GNTC Offering Eight-Week Fall Mini-Mester Beginning In October
Students who missed the start of the traditional fall semester still have another opportunity to begin classes this year at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
GNTC is preparing for its Fall Mini-Mester Term C, an accelerated eight-week term that provides the same credit hours as a regular semester course while offering the same quality instruction in a fast-tracked format.
The admissions application file completion deadline is September 21, and Term C classes begin October 12. GNTC’s academic calendar shows classes continuing through early December.
The shorter term can provide an option for students who were unable to begin classes earlier in the fall or for those looking for a faster-paced way to work toward a degree, diploma or certificate.
GNTC offers more than 200 degree, diploma and certificate programs, including programs in business and cyber-related technologies, nursing and health technologies, aviation and industrial technologies, and public service technologies.
Prospective students can apply online through GNTC. The admissions process includes completing an online application and submitting required educational records. New students are also required to complete orientation before registering for courses.
Anyone interested in beginning classes with the Fall Term C Mini-Mester is encouraged to start the admissions process soon rather than waiting for the September 21 deadline.
For more information, contact Georgia Northwestern Technical College at 1-866-983-GNTC, or apply through the college’s admissions website.
Lumsden Holds Large Fundraising Advantage In Georgia House District 12 Race
The race for Georgia House District 12 is set for November, with incumbent Republican Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee facing Democratic challenger Holly Chaney of Trion and the latest campaign finance reports showing a substantial difference in the amount of money available to the two campaigns.
Both candidates advanced from uncontested party primaries in May. State election results show Lumsden received 6,426 votes in the Republican primary, while Chaney received 1,569 votes in the Democratic primary.
The two will meet in the November 3 general election.
Campaign finance figures show Lumsden entered August with $318,103 in the bank. His latest report lists $7,542 in contributions, $472 in interest earned and $4,455 in expenses.
Among Lumsden’s larger contributions during the reporting period were $2,500 from San Francisco-based Lyft Inc. He also received contributions of $1,000 each from Priority Ambulance of Scottsdale, Arizona; the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals; and Allan Soto, owner of Assisted Living Center of Augusta.
Lumsden’s larger expenses included $1,790 for lodging in Atlanta during the June special legislative session. His campaign also reported contributions to the campaigns of fellow Republican state representatives John Carson and Tim Fleming, along with contributions to the state House Republican trust and the Floyd County Republican Party.
Chaney reported having $2,464 in the bank.
During the latest reporting period, Chaney reported $534 in contributions, including $350 from Cherry Fodor of Douglasville. Her campaign reported $641 in expenses, which included costs associated with meet-and-greets, campaign materials, banking and fundraising services.
The latest figures leave Lumsden with a significant financial advantage heading into the final months before the general election.
Lumsden is the current District 12 representative and is seeking another term in the Georgia House. Georgia records list him as the incumbent Republican representative for the district.
District 12 includes all of Chattooga County and a portion of Floyd County. The district has leaned heavily Republican in recent elections. In 2024, Lumsden defeated Democrat Logan Johnson with 21,310 votes districtwide, compared with 4,778 for Johnson. In Chattooga County specifically, Lumsden received 8,649 votes to Johnson’s 1,661.
Voters will decide between Republican Eddie Lumsden and Democrat Holly Chaney on Tuesday, November 3.
“Power To The Polls” Voter Registration Event Planned In Summerville
A new community voter registration and education event is coming to Summerville next month, with organizers hoping to help residents prepare for upcoming elections.
Summerville Councilwoman Simone Adams and her sister, Ashley Adams, are organizing the event, called “Power to the Polls.”
The event will be held Saturday, September 19, from 10 AM until 2 PM at the Fairway Recreation Center, 81 Senior Drive in Summerville.
Organizers say the event is designed to help residents verify their voter registration status, learn more about the voting process and ask questions about upcoming elections.
Volunteers will be available throughout the event to assist first-time voters, answer questions and help make sure attendees leave confident about casting a ballot.
The event is open to all Chattooga County residents.
Those attending are encouraged to bring a valid photo identification if they plan to register.
Lunch will be provided while supplies last, and organizers say there will also be giveaways and prizes throughout the day.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the organizers at 770-537-3869.
