In observance of Juneteenth, all Walker County Government offices — including the landfill — will be closed today. Normal operations in Walker County will resume tomorrow.
Georgia State Senator Colton Moore is facing a financial penalty following an ethics investigation by the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. Moore, who represents Northwest Georgia — including Walker County — has agreed to pay a $500 fine after failing to submit required personal financial disclosures for 2022 and 2023. He also missed a campaign finance report due this past January. The violations were uncovered as part of a broader audit reviewing financial reporting by state lawmakers. Moore signed a consent order last week, acknowledging the infractions. No additional disciplinary action is expected at this time. However, the Commission says it will continue monitoring compliance from all elected officials statewide.
A former Trion police officer and drug task force agent has been charged with using excessive force during an arrest earlier this month. Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says Chris Wooten, a former member of the Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force, was taken into custody Wednesday after an internal review and investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The charges stem from a June 4th incident, when a motorcycle pursuit ended near Wade Drive. After the suspect was handcuffed, deputies say they witnessed Wooten use what they believed to be excessive force. Wooten is now facing two felony charges — Aggravated Battery and Violation of Oath of Office. He was booked and later released on twenty thousand dollars bond. Sheriff Schrader commended his deputies for reporting the incident and said the actions observed were quote, “outside of accepted standards and intolerable.” Wooten is no longer employed in law enforcement, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Significant improvements are now underway at Walker Rocks Park, located at the Walker County Civic Center. Construction has begun on a new phase of the playground to enhance accessibility and provide inclusive play opportunities for children of all abilities. Upgrades will include a rubberized surface for mobility aids and expanded sensory-focused equipment. The existing playground remains open to the public and is securely fenced during construction. Walker Rocks Park is open daily from dawn to dusk, with amenities including restrooms and shaded seating.