Some Stephens County leaders add to numerous recent calls to county commissioners to pick up the trash along Stephens County roads. That was one of a number of requests from a sub-committee affiliated with the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce at the county commissioner meeting Tuesday.

Sub-committee member Cam Parker spoke to the commissioners about the problem of blight along area roadways, saying he has junk cars actually in the right-of-ways throughout the county. Parker says specifically regarding the junk cars, he knows of two cases where it affected people looking at living in Stephens County. "That is only getting worse and it creates such a negative impression," says Parker. "I know of two families, one that did not come here because of those cars and another one that left here because of those cars, and that is just little old me."

The sub-committee, which also included Mariesa Pavliscsak and Bob Defenbaugh, says the county should invest somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000 to $250,000 in code enforcement. Parker says more staff and money are both needed to make a change in the blight problem.

County commissioners agreed with the sub-committee on the need for answers. Commissioner Harold Andrews says they have heard from others about the problem and are working on possible solutions. "As you know, we are being hit with three or four different groups and the interests are very much the same and tie together," says Andrews. "They can all be wrapped up in the same effort, so that is what we are looking at."

In the last two to three months, commissioners heard from both citizens and a litter committee they appointed on the same concerns. New County Administrator John Rutan says he is planning to bring some ideas before the board in the next six to eight weeks. Commissioner Kenneth Peeples also reminded those in attendance the county is looking at adding a completely new department, focusing solely on code enforcement.

The sub-committee also says Stephens County and the city of Toccoa should team up on hiring a grants administrator at a salary of $40,000 to $50,000 plus benefits to look for grant funding sources. This followed a report by Chamber of Commerce President Wendi Bailey, where she told commissioners the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber is under funded compared to other similar chambers.

If you see a man on a bike with a blue light, you best pull over: it might just be a police officer. The Toccoa Police Department has four officers who act as a bicycle patrol unit whenever they can. Police Chief Jackie Whitmire says the unit patrols business parking lots, city alleyways, and high crime areas.

They also work special events such as the recent "Taste of Toccoa." Whitmire says being on bicycles gives the officers a unique way of interacting with the public. "It gets them out of the car and saves us fuel," says Whitmire. "They interact with people. They do not have that car between them and the people. They stop and talk to many kids. I think it is a real good program that we have going."

Whitmire says the bicycles also give them an advantage when looking for criminal activity. "They have been very successful and making some good arrests," adds Whitmire. "They can go where the police cars go and they are not noticed until they are right up on the people they are looking at. They have made quite a few drug arrests. They arrested one guy who had 16 warrants on him, both here and in other counties." The bicycles are special police bikes complete with a blue light.  Whitmire says one officer even pulled over a drunk driver from the bike.

A local nightclub gets an extension on its effort to come into compliance with city of Toccoa ordinances. At Monday’s City Commission meeting, the board voted to give "The Station" 30 more days to meet the requirements.

The Toccoa Alcohol Beverage Control Board recommended the extension. In March, following the recommendation of the ABC board, the Toccoa City Commission gave the West Currahee Street business 30 days to come into compliance with the city’s alcohol ordinance. At that time, City Marshal Ken Cox told commissioners that Toccoa Police had been called to the nightclub repeatedly and that the calls had been serious in nature.

In addition, the club had failed to reach the mandated 30 percent of revenue from food sales. At Monday’s meeting, Cox told commissioners that in the past 30 days, the station’s food sales had risen to 22 percent and the police had only been called 3 times. Police Chief Jackie Whitmire confirmed the report, saying things had been "pretty quiet" at the nightspot.

Also from Monday’s City Commission meeting … Commissioners considered appointments to various City of Toccoa boards.  For the four-year term to the Downtown Development Authority, commissioners appointed Matt Farrow, Lynn Cox, and Marilyn Hall. To the Toccoa Planning commission, which is a 4-year term, commissioners appointed Diana Ramsey and Gary Lance. Three current members of the Historic Preservation Commission – Thurston Estes, Robert Williams, and Lamar Davis – were re-appointed. The appointments for the Alcohol Beverage Control board were tabled until the next meeting so commissioners can remand several suggested candidates to the current ABC board for its recommendations. All the appointments begin June 30.

