Gordon County Sheriff’s Office Latest Jail Bookings
The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement agencies have released the latest booking and media report for the morning news block. The following individuals were processed through the local facility:
Name & Age
City of Residence
Arresting Agency
Charges
Adam James Vonbehren (22)
Fairmount, GA
Gordon County Sheriff’s Office
Felony Child Molestation; Sexual Battery
Victor Manuel Funes Oliva (59)
Rome, GA
Calhoun Police Department
Aggravated Identity Fraud; First-Degree Forgery
Tommie Lee Timms (49)
Transient / Homeless (Ranger area)
Gordon County Sheriff’s Office
Possession of Methamphetamine; Possession/Use of Drug-Related Objects; No Insurance; Probation Violation
Emergency Crews Respond to Fairmount Residential Fire
Emergency responders were active in Fairmount yesterday afternoon dealing with a residential structure blaze. According to Gordon County Fire and Rescue Chief Heath Derryberry, units were dispatched to the scene at 1397 Fire Tower Road Southeast at approximately 3:12 PM.
Fire crews successfully contained the blaze, and emergency personnel confirmed that there were no injuries reported on the scene. Chief Derryberry noted that the incident resulted in approximately $40,000 in property damage. The exact cause of the fire remains under official investigation.
County Officials Unveil Proposed General Fund Budget
Taxpayers have a first look at the financial blueprint for the upcoming fiscal period as Gordon County officials introduced a balanced General Fund budget proposal. The plan aims to address ongoing regional development while maintaining conservative spending controls.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Budget:
Employee Retention: Features a 4% cost-of-living salary adjustment for all county personnel to keep local government compensation competitive with regional trends.
Tax Stabilization: Plans to utilize five months of Fractional Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) revenues to stabilize the local millage rate for property owners.
Capital Outlay: Imposes a strict posture with no capital outlay funded via property taxes in this draft.
Infrastructure Projects: Continuous funding via SPLOST for major local upgrades, including ongoing work on the Salem Road Bridge and Boone Ford Road, alongside the construction of a new local morgue, community center, and fire department facilities.
Sugar Valley School Preservation Meeting Highlights Financial Crossroads
More than 100 local residents gathered Thursday night, May 21, 2026, at the Sugar Valley Baptist Church for a critical town hall meeting focused on restoring and saving the historic Sugar Valley School building on Sugar Valley Road. Organized in part by local citizens including David Bishop, the landmark rock building is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
The structure was originally built out of indigenous Knox Chert rock by architect and builder W. Laurens Hillhouse, a prominent citizen who also served as Mayor of Calhoun. Established by a specific act of the Georgia Legislature to eliminate independent systems, the school served northwest Gordon County for nearly 50 years before closing in 1974. After decades of maintenance by a local community club, the county-owned building fell into disrepair with serious roof and flooring issues, leading to its designation as a “Place in Peril” by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in 2024.
The Funding and Structural Challenge
The project faces significant financial hurdles regarding the scope of restoration. Gordon County Administrator Jim Ledbetter explained that a $300,000 allocation from the voter-approved 2018 SPLOST has been held in interest-bearing savings and now stands at roughly $1 million. However, comprehensive structural inspections by Carter and Watkins Architects and subsequent engineering assessments by Trilogy Engineering revealed the building is currently uninhabitable. Recommendations to gut the interior while preserving the historic exterior rock walls are estimated to cost between $3 million and $4 million.
Despite the funding gap, both Administrator Ledbetter and County Commissioner Chad Steward voiced strong support for saving the historic building alongside the community. Commissioner Steward cautioned that the project must move forward quickly due to a looming legal deadline to deploy the SPLOST funds. Assistant County Administrator Keith King noted that if ownership left the county, the project would legally forfeit the SPLOST dollars. To bridge the gap, the county and organizers—including Mary Beth Baker, who has extensive experience securing grants for the Oostanaula School building—plan to aggressively apply for Federal Community Development Block Grants and other historical funds.
Community Vision and Future Planning
Local leaders and business owners also pushed for preservation. State House District 5 Candidate Rasmus Jensen emphasized that historic structures connect the community to its past, promising to seek state funding avenues if elected. Local commercial contractor Ricky Smith of Ricky Lee Smith Construction, LLC, expressed professional confidence on scene, stating he firmly believes the school can still be feasibly restored at a reasonable cost.
The shared goal is to see the facility completely restored as a multi-use community hub to host:
Local election precincts
Farmers’ markets and craft pop-up sales
Antique car shows and community meetings
Family reunions, private parties, and showers
The school property sits immediately adjacent to the future site of the new Sugar Valley Fire Station, a separate $2 million SPLOST project. Construction on the $1.5 million fire station is expected to begin between late 2026 and early 2027. Local residents emphasized they fully support the new fire department but want to work hand-in-hand with officials on a dual solution. The county will evaluate multiple development scenarios in the coming months, including a full interior renovation or a Ranger-style compromise where a new facility is built incorporating the historic salvaged stone. Additional town hall meetings will be scheduled to provide updates.
Holiday Weekend Gas Prices Skyrocket Ahead of Memorial Day
Millions of holiday travelers hitting the road for the Memorial Day weekend are confronting a brutal reality check at the pump as fuel costs surge significantly higher at the start of the summer driving season.
A closer look at fuel stations across Gordon County shows standard unleaded fuel pricing climbing much closer to the $4.00-per-gallon mark at the majority of local stations. High-traffic refueling stops along the Interstate 75 corridor are already meeting or exceeding that threshold. Analysts attribute the steep spike to an intersection of high crude oil costs, tight regional supply, and peak holiday travel demand.
Drivers are also warned to prepare for secondary impacts in the coming days. State officials remind residents that Georgia’s temporary gas tax suspension is officially scheduled to expire on June 3rd. Once the tax holiday ends, the reinstatement of the state motor fuel tax will instantly add an estimated 30 to 34 cents per gallon onto regular unleaded and diesel fuel pricing. Motorists are highly encouraged to shop around and fill up early before traveling.