Georgia Agriculture Officials Warn Of Fake Farmers Market Vendor Scam
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is warning farmers, vendors and small-business owners about a fraudulent event advertised on social media as being held at the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
The scam promoted what was called the “2026 GATE Atlanta Vendor & Artisan Market,” supposedly scheduled for August 21 through August 23 at the state farmers market in Forest Park. State agriculture officials say the event was not legitimate and was not affiliated with either the Georgia Department of Agriculture or the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
The professional-looking social media advertisement sought vendors selling food, arts and crafts, clothing and other merchandise. Those interested were directed to an email address where they were sent an application and then instructed to pay a vendor fee electronically.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper says the scam is another example of fraudsters attempting to take advantage of farmers and small businesses. Investigators believe those responsible could potentially be operating from outside the United States, making them more difficult to identify.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture issued a cease-and-desist notice to the Facebook account promoting the fraudulent event, and the department’s law enforcement division is working to determine who is responsible.
Officials are urging Georgians to be cautious when responding to online advertisements seeking vendors for festivals, farmers markets and similar events. People should avoid providing payment, personal information or business information until they have independently verified that an event and its organizers are legitimate.
The Department of Agriculture says vendors interested in leasing legitimate space at the Atlanta State Farmers Market should apply directly through the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s official website, rather than through unsolicited social media advertisements.
Summerville Housing Authority Seeking Administrative Assistant
The Housing Authority of the City of Summerville is accepting applications for an Administrative Assistant.
According to the job announcement, the Housing Authority is looking for a highly motivated, knowledgeable and qualified applicant for the position.
The Administrative Assistant will perform high-level administrative duties and should have demonstrated knowledge of multifamily housing management, accounts payable, payroll and general office management.
Applicants must possess a valid Georgia driver’s license, be insurable and have no alcohol, drug-related or criminal record.
Applications may be picked up at the Housing Authority Office at 56 Ross Street in Summerville.
The Housing Authority of the City of Summerville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Chattooga High School Class Of 1968 Planning September Reunion
Members of the Chattooga High School Class of 1968 are making plans to get together next month for their annual class reunion.
The gathering will be held Saturday, September 19, at The Red Lobster on Shorter Avenue in Rome.
Class members will have a dining room reserved beginning at 2 PM and continuing until 6 PM.
Organizers say they hope all classmates and their spouses will attend and are also extending an invitation to members of other classes who would like to join them.
The reunion will be casual, providing classmates an opportunity to visit, catch up and share memories.
Anyone with questions or who may be hesitant about attending is encouraged to contact Vicki McCorsley at 770-313-5207.
Red Cross Teams Up With Hello Kitty To Encourage September Blood Donations
The American Red Cross is teaming up with Hello Kitty and Friends in September as part of a new effort to encourage blood and platelet donations and help keep the nation’s blood supply stable.
The Red Cross says the blood supply has begun to recover from critically low levels seen earlier this summer, but officials warn that September can bring new challenges. Back-to-school activities often reduce donor availability, while tropical weather and other natural disasters can disrupt blood drives and threaten collections.
To help encourage donations, anyone who comes to give blood or platelets September 1 through September 20 will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last.
The Red Cross says every donation is important and can help more than one patient.
Officials are asking eligible donors of all blood types to make and keep appointments now to help ensure lifesaving blood products remain available wherever they are needed.
Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, which is 1-800-733-2767.
Most donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health, although some younger donors may be eligible with parental consent where allowed by law.
The Red Cross also reminds donors that they can save time on donation day by completing their pre-donation health history questionnaire through RapidPass before arriving at a blood drive.
Trion Bulldogs Closing In On Historic 600th Football Victory
The Trion Bulldogs are closing in on another major milestone in the history of one of Georgia’s most successful high school football programs.
Following Friday night’s season-opening victory, Trion now has 592 all-time wins, putting the Bulldogs just eight victories away from program win number 600. According to information shared by Trion Football, only 26 high school football programs in Georgia have reached the 600-win mark.
Trion also reached another significant mark Friday night, tying Manchester for the most football victories in Class A history.
The milestones come as the Bulldogs have gotten the 2026 season off to a strong start.
Trion opened the regular season Friday night with an impressive 36-7 victory over arch-rival Gordon Lee at Sam R. McCain Memorial Stadium. The win moved the Bulldogs to 1-0 under head coach Sean Patrick and avenged last season’s 23-12 loss to the Trojans.
Trion’s football tradition stretches back for generations. The program has won state championships in 1942, 1957 and 1974, along with numerous region championships. The Bulldogs’ most recent region title came in 2023.
Now, another piece of program history is within reach.
With 592 victories, every win during the 2026 season moves Trion another step toward becoming one of the relatively small number of Georgia high school football programs to reach 600 all-time victories.
The Bulldogs will have their next opportunity to add to that total Friday, August 28, when they host the Model Blue Devils at Sam R. McCain Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
Demonstration Kitchen Returns To Chattooga County Agricultural Fair
The Demonstration Kitchen, sponsored by the Chattooga County Farm Bureau, will return during the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair with hands-on demonstrations scheduled throughout the four-day event.