It is not in Stephens County, but the two Republican Candidates for U.S. Congress will apparently square off in a debate this weekend. Incumbent Congressman Paul Broun and State Representative Barry Fleming are scheduled to debate one another this Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. on the campus of the University of Georgia. The 90-minute debate will be at the Dean Rusk Center on the North Campus of UGA and is sponsored by the University of Georgia College Republicans.

For his part, Fleming says he is ready for the debate. "We are looking forward to it," says Fleming. "We are looking forward to bringing to the people of the 10^th District the issues in this campaign and talking about them. We hope to have a good debate this Saturday and we hope to come to Toccoa as well."

Fleming says he hopes the debate will provide voters an opportunity to hear differences between himself and Congressman Paul Broun. Broun has not commented on the debate yet to WNEG. We have called and left a message and are awaiting a return on that phone call. The debate will consist of opening statements, questions from panelists and the public, and then closing statements. The event is open to the public and doors will open at 1:45 p.m. Seats will be first-come, first-serve.

Local races are not the only ones candidates are qualifying for this week. State and Federal races are also qualifying with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office this week. Looking at races of note to Stephens County, Paul Broun, Barry Fleming, and Bobby Saxon have all qualified for the 10^th Congressional District race. Democrat Jeannette Jamieson and Republican Michael Hardin have both qualified for the state house race in Stephens County, District 28. Republicans Jim Butterworth, Nancy Schaefer, and Terry Rogers have all qualified for the 50^th District State Senate race. Brian Rickman has qualified for the District Attorney’s race representing this region.

Tomorrow, WNEG will team with a local civic service organization to raise funds for a local scholarship fund. Throughout the day tomorrow, WNEG will celebrate "Toccoa Rotary Day." Toccoa Rotarian and WNEG General Manager Phil Hobbs says "Rotary Day" goes to benefit the Top Five Scholarship Fund at Stephens County High School. "The idea behind Rotary Day is for businesses and individuals to participate here on the air with advertisements that we are reading on the air and raising money for the Top Five Scholarship Program," says Hobbs. "The Top Five Scholarship Program was the brainchild of the Toccoa Rotary Club and this is the 48^th year and it is well-known, not only across the state, but around the country as a very special thing that our Rotary Club does."

The fund benefits the top five percent of the senior class every year at Stephens County High School with scholarship money. That dinner is tomorrow night at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center. "Toccoa Rotary Day" will take place on WNEG tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon and then from 1 to 5 p.m.

Two local events will highlight the National Day of Prayer. The first will be a rally at Stephens County Middle School this evening at 6 p.m. The guest speaker will be Pro Football Hall of Famer Billy Shaw.  In addition, Ruby McCowans, Tia Pitts, and Joel Buchmire will be part of the evening’s program. In addition, the winners of the T-shirt contest held at the middle school will be announced.  Coordinator Mary Owenby says it is a good chance for churches to come together. "Just to praise him, and when we come together on this night, just to come together with an open heart and an open mind that it is not just my church or your church, it is not about white or black, it is about mighty God," says Owenby.

The second event will be the official observation of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1 at the Stephens County Courthouse at noon. At this event, ministers from across the community will offer a variety of prayers, and the winners of the high school essay contest on the topic "The Power of Prayer" will be announced. In addition, Eastanollee Elementary School’s chorus will perform a musical presentation.

Owenby’s co-coordinator, Geraldine Hayes, reiterates the need for community participation. "As we have been working on this, I just really felt a strong urge that this entire community would benefit greatly from just coming together and having a solemn assembly in a neutral setting," says Hayes. AM 630 WNEG will broadcast Thursday’s National Day of Prayer event live at noon.

Day one of qualifying for local elections brings out numerous candidates. Five people qualified yesterday for county commissioner. On the Republican side, J.B. Hudgins qualified on Post 2, Stanley London qualified on Post 4, and Dean Scarborough qualified on Post 5. For the Democrats, Steve Tilley qualified for Post 3 and Henry Fields qualified for Post 4.

