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.
Chattooga County CERT Seeking New Members For September Training
Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is inviting local residents to learn skills that could help their families, neighbors and community when disaster strikes by becoming members of the county’s Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT.
CERT is a FEMA-supported program designed to educate and train everyday citizens in basic disaster preparedness and emergency response. The goal is not to replace professional first responders, but to provide trained volunteers who can offer valuable assistance when emergencies stretch public safety resources.
Chattooga County CERT members receive training in disaster preparedness and emergency readiness, fire safety and suppression, light search and rescue, basic medical response and triage, disaster psychology, teamwork and emergency response operations.
Once trained, CERT volunteers can assist public safety responders and provide support to neighborhoods, community events and other activities throughout Chattooga County. During a major emergency or disaster, volunteers can also help their communities prepare, respond and recover while professional firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and other first responders concentrate on the most critical needs.
Chattooga County will offer its next free CERT training class on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. Lunch will be provided.
Training will be held at the Chattooga County Community Resource Center at 48 Eleanor Avenue in Summerville, located at the former North Summerville School off Highland Avenue.
The training will cover basic disaster response, fire suppression, basic medical operations, disaster psychology, search and rescue and additional emergency response skills.
Chattooga County EMA Director Pamela Vaughn says CERT provides an opportunity for residents who want to learn valuable emergency skills, help their neighbors, support local first responders and become better prepared to assist when an emergency occurs.
Those interested in becoming a CERT member can obtain an application by calling the Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency at 706-857-3400, option 2, or by emailing pamela.vaughn@chattoogacounty.gov.
Learn. Prepare. Serve. Make a Difference. — Chattooga County CERT, supporting the community when it matters most.
Whatever Happened To Sprite, Georgia?
Long before GPS, interstate highways and modern road signs, the map of Chattooga County was dotted with small communities whose names were familiar to generations of local residents.
Some survived. Others changed names or gradually disappeared.
One of the more unusual was Sprite, Georgia.
Sprite was located in southern Chattooga County in the general area between Holland and the Floyd County line. The Chattooga County Historical Society describes Sprite as a village near — and often interchangeable with — Tulip, another name once used for the community. Most importantly, Sprite was a stop on the Central of Georgia Railroad between Holland and Rome.
And Sprite wasn’t merely a name passed down through local folklore.
Historic maps document it. The Chattooga County Historical Society’s archives include an 1898 map showing the train route from Lyerly through Tulip and Sprite, while an 1898 U.S. Geological Survey map also identifies Sprite among the communities of the region.
Sprite Was A Railroad Community
The railroad was central to Sprite’s existence.
A fascinating account published in The Summerville News in 1973 looked back at the days when Tulip, Sprite and nearby Kincaid were busy places. The newspaper described Sprite specifically as the location of the railroad depot.
The railroad connected the rural farming communities of southern Chattooga County with larger markets, and one of the area’s biggest agricultural businesses was peaches.
According to the 1973 account, Hugh Miller and Addison Snooks established a large peach orchard on nearby Kincaid Mountain. During peach season, wagons carried fruit down from the mountain to the railroad.
A railroad switch extended from the main line at Sprite toward Kincaid Mountain, where peaches were stored under a large shed before being loaded into railroad cars and shipped to markets outside the area. The peach industry became large enough to employ hundreds of people, and houses were built around Kincaid and at the foot of the mountain.
That gives us a much different picture of Sprite than the quiet rural landscape someone might see there today.
At the beginning of the 20th century, trains stopped there, freight was loaded there, people lived and worked nearby, and agricultural products grown in Chattooga County left Sprite by rail for distant markets.
Tulip And Sprite
Understanding Sprite gets a little complicated because Sprite and Tulip were essentially neighboring — and sometimes interchangeable — names.
The Chattooga County Historical Society lists both communities and gives nearly identical descriptions: each was near the other, and each was associated with the Central of Georgia railroad between Holland and Rome.
The 1973 Summerville News account provides additional detail.
Tulip had the post office, while Sprite had the railroad depot.
John Holland served as postmaster at Tulip and was also the depot agent at Sprite. The Tulip community included stores, a barber shop, homes and a school.