Activities begin Thursday, August 27 at 5:30 PM with Make & Take Air Dry Clay Flower Frog with Donna Sausville.
Friday’s demonstrations include Beeswax Lip Balm at 5:30 PM with Stacie Marshall of Mountain Mama Farms, followed at 7 PM by Using Herbs To Create A Variety Of Flavor with Rebecca Thomas of UGA Extension Chattooga.
Saturday’s lineup begins at 2:30 PM with DIY Low Toxin Detergent with Katie Bandy Carlson of Sunset Creek Farms. At 4 PM, Logan Money of Pine Ridge Outdoors will present Dirt Cheap Gardening, followed at 5:30 PM by No Bake Protein Bites with Payton Smith of Chattooga 4-H.
On Sunday, Melanie Morris will present MacGyver Meals at 2:30 PM. Donna Sausville returns at 4 PM with DIY Low Toxin Dishwasher Detergent, and the Demonstration Kitchen wraps up at 5:30 PM with Ice Cream in a Bag presented by Sandy Wheat and the Chattooga County Farm Bureau.
The demonstrations are included with the $5 gate admission to the fair at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.
Georgia Gas Prices Continue To Climb Amid Middle East Tensions
Gas prices in Georgia continue to move higher as ongoing conflict in the Middle East adds pressure to global oil markets.
AAA says the statewide average for regular gasoline is now $3.81 per gallon, up 2 cents from last week. The current average is 2 cents lower than a month ago, but 92 cents higher than this time last year.
At the current statewide average, filling a 15-gallon tank costs about $57.15.
AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters says uncertainty in global energy markets continues to affect fuel prices and recommends drivers combine errands, avoid aggressive driving and shop around for lower prices.
Nationally, the average price for regular gasoline has climbed 3 cents to $4.09 per gallon. AAA says crude oil prices above $80 per barrel, along with uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, are keeping pressure on prices even as seasonal demand softens. August is now on track to become the most expensive August on record for U.S. drivers.
Here in the Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama area, prices vary by county.
The average in Chattooga County is $3.78 per gallon. In Floyd County, the average is $3.72, while Walker County is also averaging $3.72. Gordon County is averaging $3.78.
Across the state line, motorists are finding somewhat lower prices. The average in DeKalb County, Alabama is $3.68 per gallon, while Cherokee County, Alabama is averaging $3.64.
Among Georgia metro areas, Savannah currently has the highest average at $3.88, followed by Hinesville-Fort Stewart at $3.87 and Macon at $3.86. The lowest metro averages are in Augusta-Aiken at $3.69, Catoosa-Dade-Walker at $3.71 and Albany at $3.72.
AAA says drivers should expect fuel prices to remain sensitive to overseas developments as uncertainty continues in global energy markets.
AdventHealth AngioScreen Heart And Vascular Screening Coming To Trion Wednesday
AdventHealth will bring its AngioScreen heart and vascular screening program to Mount Vernon Mills in Trion this Wednesday, August 26, giving area residents an opportunity to check for warning signs of heart and vascular disease.
The screenings will be offered from 6 AM until noon at Mount Vernon Mills, 91 Fourth Street in Trion. The cost is $85 per person.
AngioScreen is a non-invasive and painless vascular health screening designed to identify potential problems before symptoms develop. The screening takes approximately 15 minutes and includes a carotid artery ultrasound to check for plaque buildup, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, an ankle-brachial index to evaluate circulation in the legs, an ECG to assess heart rhythm, blood pressure, and a review of vascular risk factors. Participants receive an immediate review of their results from the clinical team.
The screening may be especially important for people with cardiovascular risk factors, including those 55 or older, or those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, a history of smoking, or a family history of heart attack or stroke.
AdventHealth says up to 50 participants can be accommodated during the screening day. Appointments can be scheduled through the link provided by AdventHealth at bit.ly/MtVernonMills. Payment options include cash, checks, credit and debit cards, as well as HSA, TaxSaver and flexible spending cards.
Trion Council Meeting Set For Thursday
The Town of Trion will hold its regular workshop and council meeting this Thursday, August 27.
According to Mayor Mickey D. McGraw, the workshop will begin at 6 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room.
The regular council meeting will follow shortly after the workshop concludes.
Residents with questions or comments about the meeting may contact Mayor McGraw or the Trion Town Hall office for additional information.
