Local government heads into a busy week across Gordon County, led by the Calhoun City Council meeting today, September 14th, with a work session at 12:00 noon at the West Line Street conference room and the regular meeting at 7:00 PM inside the Depot Community Room. The city agenda features several major annexation and rezoning hearings, including roughly 71 combined acres on Liberty Road for R-2 residential development and property on Newtown Road NE. In municipal leadership, the council is scheduled to take up a recommendation of appointment for Calhoun Police Chief. Infrastructure items include contract awards for the Curtis Parkway and Dews Pond Roundabout project, a $236,380 water plant modification contract with Ruby-Collins, and an agreement with Georgia Tech’s Digital First Community Program to help draft ordinances for potential data centers before local moratoriums expire in late January. Council members will also discuss the city millage rate, with in-depth analysis on city government and Calhoun City Schools property tax figures available ahead of the county meeting and at discovergordoncounty.com. The session concludes with reports from City Administrator Paul Worley and Utilities Administrator Kyle Ellis.
County leadership takes center stage tomorrow, September 15th, as the Gordon County Board of Commissioners gathers in the Judicial Building Assembly Room for a 5:00 PM work session followed by the regular session at 6:00 PM. The primary focus is the FY26 Millage Rate, with two public hearings scheduled tomorrow—one at 12:00 noon and a second at 6:00 PM. Final adoption is slated for noon on October 6th following a concluding hearing, with property tax bills scheduled to be mailed in late October. Property owners should also note that commercial property valuations are widely expected to significantly increase commercial and rental property taxes throughout the county. The board will also weigh land use requests, including a dry poultry operation expansion in Fairmount and rezonings across Ranger, Calhoun, and Adairsville, alongside a variance appeal in Sugar Valley. New business includes ratifying a Marketing and Events Coordinator position for the Community Events Center, approving SPLOST funds for a $32,944 Bobcat forklift and a $55,350 Kubota tractor, and approving an extermination service contract for county property at 619 Mauldin Road NW.
In local animal welfare, Calhoun Animal Control is completely over capacity and urgently seeking adopters to help clear kennel space, offering free adoptions for all available dogs through Friday, September 18th.
Recent Gordon County Jail booking reports include:
Raysean Untavious Burch, 33, of Chattanooga, arrested by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office on charges of second-degree arson, second-degree criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, and theft by taking.
Samuel John-Lyle Hughes, 17, of Fairmount, arrested by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office on two counts of terroristic threats and acts under the Family Violence Act.
Lori Ann Headrick, 48, of Jasper, arrested by the Calhoun Police Department and housed on an obstruction charge.
Local pocketbooks remain strained as Gordon County gas prices average around $3.94 per gallon for regular unleaded, while diesel remains elevated above $6.20. Economic pressures deepened after the latest Consumer Price Index came in worse than expected, fueling market expectations of another Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Higher rates threaten to increase borrowing costs for home mortgages, variable credit cards, and auto loans, while looming tariffs on imported goods and materials raise concerns about rising consumer and manufacturing costs.
Compounding household strains, millions of Americans face uncertainty regarding SNAP food assistance as Congress returns to session. Approximately 5 million people—including over 1.5 million children—have lost access following H.R. 1 reforms that expanded work requirements to adults up to age 64 and restricted dependent age exemptions down to 14. Beginning October 1st, states must shoulder 75% of SNAP administrative costs, prompting food banks to manage surging demand while state leaders call for legislative relief.
In community health, AdventHealth Gordon will host a Community AngioScreen event tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15th, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The noninvasive, 10-minute cardiovascular scan costs $85—eligible for HSA and FSA coverage—and screens for stroke risk, aortic aneurysms, and heart health indicators. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 706-290-8008 or registering online.
Gordon County youth and schools celebrated several milestones over the weekend. Gordon Central High School crowned Jamari Millsap and Emma Derrick as the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen. On the gridiron:
Butler defeated Gordon Central, 28-7, on homecoming night.
Calhoun fell to Dalton, 42-35, in a tight fourth-quarter finish.
Darlington defeated Sonoraville, 48-7.
Ahead of Friday’s away matchup against Banks County, organizers are seeking community groups to help prepare travel goodie bags for Gordon Central football players by Thursday evening.
The Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library features an active program schedule today, hosting Workout with Nancy from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the Pokémon Club and Pokémon Craft for youth and teens from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Families can also attend Noni’s Nook Storytime tomorrow, Tuesday, at 10:30 AM for children ages five and under.
Area residents have a packed slate of community events and fall festivities:
Northwest Georgia Fair: Continuing through Saturday, September 19th, at the Northwest Georgia Agricultural and Event Center on Liberty Road. Gates open nightly at 5:00 PM with $8 admission (ages five and under free), midway rides, shows, and livestock exhibits. High school bands perform throughout the week—Sonoraville tonight (Sept. 14), Calhoun on Tuesday, and Gordon Central on Thursday—with Senior Citizens Day scheduled for Wednesday from 9:00 AM to noon.
Voluntary Action Center Food Pantry & Cookout: The VAC is seeking urgent donations of cheese, butter, sour cream, and canned goods to replenish pantry shelves. In addition, AdventHealth Gordon and the VAC are hosting a free community hamburger and hot dog cookout this Friday, September 18th, starting at 5:00 PM at 343 South Wall Street.
Calhoun Elks Lodge Bingo: Regular Thursday night bingo continues with doors opening at 5:30 PM, games starting at 6:30 PM, and concessions available.
Georgia DNR Hunter Education: Sonoraville High School will host a certification course on September 23rd and 24th from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Fall Traditions & Regional Drives: Pre-orders are open for Gordon County Young Farmers decorative hay bale animals. Registrations are open for the United Way’s 33rd Annual Bettye Butler Memorial Unity Run 5K, vendor spots are available for the Drive Out Domestic Violence Car Show on October 10th, and Sonoraville High School will host the annual Fields of Faith gathering on Wednesday, October 7th, at 6:30 PM. Across the region, Georgia Grown Apple Month is underway, highlighting North Georgia orchards and regional fall festivals throughout September and October.
In Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves took two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend, closing the series with a 9-4 loss on Sunday where the lineup went without a double. The Braves open a road series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tonight, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM and broadcast coverage beginning at 6:25 PM.