Gordon County Fire Rescue units rushed to a residential structure fire early Saturday morning along Johnson Drive SE. Firefighters arrived to find smoke pushing from the home before quickly making entry to attack and knock down the flames. According to GCFR Chief Heath Derryberry, no injuries were reported, and preliminary findings indicate the blaze was accidental.
Local Arrest Report (August 7–8, 2026)
* Jason Wayne Alexander, 46, Calhoun; Gordon County Sheriff’s Office; charges: Possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of less than 1 oz. of marijuana, possession and use of drug-related objects.
* Billy Stevens Bravo-Morales, 27, Chattanooga, TN; Calhoun Police Department; charges: Criminal trespass, public drunkenness.
* Angela Melany Dickerson, 42, Resaca; Gordon County Sheriff’s Office; charges: Theft by shoplifting.
* Terry James Green, 61, Calhoun; Calhoun Police Department; charges: Driving under the influence, no insurance.
* Chadwick Heath Kelley, 39, Calhoun; Calhoun Police Department; charges: Possession of cocaine.
* Key-Jay Jamar Nesby, 34, Lithia Springs; Georgia State Patrol; charges: Hit and run, notice of change of address or name, improper lane change.
* Mark Julius Payne, 63, Calhoun; Gordon County Sheriff’s Office; charges: Entering automobile, theft by taking.
* Ray Sum, 31, Calhoun; Gordon County Sheriff’s Office; charges: Aggravated child molestation (3 counts), aggravated sodomy, criminal attempt (2 counts), sexual battery.
* Donovan Keyshawn Williams, 22, Rome; Gordon County Sheriff’s Office; charges: Reckless conduct, tampering with evidence, willful obstruction of law enforcement.
The Calhoun City Council meets today, August 10, 2026, starting with a 12:00 PM Work Session before moving to the 7:00 PM Regular Meeting at the Depot Community Room. Key action items on today’s agenda include:
* Commercial Alcohol Permitting: Council will conduct a formal public hearing regarding a beer package application for 1133 Store N Gas (Calhoun Food Mart) on South Wall Street under manager Cassandra Davenport. Additionally, second readings are slated for pouring and package requests at Gi’s Grille on Richardson Road and Marathon Food Mart on Highway 53, with both eligible for final adoption on August 24.
* Residential Annexation & 150-House Development Push: A massive influx of residential growth enters first reading tonight. Developer David Fowler has submitted two major proposals to annex and rezone 71 combined acres on Liberty Road from County A-1 to City R-2 multi-family, paving the way for over 150 planned housing units. A third separate request from Jennifer Hernandez seeks to rezone 161 Newtown Road NE to R-1B single-family. Public hearings for all three residential projects are set for September 14 following Zoning Advisory Board review on September 10.
* Commercial Growth & Utility Reporting: The council will also hear first readings for a beer/wine package request at the Calhoun Chevron on Dews Pond Road. To conclude the session, City Administrator Paul Worley and Utilities Administrator Kyle Ellis will present operational work reports on local infrastructure and municipal projects.
Big changes are officially underway just down the road in Bartow County, where Georgia Power has broken ground on a major shift at Plant Bowen. Historically known as one of the largest coal-fired power stations in the country, the facility is undergoing a massive transformation to handle the region’s rapidly growing electricity demand, driven largely by new data centers and heavy industrial expansion. Backed by a $26.5 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan package, crews are constructing two new combined-cycle natural gas units providing 1,482 megawatts alongside a massive 500-megawatt Tesla Megapack battery storage system. This dual combination is designed specifically to power high-demand tech and commercial infrastructure while ensuring grid stability and reliable power flow for existing residential and small business customers across Northwest Georgia. Construction is expected to bring roughly 1,000 regional jobs, with the new natural gas and battery storage assets slated to go online between 2029 and 2031.
