Walker County voters can now get an early look at the ballot for the November third General and Special Election. The composite ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, governor, Congress, the Georgia legislature, Walker County Commission and the Board of Education. Voters will also consider three proposed Georgia constitutional amendments, including measures involving conservation-use property, nonpartisan probate court elections and funding for next-generation 9-1-1. A Walker County special election question would provide additional school property tax exemptions for homeowners age 70 and older. The county reminds voters the composite ballot includes races not applicable to everyone. Your actual ballot depends on where you live. The election is November third. You can view the ballot on our website at DiscoverWalker.com.
The U-S Department of Agriculture will distribute nearly 650-thousand oral rabies vaccine baits across parts of north Georgia during October. The vaccines will be dropped by airplane and helicopter and are designed to be eaten by wildlife, especially raccoons. Residents may see aircraft or find vaccine packets on the ground. Officials say leave the baits where they are, and keep people and pets from handling them. The effort is designed to reduce the spread of rabies among wildlife and protect communities.
The Walker County Data Center Development Standards Study Committee is examining possible restrictions on future data centers. At its meeting last week, members discussed noise limits, environmental studies, power and water usage, backup generators and requiring data centers to locate in industrial parks. A recent county survey found 69 percent of respondents were primarily concerned about higher electricity and water costs. The committee will continue reviewing regulations from other communities and plans to tour an operating data center this fall. The next meeting is September 24th at 6 p.m. at the Walker County Civic Center.
Georgia drivers are paying more than four dollars a gallon for regular gasoline. AAA reports the statewide average reached four-oh-one Monday — up 12 cents in a week and more than a dollar higher than a year ago. But Northwest Georgia remains among the cheapest markets in the state. The Catoosa-Dade-Walker area averages three-ninety-two a gallon. AAA says rising crude oil prices above 100 dollars a barrel are driving costs higher.