So while people sometimes used the names almost interchangeably, they could also describe particular places or functions within the same general community.
A person might receive mail through Tulip while boarding a train or shipping agricultural products through Sprite.
People Actually Gave Their Address As Sprite, Georgia
Historic newspapers provide another interesting piece of evidence showing that Sprite was a recognized place name.
In the December 5, 1912 edition of The Summerville News, an advertisement announced a large farm sale to be held at:
“Sprite, Georgia”
The sale included mules, horses, cows, yearlings, hundreds of bushels of corn, hay, fodder, wagons, plows, farm machinery, hogs and other agricultural property.
Newspaper accounts from the period also routinely used Sprite as a geographic reference. A 1909 edition of The Summerville News, for example, reported that a man had been arrested at Sprite by a deputy sheriff.
Those references demonstrate that Sprite wasn’t simply the railroad company’s name for a siding. It was understood locally as a recognizable place.
Schools And Families At Sprite
People also made their homes there.
A reminiscence preserved by the Chattooga County Historical Society provides a direct connection to one Sprite family.
Avva Wheeler Wells, born in 1903, recalled that when she was seven years old, her grandparents Thomas King and Phydella Rush Weathers moved from Sprite, Georgia, to her father’s farm on Lyerly Highway.
The 1973 Summerville News history recalled other residents, including Will and Olla Gayler, who lived at Sprite.
Education was also part of community life. Teachers served schools around Tulip and Kincaid, and one teacher reportedly boarded with the Gayler family at Sprite while teaching nearby. Another teacher traveled to Tulip by train — something that illustrates just how important the railroad was to daily life before automobiles and school buses became commonplace.
From Kincaid To Tulip To Sprite — And Eventually Poetry
The area’s collection of names can be confusing even to people familiar with Chattooga County.
At various times, the general locality was associated with Kincaid, Tulip and Sprite.
The Chattooga County Historical Society says another name eventually appeared: Poetry.
The Historical Society describes Poetry as the latter-day name for the area that had previously been known as Sprite and Tulip.
There was even another short-lived postal name nearby.
The Historical Society records Peter as a very short-lived post office located near the Weathers home south of Holland at Sprite.
The numerous names illustrate how rural communities developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. A community’s identity might revolve around its railroad depot, post office, store, school or a prominent local family. When those institutions moved or disappeared, the name used for the area could change as well.
The End Of Sprite As A Railroad Stop
Eventually, the economic forces that created Sprite began disappearing.
The large-scale peach business around Kincaid declined. Automobiles and improved roads reduced dependence on passenger trains. Rural schools consolidated. Small post offices closed.
And the railroad depot that had helped give Sprite its identity faded into history.
By 1973, The Summerville News summed up the change simply: Sprite had become a memory as a railroad depot. The peach shipments from Kincaid Mountain were also long gone.
Tulip’s old post office building survived longer.
According to the newspaper, Anne Clay Otwell attempted to restore the historic building, which was also locally identified as the site of an old Indian trading post. Her plans did not materialize, and the building was eventually destroyed by fire, leaving only chimneys and debris.
Sprite Hasn’t Completely Disappeared
Although there is no longer a bustling Sprite railroad depot, the name survives in historical records, maps and family memories.
Historic mapping continued to recognize Sprite long after its busiest railroad days, and the Chattooga County Historical Society has preserved photographs, maps and written accounts documenting the community.
And that’s what makes Sprite an interesting piece of Chattooga County history.
Today, someone could drive through the southern part of the county without realizing that trains once stopped nearby, hundreds of people worked in peach orchards on the mountain, wagons carried fruit to railroad cars, children attended small community schools, and residents could legitimately tell someone they lived in Sprite, Georgia.
The town didn’t move.
The landscape didn’t disappear.
The world around Sprite changed — and eventually the name nearly disappeared with it.
But more than a century later, old maps, newspapers and the memories preserved by local historians still tell the story of a little Chattooga County community that once had a place on the railroad map.
Sources: Chattooga County Historical Society; The Summerville News, August 9, 1973; The Summerville News, September 9, 1909; The Summerville News, December 5, 1912; Georgia Historic Newspapers, Digital Library of Georgia; historic U.S. Geological Survey mapping.
