Home Canning, Chainsaw Safety and Fire Ants Highlight UGA Extension Programs in September

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – Representatives from Walker County Extension will be back in the classroom in September sharing their knowledge on canning food, chainsaw safety and dealing with fire ants.

Rebecca Thomas, Chattooga County UGA Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent, will explore home food preservation options during a visit to the Chickamauga Library.  Thomas will cover the science behind safe canning methods, water bath canning, pressure canning as well as what foods need to be pressure canned and why.

Home Canning 101 takes place on Saturday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m.  Free dial pressure canner lid testing follows the class at 11:00 a.m. Participants should bring only the lid and weight from their own equipment.  Register for free by calling 706-638-2548.

A few days before the canning event, Walker County’s UGA Extension Agent Wade Hutcheson will offer a free chainsaw safety class.  The course will cover training for disaster recovery, tree cleanup safety, OSHA regulations, personal protective equipment, electrical hazards, hand and power tools, equipment inspection, safe carry and safe start.

The Chainsaw Safety Class will be held on September 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Walker County Ag Center. Register for free by calling 706-638-2548 or click here to do it online.

If you missed the Extension Office class on fire ants back in March, get caught up on September 6th during the next All Bugs Good and Bad webinar.  Dr. Tim Davis will cover how understanding the life cycle of fire ants is the only way to choose and apply a management strategy that works.  The class will be held at the Chickamauga Library at 2:00 p.m.  Register for free by calling 706-638-2548.

There will also be a Sprayer Calibration Clinic and Regional Forage Update on September 4th at the Ag Center in Rock Spring.

 

 

Walker County Extension Hosts Sprayer Calibration Clinic September 4th

Posted on by Joe Legge

LaFayette, GA – Walker County Extension will host a sprayer calibration clinic for boom and boomless agricultural spraying equipment on Wednesday, September 4th.  The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Walker County Ag Center in Rock Spring.

If you apply pesticides to fields, pastures or row crops using boom or boomless equipment, you should plan to attend.  One hour of recertification credit is available
to private and commercial categories 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27.

There is a registration fee of $5, which is required by August 30.  Contact Walker County Extension at 706-638-2548 to sign up.

Later that same day, Walker County Extension will host a regional Forage update.

UGA Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Dennis Hancock and Weed Specialist Dr. Patrick McCullough will provide information during the 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. event.  Topics will include late summer and fall grazing strategies, winter grazing establishment and management, weed control strategies and herbicide resistance.

If you grow grass for livestock, you should plan to attend.  Two hours of recertification credit is available for Private and Category 21 pesticide applicators.

There is a registration fee of $15, which includes lunch, that is required by August 30.  Contact Walker County Extension at 706-638-2548 to sign up.

GMOs and their impact on insect populations webinar at Chickamauga Public Library

Posted on by Joe Legge

LaFayette, GA – One out of every three bites of food requires insect pollination and GMO
crops are not going away, at least any time soon.

Join UGA Extension Walker County on August 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Chickamauga Public Library (306 Cove Road) for the next “All Bugs Good and Bad” Extension webinar.

This month’s topic will explore the world of insects and how genetically modified crops impact their populations.  There is no cost to attend.  To sign-up please call the Walker County Extension Office at 706-638-2548.

Walker Rocks Outdoor Series Continues with Kayak Day at Lee & Gordon’s Mills on June 22

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – Adventure awaits on West Chickamauga Creek later this month, as Kayak Day floats to the top of the Walker Rocks Outdoor Series.

On June 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., explore what it’s like to take a peaceful journey aboard a touring kayak at Lee & Gordon’s Mills.  Battlefield Outdoors will provide demonstration kayaks to give beginners a taste of what it’s like to go paddling on the creek.

Visitors are encouraged to picnic with family and friends onsite during Kayak Day, which is a free community event.  Participants are also advised to bring sunscreen, bottled water, a dry or ziplock bag and a towel.

The Lee & Gordon’s Mills launch site is part of the South Chickamauga Creek Blueway, which runs from Chickamauga to Fort Oglethorpe en route to the Tennessee Riverpark, near Chattanooga State Community College.

Interest in recreational kayaking has more than doubled over the past decade, according to The Outdoor Foundation’s 2018 Outdoor Participation Report.  Kayak Day aims to build on that growth, by eliminating some of the apprehension associated with learning how to safely maneuver this outdoor activity.