2.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Trion Early Monday Morning
A small earthquake was recorded just outside Trion early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS says the magnitude 2.1 earthquake occurred at 2:34 AM Monday, August 24, with the epicenter located approximately 1 kilometer, or six-tenths of a mile, northwest of Trion.
The earthquake was recorded at a depth of approximately 10.6 kilometers, or 6.6 miles below the surface. The USGS lists the center of the earthquake at 34.551 degrees north latitude and 85.319 degrees west longitude. The event has been reviewed by the USGS rather than remaining an automatic preliminary detection.
As of Monday afternoon, the USGS had no reports from residents saying they felt the earthquake, and there were no reports of damage associated with the event.
Monday morning’s earthquake comes just two days after another small earthquake was recorded in Northwest Georgia.
On Saturday, August 22, the USGS recorded a magnitude 2.4 earthquake about 10 kilometers, or roughly six miles, west-northwest of Resaca. That earthquake occurred at 4:54 AM EDT at a depth of approximately 9.4 kilometers, or 5.8 miles.
USGS data indicates the Trion earthquake is the only earthquake of magnitude 1.5 or greater recorded in Georgia during the past 24 hours, while the Trion and Resaca events are the two such earthquakes recorded in the state during the past seven days.
Residents who believe they felt Monday morning’s earthquake can submit a “Did You Feel It?” report to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Arrest Report - Monday - August 24, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, August 24, 2026:
Dry, Less Humid Start To The Week Before Storm Chances Increase
Northwest Georgia will enjoy a relatively dry and comfortable start to the workweek, but increasing moisture and an approaching cold front will bring a better chance for showers and thunderstorms by the middle and latter part of the week.
The National Weather Service says Monday will be sunny with a high near 90 degrees. While temperatures will still reach the 90-degree mark in many locations, noticeably lower humidity will make conditions feel more comfortable. Relative humidity levels are expected to fall into the 30 to 40 percent range during the day.
Skies remain mostly clear Monday night as temperatures fall to around 64 degrees.
Tuesday will offer another dry day across Northwest Georgia, with sunshine and a high near 91. Tuesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 66.
The dry weather is being helped by northwest flow aloft and a frontal boundary that has pushed into south-central Georgia. The National Weather Service says rain and thunderstorm chances through Tuesday will largely remain well south of Northwest Georgia.
Changes begin Wednesday.
Moisture will start increasing ahead of another approaching cold front, with humidity levels climbing noticeably. Wednesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 91, but there will be a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM.
Thunderstorm chances increase to 40 percent Wednesday night as a disturbance approaches the region.
Thursday currently appears to bring the best chance for widespread rain and thunderstorms. Showers will become increasingly likely during the day, with a 60 percent chance of precipitation and a high near 88.
Forecasters say atmospheric moisture will increase substantially ahead of the front, meaning locally heavy rainfall could become a concern Thursday and into the latter part of the week.
Rain chances decrease somewhat Friday, although scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms remain possible. Friday’s high will be near 89.
The weekend currently looks more favorable for outdoor activities. Saturday will be mostly sunny with only a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 90. Sunday will also be mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of storms and a high near 91.
Overall, temperatures will remain close to seasonal averages throughout the week. Morning lows across much of North Georgia will remain primarily in the 60s before warmer and more humid conditions return around midweek.
For Northwest Georgia, Monday and Tuesday will provide the week’s best stretch of dry weather and lower humidity, followed by increasing storm chances Wednesday and the greatest potential for rain on Thursday.
New Report Highlights Food Insecurity Problem In Chattooga County And Northwest Georgia
A newly released national study is putting renewed attention on food insecurity in Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, where poverty, access to grocery stores and the number of households relying on food assistance all point to continuing challenges for local families.
Feeding America released its 2026 Map the Meal Gap report on July 28, providing its newest county-level look at hunger across the United States. Unlike last year’s report, which was based on 2023 conditions, the new report uses 2024 data.
That distinction is important when looking at Chattooga County. Previous Map the Meal Gap data estimated Chattooga’s food insecurity rate at 19.3 percent in 2023, the highest rate among the Northwest Georgia counties in that dataset. The new Feeding America report shows that hunger continued to be a significant problem throughout the region in 2024, but the newest county figures should be used when making current comparisons.
Hunger Increased Across The Chattanooga Region
Chattooga County is part of the 20-county Chattanooga Area Food Bank service area, which includes nine Georgia counties — Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Walker and Whitfield — along with 11 counties in Tennessee.
The newest Feeding America data show that 17.4 percent of people in the Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s service area experienced food insecurity in 2024.
That’s the highest rate the organization has seen in at least five years.
The regional rate had dropped to 12 percent in 2021 but has increased each year since then. It reached 15.7 percent in 2023 before climbing to 17.4 percent in 2024.