Small Earthquake Reported About 18 Miles From Summerville
A small earthquake was recorded in Northwest Georgia early Saturday morning, with the epicenter located west of Resaca and roughly 18 miles east of Summerville.
According to information from the University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information, the magnitude 2.4 earthquake occurred at approximately 4:54 AM EDT on Saturday, August 22.
The earthquake was centered about 6.3 miles west of Resaca, on the west side of Interstate 75. Resaca itself is approximately 24 miles east of Summerville as the crow flies, placing the reported epicenter about 18 miles from Summerville.
A magnitude 2.4 earthquake is considered minor. Earthquakes of that size can sometimes be felt by people close to the epicenter, particularly indoors or during the quiet early-morning hours, but they generally are not strong enough to cause damage.
Small earthquakes are not unheard of in North Georgia. The region is capable of producing minor seismic activity, although most earthquakes recorded in Northwest Georgia are small and may only be detected by sensitive seismic instruments.
The University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information, commonly known as CERI, operates seismic monitoring equipment throughout portions of the central and eastern United States and tracks earthquake activity across the region.
There were no immediate reports of damage associated with Saturday morning’s earthquake.
Source: University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information.
Rain Chances Could Impact Chattooga County Agricultural Fair Later This Week
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens later this week, and while temperatures are looking fairly typical for late August, fairgoers may want to keep an eye on the forecast as showers and thunderstorms could affect portions of the four-day event.
The fair opens Thursday, August 27, and continues through Sunday, August 30, at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville. Current forecasts indicate temperatures should generally remain in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees during the fair, with the greatest rain chances currently expected around opening day Thursday.
The National Weather Service says moisture will increase across North Georgia during the middle and latter portions of the week as another frontal boundary pushes southeastward into the region. That will provide additional opportunities for showers and thunderstorms beginning Wednesday and continuing into the fair.
At this point, however, there is no indication that the four-day fair will be a washout.
Thursday Could Bring The Best Chance For Rain
Thursday currently appears to have the greatest potential for showers and thunderstorms during the fair.
The National Weather Service expects an approaching frontal boundary and increasing moisture to produce higher rain chances across North Georgia Wednesday night into Thursday.
For the Chattooga County area, Thursday’s forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with partly sunny skies and a high near 88 degrees.
The forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 AM, followed by a chance of showers during the day and another chance of thunderstorms developing during the afternoon.
That’s particularly important because Thursday is opening day at the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, with gates open from 5 until 10 PM.
Thursday evening currently carries about a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the earlier portion of the evening.
The forecast does not suggest continuous rainfall throughout the day. Instead, showers and thunderstorms are expected to be scattered, meaning conditions could vary considerably from one part of Northwest Georgia to another.
Still, anyone planning to attend opening night should check the latest forecast and radar before heading to the fairgrounds.
Friday Brings Lower Rain Chances
The forecast begins looking somewhat better for Friday, August 28, although scattered thunderstorms will remain possible.
Friday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 89 degrees and about a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Another 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms continues Friday night.
Fair gates will be open from 5 until 11 PM Friday.
Friday night’s musical entertainment will feature Babe’s Bayou at 9 PM, and fairgoers attending the outdoor performance will want to continue watching the weather as the day approaches.
While a scattered shower or thunderstorm remains possible, Friday currently carries a lower overall rain chance than opening day Thursday.
Saturday Currently Looking Better
Saturday, August 29, currently looks like one of the better weather days of the fair.
The forecast calls for sunny skies with a high near 90 degrees and only about a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday is the longest day of the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, with gates open from 2 until 11 PM.
With temperatures around 90 degrees, the afternoon could still be hot for people spending several hours walking the fairgrounds. Fairgoers should plan for the late-August heat, drink plenty of water and take breaks when needed.
Saturday evening’s entertainment includes The Band Chickamauga at 7 PM followed by Lone Star Skynyrd at 9 PM.
Based on the early forecast, Saturday currently offers one of the better opportunities for outdoor activities at the fair, although an isolated summertime shower or thunderstorm cannot be completely ruled out.
