The Walker County Animal Shelter is extending its hours today and tomorrow as part of the Empty the Shelter event. The shelter will remain open until 7:00 p.m. both days in an effort to find homes for more animals in need. During the event, adoption fees for cats and dogs over four months of age will be waived, and the adoption fee for kittens and puppies will be reduced to just $25.
East Ridge Police say a truck driver is now behind bars after failing to slow down, leading to a fatal crash on I-75 Sunday. The accident happened just past the East Ridge exit. Authorities report that two adults lost their lives in the accident, while three others remain in critical condition in ICU. Two individuals were treated and released for minor injuries, and two children are listed in critical condition. The truck driver, identified as Joseph Antoinier, is facing several serious charges, including two counts of reckless homicide, seven counts of felony reckless endangerment, and three counts of reckless aggravated assault. The East Ridge Police Department is still investigating the crash.
Gas prices in Georgia have dropped over the past week. The average price for regular unleaded gasoline is now $2.88 per gallon, although prices can change quickly. Today’s state average is 4 cents lower than it was a week ago, 11 cents lower than a month ago, and 53 cents lower than this time last year. It now costs drivers an average of $43.20 to fill up a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. That’s nearly $8.00 less than it cost to fill up at this time last year. According to Triple A the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.72 in Walker, Dade and Catoosa Counties. Gas in Dalton is $2.74 per gallon. AAA is predicting a record number of travelers this Memorial Day weekend, with 1.38 million Georgians expected to hit the road. That’s an increase of nearly 45,000 compared to last year. Nationwide, more than 45.1 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend, marking an increase of 1.4 million travelers from last year. This will set a new Memorial Day travel record, surpassing the previous high of 44 million set in 2005. As millions of people prepare for Memorial Day getaways, drivers are advised to plan ahead for potential traffic and travel delays.
Governor Brian Kemp has officially signed Georgia’s budget for fiscal year 2026, along with a package of key regulatory reform bills. The signing ceremony took place yesterday with members of the Georgia General Assembly in attendance, marking an important step in shaping the state’s financial direction. The newly approved budget includes major investments in several key areas, including prisons, education, and healthcare. Governor Kemp emphasized that the budget is designed to address critical needs across Georgia, focusing on strengthening public safety, improving healthcare services, and enhancing educational opportunities for students statewide. The new fiscal year begins on July 1st, setting the stage for these important changes in the state’s spending priorities.