By MELANIE DALLAS, LPC | Highland Rivers Behavioral Health   Earlier this year I attended a legislative preview discussion at the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber with several Georgia lawmakers; it was one of several such meetings sponsored annually by local chambers of commerce in the lead-up to the legislative session. But this one stood out – because during closing remarks, one of our legislators mentioned kratom.   If you have never heard of kratom – and several people attendi

Hamilton Medical Center will host “Let the Adventure Begin,” a family-friendly baby fair on Sunday, March 15.   The free event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Turner Maternal and Infant Care Center on Burleyson Drive in Dalton.   “Let the Adventure Begin” is designed to connect expecting parents and families with young children with local resources, education and expert guidance – all in one place. For more information, please call 706-272-6114.   About Hamilton Medical

ATLANTA   (Thursday, February 26, 2026)   – The Atlanta Braves are once again taking their Youth Baseball and Softball Clinics on the road and making stops across the Southeast in collaboration with local parks and recreation centers. The Atlanta Braves Youth Baseball and Softball Clinics, delivered by Papa Johns, offer youth ballplayers the unique opportunity to learn new skills through the official Braves Clinic curriculum, while getting closer to their favorite team than e

Keep Calhoun Gordon Beautiful (KCGB) is a strong advocate for trees and environmental stewardship. Over the past several years, the KCGB Beautification Committee has been actively promoting tree planting, tree health, and other community beautification projects. KCGB assisted the City in 2025 in preparing a grant proposal to the Georgia Tree Council and received approval for a ReLeaf Grant. This grant provides funding for the purchase of 34 native trees for the City of Calhou

Gordon County Fire Rescue responded to two more residential structure fires over the weekend. According to GCFR, just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, firefighters were dispatched to 106 Cedar Hill Drive SW in Calhoun, to a reported structure fire. Before arrival, fire personnel were notified by E911 that the occupant of the home was out of the residence, but there were dogs still inside. The occupant of the home had told 911 that the fire was a kitchen fire with flame

Ray Denmon, the longtime City Councilman for Calhoun and referee and volunteer with the Calhoun Recreation Department, was honored with a reception Monday night, along with a proclamation declaring February 23rd as Ray Denmon Day, at the latest meeting of the Calhoun City Council. A large crowd of people from throughout the City and Gordon County were on hand to recognize Denmon. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Ray for all of his contributions to the city and its

LEFT PHOTO: Haas Scholarship Whitfield Murry Campus, (From left) Gibson Scott, scholarship recipient; Joshua Ruiz Campos, scholarship recipient; Todd Horton, instructor of Precision Machining and Manufacturing at GNTC; Zachary Culp, scholarship recipient; and Jon Minyard, Haas sales engineer, pose for a photo in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing lab at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton. Not pictured is John Burnette, scholarship recipient. RIGHT PHOTO: Haas sch

On February 10, 2026 Joseph Mays, a 34 year old man from Griffin, Georgia, pled guilty to Malice Murder for the murder of his girlfriend Jamie Wiley, a 36 year old Michigan woman. Mays and Wiley, who had only been dating for a few short months, were living in Wiley’s camper at an RV park in Catoosa County. On the evening of January 17, 2025, Mays shot Wiley in the head while the two were inside the camper. Mays then attempted to conceal the crime by dumping Wiley’s body near

The February meeting of the Calhoun City Schools Board of Education began on a special note, as Ms. Ashley Storm’s Kindergarten Lavender Llamas led the evening. Students proudly led the Pledge of Allegiance, Millie Steely delivered the Invocation, and the class shared their “good things,” bringing energy and joy to the meeting’s opening moments. The Board also welcomed its newest member, Dr. Sarah Layson, who was officially sworn in. During the meeting, leadership positions f

After observing a steady decrease in respiratory illness cases among our patients and teammates, beginning 7 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 25, all Atrium Health Floyd locations are lifting temporary masking and visitor restrictions in place since December. Additionally, children 12 and under will again be able to visit area hospitals.   Masks are optional and continue to be available for visitors. The following exceptions remain in place: Anyone with respiratory symptoms, fever or a