Walker County voters have several important dates to remember ahead of the November third election. Early voting begins October 13 and continues through October 30 at the Walker County Elections Office in LaFayette. Saturday voting is available October 17 and 24, from 9 to 5. Additional early voting locations open October 24 in Chickamauga, Rossville and Lookout Mountain. The deadline to register or update voter information is October fifth. Election Day polls will be open November third, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must cast their ballot at their assigned precinct.
A section of the Bluff Trail on Lookout Mountain remains closed. The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park says a territorial barred owl has been involved in several encounters with visitors and staff, including one reported injury. The closure covers the trail between Cravens House Trail and the base of the metal staircase below Point Park. Officials had believed the owl had moved on after it wasn’t seen during recent monitoring. But the bird reappeared Friday morning. Park Resource Management staff will continue monitoring the area and working toward a safe solution. Hikers are asked to avoid the closed section and use alternate routes until the closure is lifted.
Walker County is paving the trail at Walker Rocks Park in Rock Spring. The gravel trail is being replaced with a permanent paved surface, funded through a Recreational Trails Program grant. County officials say the project will help prevent washouts after heavy rain and provide more dependable, year-round access for walkers and other visitors. The trail is located on the Walker County Civic Center campus, and construction is underway.
A Northwest Georgia Job Fair is coming up tomorrow at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring. WorkSource Georgia and the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority will host the event from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Civic Center is located at 10052 North Highway 27. Job seekers can meet with employers and learn about available opportunities.
Chickamauga is getting four million dollars to clean up a former industrial site and prepare it for redevelopment. The funding is part of six million dollars in federal brownfields grants announced Friday for Northwest Georgia communities. The money will also fund environmental assessments in Dalton, Summerville, Cedartown and Rome-Floyd County. The former Crystal Springs Print Works property in Chickamauga operated as a textile mill for more than a century and has been vacant since its demolition.
The LaFayette Ramblers are 4-0. LaFayette remains unbeaten on the season after downing North Murray 35-21 Friday night. The Ramblers will travel to Murray County this Friday night for a battle of unbeatens. Murray County went to 4-0 on Friday after slipping past Sonoraville 14-7. You can hear the game this Friday night on Georgia 93-7.