The Walker Rocks Outdoor Series continues on July 13th with a Trivia Scavenger Hunt at Lula Lake on Lookout Mountain.  Admission will be free, but pre-registration will be required due to limited space.

Ironman 70.3 Event Returns to Walker County This Weekend

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – Walker County welcomes over 3,800 athletes to the area for this Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 event.

A majority of the 56-mile bicycle portion of the triathlon will once again trek through Walker County.  Cyclists will enter Walker County on Highway 193, where a new “Walker County Welcomes You” sign will greet them.

Athletes will soak in some incredible views as they travel about 18 miles south before cutting across Andrews Lane to get to Hog Jowl Road.  They will then pedal another 12 miles up Cove Road/Highway 341 until reaching downtown Chickamauga, where family, friends and other spectators will line the streets and sidewalks to greet them.

After leaving Chickamauga by way of Chickamauga Road, IRONMAN competitors will reconnect with Highway 193 and navigate back into Chattanooga.

The race begins with the swimming portion at 6:50 a.m.  The first athlete is expected to reach the finish line by 10:30 a.m.  Spectators wanting to watch the bicycle portion from downtown Chickamauga should be in place prior to 10:00 a.m. to see the first group ride through.

Last month, the IRONMAN Foundation announced a $160,000 grant to help install 40 new fire hydrants in needed locations.  The community investment will provide additional coverage for Walker County first responders to handle emergency situations.

IRONMAN 70.3 May 2019

Walker County Tax Commissioner Offices to Close for State Mandated System Upgrade

Posted on by Joe Legge

Rock Spring, GA – The Walker County Tax Commissioner offices in Rock Spring and Rossville will close to the public at Noon on Thursday, May 23rd and not reopen until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28th.  The closure is necessary to install Georgia DRIVES, a new state-mandated vehicle registration and titling system.

Every resident with a birthday in late May and early June should process their vehicle transactions on or before May 20th to avoid any issues, as some vehicle services will be reduced after that date in preparation for the system upgrade.

“Every employee in our office has been working diligently to learn this new system,” said Carolyn Walker, Tax Commissioner.  “We won’t be as fast as we have been with the old system for a while, until we have everything committed to memory. We appreciate your support and patience during this transition.”

This system upgrade will impact all local tag offices in Georgia, not just Walker County.  Statewide, all county tag offices will be unable to process vehicle transactions during the upgrade.

Georgia DRIVES will modernize the data input system for tags and titles, provide agencies with interconnectivity and improve the customer experience by expanding the ability for mobile, Internet and kiosk transactions.

Additional information about Georgia DRIVES can be found online at georgiadrives.com.

http://walkercountyga.gov/tag/podcast/feed/

Walker Rocks Outdoor Series Kicks Off with Family Campout at Mountain Cove Farms

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – Imagine a summer filled with camping, hiking, fishing and watersports with some music, movies and good eats mixed in.  The newly launched Walker Rocks Outdoor Series blends these experiences to make some of Walker County’s leading outdoor attractions more accessible to the general public.

The series kicks off with the Family Campout at Mountain Cove Farms (994 Dougherty Gap Road, Chickamauga) on Saturday, May 25th.  Load up your vehicle and head to the Cove for an afternoon of campground music and field day style games, like three-legged races, sack races and kickball.  Campers can also relax by the campfire while making s’mores and catch a special showing of the 80’s adventure movie The Goonies.

“This is a family friendly event that offers a unique opportunity for parents with young children to try out camping and see what it’s like to sleep outdoors,” said Lacey Wilson, Chamber President.  “We also see this as a staycation of sorts for folks looking for something unique to do with their family over the holiday weekend.”

Set up for tent camping begins at 2:00 p.m.  A vehicle parking pass gets you inside for all activities.  The cost is just $5 per vehicle in advance online at walkerrocks.com or $10 cash the day of the event.  Food, drinks and popcorn will also be available on site to purchase.

The Walker Rocks Outdoor Series continues later this summer with the following events:

  • Family Camp Out at Mountain Cove Farms on May 25
  • Kayak & Canoe Day at Lee & Gordon’s Mill on June 22
  • Trivia Scavenger Hunt at Lula Lake on July 13
  • Dive-in Movie and Such at Queen City Lake on August 17
  • Fright Night Camp Out at Magnolia Pines on September 13
  • Duck Pond Rodeo at the Rossville Duck Pond – TBA

“The Farmer and the Belle” Now Filming in Walker County!

