Elections & Runoff Updates
In local government and election news, early voting continues in Gordon County for the upcoming June 16 General Primary Runoff Election. Voters can cast their ballots at the Gordon County Board of Elections Office in Calhoun with extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through this Friday, June 12.
The runoff ballot features several high-stakes races. For the Gordon County Schools Board At-Large Post 7 runoff, candidate Judy Miller Craig faces Dakota Adison Grogan. We look forward to having Judy Craig join us in the studio this Friday. In our local 11th Congressional District, the ballot features a runoff between Rob Adkerson and Jason Cowan. Rob Adkerson and Jason Cowan are scheduled to join us here in the studio tomorrow for a live conversation ahead of the vote. Statewide nominations are also on the line, including Rick Jackson against Burt Jones for Governor, Greg Dolezal facing John Kennedy for Lieutenant Governor, and Derek Dooley against Michael “Mike” A. Collins Jr. for the U.S. Senate.
Local Arrest Report
In local law enforcement updates, several individuals were booked into the county jail yesterday:
Keith Justin Cochran, 47, of Calhoun, was arrested by the Calhoun Police Department on charges of theft by taking, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects, and obstruction of an officer.
Durand Dominic Franklin, 53, of Calhoun, was taken into custody by the Calhoun Police Department for disorderly conduct.
Kenia Sarahi Maraviaga Umanzor (Maradiaga), 39, of Calhoun, was booked by the Calhoun Police Department on a charge of criminal trespass under the Family Violence Act.
Jonathan Bryan Wall, 39, of Calhoun, was arrested by the Calhoun Police Department facing a charge of theft by taking.
Jacob Lee Boatner, 23, of Calhoun, was booked and released by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of simple battery.
City & County Government
In city updates, the Calhoun City Council has voted to extend the city’s moratorium on new data centers for an additional six months. The temporary ban will now run through mid-January 2027, allowing local leaders more time to study infrastructure and community impacts.
Looking at county zoning, the Planning Commission passed all agenda items this week. This included Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation’s request to rezone six parcels on Sugar Valley Road to Heavy Industrial, and plans for Countryview Estates to rezone nearly 44 acres for a new 16-lot single-family subdivision. Several citizen variances were also cleared; all of these items will head to the Board of Commissioners for a final vote on June 16.
In local government spending, the City of Calhoun and Calhoun City Schools budgets are on track for an official vote on June 22, while the Gordon County operating budget is expected to pass next Tuesday.
Education & School Budget
Digging into the school budget, Calhoun City Schools presented its FY27 financial highlights at Monday’s city council meeting. Despite a $431,000 increase in local revenues and a $2.3 million boost in state funding, there are no employee raises budgeted for FY27. The funding increase is being entirely absorbed by mandated hikes in employer costs for State Health insurance and TRS retirement contributions. To offset rising operational costs, all school principals and department heads have been ordered to cut their budgets by 10%, and the system will use nearly $3.9 million from its ending balance to balance the books.
Also in education news, the Calhoun City Schools Board of Education has appointed John Robbins to serve as the Post 3 Board Member. Robbins, a local attorney and Calhoun High School graduate, is filling the unexpired term of Dr. Stephen King. Deeply rooted in the local school system as a parent and the son of a retired educator, Robbins will be officially sworn in by the Mayor and City Council on Monday, June 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Community & Sports
In other local summer activities, Ashworth Middle School’s theater and basketball camps officially begin today, joining Camp South River’s first summer session, which is currently underway with 49 campers. In county tracking updates, data reveals that DUI arrests are on the rise locally, and the new County SPLOST-funded Community Events Center is entering its final stages ahead of a grand July 4th opening.
The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood donors to prevent summer shortages. A local blood drive is scheduled in Gordon County at the Fairmount Community Center on Monday, June 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All who give blood by June 28 will receive a $15 e-gift card and automatic entry to win a $7,500 gift card.
Finally, in sports, make sure to tune in right here as we carry the Georgia Bulldogs in the College World Series, broadcasting live on our airwaves this Saturday at 7:40 p.m.
We were joined on air today by Jennifer Rudell, directly of The Gordon County Senior Center to discuss the many activities available, including a daily fellowship meal, field trips, health checks and transportation. She and Keith King encouraged all our local seniors to take part.
On Monday, we will be joined by Dakota Grogan to discuss his campaign for Gordon County Board of Education. He joins the conversation at 8 am.