We are leading today with a major weather alert for Gordon County. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory in effect through 8:00 PM Saturday. Expect a high of 92 degrees on Independence Day with a slight chance of afternoon showers, followed by scattered thunderstorms on Sunday and highs staying in the lower 90s. Remember to check on neighbors, keep your pets cool, and look for that air conditioning sweet spot to balance comfort and energy savings this weekend.
Moving to local law enforcement, here is the overnight Gordon County arrest report, excluding probation violations:
Jeremy Hobson Denmark, 28, Calhoun, Calhoun P.D., disorderly house.
Christopher Jerome Harris, 56, Adairsville, Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, aggravated assault and simple battery – family violence.
Samuel Lee Johnson, 51, Calhoun, Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, failure to register as a sex offender and failure to comply with requirements.
Brandon Labrone Logan, 24, Calhoun, Calhoun P.D., simple assault – family violence.
Leonardo Oliva, 23, Calhoun, Calhoun P.D., disorderly house.
We had a very special full house in the studio earlier today as we prepare to head into the holiday weekend. We were joined on air this morning by Gordon County United Way Director Claire Norman, Commissioner Chad Steward, Gordon County Commission Chairman Bud Owens, and 11th District Congressional Candidate Dr. John Cowan. They stopped by the studio to share some holiday reflections and to help us wish all of our wonderful listeners and the entire Northwest Georgia community a very happy, safe, and meaningful Fourth of July.
Turning to comprehensive local government coverage, please note that in observance of the holiday, all Northwest Georgia Regional Library System branches and government offices are closed today and Saturday. Looking ahead to next week’s business, the Calhoun City Council meets Monday, July 6, at 700 West Line Street for a noon work session, followed by the main meeting at 7:00 PM at 109 South King Street. The council will tackle four major public hearings on site-specific variances and zoning changes, including a church setback variance and commercial re-zonings. They will also address beer and wine package licensing public hearings for 1000 Mauldin Road and a first reading for 1133 South Wall Street.
The focus shifts to the county the following evening, as the Gordon County Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday, July 7, at the Judicial Building Assembly Room, starting with a 5:00 PM work session and a 6:00 PM regular session. The work session highlights a Parks and Recreation Department report and a Georgia APCO Dispatcher of the Month recognition.
During the regular session, commissioners will hold a public hearing for a conditional use permit to expand an existing poultry operation at 426 Old Boone Ford Road, which enters the meeting with a unanimous 4-0 approval recommendation from the Planning Commission. As the board gets ready for the new fiscal year, they will be approving vendor agreements for agencies that were budgeted for FY27, including renewals and amendments for jail food services and jail medical services with Summit Food Services and Southern Health Partners.
Other major business items include appointing Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC as the county auditor, creating a new Storm Water and Erosion Manager position within Community Development, and approving the Community Events Center Agreement and Fee Schedule. The county will also review an FY27 Indigent Defense Services Agreement for the Public Defender’s Office, a beer and wine license ownership change for Owen’s Grocery on Highway 411, a surplus property request from the Sheriff’s Office, and a Juvenile Court CAJC Grant Application. Public participation for the evening will feature comments from local residents Glen Bressler and Kevin Bradshaw.
In a public notice, Gordon County Elections Director Shea Hicks is warning residents to exercise extreme caution regarding unauthorized voter registration mailers being sent out by a group called Ready to Register Inc.. Director Hicks advises everyone to protect their personally identifiable information and strongly recommends verifying your official status directly on Georgia’s My Voter Page. Don’t forget that the official registration deadline for the November 3 General Election is October 5, 2026.
In community updates, the Silver Sneakers fitness class meets today at 9:00 AM, and there is an ongoing critical need for laundry pods and diapers at Carol’s Closet. If you are looking to expand your family, the City of Calhoun Animal Shelter has extended free adoptions through July 10, complete with free food, grooming, and spay/neuter services.
If you’re looking for fresh regional produce this holiday weekend, the Downtown Calhoun and Ridge Ferry Park farmers markets are both open tomorrow morning. Looking into next week, the GEM Theatre is hosting a free summer movie showing of Journey to the Center of the Earth on Tuesday, July 7, and the Art in the Park program is offering morning watercolor and printed tea towel classes for those who register ahead of time.
In economic news, the national labor market slowed dramatically in June, adding a meager 57,000 jobs as wage growth continues to lag behind a 4% inflation rate.
Looking ahead to the holiday tomorrow, don’t miss the Star-Spangled Celebration at the Northwest Georgia Agriculture & Event Center, as well as the “Light Up the Valley” community gathering at Sugar Valley Baptist Church. Gates open for the free Star-Spangled Celebration at 5:00 PM on July 4, featuring local food trucks, live music, and a massive fireworks show kicking off at 9:30 PM.
Finally, in sports, the Atlanta Braves fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 11-5 on Thursday. The team looks to bounce back as they open a series at home against the New York Mets tonight, July 3, at 7:15 PM EDT.