Local

DFACS Faces $85 Million Shortfall, Forcing Foster Care Cuts Amid Georgia Budget Surplus

Thursday, January 8

The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services is facing a projected budget shortfall of more than $85 million, a financial crisis that has already led to service reductions and a near-standstill in new foster care placements by private providers. The deficit was disclosed during... Read More.

Walker County Approves Contracts to Renovate Long-Vacant Hinkle Fire Hall

Thursday, January 8

A long-vacant fire hall in Walker County is finally set to receive long-awaited renovations after county leaders approved new contracts to restart the stalled project. Walker County spokesperson Joe Legge told WTVC-TV that the Hinkle Fire Hall has sat empty for more than a decade,... Read More.

Fire Breaks Out Near Rossville Machine Shop

Thursday, January 8

A fire broke out Wednesday night near Race Engine Design, a machine shop located on Chickamauga Avenue in Rossville. Emergency responders were able to extinguish the blaze, and no injuries have been reported at this time. Details regarding the cause of the fire, the extent... Read More.

Dalton State College, Walker County Schools Announce Educator Pipeline Partnership

Thursday, January 8

Dalton State College and Walker County Schools have announced a new partnership designed to strengthen Georgia’s educator pipeline and support workforce development in northwest Georgia. Under the agreement, Dalton State education majors who reside in Walker County will be guaranteed student-teaching placements within the Walker... Read More.

City of Chickamauga Calls Emergency For A Mayor and Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 7

City of Chickamauga Calls Emergency Mayor and Council Meeting CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. — The City of Chickamauga has called an emergency meeting of the Mayor and City Council for Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., to be held at City Hall, 1817 Lee Clarkson Road. According... Read More.

Four Convicted in 2024 Chickamauga Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison

Wednesday, January 7

A Walker County jury has convicted four individuals in connection with the 2024 shooting death of Dakota Bottomlee in Chickamauga. On December 9, 2025, Marcus Allen Chambers, James Logan Darty, Kayla Michelle McClure, and Brayden Niri Whatley were found guilty of malice murder, two counts... Read More.

Sheriff: Investigation Ongoing Following Domestic Shooting in Chattooga County

Tuesday, January 6

Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding a shooting that occurred Sunday night at a residence on Highway 337 in Chattooga County.according to an update from Sheriff Mark Schrader. Preliminary findings indicate the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute involving a father and son. Sheriff... Read More.

Walker County Development Authority Reschedules January Meeting to January 20

Tuesday, January 6

The regular meeting of the Walker County Development Authority for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. in the Walker County Civic Center located at 10052 N. Hwy 27, Rock Spring, GA 30739.

Lafayette Police Department Releases 2025 Activity Statistics

Tuesday, January 6

The City of Lafayette Police Department has released its total activity statistics for 2025, highlighting a year of continued service, enforcement, and community engagement. According to the department, officers responded to 8,942 total calls for service during the year. Those calls included 1,541 incident reports... Read More.

Several Candidates Have Already Declared For Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Special Election

Tuesday, January 6

The Latest List Candidates Declared for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Special Election Republican Party — Declared Star Black — former Federal Emergency Management Agency official Reagan Box — horse trainer Elvis Casely — entrepreneur Jared Craig — attorney Jeff Criswell — teacher Clayton Fuller —... Read More.

Special Election Set For Georgia’s 14th Congressional District

Tuesday, January 6

Special Election Set For Georgia’s 14th Congressional District “Notice is hereby given that a Special Election shall be held on March 10, 2026, in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, Whitfield, and portions of Cobb Counties for United States House of Representatives, District... Read More.

Chickamauga City Council postpones meeting to next Monday 1/12/26

Monday, January 5

The Chickamauga City Council has postponed a special meeting originally scheduled for Thursday and rescheduled it for Monday, January 12. The meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for public involvement and discussion regarding the city’s grant application for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Cleanup... Read More.

DFACS Faces $85 Million Shortfall, Forcing Foster Care Cuts Amid Georgia Budget Surplus

Walker County Approves Contracts to Renovate Long-Vacant Hinkle Fire Hall

Fire Breaks Out Near Rossville Machine Shop

Dalton State College, Walker County Schools Announce Educator Pipeline Partnership

City of Chickamauga Calls Emergency For A Mayor and Council Meeting

Four Convicted in 2024 Chickamauga Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison

Sheriff: Investigation Ongoing Following Domestic Shooting in Chattooga County

Walker County Development Authority Reschedules January Meeting to January 20

Lafayette Police Department Releases 2025 Activity Statistics

Several Candidates Have Already Declared For Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Special Election

Special Election Set For Georgia’s 14th Congressional District

Chickamauga City Council postpones meeting to next Monday 1/12/26

Local/Regional News

Walker County Animal Shelter Kicks Off “Empty the Shelters” Event with Free Adoptions

Walker County Unemployment Holds at 3.5% as Georgia Sets Labor Force Records

Georgia’s Summer Burn Ban Takes Effect May 1 Across 54 Counties

LaFayette Head Football Coach Ethan Thompson Resigns, Accepts Job in Arizona