Early voting gets underway in Walker County ahead of the May 19 General Primary.  Voters can cast ballots at the Elections Office on South Main Street in LaFayette and at Rossville City Hall, with polls open from 9 to 4.  Early voting runs through May 15, with additional locations opening May 9, including the Chickamauga Civic Center and Lookout Mountain City Hall.  Extended hours will be offered May 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The ballot includes federal, state, and local races, plus judicial contests.  Election Day is May 19.

            The City of LaFayette has announced several road paving projects planned for 2026.  Improvements are scheduled for Sleepy Hollow, Pledger, Johnson, Trails Lake, Anthony, Duke Street, and Hillsdale Road in partnership with Walker County.  City leaders say they focus on long-term results, often moving utilities before paving to avoid cutting into new roads later.  Officials say while the process takes more time, it has led to better road quality across the city over the past decade.  The projects will be funded through TSPLOST.

           Some Georgia residents could soon receive extra money as the state begins issuing surplus tax refunds.  The Georgia Department of Revenue says payments are being sent out in phases, with most eligible taxpayers expected to receive funds within six to eight weeks.  Refunds are based on previously filed state income tax returns and are part of an effort to return excess revenue to taxpayers.  To qualify, residents must have lived in Georgia full-time for the past two years and filed on time.  Payments are expected to range from 250 to 500 dollars, depending on filing status.

           A long-awaited project honoring African American history in Walker County is now underway.  The Walker County African American Historical and Alumni Association has broken ground on the African American Memorial Park at Villanow and Oak Streets.  The effort has been led by Beverly Foster and has been years in the making and supported by the community.  Construction of the first phase will continue through 2026, with more phases planned.  Donations are still needed, with memorial bricks available for 100 dollars and granite pavers for 500.