Altogether, an estimated 196,770 people in the Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s 20-county territory experienced food insecurity during 2024.
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank says roughly one in six households in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia may not know where their next meal is coming from, and nearly 49,000 children in its service territory face hunger.
What Does “Food Insecure” Mean?
Food insecurity doesn’t necessarily mean that someone goes without food every day.
The USDA defines it as limited or uncertain access to adequate food. A household may have plenty to eat during part of the month but struggle at other times.
For a working family, that could mean reducing portions, purchasing less nutritious but cheaper foods, skipping meals or stretching groceries until the next paycheck.
Feeding America says food insecurity can result from a combination of limited or unstable income and the rising cost of necessities such as food, housing, health care, utilities and child care.
The Problem Goes Beyond SNAP
One of the most important findings in the new report is that many people struggling with hunger earn too much money to qualify for SNAP benefits.
Nationally, Feeding America estimates that approximately 25 million food-insecure Americans — nearly half of everyone experiencing food insecurity — had household incomes above the applicable threshold for federal nutrition assistance.
That’s important when considering hunger in Northwest Georgia.
A family can have jobs and income and still struggle to afford groceries after paying rent or a mortgage, electricity, transportation, insurance, medical expenses and other household bills.
Those households can fall into a difficult gap: they don’t have enough money to comfortably meet their food needs, but they may make too much to qualify for SNAP.
The issue was highlighted recently in neighboring Dade County and Hamilton County, Tennessee, where the new Map the Meal Gap figures showed a significant portion of food-insecure residents falling above the SNAP income threshold.
Georgia as a whole illustrates the issue particularly well.
According to Feeding America’s new 2024 estimates, 15.6 percent of Georgians experienced food insecurity, compared with 14.4 percent nationally.
But Feeding America estimates that 64 percent of food-insecure Georgians had incomes above the SNAP threshold, while 36 percent were below it.
That means hunger in Georgia is by no means limited to households receiving food stamps.
Chattooga Faces Additional Challenges
Other indicators help explain why food insecurity remains an especially important issue in Chattooga County.
The latest Census poverty estimates put Chattooga County’s poverty rate at approximately 21.2 percent, compared with only 9.9 percent in neighboring Catoosa County.
Access to food can also be a problem.
USDA Food Access Research Atlas data indicate that approximately 37.5 percent of Chattooga County residents live in areas with low access to a supermarket.
Three of the county’s six census tracts meet the low-income and low-access criteria commonly used to identify food deserts.
The same county profile, using 2024 Census estimates, shows approximately 18.8 percent of Chattooga County households receive SNAP benefits.
Transportation can make the problem even more difficult. An estimated 7.6 percent of Chattooga County households don’t have access to a vehicle. In a rural county where residents may live several miles from a full-service grocery store, distance becomes another obstacle for families already struggling financially.
Previous Data Put Chattooga At The Top Of Northwest Georgia
While Feeding America’s newly released 2026 report should be used for current figures, the previous year’s county comparison provides important context about where Chattooga has stood relative to surrounding counties.
Using the 2023 Map the Meal Gap estimates, Chattooga County had a food insecurity rate of 19.3 percent.
That compared with:
Chattooga County — 19.3%
Floyd County — 17.2%
Walker County — 16.3%
Whitfield County — 15.7%
Murray County — 15.6%
Gordon County — 15.0%
Catoosa County — 14.0%
Dade County — 13.8%
Those numbers put Chattooga above each of its immediate Northwest Georgia neighbors and well above Georgia’s 2023 statewide rate of 14.9 percent.
The 19.3 percent figure should therefore be described specifically as Chattooga County’s 2023 estimate, rather than as the county’s current 2024 rate.
Hunger Is Increasing
What the newest report makes clear is that the overall problem did not disappear in 2024.
Across the Chattanooga Area Food Bank territory, food insecurity increased from 15.7 percent in 2023 to 17.4 percent in 2024.
Georgia’s statewide rate increased as well, reaching 15.6 percent in 2024, while the national rate stood at 14.4 percent.
Children remain particularly vulnerable.
Across the Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s service area, approximately 22.6 percent of children experienced food insecurity in 2024, representing about 54,500 children.
Food Prices Remain Part Of The Equation
Feeding America’s study also attempts to measure how much additional money food-insecure households would need to adequately meet their food needs.
Nationally, people living in food-insecure households reported needing an additional $23.16 per person each week to have enough money for food.
Across the country, that produced an estimated $33.7 billion food-budget shortfall during 2024.
The average cost of a meal nationally was estimated at $3.70.
