A Slight Risk for Severe Storms area wide through out the day today. A Heat Advisory continues for today and tomorrow as temperatures reach the upper 90s and Heat Index from 100 to 108. Patrick Core has your forecast all day on Georgia 93-7. You can find Patrick’s in depth video forecast on our website at DiscoverWalker.com.
More than 100 new laws passed by the Georgia General Assembly took effect yesterday, impacting education, public safety, health care, and everyday life. Among the changes, schools must now limit personal electronic device use for students in kindergarten through eighth grade under the Distraction-Free Education Act. New laws also strengthen human trafficking penalties, require training for hotels and short-term rentals, and create a statewide animal cruelty database. In health care, Georgia’s low THC oil program is now recognized as a medical cannabis program, with updated regulations. Other new laws expand newborn safe haven protections, provide additional protections for seniors and homeowners, create paid maternity leave for eligible state employees, and require menu notices for restaurants serving imported shrimp. Several education changes also take effect, including new computer science graduation requirements and expanded virtual learning options.
The Walker County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Thursday, July 16th, at 6 p.m. at the Walker County Civic Center. Commissioners will consider several variance requests, including setback changes on Rock Creek Road, a request involving additional residences on a private drive in Rossville, and a proposal for manufactured homes within the Chickamauga Battlefield Overlay District. The commission will also review a rezoning request from Paradise Trust involving property on Ed’s Lake Road in LaFayette. The meeting is open to the public.
Chattooga County officials are inviting public comment on a proposed temporary moratorium involving certain non-traditional development projects. The moratorium could include cargo container homes, tiny home developments, multi-service community projects, and similar residential or mixed-use developments. The public meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 10th, at 10 a.m. at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office on Commerce Street in Summerville. Officials say the meeting will allow residents, property owners, and developers to provide input before any action is taken.
The City of LaFayette will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary during the annual Freedom Festival tonight at the Ross Abney Sports Complex. The event begins at 5 p.m. and will feature patriotic entertainment, food, family activities, and the largest fireworks display in the festival’s history. The Museum of LaFayette will also present a special history exhibit featuring local photographs, artifacts, and a community timeline. The free event will include activities for all ages before the fireworks finale.