Distinguished Service Award, Local Food Ministry Highlight Week in Gordon County
CALHOUN, Ga. — Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston honored a longtime member of the sheriff’s office this week, presenting Sgt. Elbert Shelley with the Distinguished Service Award. Sgt. Shelley, a respected veteran of the department and dedicated school resource officer, is retiring after years of service to the community. He was recognized for his steadfast commitment to public safety and the students he protected. Community members and officials alike are wishing him a well-deserved retirement.
Meanwhile, a reminder that Tuesday’s Gordon County Board of Commissioners meeting will not be the scheduled public hearing on the proposed millage rate. That hearing is set for July 17. Tomorrow’s 6:00 p.m. meeting will feature agency reports and a light agenda of business items.
In other community news, First Fruits Food Ministry—based at World Harvest Church—continues its outreach to local families in need. Pastor Rusty Haradon shared that the ministry feeds more than 300 families each week. The food pantry is open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering both a hot meal and groceries to take home. Volunteers and donations are always welcome. More information is available at firstfruitsfoodbank.com.
Across Georgia, a slate of new laws will take effect Tuesday, July 1, marking the start of the new fiscal year. Highlights include a state income tax cut, expanded child tax credits, tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking, and new protections for survivors of domestic violence. In education, cellphone use will be restricted in K–8 classrooms, and additional state funding is allocated to public schools. Georgia adoptees will now be able to access their original birth certificates. A more lighthearted update: Brunswick stew is now the official state stew. For more details on these laws, visit the Georgia General Assembly website or check out coverage at DiscoverWalker.com.
On the education front, the Georgia Department of Education has released a new Student Bill of Rights, outlining 12 guaranteed rights for public school students. These include access to a safe learning environment, smaller class sizes, hands-on instruction, and nutritious, Georgia-grown meals. The document is expected to guide future educational policy and funding. Also making headlines: cursive writing is returning to Georgia classrooms. Starting this fall, students in grades 3 through 5 will once again learn cursive under updated English Language Arts standards. The Department of Education says the move supports stronger foundational writing skills for young learners.
