Early voting dates are now set for the May 19th General Primary in Walker County. Voters can cast ballots starting April 27th through May 15th, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Walker County Elections Office in LaFayette and at Rossville City Hall. Additional early voting locations—including the Chickamauga Civic Center and Lookout Mountain City Hall—will be open May 9th through the 15th. All locations will offer extended hours on May 12th, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Drought conditions in Walker County remain unchanged, according to new data from Drought.gov. March ranked as the 19th driest in the past 132 years, with rainfall nearly three inches below normal. So far this year, conditions are also trending dry—ranking as the 15th driest on record, with a rainfall deficit of more than five inches.
The Walker County Coroner’s Office is now operating from a new location, offering expanded services for local families. Coroner Billy Sims and his team have moved into the Walker County Health Department building on Villanow Street in LaFayette. The updated space includes office areas and a refrigerated morgue, allowing families to view loved ones locally. Previously, bodies were transported to outside facilities, including CHI Memorial Hospital.
The United States Postal Service is proposing a stamp price increase set to take effect July 12, pending approval. The cost of a First-Class Forever stamp would rise from 78 cents to 82 cents, part of an overall 4.8 percent increase in mailing service prices. Postcard and international mail rates would also go up slightly, while the additional-ounce price for letters would remain the same. Officials say the increase is needed to address rising operational costs, as the Postal Service relies on postage sales—not tax dollars—to fund operations. The Postal Regulatory Commission will review the proposal before a final decision is made.
The Georgia Department of Labor says the state hit record highs in both workforce and employment in February. Georgia’s labor force reached 5.45 million, while employment climbed to 5.25 million. The unemployment rate edged up slightly to 3-point-6 percent, still below the national average. State labor officials more Georgians are working than ever before. However, total jobs declined for a second straight month, and several sectors saw losses. In a positive sign, unemployment claims dropped sharply to their lowest level since November.