It has been a busy week in Gordon County, marked by municipal budgeting decisions, critical health campaigns, breaking public safety responses, and the highly anticipated return of a favorite local summer tradition. Here is a complete breakdown of the news shaping Calhoun and Gordon County today.
Overnight Commercial Fire Extinguished on Highway 411
Emergency responders were active in the early morning hours following reports of a commercial structure fire at 2688 Highway 411 SE, the office location of Brown Real Estate. According to Gordon County Fire Rescue Chief Heath Derryberry, arriving units observed visible smoke pouring from the roof line of the building.
Firefighters immediately initiated an interior breach and discovered the fire was localized entirely to the roof structure. Crews quickly laddered the exterior, deployed lines, and successfully contained the blaze to a small section of the roof area. Chief Derryberry reported that the facility suffered minimal structural damage to the roof and minor cosmetic damage to one section of the interior. Fire investigators have officially ruled the cause of the fire to be electrical in nature.
Downtown Calhoun Farmers Market Launches This Saturday
Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer and Downtown Development Authority Director Lacey Fuquea announced the official seasonal launch of the Downtown Calhoun Farmers Market this Saturday, May 23. Opening at 8:00 AM and running until noon at City Park (308 N. Wall Street), this year’s market will boast over 60 local vendors. The market will operate every Saturday and Tuesday morning through September. This season, organizers are placing a premier spotlight on “Gordon Grown” agricultural produce, allowing residents to buy fresh, premium food directly from local fields.
AdventHealth Gordon Launches $30 Screening Special
Emphasizing preventative health and early detection, AdventHealth Gordon has launched a community health initiative offering screening mammograms for just $30. Healthcare administrators note that routine screenings are the most critical tool available in detecting breast cancer early. The program is designed to remove financial barriers to preventative care for women across Gordon County. Appointments can be scheduled directly through the AdventHealth Gordon imaging department or via their online patient portal.
Gordon County Jail Booking Log & Arrests
Local law enforcement agencies have released their latest 24-hour booking logs detailing recent area bookings. The public records include the following individuals:
Chasity Jade Larsen (27, Homeless/Calhoun): Arrested by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges include DUI, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, aggressive driving, driving in gore, failure to maintain lane, improper lane change (2 counts), improper passing, following too closely, speeding (91 in a 71 mph zone), open container, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession/use of drug-related objects, signal failure, expired tag, driving with no insurance, no license on person, concealing a license plate, and window tint violations.
Alicia Yesenia Diaz (24, Calhoun): Booked by the Calhoun Police Department. Charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, sale of marijuana, possession of THC wax/dabs, possession/use of drug-related objects, and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.
Destine Leeann Pope (36, Plainville): Arrested by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office for public assistance fraud.
Beverly Estefania Perez-Alveno (20, Calhoun): Booked by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office for simple battery under the Family Violence Act.
Willie Frank Byrd (65, Calhoun): Taken into custody by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office for theft by taking.
Primary Election Results: Local Nominations Settled
Following Tuesday’s primary voting, local political maps for the November general elections and June runoffs have solidified across Gordon County:
Board of Commissioners (District 2): Republican Chad Steward won the primary nomination with 54.72% of the vote, defeating challenger George Kenneth Hayes, Jr. Steward moves on to face Democrat Joshua L. Boling in November.
Board of Commissioners (District 4): Incumbent Kurt Sutherland secured his seat outright with 53.34% of the vote over challengers Johnny Martin and Justin Henderson. Facing no Democratic opposition in the fall, Sutherland will return to the board.
Board of Education (Uncontested): Republican qualifiers Charlie Walraven (Post 1), Steven Proper (Post 3), and Mericia Henderson (Post 5) ran unopposed and have officially secured their upcoming terms.
Board of Education (Runoff Scheduled): The race for BOE Post 7 is officially bound for a June runoff between Judy M. Craig (42.58%) and Dakota Grogan (37.94%), as neither candidate managed to capture a clear majority against Sheila Wheat.
County Governance: Flat Sales Tax, Employee Raises, and Care Network Locked
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners met to finalize critical elements of the upcoming fiscal budget. Financial assessments revealed that local sales tax collections within the county have remained completely flat for three consecutive years. Despite the revenue plateau, commissioners voted to approve a 4 percent cost-of-living raise for all county employees to combat inflation.
In a major development for employee benefits, the commission voted to maintain its primary health insurance partnership with Cigna. The contract renewal ensures that AdventHealth remains fully available in-network for all county workers and their families. The board also held discussions regarding building and development moratoriums.
Regional & Public Safety Briefs
NWGRC Infrastructure Focus: At the latest Northwest Georgia Regional Commission meeting, local council members Bud Owens, Bruce Potts, and Bo Nicholson stood up for regional interests. Notably, Calhoun City Councilman Bruce Potts is working in direct alignment with commission planners to lock down an infrastructure improvement grant specifically for the city’s utility and public works networks.
Click It or Ticket Initiative: Captain Christy Nicholson is advising all local motorists that the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign is active. Extra law enforcement units are stationed across the county conducting seatbelt checks to decrease highway traffic injuries and fatalities.
Holiday Office Closures: Area residents are reminded that all Gordon County administrative, municipal, and non-emergency offices will be closed this coming Monday, May 25, and Tuesday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
Gas Prices Remain Stubbornly High: Despite financial relief provided by Governor Brian Kemp’s extension of the state gas tax suspension through June 3, pump prices stay high across the county. Cash fuel is holding at $3.79 at the Curtis Parkway Circle K, while Buc-ee’s remains the cheapest local fueling choice.
Sugar Valley Town Hall Meeting Tonight
A grassroots preservation effort meets tonight at 6:00 PM at the Sugar Valley Baptist Church. Community members will gather to develop actionable strategies and pool resources to save the historic Sugar Valley School building from structural deterioration. All citizens interested in regional historic preservation are encouraged to attend.