Sunday Forecast Still Less Certain
The fair concludes Sunday, August 30, and because Sunday is farther out in the forecast period, there is naturally more uncertainty about exact conditions.
Early indications suggest temperatures should once again remain in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees.
As the frontal boundary moves through the region and the weather pattern evolves later this week, forecasters should have a much better idea of Sunday’s rain chances.
Sunday’s fair hours are 2 until 9 PM, with The Statler Experience featuring Wilson Fairchild and Jack & Davis Reid scheduled to perform at 6 PM.
Anyone planning to attend the final day of the fair should check an updated forecast later in the week.
Not Looking Like A Fair Washout
The early forecast contains some good news for fairgoers.
While Thursday could be unsettled, rain chances currently decrease as the fair moves into Friday and Saturday. Temperatures throughout the event should remain fairly typical for late August, generally ranging from the upper 80s to around 90 during the afternoon.
The greatest concern at this point is the possibility of scattered thunderstorms, particularly around Thursday’s opening. Summer thunderstorms can produce brief heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds even when much of the surrounding area remains dry.
Because the fair includes carnival rides, livestock activities and outdoor musical entertainment, lightning would be an especially important consideration if thunderstorms develop near the fairgrounds.
Forecast confidence will also increase considerably as Thursday gets closer.
The 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair runs Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30, featuring carnival rides, agricultural and livestock shows, Blue Ribbon exhibits, food, demonstrations and live entertainment.
For now, the early fair forecast can be summed up this way:
Thursday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 88. Rain chances decrease Thursday evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 89.
Saturday: Sunny with only a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 90.
Sunday: Early outlook favors temperatures in the upper 80s to around 90, but the forecast remains less certain this far out.
WZQZ News will continue watching the forecast throughout the week and provide updated weather information as opening day approaches.
Busy Week Ahead For Chattooga High School Athletics
Chattooga High School and middle school athletes have a full schedule ahead this week, with teams competing in softball, football, volleyball and cross country.
The action begins Monday, August 24, when the Chattooga Lady Indians softball team hosts Armuchee at 5:30 PM.
It will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams. Armuchee won the first matchup 9-2 on August 6. Chattooga enters Monday’s game with a 2-5 record, while Armuchee is 8-1. Chattooga is coming off a 13-1 loss to Gordon Lee Thursday, while Armuchee defeated Heard County 3-1.
Three Chattooga teams are scheduled for competition Tuesday, August 25.
The Chattooga Middle School football team will be at home against Ashworth. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.
The Lady Indians softball team will travel to face Christian Heritage in a region contest scheduled for 5 PM, according to the athletic schedule provided by Chattooga High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark Turner.
Chattooga volleyball will also be on the road Tuesday, traveling to Rome for matches against Rome and Dalton Academy. Matches are scheduled for 6 and 7 PM.
The volleyball team enters the week after competing Saturday. Chattooga is 11-3 following a 2-0 loss to Armuchee and is scheduled to face Dalton Academy Tuesday in Region 7-AA competition.
Another busy day is scheduled for Thursday, August 27.
The Chattooga JV football team travels to LaFayette for a 5:30 PM kickoff.
At home, the Lady Indians softball team will face Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe at 5:30 PM.
Chattooga volleyball will also compete at home Thursday, hosting Woodland and Cedartown. Matches are scheduled for 5 and 7 PM.
The week’s athletic schedule concludes Saturday, August 29, when Chattooga’s cross country team travels to Heritage High School for the Front Runner Star Stride. Competition is scheduled to begin at 8 AM.
The schedule gives Chattooga athletes competition on four days during the week, with several opportunities for local fans to see the Indians and Lady Indians at home.
Chattooga Athletic Schedule
Monday, August 24
- Softball vs. Armuchee — Home — 5:30 PM
Tuesday, August 25
- Middle School Football vs. Ashworth — Home — 4:30 PM
- Softball vs. Christian Heritage — Away — 5 PM
- Volleyball vs. Rome/Dalton Academy — Rome — 6/7 PM
Thursday, August 27
- JV Football vs. LaFayette — Away — 5:30 PM
- Softball vs. LFO — Home — 5:30 PM
- Volleyball vs. Woodland/Cedartown — Home — 5/7 PM
Saturday, August 29
- Cross Country — Front Runner Star Stride — Heritage High School — 8 AM
The schedule was provided to WZQZ News by Chattooga High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark Turner.
