Walker County commissioners will begin reviewing funding requests for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget during a series of budget work sessions June 9th, 10th and 11th. The meetings start at 9 a.m. each day at the County Administration Building on South Duke Street in LaFayette. Department heads will present budget requests and discuss operational needs. The budget process continues June 26th, when the county’s chief financial officer presents the proposed FY-27 budget to commissioners.
The LaFayette Police Department is warning residents about a jury duty scam making the rounds again. Scammers are calling people and claiming they missed jury duty, then demanding payment to avoid arrest or jail. Police stress that courts do not contact people seeking payment in lieu of jail time. Anyone receiving one of these calls should hang up and contact the court directly to verify the information.
A Chattooga County family is rebuilding after a house fire destroyed their home Sunday night in Lyerly. Jessica Smith and Marcus Wedgeworth escaped safely after discovering flames inside the residence around 10 p.m. Nearly all of the family’s belongings were lost, including clothing, personal documents and items purchased for Smith’s son’s upcoming birthday. Fortunately, Smith’s two young children were spending the night away from home. A fundraiser has been organized to assist the family as the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The City of Chickamauga has received a $1.45 million federal grant to support blight remediation in the historic downtown district. City leaders say the funding will help clean up and redevelop the former Crystal Springs mill site and other blighted properties, paving the way for future economic development and public improvements. Officials also stressed the grant is strictly for remediation efforts and will not be used for affordable housing or residential development.