Walker County Messenger
COMMONSPIRIT OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART HOSPITAL IN RINGGOLD
Anew hospital has opened in Catoosa County, marking a major expansion of health care services in North Georgia. CommonSpirit Health opened CommonSpirit — Memorial Hospital — North Georgia, a 180,000-squarefoot facility at 4710 Battlefield Parkway in...
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SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS WALKER COUNTY’S PRIORITIES, GAPS
A Walker County survey shows residents value safety, but poor roads and high property taxes create the biggest gaps between priorities and satisfaction. Last summer, Walker County hired FlashVote to conduct surveys so residents could share their views...
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A BIG SNOW SEEMS UNLIKELY, BUT MEMORIES OF PAST STORMS REMAIN
For lovers of snow, it may be wishful thinking to believe we’ll get a big one this winter. The National Weather Service is leaning away from the chance in Northwest Georgia. But there are always winters past — and memories are not as cold as the real...
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A YEAR THAT RESHAPED CATOOSA AND WALKER
From major development projects and political upheaval to moments of community tragedy, resilience and change, 2025 was a year that left a lasting mark on Catoosa and Walker counties. These stories represent the most significant and widely read events...
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A TOWN OF 3,000 WITH 125 YEARS OF HISTORY
The City of Chickamauga, founded in 1891, is small — about 3,000 folks — but it’s busy with public events, from Christmas to historical events to movies, markets and more. The history of the city is rich and encompasses Cherokee Indians, Trail of...
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NEW HOSPITAL OPENING JAN. 11
What has been referred to for a few years as CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia will be opening on Battlefield Parkway in Ringgold on Sunday, Jan. 11. On the same day, the location in Fort Oglethorpe, in the old Hutcheson building, will close its...
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Task force ramps up litter cleanup, outreach efforts
The Walker County Litter Task Force is working to change the county’s landscape. Landfill director Paine Gily reported progress to the Board of Commissioners at its Dec. 4 meeting. The road and public works departments, since January 2025, has...
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Marjorie Taylor Greene’s coming exit sets off a district scramble
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation Friday, Nov. 21, has left her Northwest Georgia district wondering what’s next. The answer: Nothing until her official resignation in January. The Rome Republican announced her resignation in a 10-minute...
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Community joins in LaFayette parade honoring veterans
American Legion LaFayette Post 339 organized a Veterans Day parade that was a true community event on Nov. 8. Local government, schools, organizations, and groups came together with floats, music, and entertainment to honor Veterans of the U.S....
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Fitness and Faith
“ Rossville resident Pat Snowden, 67, has been a fitness practitioner and guru for 40 years. Reading over her list of accomplishments feels like a good workout in itself. A LIFETIME OF FITNESS LEADERSHIP Snowden debuted in her fitness life as a...
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FAMILY: NEW PURPOSE THROUGH FOSTER CARE
In 2024, at 52 and 46 years old, Steven Henry, chairman of the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners, and his wife Kristain adopted two girls — Zoey, 16 years old, and Ennslee Jewell, not even 2 years old. FROM EMPTY NEST TO FOSTER HOME The couple...
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GORDON LEE MIDDLE STUDENTS HONORED FOR TOP TEST ACHIEVEMENTS
Ninety-two Gordon Lee Middle School students were recognized at a banquet on Oct. 6 for outstanding scores on the Georgia Milestones test. Two of the students made perfect scores: Reid Joyce in sixth-grade math and Emery Brown in eighthgrade...
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GALA HONORS 60 YEARS OF RACIAL INTEGRATION PROGRESS IN COUNTY
Walker County African American Historical and Alumni Association Inc. greatly appreciates the approximately 250 attendees who came out on Oct.11, 2025, to celebrate our 25th anniversary and 60 years of racial integration in Walker County Awards...
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SPLOST voter approval would bring in $69 million for Walker County and cities
Walker County voters will decide on renewing a sales tax that, if approved, would fund $69 million for roads, public safety, and local projects when the current one ends in 2026. SPLOST — Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax — is a one-percent tax...
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Debate grows over Walker County’s Regions Bank shift
In early June, Walker County commissioners voted to open an account with Regions Bank. The county transferred $12 million to the new account from The Bank of LaFayette, where it has traditionally done most of its banking. The county said it met with...
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BROWNFIELD TESTS REVEAL CONTAMINATION RISKS OF FOUR SITES
In 2022, Walker County received a $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the testing of brownfield sites — commercial and industrial properties or buildings that are abandoned or underused, suspected of being contaminated...
