Walker County Commission Chairwoman Angie Teems says renewing the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, is key to keeping up roads and public safety—without raising property taxes. During a live online forum Monday, Teems said the one-cent tax has raised nearly $44 million since 2020, funding fire trucks, patrol cars, and road resurfacing. But not everyone’s convinced. Some residents questioned the pace of spending and pointed to unfinished projects like the Hinkle Fire Station, saying SPLOST money doesn’t always get used as promised. Teems acknowledged past delays but said her administration is moving stalled projects forward and that the state audits all SPLOST funds each year. Voters will decide whether to renew the penny tax in next Tuesday’s election. Early voting continues in Walker County through Friday.
The LaFayette Ramblers continue their chase for a state softball title as the GHSA State Tournament resumes today in Columbus. LaFayette faces North Hall in the Elite Eight with first pitch at 1:15 p.m. A win would send the Lady Ramblers to tomorrow’s semifinals. The double-elimination tournament wraps up Saturday with the crowning of a new state champion.
With federal food aid at risk, some Walker County restaurants are stepping up to help families in need. Pie Slingers Pizzeria is leading the charge, offering free meals to those who may lose their SNAP benefits November first. The effort began when Baby Hughies in Rock Spring pledged to feed two families of four twice a week — and others quickly joined in, including Fernando’s, Legion Café, The Village Goat, and Yum Yum’s. The state says families can still use unspent SNAP benefits in November, but no new funds will go out until Congress acts.
The Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority has named Matt Harris as its new President and CEO, representing Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker Counties. Harris, a former Walker County Schools Principal and Coordinator of Innovation, helped launch programs like Georgia’s first public school forest kindergarten and the Walker Launch Academy. He’s also a local business owner and community advocate. Harris says he’s honored to serve and aims to help Northwest Georgia grow while preserving its identity. Chairman Chip Catlett says the board is excited about the professionalism Harris brings to the region’s economic development efforts.