Calhoun Daily Brief: City Hiring, Trees, Arts & 2026 Election Updates
Calhoun, GA — February 8, 2026 — City hiring for parks, election fees set, and new arts and Arbor Day events highlight today’s local roundup.
City hiring parks laborer for street department
Calhoun officials have opened a new position in the street department’s parks division, looking for a full-time laborer to help maintain public spaces. The role focuses on hands-on work such as trimming, cleaning rights-of-way, and basic upkeep of city buildings, all aimed at keeping parks and corridors in good shape ahead of spring. Applicants must have a valid Georgia driver’s license, and applications are being accepted at City Hall and through the city’s website.
Arbor Day tree giveaway and prep days announced
The city is also gearing up for Arbor Day 2026 with a two-day effort built around volunteers and tree distribution. A preparation day is scheduled for Friday, February 20, followed by a public distribution event on Saturday, February 21 at the Gordon County and UGA Livestock Pavilion on Highway 53 Spur. Gordon County residents will be able to pick up free trees during the morning distribution window, part of an ongoing push to strengthen the community’s tree canopy and green spaces.
Tree events and recycling drives on the horizon
Local beautification leaders have added several more dates to the early 2026 calendar, including an Arbor Day tree give-away on February 21 at the Gordon County Livestock Pavilion and a free native tree adoption event on March 7 at City Park downtown. March will also bring a tree health care training workshop and an April 25 spring community recycling day on Curtis Parkway, giving residents multiple chances to recycle hard-to-handle items and learn more about caring for new plantings.
Arts and entertainment filling February in downtown
Downtown venues are keeping a full slate of cultural events this month. The Harris Arts Center is currently hosting a special exhibit highlighting Southern artists, with free gallery admission during weekday hours through mid-February. At the historic GEM Theatre, a run of February concerts continues after an eighties tribute show on February 7, with additional performances from soul, country, and classic rock tribute acts scheduled throughout the rest of the month. Together, the arts offerings give residents several low-cost options to get out of the house during the colder weeks of winter.
County highlights 2026 election qualifying fees
County leaders have published qualifying fees for this year’s local races, including seats on the Board of Commissioners and the county school board. The notice outlines what potential candidates will need to pay to enter the ballot for commission districts two and four, as well as several school board posts on the 2026 ballot. The information is part of a broader set of county updates now live on the official website, alongside recent financial and administrative reports.