Walker County Chairwoman Angie Teems is clarifying that the county’s 30-day moratorium on new data center development applies only to unincorporated Walker County. In a video released Tuesday, Teems said the moratorium does not affect any of the county’s cities, noting each municipality would have to take its own action if it wants to restrict data center development. The temporary moratorium was approved to give county leaders time to study the impacts of data centers, gather public input, and consider possible changes to zoning regulations. Commissioners will hold a public forum on the issue during their August 6th meeting, when they’ll also consider extending the moratorium for another 180 days, potentially delaying new data center applications into February of next year.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is reminding Georgians to safely handle fresh fruits and vegetables to help prevent cyclosporiasis—pronounced SYE-kloh-spuh-RYE-uh-sis—a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. State health officials say there are no known Georgia outbreaks linked to the multi-state outbreak that has sickened more than a thousand people, but the national investigation continues. The illness can cause watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating and loss of appetite, with symptoms lasting from several days to more than a month. To reduce your risk, health officials recommend washing your hands before handling produce, thoroughly rinsing all fruits and vegetables under running water—even those labeled pre-washed—and refrigerating cut produce within two hours.
Part of Chickamauga was without power yesterday. City officials say the outage was caused by a problem at the shared TVA and North Georgia Electric Long Hollow substation. They emphasized the issue was beyond the city’s control and not related to Chickamauga’s electric distribution system.
Four felony arrests in Walker County on Monday. Including 35-year-old Zachary Lee Radetski, who was booked on a felony stalking charge. The complete arrest report can be viewed online at DiscoverWalker.com. It’s updated daily.