a good meal, drink extra water, avoid energy drinks, and bring a valid ID.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, law enforcement agencies and consumer protection groups are warning residents to be on the lookout for romance scams, which tend to increase during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Scammers often target individuals through social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust before asking for money.
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will continue to experience unusually warm February weather this week, with temperatures climbing well above seasonal averages. Highs are expected to peak today and Wednesday, reaching the upper 60s to mid-70s across the region.