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – Lights, Camera, Action!  Walker County welcomes the cast and crew of The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland to our community. The Farmer and The Belle is about a New York City fashion model who spends the holidays in a small town and falls in love with a childhood pen pal/farmer.  She helps her friend save his hometown’s “SantaLand” and learns that true beauty comes from the heart.  Jenn Gotzon Chandler (Frost/Nixon, God’s Not Dead 2), Corbin Bernsen (Major League, LA Law) and John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville) are among the credited cast.

Want to be part of the movie?  A casting call for extras is currently underway.  Here’s how to apply: send photographs of yourself (head and body shots) along with your age and resume (if applicable) to SavingSantalandCasting@gmail.com and be sure to put WALKER COUNTY EXTRA in the subject line and indicate which day(s) you would like to be considered for and whether you can fully commit to those days.

Saturday, 4/27: Barn Church, 30 needed, all ages/ethnicities; expected filming first 1/2 of day

Sunday, 4/28: Santaland, 50-60 total needed; all ages/ethnicities; 5 ladies needed age 50s-70s, 10 additional ladies (50s-70s, 4 will be featured with high fashion makeup); 3 “crew members” needed, males, 20s-30s; expected filming first 3/4 of day

Friday, 5/3: Santaland, 30 needed, all ages/ethnicities; expected filming all day
Saturday, 5/4: Santaland, 30 needed, all ages/ethnicities; 10 additional ladies needed, various ages; expected filming all day

Sunday, 5/5: Santaland, 30 needed, all ages/ethnicities; 4 children (ages 9-11) needed for nativity scene; expected filming all day

Monday, 5/6: Santaland, 10-30 volunteers needed, with change of clothes; expected filming first 1/2 of day

Thursday, 5/9: Christmas Tree Farm, 30 needed, families with all ages/ethnicities; expected filming 1/2 day

Saturday, 5/11: Barn Dance, adults only; need couples but can pair single extras with other single extras to make pairs; expected filming 1/2 night, 7 pm – 12 am

Sunday, 5/12: Airport; 8 travelers needed, various ages/types; 1 “Uber driver” needed (would be great if also available 4/29); expected filming 1/2 day

Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day Event Returns April 27th for Walker County Residents

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – Walker County residents will have a chance to participate in a community clean-up effort next week, as the county’s popular Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day returns. On Saturday, April 27th, the Walker County Landfill will accept tires free of charge from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The community removed 6,741 tires during last year’s Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day event, an 18% increase over 2017. Tires were sent to an approved recycling center and turned into industrial fuel or rubber mulch for landscaping and playground applications.

During the amnesty event, car and light truck tires with wheel sizes 20 inches or less will be accepted, as well as ATV (all-terrain vehicle) tires. Tires must be dismounted from wheels and free of mud and debris. Tires with rims and large truck, tractor or heavy equipment tires are not eligible for amnesty.

Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day is only for residents, not for commercial businesses. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or current utility bill, will be required to dispose of tires for free during the amnesty event. Those participating will also be required to unload their own tires and adhere to a limit of 25 tires per vehicle.

Residents unable to transport tires to the landfill should contact one of Walker County’s approved amnesty partners. The City of Rossville, Chattanooga Valley Lions Club and Wilson Road Neighborhood Group are among those participating. Specific contact information can be found at walkercountyga.gov/tires.

Properly disposing of scrap tires helps eliminate mosquito breeding sites. The wet spring has provided mosquitoes with plenty of locations to lay their eggs. A female mosquito only needs an inch of standing water to lay a batch of over 100 eggs. More mosquitoes this summer could hasten the spread of West Nile Virus.

Earth Day Adoption Event at Walker County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Joe Legge

Chickamauga, GA – “Reduce, Rehome, Relove.”  That’s the mantra this Earth Day at the Walker County Animal Shelter.

The Shelter staff will host a special Earth Day Adoption event on Saturday, April 20th.  Reduced adoption rates will be available for dogs ($45) and cats ($20) during the event and includes spay/neuter, rabies and core vaccination.  Those interested in adopting can save an additional $5 by donating recyclable items like newspaper, toilet paper and paper towel tubes and old t-shirts.

A number of activities will add to the excitement of adopting a pet.  Drop by the shelter to learn how to make homemade treats at the nature’s kitchen station, turn trash into treasure at the toy recycling station or discover all the ways you can help out by volunteering.

The Walker County Animal Shelter is located at 5488 North Marble Top Road in Chickamauga.  Earth Day Adoption event hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.