Those figures help illustrate why households that may appear financially stable on paper can still experience food insecurity.
A family doesn’t necessarily have to be unemployed or receiving public assistance to struggle with groceries. A sudden medical bill, higher utility costs, reduced work hours, car repairs or other unexpected expenses can quickly take money away from a household’s food budget.
A Significant Issue For Chattooga County
For Chattooga County, the newest Feeding America report should be viewed alongside several local warning signs: a poverty rate above 20 percent, significant SNAP participation, large portions of the county with limited supermarket access and a previous food insecurity rate that was higher than surrounding Northwest Georgia counties.
The new report also underscores something that isn’t always obvious when discussing hunger: many of the people struggling to afford food are not eligible for SNAP.
Feeding America says more than eight out of ten counties with the nation’s highest food insecurity rates are in the South, and more than eight out of ten are rural — two characteristics that make the findings particularly relevant to communities such as Chattooga County.
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank and its network of local partner agencies provide food assistance throughout Northwest Georgia and Southeast Tennessee. The organization says rising costs, transportation challenges and limited resources all contribute to food insecurity in the region.
For Chattooga County, the latest information reinforces what local food pantries, churches, schools and community organizations regularly encounter firsthand: hunger isn’t limited to people without jobs or people receiving government assistance. It can include working families, children and seniors who simply don’t have enough money left after meeting other necessities to consistently put adequate food on the table.
Sources: Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap 2026 (2024 Data); Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap Methodology and Technical Appendix; Feeding America Map the Meal Gap Interactive Map; Chattanooga Area Food Bank; National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (HDPulse Data Portal), Georgia Food Insecurity by County; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas.
Chattooga Family Connection Helps Local Schools Meet Student Hygiene Needs
Chattooga Family Connection is helping local schools address an often-overlooked need among students — access to basic hygiene items.
The organization recently received a generous donation toward this year’s Back to School Bash. The donor, who asked to remain anonymous, requested that a portion of the contribution be set aside specifically to help meet hygiene needs in local schools.
Chattooga Family Connection Director Maisha Ludy personally visited several schools to deliver checks that can be used to purchase hygiene supplies for students.
Schools receiving the donations included Chattooga High School, Trion High School, Summerville Middle School, Menlo Elementary School and Lyerly Elementary School.
According to Family Connection, administrators and staff at each school expressed the same concern: hygiene items are badly needed, particularly new underwear and deodorant.
While items such as notebooks, pencils and backpacks often receive attention during back-to-school drives, basic personal-care products can also have a major impact on a student’s comfort, confidence and ability to focus during the school day.
Family Connection is encouraging residents who would like to help to consider contacting one of the local schools directly about donating hygiene products.
Even relatively small donations of items such as deodorant, new packaged underwear and other basic personal-care products can help schools maintain supplies for students who may unexpectedly need them during the school year.
The organization says the anonymous donation is already helping schools meet immediate needs and is serving as a reminder that community support can make a meaningful difference for local students.
Four Nights Of Live Music Coming To The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair
Country favorites, Southern rock, classic rock and the unmistakable harmonies associated with one of country music’s legendary country and gospel groups will all be part of the musical entertainment at the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair.
The fair opens Thursday, August 27, and continues through Sunday, August 30, in Summerville. While Thursday is opening night, the main musical lineup gets underway Friday and continues through Sunday. The fair’s current entertainment schedule lists Babe’s Bayou at 9 PM Friday, The Band Chickamauga at 7 PM Saturday, Lone Star Skynyrd at 9 PM Saturday and The Statler Experience at 6 PM Sunday. Fair organizers are reminding concertgoers to bring folding chairs for the performances.
Friday Night – Babe’s Bayou
Babe’s Bayou will kick off the weekend’s main musical entertainment Friday, August 28, at 9 PM.
The North Georgia band has been performing since 2002 and has built its reputation around the country music of the 1980s and 1990s. The current published band biography lists Ryan Coker on lead vocals, Matt Chambers on acoustic rhythm guitar, Matt Thornton on lead guitar, Dee Callihan on bass and Brad Thompson on drums.
Over the years, Babe’s Bayou has performed at venues across the Southeast and has shared stages with nationally known country acts including Shenandoah, Luke Bryan, Sammy Kershaw and Doug Stone.
The group also has original music to its credit. Babe’s Bayou released the 10-song album In the Blink of an Eye in 2008. Songs from the project include “Come Back,” “Wild Women,” “Who I Am,” “Run Away With My Heart,” “Redneckville” and the title track.
