Annual Calhoun Times Year in Review 2017
There was a wide- range of news stories in Gordon County in 2017... from winter weather causing accidents to a local politician being indicted on financial fraud charges, the first quarter of 2017 was busy in local news. Due to the number of events that took place this year, this is part one of a four part series on the events that had Gordon County talking throughout 2017.
January 2017 Dalton couple arrested for drug trafficking after hitand- run
According to Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston, around 8: 45 p. m. on Dec. 29, deputy sheriffs were dispatched, along with Georgia State Patrol troopers, to the scene of a hit- and- run automobile crash at Interstate 75 and U. S. Highway 41 near Resaca. Citizen- witnesses at the scene directed deputies to the area where the occupants of one of the automobiles had fled on foot. Deputies and troopers quickly established a perimeter and searched the area on foot with the aid of a Calhoun Police Department tracking dog, subsequently arresting Carlos Hurtado, age 25, and Marisele Pina, age 19, both of Dalton. Both have been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana.
County returns to normal after winter weather causes minor accidents over the weekend
Gordon County residents finally got a taste of winter over the weekend as the area was hit with 1 - 3 inches of snow beginning late Friday, Jan. 6. While not considered a major event, schools released early on Friday in preparation for the weather system moving into the area. As residents woke up on Saturday, they were greeted with snow and below-freezing temperatures. Gordon County E- 911 reported 149 weatherrelated calls from Friday, Jan. 6 until Monday, Jan. 9 at midnight. Most calls involved minor accidents, the most major being the blockage on State Route 53 east of Fairmount.
Calhoun City Council to look at adding ethics reform
The Calhoun City Council took advantage of a fresh start to a new year to introduce, during the first regular meeting of the Council on Jan. 9, directions the Council will go in 2017; these things had been discussed among the council members earlier in the day during their work session. City Council members had been answering questions from the community due to actions such as back door meetings with preferred residents and council members not adhering to local City law.
Commissioners welcome Owens to Gordon Board at first meeting of year
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners met for the first time in 2017 on Tuesday, Jan. 10, welcoming new commissioner Bud Owens, who takes over District 1 which was vacated by Plainville resident Jeff Gazaway when he decided not to run for re- election in late 2016.
According to Rockdale Grocery, the company that owns the Calhoun Piggly Wiggly, located on Red Bud Road, the store permanently closed its doors on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. “It’s not one of those things you want to do, but at some point, it’s just not financially possible,” said Scott Lewis with Rockdale Grocery. “We can’t continue to operate; there’s not enough sales to continue.”