Walker County Receives Historic Preservation Grant For Third Survey Phase
Walker County is one of six Georgia communities selected to receive federal funding for historic preservation work across the state.
The Georgia State Historic Preservation Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, recently announced more than $125,000 in Historic Preservation Fund subgrants.
Walker County will receive $20,180 to complete the third phase of a countywide resurvey of historic resources.
The first phase focused on the southeastern portion of Walker County, while the second phase examined potentially historic resources in the area between Highway 151 and West Armuchee Valley Road.
The third phase will review approximately 523 potentially historic resources, ranging from homes and commercial buildings to community landmarks and agricultural structures.
The survey will also look at other historic features and objects, including water towers, wells, bridges, fortifications, sculptures, monuments and fountains.
The Phase 3 survey area uses State Route 337 as the western boundary northward to its connection with the Trans American Trail. The Trans American Trail serves as the northern boundary, while State Route 151 forms the eastern boundary to its connection with the trail. The southern boundary is the Walker County line.
The work is intended to identify, document and evaluate historic resources that could be important to the county’s history and future preservation efforts.
Walker County is able to participate in the program because it is part of Georgia’s Certified Local Government program.
Each year, Georgia’s 100 Certified Local Governments are eligible to apply for Historic Preservation Fund matching grants. The grants are funded with 60 percent federal money and a 40 percent local match.
To qualify as a Certified Local Government, a city or county must adopt a historic preservation ordinance and establish a historic preservation commission.
Historic Preservation Fund grants can be used for a variety of projects beyond historic resource surveys. Eligible activities include archaeological surveys, design guidelines, publications and certain educational, promotional and tourism-related preservation efforts.
The Walker County project will continue the county’s effort to build a more complete inventory of historic places and structures and provide officials with better information for future planning and preservation decisions.
Speak Life Special Needs Family Support Group Hosting IEP Discussion In Trion
Speak Life, a special needs family support group serving Chattooga County, will hold its August gathering Saturday, August 29, at 11 AM at the Trion Recreation Department.
This month’s meeting will focus on helping families better understand Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, as well as 504 plans and other educational options and accommodations available to individuals with special needs.
Organizers say the gathering will provide an opportunity for families to learn from one another, ask questions and share their own experiences navigating education and services.
The meeting is free and open to all ages and the entire family, and organizers emphasize that individuals with all types of special needs are welcome.
Saturday’s gathering will include a taco bar for lunch, followed by an opportunity for families to visit the splash pad at the Trion Recreation Department.
Organizers say the IEP discussion will take place in a private room, with respite workers available to help watch children while parents and caregivers participate in the conversation.
In addition to IEPs and 504 plans, families can discuss homeschooling, college opportunities and workplace accommodations, making the meeting relevant not only to parents of school-age children but also to families planning for life beyond high school.
Speak Life describes itself as a family-oriented support group offering hope, fellowship, encouragement and resources to individuals with special needs and their families. The organization is led by parents of children with special needs who understand many of the challenges families encounter.
The group says its gatherings aren’t sales events and are intended to provide a welcoming environment where families can listen, share experiences, find encouragement and build relationships with others facing similar circumstances.
Speak Life also has several activities planned in the coming months, including a September gathering at the Summerville Library, a Halloween event in Trion, a Christmas train ride, participation in the Summerville Christmas Parade, Special Olympics Winter Games and Night to Shine in February.
For questions about Saturday’s meeting or Speak Life, contact Victoria at 706-767-3386 by phone or text. Information is also available through the Speak Life Chattooga County Special Needs Support Group on Facebook.
Saturday, August 29
11 AM
Trion Recreation Department
IEP and 504 Discussion • Taco Bar • Splash Pad
Free and open to the whole family
Arrest Report - Sunday - August 23, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Sunday, August 23, 2026
Drier Air Brings Less Humid Weather To Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia will enjoy a break from the oppressive humidity Sunday as a secondary cold front pushes through the state, bringing drier air and lower dewpoints to the region.