For fairgoers who grew up when artists such as George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and other traditional country performers dominated country radio, Babe’s Bayou’s emphasis on ’80s and ’90s country should provide a familiar start to the weekend.
Saturday Night – The Band Chickamauga
Saturday’s music begins at 7 PM with The Band Chickamauga, a group already familiar to many Northwest Georgia music fans. The band appeared in Chattooga County earlier this summer, bringing a mixture of rock classics and Southern rock favorites to the Chattooga River Fest in Trion.
The group’s regional connections extend beyond Chattooga County. The Band Chickamauga was among the performers selected for Chattanooga’s Road to Nightfall competition, which showcases bands competing for an opportunity connected with the city’s long-running Nightfall concert series.
That makes Saturday’s opening performance a particularly local and regional part of the fair’s entertainment lineup, with a band whose music has already been heard by audiences around Northwest Georgia and the Chattanooga area.
Saturday Night – Lone Star Skynyrd
The volume turns up again at 9 PM Saturday when Lone Star Skynyrd takes the stage.
The Dallas, Texas-based group is devoted to recreating the music and concert experience of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band’s repertoire includes some of the biggest songs in Southern rock history, including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “Simple Man,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” “That Smell,” “What’s Your Name” and, of course, “Free Bird.”
Lone Star Skynyrd describes its mission as reproducing the original band’s sound as faithfully as possible, including the three-guitar attack, strong rhythm section, lead vocals and female harmonies that were central to the classic Skynyrd sound. The group has been performing since 2017.
The tribute has earned national recognition as well. Lone Star Skynyrd was named Tribute Band of the Year at the 2022 Josie Music Awards, and the group says current Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Johnny Van Zant is among its supporters.
The current lineup listed by the band includes vocalist Steven Naylor, guitarists Craig Zerba, Mike Ceccarelli and Emanuele Moretti, drummer Ross Young, pianist Larry Ashby and bassist Fortune Phoenix.
Naylor, the group’s vocalist and bandleader, has said his interest in Lynyrd Skynyrd goes back to childhood, when his father owned the “Sweet Home Alabama” single. He later helped assemble musicians capable of reproducing the original recordings as closely as possible.
Saturday night’s show should be especially appealing to Southern rock fans, with a set built around music that has remained a staple of rock and country radio for more than half a century.
Sunday – The Statler Experience
The fair closes Sunday with a performance carrying one of country music’s strongest family legacies.
The Statler Experience, featuring Wilson Fairchild and Jack & Davis Reid, will perform at 6 PM Sunday, August 30. The show replaces the previously scheduled appearance by Guy Penrod, who had to cancel because of illness.
The performance brings together descendants of two members of The Statler Brothers.
Wilson Fairchild consists of cousins Wil Reid and Langdon Reid. Wil is the son of the late Harold Reid, while Langdon is the son of Don Reid. Harold and Don were members of The Statler Brothers, the legendary country quartet whose decades-long career produced hits including “Flowers on the Wall,” “Bed of Rose’s,” “The Class of ’57,” “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine” and “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You.”
Wil and Langdon have been writing and performing together since their youth in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Their songs have also been recorded by performers including The Statler Brothers, Ricky Skaggs and Dailey & Vincent.
Wilson Fairchild’s connection to the Statler legacy goes far beyond performing their fathers’ music. In 2007, Wil and Langdon wrote “The Statler Brothers Song” as a tribute and performed it in connection with the Statlers’ Hall of Fame honors.
They remain active recording artists today. In April, Wilson Fairchild released American Songbook: Country Classics and Gospel Favorites through Gaither Music Group. The project includes their interpretations of songs such as “Amazing Grace,” “Always on My Mind,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “I Saw the Light” and “Lean on Me.”
But Sunday’s show goes another generation deeper.
Jack and Davis Reid are themselves descendants of the Statler Brothers. Jack is Wil Reid’s son and Harold Reid’s grandson, while Davis is Langdon Reid’s son and Don Reid’s grandson. The younger Reids have formed their own musical act and perform together, continuing the family’s musical tradition into a third generation.
The format planned for Summerville makes Sunday’s concert more than a conventional Wilson Fairchild performance. Jack and Davis are scheduled to open with their own high-energy set. Wilson Fairchild will follow with classics and original material before all four performers come together for four-part harmony on Statler Brothers favorites.
That means fairgoers will hear the Statler tradition carried from Harold and Don Reid, to their sons Wil and Langdon, and now to grandsons Jack and Davis.
Concerts Included With Fair Admission
The 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair runs Thursday, August 27, through Sunday, August 30. Hours are 5 to 10 PM Thursday, 5 to 11 PM Friday, 2 to 11 PM Saturday and 2 to 9 PM Sunday.
