Following this week’s Calhoun City Council meeting, we’re getting a clear picture of regional growth and public safety directly from the October department reports. Under Councilmember Edwards’ overview, the Building Inspector reported a massive $60.3 million in estimated construction value across 149 permits, driven largely by a new $45 million industrial facility on Salem Road. For public safety, Councilmember Palazzolo’s report noted that the Calhoun Police Department handled 413 total cases and patrolled over 48,000 miles last month. On the utilities side, Councilmember Potts shared that the Curtis Parkway water and sewer relocation project has been awarded for just under $1 million to accommodate the upcoming road widening.
Addressing growing community questions surrounding proposed data centers, the City of Calhoun has hired a data center advocate for $22,000 to host two interactive information sessions. The first session is this coming Tuesday, November 17th, at 7:00 PM, featuring an expert panel to provide evidence-based answers on digital infrastructure economics, water use, noise, and employment. A second session will follow on December 9th to explore site visioning and potential “good neighbor” agreements.
Just ahead of Tuesday’s first city session, citizens are organizing a “Rally for Data Center Transparency” at 6:00 PM in the Calhoun Depot parking lot. The rally will offer free information, resources, and swag, and organizers are encouraging attendees to bring their questions and wear blue.
On the regional crime front, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies gathered this week for the Joint Public Safety Committee meeting. Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations emphasized their “Violent Repeat Offender Program,” which targets gang activity with a specific focus on federal firearm charges. In municipal news from that same meeting, Gordon County Administrator Jim Ledbetter confirmed planning is underway for a new 911 and Emergency Management Agency facility. The proposed project will include a comprehensive upgrade to an $18 million P25 radio system, finally connecting Gordon County’s emergency communications with neighboring networks like Cobb County and the Tennessee Valley system.
Moving to local law enforcement, the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office reported the following bookings over the last 24 hours:
Jeffery Scott Harrison, 48, Calhoun, GCSO, Probation Violation – Commit New Offense (Child Molestation), Solicitation of Sodomy, Stalking, Terroristic Threats and Acts.
William Steven Woodard, 40, Resaca, GCSO, Harassing Communications, Probation Violation – Commit New Offense (Criminal Damage to Prop 2nd Degree).
Looking ahead to the holidays, downtown Calhoun is gearing up for Merry Market next weekend, where the Downtown Development Authority has requested an open container district and street closures for Saturday, November 21st. Local emergency services are also kicking off their community drives, starting with the AdventHealth Gordon EMS “100 for 100” toy drive at the Calhoun Walmart over Thanksgiving weekend and December 4th through 6th. Additionally, the annual “Santa in Uniform” event is set for Monday, December 21st, where local first responders will escort roughly 50 children for a holiday shopping experience.
In national news that will impact your post-holiday shipping, the U.S. Postal Service has announced significant rate hikes starting January 17th. To offset soaring diesel costs, the USPS is converting its temporary 8% package fuel surcharge into a permanent 11% surcharge. Additionally, base rates for domestic shipping like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage will increase by an average of 5.9%, while international package shipping will jump 7.9%. Fortunately for letter senders, the price of a First-Class Forever stamp will remain unchanged at 82 cents.
On the public health front, flu cases remain on the rise, and the Georgia Department of Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated ahead of Thanksgiving gatherings. Tomorrow is also National Lung Screening Day, and AdventHealth Gordon is hosting a free lung cancer screening event from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Harris Radiation Therapy Center. This is available for qualifying adults aged 50 to 77 without insurance who have a heavy smoking history, and registration is required by calling 706-879-5850.
In local sports, the Calhoun Yellow Jackets’ first-round AAAA State Playoff game against the Howard Huskies kicks off tomorrow at 6:00 PM. Gates open at 4:00 PM, tickets are $12, and remember that regular All-Sports passes are invalid for postseason play. Finally, a big congratulations to the Calhoun Performing Arts Center’s region champion theatre troupe, who wrapped up their local run of Big Fish last night before heading to State.
Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!