Last year, city and community partners in LaFayette worked towards Strategic Vision and Goals as defined by a plan laid out in 2022. According to city officials, the group has made great strides towards strengthening the city’s infrastructure in order to support growth. It was reported that the Water Department added 58 new sewer connections and 71 water taps to accommodate new residences and businesses. The Dickson Spring Water Treatment Plant was completed and is currently undergoing final testing. When it comes online this summer, LaFayette will have a redundant water supply, which officials say is especially important during times of drought. Additionally, work is also almost completed on the Sewer Lift Station at Shattuck Industrial Boulevard. The department is now focused on a $2.67 million dollar replacement project of the aeration system at Cherokee Street. ($1 million of which is funded through an ARC grant),
A couple of things happening tomorrow surrounding Earth Day. Community members are welcome to join the City of LaFayette for an Earth Day Clean Up at the Ross Abney Complex beginning at 8am. Planners intend to divvy out tasks before the 9am clean-up starts. There will be lunch at Noon. All of that begins and ends at Ross Abney. Additionally, Walker County residents will have a chance to participate in a community clean-up effort as the county’s popular Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day returns. Tomorrow, the county will accept tires free of charge from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Walker County Landfill at 5120 N Marble Top Road in Chickamauga.
Around the area, a man found medical records scattered across the Old Dixie Landfill in Dalton. That is raising questions about patient safety. The records included pathology reports and other files with patients’ names, dates of birth, and descriptions of their medical conditions. NewsChannel 9 reports the records apparently came from a now closed walk-in clinic on Airport Road in Dalton. A local attorney in Chattanooga told the TV station that those records should have been destroyed. Local and state authorities are looking into the matter.
Near Ringgold, ground was broken yesterday on the phase-1 addition to Boynton Elementary School. The assembly and groundbreaking celebrated the school’s 70-year history. The phase-1 addition being built by EMJ is paid for with e-SPLOST funds and includes interior revitalization, 16 new classrooms, new car lane alignment, and a new playground to accommodate the continued significant growth in the Boynton and surrounding areas. Catoosa County Commissioners Vanita Hullander, Chuck Harris, and Superintendent Chance Nix were on hand to turn the dirt along with a number of students and faculty from the school.
Just recently, the headliners for this year’s Honeybee Festival in LaFayette were announced. They are Chris Janson and HunterGirl! The annual event will be June 1 with a free day of music, food, and Fun. Now, organizers are looking for Pitmasters! The BEE BBQ Smoke n’ Fire Honeybee Festival BBQ Competition is set for May 31-June 1. All the PRO Series BBQ Competitors from around the area are welcomed to come join the festival. Registration for the Honeybee BBQ Competition is on the festival website at www.myhoneybeefestival.com.
