Several fire agencies from across northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee came together last night to battle a massive wildfire in Walker County. The blaze covered more than 300 acres. The fire first started around 4:30pm yesterday. The fire appears to have been started by sparks from a train that ignited combustible material near the tracks. Firefighters staging on Chris Lane saved more than a half dozen homes from fast moving flames. Aside from Chris Lane, no evacuations have been needed, as fire crews are staged in areas where there is the greatest risk of exposure to homes and residents. Fire officials say one home on South Mission Ridge did burn, but there was no one home at the time. In total about 100 firefighters from more than 30 agencies responded to the fire including 25 engines.
Walker County Commissioners have approved 70-miles of roads to be paved in 2025 and 2026. The list of projects will be put out for bid soon. More than 20 miles in the Center Post community are on the list. 8 roads in LaFayette are scheduled for paving including Abney Road, Abney Hollow Road, Bryant Avenue, Harris Lane and Reese Road.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is holding an open forum for gunowners tonight. The event is at the Walker County Civic Center beginning at 6pm. It covers the state gun laws. Area gunowners, people who are considering purchasing a firearm or those who carry while they travel are encouraged to attend. You have to be 18 years of age. Just a reminder, firearms are not permitted in the Civic Center or at this event.
Georgia could allocate extra money to educate poor public school students for the first time under a House budget approved on a 171-4 vote Tuesday. However, the $28 million proposed is far less than what advocates argue is necessary. House Bill 68, which would spend $37.7 billion in state money and $73.1 billion overall in the year beginning July 1, advances to the Senate for more debate. It would further boost spending on prisons, provide another bonus payment for some state retirees and raise judges’ salaries. Georgia’s 40-year-old K-12 school funding system provides extra money to school districts with low property wealth that can’t collect much in property taxes. But Democrats and others argue that the state needs to spend more on poor students themselves. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Matt Hatchett said lawmakers aren’t sure yet how they will distribute the money. But $28 million is only about $45 per low-income student. Overall, the House plan spends an additional $98 million on public education over what Gov. Brian Kemp recommended, for total spending of $16 billion.
