Voters Walker County will be heading to the polls this fall for municipal and special elections. The elections will be held Tuesday, November 4th, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In LaFayette, the ballot will include races for Mayor, Municipal Judge, and City Council seats in Wards 1 and 2. Early voting begins October 14th at the Walker County Courthouse Elections Office and runs through October 31st. Saturday voting will also be available on October 18th and 25th. Candidates in LaFayette can qualify to run from August 18th through the 20th at City Hall. In Chickamauga, voters will choose three City Council members and three School Board members. A special election will also appear on the ballot, asking voters to approve homestead tax exemptions for seniors 70 and older. One measure would exempt up to $50,000 in property taxes for education purposes for residents age 70 and older—and fully exempt residents 75 and up. A second question would offer a $50,000 exemption from city taxes for residents 70 or older who’ve lived in Chickamauga for at least five years. Early voting in Chickamauga also begins October 14th at the Chickamauga Civic Center. In Rossville, voters will decide on a special election for mayor, to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Hal Gray. Two city council seats will also be on the ballot. Qualifying for candidates in Chickamauga and Rossville will be held August 18th through the 20th. Voters in all three cities must be registered by October 6th to cast a ballot. To vote absentee by mail, you’ll need to request your ballot by October 24th.
Walker County Schools has received a $37,500 donation from Ringgold Telephone Company to support the newly renovated Walker LAUNCH College & Career Academy. The contribution was made through the Georgia Peach Education Tax Credit program, which allows businesses and individuals to direct part of their state income tax to local public schools. The funding will help expand programs, upgrade equipment, and enhance hands-on learning opportunities at the Academy. Walker LAUNCH is a joint effort between Walker County Schools and Georgia Northwestern Technical College. The academy prepares students for college and high-demand careers through dual enrollment programs in fields such as Welding, Robotics, Emergency Medical Services, and Criminal Justice. A new Culinary Lab is also under construction and expected to open for students in the 2026–27 school year. The donation from RTC reflects a growing partnership between education and local business, aimed at preparing students for the modern workforce. More information about the academy and partnership opportunities is available at walkerlaunch.org.
Yesterday’s heavy rain and thunderstorms brought several issues in Chattooga County. Rain reports were from 3 1/2 to five inches of rain in Summerville. Standing water and flooding caused problems. Several roads and streets were flooded included Mahan Road. Some businesses were affected. The extent of any damage is unknown at this point.
Three felony arrests on Wednesday in Walker County. Among those booked, 58-year-old Renva Sue Gravitt. She faces a felony charge of possession of meth. You can view the complete arrest report, updated daily on DiscoverWalker.com.