Three people qualified for sheriff on the first day. Jimmy Mize and Dennis Brewer qualified as Republicans and Scott Scarborough qualified as a Democrat. Three people also qualified for coroner. Dennis Bell and Chris Stephens qualified as Democrats and Charlie Harris qualified as a Republican.

Dene Hicks qualified as a Republican for Tax Commissioner, Gary Donahue qualified as a Republican for Clerk of Court, Dan Pressley qualified as a Democrat for State Court Solicitor, and Curtis Waters qualified as a Democrat for Board of Education District Three, Post Two. Qualifying continues through the respective parties until noon on Friday.

A long-time Toccoa businessperson wants to run for county commissioner to give back to the community he has lived in for so long. J.B. Hudgins, who ran Hudgins Furniture Company for 47 years, says since he is retired he now has the time and energy to give. "I have lived in the county for so many years and have enjoyed a long relationship in business that I felt it is time to try to plow back some of my energies into giving something to the community for what I have taken out," says Hudgins.

Hudgins has previously served as Stephens County School Board Chairman, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Toccoa Housing Authority. Now, he says he wants to see the county move forward. "I think there is a good system set up and I believe we are ready right now for the county to move forward and I feel that I have the expertise that I can contribute to some of the moves and I am looking forward to getting involved with it," adds Hudgins. Hudgins will be running for County Commission Post Two, which is currently held by Rex Anderson.

The Lavonia Police Department begins its transition to new leadership this week. Police Chief Randy Shirley announced Monday in a press release that he would officially resign effective Thursday, May 1. Shirley says it is a difficult decision because of how good the city of Lavonia has been to him over the last nine years. "The whole community has been so good to me, especially the Mayor and the Council," says Shirley. "We have been able to accomplish a lot of things together as a team. Goodbyes are very difficult for me, but I look forward to the upcoming campaign for sheriff."

Lavonia City Manager Gary Fesperman says the city will miss Shirley. He says the chief has helped the department accomplish quite a bit since he took the job in 1999. "Randy has done a wonderful job for the city of Lavonia," says Fesperman. "He has taken a department to new levels. We have a brand new police station down here, a $1.2 million building. We have a state-certified department for the first time in Lavonia’s history."

Fesperman says the move does not come as a surprise to the city, nor does Lavonia wish to stand in Shirley’s way as he pursues elected office. Shirley had previously announced his intention to follow this course in order to run for Stephens County Sheriff. Fesperman goes on to say that the move to fill the position will begin immediately and interim measures are already in place. "We will run ads statewide," adds Fesperman. "We will appoint Bruce Carlisle, who is our chief investigator at this point, as interim chief immediately upon Randy’s resignation and at that point we will start the search process." Fesperman says the city hopes to have a new police chief named within the next 90 to 120 days.

The lone Democratic candidate for the 10^th Congressional District so far is officially qualified for that race. Bobby Saxon from Jackson County, Georgia filed the paperwork Monday. Saxon says he is running because he is sick of partisan politics and feels people can work together to find solutions to a number of issues. "I believe that all people in this district need representation and I believe that many people in this district are concerned about this economy," says Saxon. "They are concerned about health care, Iraq, and our educational system. They want someone to stand up for their rights and do something about it." Saxon says he supports a reworking of No Child Left Behind, along with smarter spending and support for small business owners. Saxon served with the Army in the Iraq War as well.

An Eastanollee man is under arrest on drug charges after a motor vehicle accident last week. According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Calico Store in reference to a car having run off the roadway. Upon arrival, 38-year-old Joseph Douglas Shelton Jr. of Davis Road, was arrested for possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug-related objects, and obstruction of an officer. Authorities accuse Shelton of putting up a struggle as he was arrested on these charges.