General gate admission is $5, and the musical performances are included with fair admission. Students receive free gate admission Thursday, while active-duty and retired military personnel receive free admission with military identification Friday. Carnival rides are additional, with unlimited-ride armbands priced at $25 Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday.
The musical schedule is:
Friday, August 28 – 9 PM: Babe’s Bayou
Saturday, August 29 – 7 PM: The Band Chickamauga
Saturday, August 29 – 9 PM: Lone Star Skynyrd
Sunday, August 30 – 6 PM: The Statler Experience featuring Wilson Fairchild and Jack & Davis Reid
Fair officials encourage those attending the concerts to bring a folding chair.
Georgia DNR Revitalizes Statewide Water Safety Program
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is revitalizing a statewide program aimed at preventing drownings and other water-related injuries, with hundreds of new life jackets being made available to people enjoying Georgia’s lakes, rivers and other waterways.
DNR announced the renewed effort through its SPLASH water safety initiative, a program focused on education, prevention, partnerships and public outreach. The agency says the goal is to create a coordinated statewide effort encouraging Georgians and visitors to take basic precautions while swimming, boating and participating in other activities on the water.
A major part of the renewed effort comes through a partnership with Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. The organization contributed more than $11,000 to purchase 470 life jackets, enough to completely restock all 44 DNR-managed Life Jacket Loaner Kiosks across Georgia.
The loaner kiosks allow visitors who don’t have a life jacket with them to borrow one at no cost while participating in water activities and return it afterward. The program is intended to make properly fitted flotation devices more readily available to families and individuals visiting Georgia waterways.
Georgia DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon said the donation will increase access to properly fitted life jackets and strengthen the state’s overall water-safety efforts.
Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites President and CEO Damon Kirkpatrick said helping people safely enjoy Georgia’s waterways fits with the organization’s mission of protecting and enhancing outdoor experiences.
The renewed SPLASH initiative comes as DNR works to strengthen partnerships with organizations involved in water safety and drowning prevention. DNR says the broader effort is designed not only to provide equipment but also to increase public awareness about precautions that can prevent water-related tragedies.
The SPLASH message emphasizes several basic principles of water safety, including supervision, prevention, wearing a life jacket, staying within arm’s length of children or inexperienced swimmers, taking swim lessons and having a water-safety plan.
DNR officials say properly fitted life jackets are particularly important because emergencies on the water can develop quickly, even for experienced swimmers and boaters.
With the addition of the 470 new life jackets, all 44 DNR-operated loaner kiosks across Georgia are now fully restocked as the state works to make water recreation safer for residents and visitors.
Armuchee Woman Charged With Aggravated Cruelty To Animals
An Armuchee woman has been arrested on a felony warrant charging her with aggravated cruelty to animals after authorities say she admitted beating her small dog to death with a sledgehammer.
According to the warrant, 63-year-old Teresa Lynn Barnes told officers that she struck the dog with the sledgehammer until it died and then left the animal lying on the sidewalk in front of her High Bluff Road residence.
The warrant states that when officers asked Barnes why she killed the dog, she told them she wanted to kill it, so she did.
Under Georgia law, there is an important distinction between cruelty to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Georgia Code Section 16-12-4 generally makes it misdemeanor cruelty to animals when someone causes physical pain, suffering or death to an animal through an unjustifiable act or omission. Aggravated cruelty, however, involves more serious conduct and is a felony.
Georgia law says aggravated cruelty to animals occurs when a person maliciously causes the death of an animal. The felony statute also covers malicious acts that seriously disfigure an animal or render part of its body useless, infliction of severe or prolonged physical pain, intentional poisoning, and certain cases of malicious deprivation of food, water or other necessary care resulting in death or serious injury.
The law defines “malice” to include an actual intent to cause the particular harm without justification or excuse. It can also include a wanton and willful act committed while aware that there is a strong likelihood the harm will result.
That distinction is particularly relevant to the allegation against Barnes. According to the warrant, authorities are not alleging that the dog’s death resulted from neglect or an accident. They allege Barnes intentionally beat the dog to death and that she subsequently told officers she did so because she wanted to kill the animal. Those allegations, if proven, could satisfy the portion of Georgia’s aggravated-cruelty statute dealing with maliciously causing an animal’s death. Ultimately, whether the state can prove those elements is a matter for the courts.
A first conviction for aggravated cruelty to animals in Georgia is punishable by one to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The statute provides enhanced penalties for subsequent aggravated-cruelty convictions.
Barnes was arrested on the felony warrant. The charge against her is an accusation, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.