Morning Arrest Report
The following individuals were booked into the Gordon County Jail on June 25th in the Calhoun area (probation violations omitted):
Jamie Baker (59, Calhoun): Arrested by Gordon County Sheriff’s deputies for a parole violation.
Abby Kay Baldwin (32, Plainville): Arrested by Gordon County Sheriff’s deputies on bench warrants for financial identity fraud, identity theft, credit card theft, transaction fraud, possession of meth, removing a license plate, no insurance, taillight violation, and child support purge.
Rico Terrance Foster (50, Calhoun): Arrested by Gordon County Sheriff’s deputies for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects.
Caroline Danielle Hall (35, Calhoun): Arrested by CPD for influencing a witness.
Monica Leeann Jones (42, Calhoun): Arrested by CPD for terroristic threats/acts FVA.
Douglas Wayne Oaks (56, Resaca): Arrested by CPD for possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of methamphetamine, theft by shoplifting, and willful obstruction.
Election Updates: PSC Recount Underway
A statewide recount is currently underway for the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) District 3 Republican primary. Candidate Branson Martin formally requested the recount after the initial primary vote margin fell below the legal threshold of less than 0.5%. Locally, Shea Hicks called a meeting for the Gordon County Board of Elections and Voter Registration today at 8:30 a.m. to handle the official recertification of the race. Historically, a statewide election recount in Georgia has never changed the initial outcome of a race since 1980.
Gordon County Zoning & Building Boom
Gordon County is experiencing massive industrial growth and a building boom. Local warehouses are operating at full capacity, driving a surge in development metrics:
Rezoning Approvals: Officials have processed 46 re-zones so far this year, effectively doubling last year’s total output.
Permit Issuance: A new online permitting system is now live to streamline the rapid growth, having already issued 174 permits over the last couple of months.
Calhoun Police Department Honored
The Calhoun Police Department and its officers were recently recognized at MADD Georgia’s 22nd Annual Golden Shield Honors for their exceptional commitment to traffic safety and impaired driving enforcement. Corporal Chaz Shelton and Officer Kaden Baucom both received the DUI Achievement Award, with Officer Baucom also earning Second Place for Officer of the Year. The Department was nominated for Agency of the Year and DUI Heroes Category 4, while the Mountain Area Traffic Enforcement Network (MNTEN) earned a nomination for Network of the Year.
Sports: 8U Jackets Black Win State Championship
GRPA State Champions: The Calhoun Recreation Department’s 8U Jackets Black secured the GRPA State Championship following a thrilling game-winning play.
Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, with two outs, two strikes, and two runners on base, Baylon Oesterle delivered a crucial clutch hit that brought Carson Penny and Asher Williams across home plate. The walk-off victory officially crowned the team as State Champions.
EPA Environmental Grants Headed to Northwest Georgia
The Environmental Protection Agency awarded significant grants to Northwest Georgia to revitalize polluted brownfield sites. Funding includes a $1.5 million Coalition Assessment Grant for the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, a $500,000 grant for the Rome Floyd County Development Authority, and a $4 million cleanup grant for the City of Chickamauga. Locally, the area is well represented on the Regional Commission by Gordon County Board of Commissioners Chair Bud Owens, Calhoun City Council member Bruce Potts, and Gordon County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Bo Nicholson.
GNTC Free Application Week
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is hosting a “Free Application Week” starting Monday, June 29, and running through Sunday, July 5. The college is waiving the standard application fee for all incoming students looking to enroll for the upcoming fall 2026 semester.
Community Talking Points & Weekend Events
Local Budget & Taxes: The Calhoun City Council officially adopted a $144.7 million conservative budget. For property owners, Gordon County 2026 pre-assessment notices are arriving by June 30th, with residential tax increases capped at 2.7%.
Healthcare Milestone: AdventHealth Gordon is celebrating its new robotic surgery accreditation.
Police Leadership: The City of Calhoun recognizes the dedicated service of Police Chief Pyle upon his recent retirement.
Animal Adoptions: Looking for a new furry friend? Calhoun Animal Control is waiving dog adoption fees through June 30th to help manage facility capacity.
Weekend Arts & Community: The Calhoun Little Theater concludes its incredible performances of Godspell at the Harris Arts Center tonight. World Harvest Church is hosting a free clothing closet, and local library programming continues with Dinosaur Discover Day. Looking ahead, residents can enjoy the upcoming Phillips Championship Rodeo, the North Georgia Card Show, and the Downtown Resaca Farmers Market.