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SPOOKY SEASON
Chickamauga is a hopping place for Halloween-lovers. Sat., Oct. 11, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Last Music at the Mansion concert of the year, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, KZ106 and Walker Rocks. 217 Cove Rd., Chickamauga. Sat., Oct....
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LAFAYETTE NATIVE RETIRES FROM US COAST GUARD
On Aug. 29, after 38 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and some dramatic experiences, LaFayette native Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath retired and chose to settle back home to pursue the next phase of his life. Gilreath’s military career, which is peppered...
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BLOOMS ON THE SQUARE BRINGS NEW FLORIST TO LAFAYETTE
Blooms on the Square is a dream come true for Rachel Fryar, a LaFayette resident who worked at her sister’s flower shop in Summerville for four years, honing her craft. The new florist on the square in LaFayette is a place where folks can buy custom...
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COMMUNITY UNITES TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS
Flood waters drove many Catoosa residents from their homes on Aug. 12. More than 100 people could not escape on their own. Homes were flooded, cars were nearly submerged, many people had no place to go. The Catoosa County community — and surrounding...
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Rossville park gets grant for hotspot, charging station
With the help of a $15,000 “Community Challenge” grant from AARP — originally known as the American Association of Retired Persons — Adventure Acres, the new splash pad, pavilion and walking area in Rossville, will be getting a solar-powered charging...
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Former political rivals come together for book event
Former Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney McCracken Poston reunite for a Ringgold book signing Aug. 23 at Book & Barrel. A former governor of Georgia and a Ringgold attorney, once political enemies, will be appearing together at a bookstore in...
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53 PETS GET ADOPTED DURING SHELTER EVENT
Last month, Walker County adopted out 53 animals with the help of a grant from the Bissell Pet Foundation during the foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event. Joe Legge, Walker County public information director, reported that a dog that had been at...
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PILGRIM’S TO BUILD $400 MILLION PLANT
Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading food companies, will spend $400 million to build a new prepared foods facility in Walker County. The project is expected to create more than 630 jobs when operating at full capacity, with hiring set to begin in...
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WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE NEW MEETING SPACE
The Walker County Board of Commissioners has a new meeting place — the old Board of Education central office at 201 S. Duke St. in LaFayette. The county is leasing space in the building at $2,000 a month for commission meetings and for Magistrate...
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COUNTY FIRE TRUCK IS LOST IN TEST RUN ACCIDENT
Walker County will have to replace a fire truck that was underinsured and suffered severe damage when it fell over and caught fire during a test run by a mechanic. The 71,000-pound truck’s ladder apparatus was also damaged in the June 24 accident on...
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MORE THAN 260 DOGS SEIZED
For 14 hours, multiple government animal shelters, as well as numerous rescues and veterinarians, worked to save over 260 dogs from a hoarding situation in Dade County. Catoosa and Walker County animal shelters were among the ones helping. Catoosa...
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CULTURAL FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWD TO DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE
LaFayette’s first Culture Festival, led by local youth, featured global booths, food, and kids’ passports — highlighting the city’s surprising diversity. Who knew LaFayette was such a culturally diverse place? That’s what some of the people who...
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Walker awarded grant to provide Wi-Fi at park
Walker County has been selected to receive a 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant to expand digital connectivity at the county’s first signature park, Adventure Acres. “AARP Community Challenge projects may be quick to launch, but their impact is...
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YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL JULY FOURTH EVENTS
Locals can celebrate the nation’s birthday with food, fireworks and fun at events in Catoosa and Walker counties and in the city of Chattanooga from June 27 to July 5 — all free. This year marks the 249th birthday of the United States. The specific...
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Hundreds of pets taken in, many adopted or rescued
Since January, Walker County Animal Services has taken in 421 dogs and 168 cats. Of the dogs, 238 were owner surrenders and 108 were reclaimed by owners. Of the cats, 20 were reclaimed by owners. These were just the beginning of the statistics shared...
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GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW MEMORY CARE FACILITY
Sporadic showers could not dampen the optimism in the air as about 100 people gathered recently at the construction site of The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Happy Valley in Walker County. The Lantern’s public...
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HUNT IS ON FOR HIDDEN BEES IN LAFAYETTE
The “Hunt for the Hidden Bees” is now officially live. This perpetual, downtownwide scavenger hunt invites residents and visitors to explore LaFayette in a fun and interactive new way. Ten unique bee sculptures are hidden throughout downtown, each one...
