Early voting is officially underway across Gordon County, with 634 ballots cast on opening day. Registered voters can cast their ballots ahead of the November 3rd General Election through Friday, October 30th, at the Gordon County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office, located on the first floor of the Gordon County Courthouse at 100 South Wall Street in downtown Calhoun. Regular early voting hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with two Saturday voting opportunities scheduled for October 17th and October 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voters wishing to vote by mail must submit their absentee ballot request by Friday, October 23rd. On Election Day—Tuesday, November 3rd—polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sample ballots and precinct details can be reviewed via the Gordon County Board of Elections or through the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.
Northwest Georgia will see high-profile political activity later this week as President Donald Trump visits for a campaign rally at the Dalton Municipal Airport this Friday, October 16th. The event is in support of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m..
The latest Gordon County jail media report includes the following recent bookings:
Lewis Eugene Avery 35 Kingston CPD Criminal Trespass, Poss of Tools for Commission of a Crime, Theft by Shoplifting
James Richard Owenby 60 Chatsworth GCSO Drugs in Original Container, Failure to Stop at Stop Signs, Marijuana-Possess Less Than 1 Oz., Poss of Sched II Controlled Substance Drug: Oxycodone, Suspended Registration
Georgia’s firearms deer hunting season officially opens this Saturday, October 17th, running through January 10, 2027, for most of the state. Hunters are permitted a harvest limit of 10 antlerless deer and two antlered deer and must report all harvests via the Georgia Game Check system within 24 hours.
In municipal news, the Calhoun City Council formally established property tax rates and authorized key infrastructure contracts during Monday night’s regular meeting:
Property Tax Millage Rates: The council adopted the 2026 city property tax millage rate at 2.25 mills and approved the Calhoun City Schools rate at the full rollback rate of 10.888 mills. While the city’s rate reflects a 1.25-mill decrease from last year, state law required the levy to be advertised as a property tax increase because it exceeds the calculated rollback rate.
Zoning & De-Annexation: Developer Alaska Grogan’s variance request for a 30-unit apartment complex at 400 Harlan Street was denied following Fire Department safety concerns and findings that the property presented no technical hardship. Conversely, the council approved Cole Williams’s request to de-annex 2.07 acres on Doubletree Drive to combine with adjacent Gordon County land for a homesite.
Infrastructure Contracts: The council awarded a $3,972,568.29 contract to SmithBuilt Construction Group to construct a new 2.25-million-gallon ground storage water tank on Fire Tower Road. EXP Engineering was approved for construction engineering on Curtis Parkway, and Northwest Georgia Paving was awarded a $322,374.16 LMIG contract to resurface local streets.
Water & Sewer Bonds: Council members approved a resolution stating the city’s intent to issue Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds to finance phase-one system improvements.
Lift Station Policy: Council members reached a consensus to uphold the city’s lift station ordinance, denying an exception for a proposed residential development outside city limits.
Ordinances & Licensing: The council held a first reading for an ordinance incorporating new non-residential Design Guidelines and officially approved a Procedures for Public Comments Policy. Alcohol licenses were also approved for Casa Brasa Peruvian Restaurant and Samarthya Business LLC.
City Administration: Mayor Jimmy Palmer issued a proclamation declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The council also declared several municipal items as surplus property.