Local News Update: Calhoun And Gordon County

Recent Arrests and Bookings:
Brayan Laimafa Johnson, 32, Cartersville, CPD, Housed for Calhoun P.D. Battery FVA (Prebook), Simple Assault (Prebook).
Alexander Damian Leonard, 36, Adairsville, GCSO, Theft by Shoplifting.
Raymond Michael Scott, 37, Calhoun, GCSO, Battery-Family Violence (Prebook), Cruelty to Children (Prebook), Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers (Prebook).
Gordon County Deputy Passes Away: The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the passing of Deputy Sheriff Kevin Summerville, who died following a long battle with cancer. Serving as a jailor and deputy since May 2021, Summerville was recently recognized by the Elks Lodge as the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2025 in April. Sheriff Ralston remembered him as an excellent employee, capable peace officer, and mentor to younger colleagues, and ordered agency flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor.
New Gordon County EMA Deputy Director: Christina Byrd has been selected as the new Deputy Director for the Gordon County Emergency Management Agency, officially assuming her duties on August 1. Byrd brings extensive emergency management experience from her work in Whitfield County and her FEMA-recognized Place of Worship Safety Seminar. Courtney Taylor will join us on air soon to discuss the appointment.
Northwest Georgia Agriculture & Event Center Rentals: The versatile Gordon County facility is now open for public rental, featuring an indoor meeting space for up to 200 guests (which can be divided into three rooms) and a large outdoor arena for rodeos, concerts, and agricultural shows. According to Assistant Administrator Keith King, 20 events are already booked at the facility. Interested parties can contact 706-879-2204, email [email protected], or submit an online inquiry.
Back-to-School Community Events: Families across the Calhoun-Gordon County area have two major opportunities this Saturday, July 25, 2026, to receive free school supplies and backpacks. The CCO Ministry Annual Back-to-School Outreach runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Black and Yellow Park at the Calhoun Recreation Department, offering free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and family fun. Additionally, the Samantha Lusk & Associates Realty Annual Drive takes place from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at 208 North River Street in Calhoun, featuring free snow cones, popcorn, and school supplies on a take-what-you-need model.
School Meals Transition: Today marks the final delivery day for summer meals in Calhoun, with seven-day meal boxes available for pickup this Thursday to bridge the gap. Once classes resume, universal free school meals will provide complete breakfast and lunch for every student across both the Calhoun and Gordon County school systems, saving the average local family $1,200 annually.
Crude Oil and Gordon County Gas Prices: International and domestic energy markets have surged following renewed conflict and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude is trading near $92.20 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate sits around $85.34 per barrel. Locally in Gordon County, pump prices are averaging $3.74 per gallon, prompting drivers to leverage cash discounts, reward points, and fuel-tracking apps.
Gordon County Board of Commissioners Meeting: The board convened for a work session featuring an Information Technology Department report, followed by a regular session covering extensive zoning and public hearing dockets across Ranger, Resaca, and Calhoun. Administrative business included a Sheriff’s Office surplus inventory request, an E9-1-1 software agreement with Savant Learning Systems, a qPublic portal renewal with Schneider Geospatial, a Public Works task order for Soda Creek, a formal credit card purchase policy amendment, and an HR wage study proposal with Evergreen Solutions.