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LAFAYETTE WILL BUZZ WITH FUN DURING MAY 31 FESTIVAL
The buzz is back! LaFayette’s beloved Honeybee Festival returns Saturday, May 31, for a full day of music, food, shopping, and family fun in the heart of downtown LaFayette. This free event kicks off at 9 a.m. with live performances on the North Stage...
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Chickamauga Down Home Days will return on May 17
Get ready for a full day of fun, food, and hometown charm — Chickamauga Down Home Days is back. Sponsored by the Chickamauga Lions Club since 1974, this annual festival brings the community together for a celebration filled with music, entertainment,...
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LAFAYETTE UNVEILS DOWNTOWN PAVILION
On Saturday, April 26, the LaFayette community gathered to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the new Downtown Pavilion, also known by many as the Farmer’s Market Pavilion. The multi-use structure was funded in part by a $50,000 grant from the...
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Pinwheels mark child abuse cases in Walker
April, which is Child Abuse Month is Georgia, is almost over. And that means the 141 pinwheels planted by Walker County Department Family and Children Services and Walker County Family Connection to represent the substantiated cases of child abuse and...
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LaFayette will spring into action April 26
LaFayette is kicking off spring in a big way on Saturday, April 26, with a full morning of events celebrating local food, community service, and the great outdoors. At 8:45 a.m., the city will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Walker County...
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LAFAYETTE LAUNCHES 2025 DOWNTOWN CONCERT SERIES
Downtown LaFayette’s 2025 concert series kicks off April 25 with rotating venues, live music, and Sip ‘n’ Shop events to enjoy drinks and local shopping before each show. This year’s concert series will rotate between venues in the Mars Theater...
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COUNTY FACES ANIMAL SHELTER OVERLOAD, OFFICIAL SAYS
“We cannot keep up with these numbers and keep up our daily functions,” Walker County Animal Services Director Bailey Clements says. For example, animal intake at the shelter skyrocketed nearly 1,000 animals in two years, to 2,300 in 2024 from 1,500...
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AIRCRAFT TO DROP RABIES VACCINE FOR WILDLIFE
The United States Department of Agriculture will distribute oral rabies vaccine by aircraft across Northwest Georgia from April 7-15. This operation is part of a nationwide effort by USDA to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United...
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State appeals court backs Walker County school board members Carruth, Harden
The Georgia Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Walker County school board members in a case over alleged nepotism. “This decision,” Walker schools Superintendent Damon Raines said, “confirms that Walker County Schools has operated within the legal...
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Train sparks brush fires
A train sparked several brush fires along a four-mile stretch from Rossville to near Chickamauga, Walker County government reported on Wednesday, March 12. Sparks from the wheels on the tracks caused dry brush along the railway to ignite. One house...
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RUN FOR A CAUSE
Foot races and walks have become increasingly popular activities for people of all ages, and the number of them locally keeps growing. Many of the races benefit nonprofits that help children and families. Very serious racers tend to plan ahead since...
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Ringgold store sells 1,000th book copy
McCracken Poston’s book, “Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom,” turned 1 year old on Feb. 20. As if on cue, the next day, a little store in Ringgold sold its 1,000th copy of the book. “Zenith Man” tells the true tale of the...
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PRISONERS BUILD MEMORIAL REPLICA
The public was treated this past weekend to an extraordinary display — a 120-foot-long, 5-foot-high, quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., set up in Rossville. The wall was built by prisoners from the Walker...
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A LOVE STORY
LaFayette residents Norma and Paul Probus knew each other for four weeks before they got married. Sixty years later, they’re still madly in love. Norma had been talked into going to an NCO dance to meet a friend’s cousin. When she and her friends...
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PEYTON’S STORY
Peyton Lee of Ringgold was born with one kidney and due to a condition he has — Laurence-MoonBardet-Biedl syndrome — that kidney barely functions. At 23 years old, Peyton has been on dialysis for three years and on a kidney transplant list for about...
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MEET WALKER COUNTY’S NEW ANIMAL SHELTER DIRECTOR
Walker County Animal Shelter, housing 100+ dogs, welcomes new director Melissa Smith, who plans a volunteer program and a spay/ neuter initiative to help local pets. The Walker County Animal Shelter is currently housing more than 100 dogs and about a...
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SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
Georgia pilot Michael Price recently set an Alabama glider altitude record using natural wind lift from Barwick-LaFayette Airport, with more record attempts expected. Just before Christmas of last year, Price chose the LaFayette airport as his...
