Local Government & Planning The Gordon County Board of Commissioners has officially voted to extend the temporary moratorium on new data centers through January 29, 2027. This pause allows county staff to develop thoughtful ordinances to regulate such developments. Consequently, the public hearing previously scheduled for the July 13th Planning & Zoning Commission meeting has been canceled.
In city news, the Calhoun City Council met this past Monday, July 6, where they approved an annexation and zoning request for approximately 29.04 acres located at 1786 Red Bud Road. The property—which adjoins Newtown Church Road near the Food Lion—was rezoned from County Agricultural to Neighborhood Commercial to allow for the construction of a new Hindu temple. Additionally, the Council authorized a setback variance for Calhoun First Baptist Church to facilitate the construction of their new preschool building.
Economic Outlook & Market Pressures Local residents are facing a difficult economic environment. While the average price for regular unleaded in the Dalton area is $3.519 per gallon, analysts warn that geopolitical instability—specifically the resumption of conflict in Iran—could drive prices back toward $100 per barrel.
This is occurring alongside what many economists fear is a drift toward ‘stagflation.’ Simply put, stagflation is a rare and ‘toxic’ economic condition that happens when three bad economic events happen at the same time: high inflation, slow economic growth, and elevated unemployment. With inflation expectations rising to 3.7%—the highest level since September 2023—and high interest rates continuing to weigh on the housing sector and consumer purchasing power, household budgets are feeling a significant squeeze.
Public Safety & Community Engagement We were pleased to be joined on-air today by Calhoun Fire Chief Mike Schutz, who shared valuable insights regarding the operations of the City of Calhoun Fire Department, local fire safety protocols, and the various educational opportunities available to the public. For those tracking regional public safety initiatives, the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Family Violence Task Force is also meeting today, Friday, July 10, at 12:00 PM at the Cartersville Police Department, an event that is open to the public.
Jail Report Regarding recent bookings, Cory Webster Cox, age 45, of Calhoun, was arrested by Gordon County Sheriff’s deputies on a charge of public indecency.
Agricultural & Consumer Alerts
Spotted Lanternfly: Farmers and residents are urged to be on the lookout for the Spotted Lanternfly. These invasive pests are a major threat to Georgia’s fruits and hardwood trees. If you spot one, take a photo, kill the insect, and report it at gainvasives.org/slf/report.
AI Scams: There is a rise in sophisticated AI-driven scams using fake websites to impersonate real farm equipment dealerships. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper warns: do not wire money. Always visit the dealership and inspect equipment in person.
Financial Impact: Americans are estimated to lose an incredible $119 billion annually to online scams. These perpetrators are highly sophisticated, often operating from overseas, making it nearly impossible to recover funds once money is sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Community Recreation & Events
Fall Sports Signups: Registration for fall sports, including soccer, football, cheerleading, volleyball, and cross country, is open through August 4th. Interested families can register via the Calhoun Parks and Recreation portal or at the Gordon County recreation office.
Outdoor Activities: Summer recreation trips continue through late July, with upcoming hikes scheduled for Little River Canyon, Yonah Mountain, and the Conasauga River Trail.
Back-to-School: Mark your calendars for the 10th annual Back-to-School outreach event on July 25 at Black and Yellow Park.
Support Initiatives: Local first responders are collecting donations for the Voluntary Action Center’s “First to Respond, First to Serve” food drive.
Sports Update The Atlanta Braves are coming off a 10-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. They begin a new series against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight, with first pitch set for 8:15 PM.