In local city news, the Calhoun City Council has given the green light to the final stretch of a major infrastructure project. Meeting this past Monday, the Council unanimously approved construction plans for Phase 3 of the Peters Street Improvement Project.
The vote marks the next step in a decade-long SPLOST initiative. Phase 3 will extend sidewalks along Peters Street from Richardson Road all the way east to Curtis Parkway, alongside re-engineering the Kenmoreland Drive bridge to incorporate an exterior sidewalk. Funded through a joint city-county agreement originating from the 2011/2012 SPLOST referendum, this final phase follows earlier milestones that included the construction of the East May Street roundabout.
Looking ahead to local infrastructure, the City of Calhoun expects to announce a construction company at its September 14 meeting for the major upgrade at Curtis Parkway and Dews Pond Road, featuring a new single-lane roundabout and an extended queuing lane. On the county side, Gordon County is currently moving through the engineering and design phase for its own major intersection upgrade at Lovers Lane and Dews Pond Road.
Turning to county developments, local taxpayers are looking toward Tuesday’s upcoming commissioner meeting for much-anticipated clarification on millage rates.
Sources indicate the Gordon County Board of Education is expected to implement a full rollback, which should keep property tax bills close to last year’s levels for many residents despite rising commercial property values. Meanwhile, the Board of Commissioners is also planning to roll back its maintenance and operations millage rate, factoring in roughly $4 million in FLOST pennies approved by voters last November. An additional $2 million is also expected to be applied directly to property tax bills across Calhoun, Fairmount, and Plainville from the FLOST revenue.
According to Commissioner Chad Steward, primary residences with a homestead exemption should see a direct tax reduction. However, officials note that broader economic pressures remain: persistent inflation means families continue to absorb higher overall sales taxes, while climbing commercial property valuations are pushing up operational and rental costs across the board. At the pump, gas prices in Gordon County are averaging around $3.77 a gallon for regular unleaded.
In healthcare news, a major milestone is on the horizon for neighboring Murray County. AdventHealth Murray is preparing to break ground on a brand-new hospital campus in Chatsworth. The official ceremony for the 185,000-square-foot facility is set for Wednesday, September 2, at 10 a.m. at 3181 US-76. The campus will feature a 42-bed hospital and a medical office building designed to replace the existing facility, with an expected opening in Spring 2028. Governor Brian Kemp is scheduled to speak at next week’s groundbreaking.
In public safety news, an active investigation remains underway following a major fire that heavily damaged the local Burger King. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. Calhoun Fire Chief Mike Shutz joined our broadcast to discuss the emergency response and the ongoing inquiry into what triggered the fire.
Looking at the wider economy, state agricultural leaders—including Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association—are voicing strong opposition to federal policies favoring imported beef, stressing that local producers need the leverage of current market prices to rebuild domestic herds. Meanwhile, economists warn that broader shocks, including brewing conflicts involving Iran and looming Canadian tariffs, threaten to compound supply chain pressures across the Northwest Georgia economy, keeping inflation stubborn and raising the prospect of potential Federal Reserve rate hikes later in the year.
And finally, on the diamond, the Atlanta Braves wrapped up a dominant series sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 1–0 shutout. The Braves also picked up a double during the action, meaning local fans can hop on the McDonald’s app today to claim a free McDouble. The Braves stay at home to welcome the Colorado Rockies to Truist Park for a weekend series starting tonight.