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DIRECTOR TAPS LOCAL TALENT FOR HORROR FILM
Ringgold-based writer and filmmaker Kenyon Henry is producing a new movie — a horror film called “Sanctus House,” an allegory of the Garden of Eden and Satan’s entry into the garden and his stealthy theft of humanity’s innocence and relationships with...
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A STEP CLOSER TO OPENING
CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia, under construction on Battlefield Parkway in Ringgold, is a big step closer to its goal of opening by December 2025. Hospital officials held a public “topping out” ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at which a steel beam was...
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LOCAL RESIDENTS REFLECT ON JIMMY CARTER’S LEGACY
Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, died Sunday, Dec. 29, at 100 years old. His life was full before, during and after his presidency. We asked local citizens to share thoughts regarding their experiences and opinions about the president...
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New laws to affect elections, taxes, health
Most new laws the General Assembly enacted this year took effect in July. But some significant legislation or portions of legislation lawmakers passed pertaining to elections, taxes, and health care don’t become operative until New Year’s Day. The...
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2024: The year in review
To bring 2024 to a close, the Catoosa County News and Walker County Messenger have counted down the Top 10 stories of the year in the Catoosa-Walker area. The top story this year in Catoosa and Walker counties has been about local attorney McCracken...
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FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY
Shannon Whitfield has been on a roller coaster of a ride in his position running Walker County. Whitfield, who will leave office in January after losing his bid for re-election, started out as a sole commissioner in 2017. He walked into an office that...
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HELPING OTHERS IS A DUNN FAMILY TRADITION
Helping the vulnerable was ingrained into Walt Dunn and his three siblings by their father and lives on to this day. “My father taught us there’s more to life than ourselves,” Dunn said. “On Halloween, we would go trickor-treating but ask for canned...
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Meet Walker Chamber’s new leader, Allyson Ford
More than 1,000 people attended Walker Wonderland at the Civic Center in Rock Spring, where more than 50 businesses had booths and Top of Georgia and LaFayette Baptist Church offered hot cocoa, cider and cookies for guests. Santa attended the Nov. 22...
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Six sentenced in NW Ga. drug trafficking case
A joint federal and local drug trafficking sting operation in 2021 culminated in the sentencing of six men in federal court Thursday, Nov. 21. “Drug trafficking is a societal scourge that poses serious risks to the public health and safety of our...
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GEORGIA LEADERS PRAISE ‘ZENITH MAN’
Ringgold attorney McCracken Poston’s book, “Zenith Man,” about the trial of Alvin Ridley who was falsely accused of killing his wife, has sold many thousands of copies. BOOK MAKES ROUNDS OF GEORGIA POLITICAL CIRCLES One of the book’s more recent...
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High voter turnout marks Walker, Catoosa elections
A host of candidates threw their hats into the ring in Catoosa and Walker counties this year. A number of those races were settled during the primaries. But several had to wait until the Nov. 5 general election to see who the winners would be. And one,...
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RESIDENTS OBJECT TO SHOOTING RANGE
Noise, lead leaching into water, lack of a buffer, scaring off wildlife, interference with a rightof-way road, declining property values and quality of life are all reasons why citizen are protesting a proposed clay-shooting range on Lookout...
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BEYOND BATTLES
One thing about loving history as much as Louis Varnell does, is the past is the limit — and there’s lots of past to pick from. Varnell, who owns The History Company on Lafayette Road in Fort Oglethorpe, just a couple of blocks north of the...
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LOCAL QUILTERS SENDING 43 QUILTS TO NORTH CAROLINA
Kathleen McMullen, a Ringgold resident, is what in today’s parlance would be called a creator. She’s also a giver. McMullen’s favorite form of creating is making quilts. She’s made hundreds of them, on her own and as part of quilting groups. Some of...
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High schools surpass state grad rate
Walker County Superintendent Damon Raines commended LaFayette and Ridgeland high schools on Tuesday, Oct. 8, for surpassing the state’s graduation rate. LaFayette reported a graduation rate of 93.21%, while Ridgeland posted a rate of 91.54%, both...
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HELPING PETS IN NEED
Rocky Face resident Danielle Keith was unemployed in 2011 when the tornado hit Ringgold. Four potential jobs had fallen through for her. She had time on her hands so she decided to volunteer with tornado relief. Keith and her brother started helping...
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‘PAY IT FORWARD’ TEEN HONORED
A bridge in Walker County has been named in honor of Cameron Scroggins, a remarkable young man who died from cancer at the age of 16 in 2013. Travis Q. Middleton coached Cameron in youth sports and his daughter attended school with Cameron from...
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