The National Weather Service says Sunday will be sunny across the Chattooga County area with a high near 90 degrees. North winds will be light at around 5 mph. While afternoon temperatures will still be warm, the lower humidity should make conditions considerably more comfortable than some of the hot and muggy weather the area has experienced recently.
The change will become even more noticeable Sunday night. Skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 65 degrees and a light north wind continuing around 5 mph.
The front moving through Georgia Sunday is expected to push farther south toward Florida and the Georgia and South Carolina coastline. Isolated thunderstorms will remain possible Sunday afternoon and early evening across portions of Central Georgia, but North Georgia is expected to remain largely dry.
The National Weather Service says drier air filtering into the state behind the front will keep dewpoints primarily in the 60s, reducing the oppressive feel of the summertime heat. Overnight temperatures across North Georgia will generally fall into the 60s, with some higher elevations potentially reaching the upper 50s.
Monday should provide another pleasant late-August day for Northwest Georgia. Look for partly sunny skies and a high near 88. A north wind around 5 mph will become calm during the day. Monday night will be partly cloudy and cool for August, with a low around 64.
Tuesday remains mostly dry and comfortable. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 90, followed by partly cloudy conditions Tuesday night and a low around 67.
The weather pattern begins changing by the middle of the week as moisture gradually returns and disturbances move through northwest flow aloft.
Wednesday will start mostly sunny, but there will be a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. The high will be near 90. Rain chances increase to 50 percent Wednesday night, when temperatures will fall to around 69.
A second frontal boundary is expected to approach the region Thursday and Friday, bringing the best opportunity for widespread showers and thunderstorms during the week.
Thursday carries a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, with a high near 88. Rain chances fall to around 30 percent Thursday night.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain possible Friday with a 30 percent chance during both the day and nighttime hours. Friday’s high will be near 89 with an overnight low around 68.
By Saturday, rain chances decrease to around 20 percent. Otherwise, skies should be sunny with a high near 90.
Overall, the week ahead looks considerably more seasonable for Northwest Georgia. High temperatures will generally remain in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees, while morning lows will frequently fall into the 60s. The driest and most comfortable portion of the forecast will be Sunday through Tuesday, followed by increasing rain and thunderstorm chances from Wednesday through Friday.
Fair Officials Remind Visitors Of Rules Ahead Of Chattooga County Agricultural Fair
With the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opening next Thursday, August 27th, fair organizers are reminding visitors to review important rules and information before heading to the fairgrounds.
The fair runs Thursday, August 27th through Sunday, August 30th at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located at 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.
One important rule concerns pets and animals. The Chattooga County Fair has a no-pet policy for the safety of guests. Service animals are permitted, but fair officials say they must meet requirements established under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Animals that do not meet those requirements will not be allowed inside the event.
Visitors should also be aware that photography and video recording take place during the fair. Fair organizers say the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair reserves the right to photograph, videotape or record patrons during fairground events. Those images, video or audio may be used for purposes including marketing, social media and security. By entering the event, patrons consent to that policy.
Fairgoers should also remember that carnival rides are not included with regular gate admission. General admission is $5, with children age 4 and younger admitted free. Students receive free gate admission Thursday for Student Night, while active or retired military members receive free admission with military ID Friday for Military Night. All concerts and scheduled events are included with gate admission.
Unlimited ride armbands are $25 Thursday and $30 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The fair will be open 5 to 10 PM Thursday, 5 to 11 PM Friday, 2 to 11 PM Saturday and 2 to 9 PM Sunday. Fair officials note that the Chattooga County Agricultural Center will close one hour before the overall event ends each day.
Anyone entering items in the Blue Ribbon Department or livestock shows should also carefully review the separate rules and regulations for those competitions. Entry requirements and schedules vary by department and category.
Complete information, schedules and rules for this year’s fair are available through the official Chattooga County Agricultural Fair website at ChattoogaFair.com.
The 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens next Thursday, August 27th, and continues through Sunday, August 30th.