Summerville Student Receives Roper Corporation Scholarship At GNTC

A Summerville student is one of two Georgia Northwestern Technical College students selected to receive the Roper Corporation Scholarship for the fall 2026 semester.

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Walker County Commissioners To Revisit Data Center Moratorium Thursday

The Walker County Board of Commissioners will take another look at the county’s data center moratorium when commissioners meet Thursday evening in LaFayette.

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Movie Sequel To Film In Walker County, Young Extras Needed

A movie sequel is returning to Northwest Georgia this fall, and producers are looking for local children to appear as extras.

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Free AI Class For Small Businesses Coming To LaFayette

Small business owners and entrepreneurs interested in learning how artificial intelligence can help their businesses will have an opportunity to attend a free class in LaFayette later this month.

The class will be held Tuesday, September 29, from 5:30 until 7 PM at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library.

The session will be taught by Ed Bennett, an AI and automation architect, and will focus on moving beyond one-time questions to AI tools and workflows that can help businesses save time, automate routine tasks and generate new business opportunities.

The program is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

Organizers say the class is designed for people who want a practical look at ways artificial intelligence can be used in day-to-day business operations.

For more information, call the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library at 706-638-2992.

Walker County Approves $39.9 Million Budget With No Tax Increase

Walker County commissioners have approved a $39.9 million budget for fiscal year 2027 without increasing the county’s tax rate, following several months of discussion over rising expenses and how to balance the spending plan.

The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved the budget during its September 3 meeting. The new fiscal year begins October 1 and runs through September 30, 2027.

The final budget includes funding for three additional firefighters and does not add any other new county positions. County employees will receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment.

Getting to the final spending plan took several months. When the budget process began this summer, county departments had submitted requests totaling more than $50 million. Chairwoman Angie Teems and county staff worked with department heads to reduce those requests by more than $10 million.

As recently as August, commissioners were still facing a projected $1.9 million gap between revenues and expenses, prompting the board to delay a budget vote while members considered additional changes. Among the pressures on the budget were inflation, state-mandated expenses, a new ambulance service contract, firefighter staffing and employee compensation.

The final $39.9 million spending plan was adopted without a tax increase.

For comparison, Walker County’s FY2026 General Fund budget was approximately $37.25 million.

Museum Of LaFayette Seeks Local Cherokee Family Histories For New Exhibit

The Museum of LaFayette is asking area residents to help document local Cherokee history as the museum prepares a new exhibit at the historic Chattooga Academy in LaFayette.

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Walker County To Hold Patriot Day Service On 25th Anniversary Of 9/11

Walker County will hold a Patriot Day service on Friday, September 11, to recognize and remember first responders on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The public service, led by Walker County Fire Rescue and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, will begin at 8:40 AM on the steps of the Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette.

The September 11 attacks were the deadliest incident in U.S. history for firefighters, police officers and other first responders, with nearly 400 first responders killed that day. Hundreds more have since died from illnesses linked to their work at the attack sites.

Students from LaFayette High School’s JROTC and chorus programs, along with students from Ridgeland High School, will take part in the ceremony.

Also participating will be Congressman Clay Fuller, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, Walker County Fire Chief Blake Hodge and other local first responders.

The ceremony will be held at the Walker County Courthouse, 103 South Duke Street in LaFayette, and is scheduled to conclude at 9:10 AM.

Limited seating will be available for those unable to stand.

Walker County Commissioners To Consider FY 2027 Budget, Millage Rate And $2.2 Million Courthouse Project

The Walker County Board of Commissioners will have several major financial decisions before it when commissioners meet Thursday evening, including adoption of the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget and millage rate.

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Busy Week Ahead For Chattooga High School Athletics

Chattooga High School and middle school athletes have a full schedule ahead this week, with teams competing in softball, football, volleyball and cross country.

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“Be Their Voice” Golf Tournament To Raise Money For Children’s Advocacy Center

Golfers from across Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity this fall to spend a day on the course while helping children who have been victims of abuse.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit is preparing for its 6th Annual “Be Their Voice” Golf Tournament, scheduled for Thursday, October 1st, at the LaFayette Golf Course.

Activities are scheduled from 7:15 AM until 6 PM, and organizers are currently looking for golf teams, hole sponsors and donations of door prizes to help make this year’s fundraiser a success.

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