It is a blustery, bone-chilling morning in Northwest Georgia. If you stepped outside today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, you likely felt that 25 mph gust of wind trying to take your hat off. This isn't just a "cold snap." It is a high-fire-danger day across the region because the air is bone-dry and the wind is relentless. The Chattooga County GA news cycle has been moving just as fast as those winds, ranging from a political scramble following Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation to local heroes making National Guard history.
The Political Domino Effect in the 14th District
Everything changed in late November. When former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she was vacating her seat on January 5, it didn't just create a hole in D.C. It triggered a massive game of musical chairs right here at home.
Governor Brian Kemp has set the special election for March 10, 2026. This isn't your typical election. It is a "jungle primary" style—meaning everyone is on the same ballot regardless of party. If no one hits 50% plus one, we’re heading to a runoff on April 7.
Who is in the running?
Honestly, the list is getting long. Over 20 candidates have qualified. Some names you'll definitely recognize:
- Colton Moore: The State Senator had to resign his seat to run for the Congressional post.
- Clay Fuller: The former District Attorney for our neck of the woods.
- Shawn Harris: The retired Army general who challenged Greene in 2024 is back for another round.
Because Colton Moore jumped into the Congressional race, his State Senate seat for District 53 (which covers Chattooga) is also up for grabs. Former Chattooga Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry is one of the Republicans trying to take that spot. He’s running against Lanny Thomas (R) and Jack Zibluk (D). It is a lot of names to keep track of, but basically, your ballot is going to be packed this March.
Local Heroes and History Makers
While the politicians are fighting for seats, one of our own just made history. Army Lt. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
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Why does this matter for Chattooga?
Carden is a familiar face at local Veterans Day events and Vietnam Veterans ceremonies in the county. His promotion to a four-star rank makes him the first Vice Chief in history to wear four stars. Former State Representative Barbara Massey Reece pointed out that this is a huge moment of pride for our community. Seeing a local advocate reach that level of national leadership is, frankly, pretty cool.
Safety Alerts: Hit-and-Runs and Winter Fire Risks
The news hasn't all been celebratory. Summerville police are currently hunting for a driver involved in a downtown hit-and-run that happened last Friday night around 7:10 p.m.
Police Chief Brian Ozment says they are looking for a white GMC Terrain. It likely has Alabama tags and visible front-end damage. The victim was hospitalized but is now home and recovering. If you saw something near downtown Summerville that night, the family and the police are desperate for leads.
The Weather Threat
The Fire Danger Statement issued for today is no joke. Even though we had some light rain recently, the combination of low humidity and high winds means a single spark from a burn pile or even a dragging trailer chain could start a brush fire.
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Looking ahead to the weekend?
The models are all over the place. Some are whispering about "winter weather" for Saturday night and Sunday, but don't go buying all the milk and bread just yet. Forecasters say confidence is low. We might get a dusting, or we might just get more mud.
Schools and Education Updates
The Chattooga County Board of Education has been busy. They held a called meeting today at 5:15 p.m. at the Education Center on Penn Street to review Board Policies G and H.
On a brighter note, we’ve got some "Teachers of the Year" to celebrate. Erin Smith and Melissa Rowe were named the Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA) Science Teachers of the Year. This isn't just a local pat on the back—it's a state-level honor that comes with a $1,500 honorarium.
Also, Lisa Benson has been tapped as the 2026-2027 Georgia Science Supervisors Association President. Our local educators are clearly doing something right when it comes to the STEM fields.
Water Infrastructure and PFAS Concerns
If you live in Summerville, you know the water situation has been a long-running saga. Earlier this week, on January 12, some residents might have felt a dip in water pressure. That was due to scheduled maintenance at the treatment plant.
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But the bigger issue is still the PFAS (often called "forever chemicals"). The city has been fighting this since 2020 when elevated levels were found in Raccoon Creek.
- The city is currently using Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters.
- They’ve drilled test wells to find a supplemental water source.
- A three-mile pipeline has been built to move well water to the plant.
Basically, the city is trying to stay ahead of the EPA’s increasingly strict health advisories. They’ve even retained legal counsel to try and recover the costs of this cleanup from the companies responsible for the contamination.
Chattooga Indians Sports Recap
It’s basketball season, and the Indians have had a rollercoaster start to 2026.
The Boys' Varsity team took a tough 34-53 loss against Dade County on January 9, which hurt after a three-game winning streak where they beat Gordon Central and Gordon Lee.
The Girls' Varsity team, however, is on a roll. They crushed Dade County 48-26 and absolutely dominated Gordon Central with a 60-12 victory earlier this month. If you're looking for a game to catch, the girls' defense is looking legitimately elite right now.
What You Should Do Now
Stay weather-aware over the next 48 hours. Secure any outdoor items that might blow away in these 30 mph gusts and keep an eye on the local forecast for Sunday’s potential wintry mix.
If you're a registered voter, double-check your status on the My Voter Page (MVP) website. With the special election qualifying ending and early voting starting February 16, you don't want to be caught off guard by the new ballot layouts and the sudden influx of candidates. Finally, keep a lookout for that white GMC Terrain; helping the Summerville PD solve that hit-and-run is the best way to support a neighbor currently in recovery.