Authorities in Stephens County are dealing with a number of reported thefts from recent days. Toccoa Police reported that on April 25, two motorists report that items were stolen from their vehicles. In the first case, a Mount Airy woman reports her purse, with items valued at $365, was taken from her car on Big A Road. In the second case, a Toccoa man states an item or items valued at $192 was taken from his car on Big A Road as well.

Meanwhile, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is reporting two more copper thefts. In the first one, a Sparrow Way property owner says someone took approximately $2000 in copper tubing from an A/C unit at a rental property. The property owner is unsure when the incident might have occurred.

In the second copper theft, a Jordan Road resident says an unknown person went under his residence and removed wiring from the residence’s floor. No value was placed on the missing copper in this incident. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is reporting three additional thefts.

On April 26, a Hillside Road resident reported that various PlayStation games, a weed eater, and brush cutting equipment were stolen from her residence. There were no signs of forced entry. The missing items are valued at over $400.

On April 25, a Lankford Lane resident stated to authorities an unknown person entered his residence and stole his $1600 big screen television.

Finally, on April 14, a Stephens County High School teacher reported a laptop computer of unknown value went missing from his classroom. The investigation into all of these incidents continues.

The Rabun County Board of Commissioners has sent a letter of support to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue for the proposed Regional Visitors Information Center at Tallulah Falls.  Chairman Pat Marcellino, Sr. authored the letter, which commissioners voted to send during their recent meeting. 

The letter discusses Rabun County’s loss of over 900 jobs in 2006 and states "while we would prefer to replace those jobs with manufacturing jobs, we have to be realistic.  The struggle to attract manufacturer highlights our major weakness—logistical access (lack of rail, air transport, major highways, etc.).  We need to start playing to our strengths—natural beauty, natural resources, outdoor recreational opportunities, friendly people, small towns."  He says that means tourism.  Those in support of the center believe it will attract tourists to stop and spend money in Northeast Georgia.

Several commissioners expressed concern about the proposed location for safety purposes, but noted it is the responsibility of the DOT to insist on safety regulations.
The Regional Visitors Information Center, estimated to cost about 3 million dollars, has been sent to Governor Perdue’s desk where it awaits approval or denial.

Captain Jimmy Mize of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office says a month-long investigation preceded the arrest of a Toccoa man on drug charges. 62-year-old George Rothell Wiley, of 314 Alban Court, was arrested after the Sheriff’s Office and the Piedmont Northern MANS Unit executed a search warrant last Thursday.

Mize tells WNEG the operation required work between a number of different sources. "We received information of a person selling and using crack at this residence and we had information and intel that they were using and we were able to get a search warrant based on our information and our investigation," says Mize.

Wiley is charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Related Objects, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Mize says the charges stem from items found inside the residence during the execution of the search warrant. "In the residence, we found several smoking devices from rolling papers for marijuana to glass and plastic pipes for crack and several baggies and residue, and marijuana joints or cigarettes," adds Mize. "We did recover some scales and cutting devices, along with mirrors, from the residence." Mize adds a small amount of cocaine was found as part of the search.  Wiley is currently free on $17,100 bond.

Qualifying starts today in Stephens County and across the state of Georgia for primary elections coming up in July. Stephens County Registrar Theresa Kelley says those wishing to officially qualify need to do so at one of two locations. "If you are going to qualify for Democrat, you need to see J. Green," says Kelley. "If you are going to qualify as a Republican, you need to see Jimmy Harris at Harris Communications. They are both up on the mall. Qualifying goes from 9 a.m. Monday to 12 noon on Friday, May 2^nd."

J. Green’s office is located at 125 West Doyle Street. Green says candidates wishing to qualify as a Democrat can do so during normal business hours. Those with questions on the Democratic side should call Green at 706-886-7143. Republicans qualifying at Harris Communications on South Park Lane in Toccoa, also during normal business hours, should call 706-886-4321 with any questions.

Kelley says once a candidate qualifies, he or she should make a visit to her office for some additional information. "I would appreciate them coming to see me because I have what is called a campaign packet that has got all their forms and everything they are going to need throughout the year, their campaign contribution reports, their financial disclosure reports, and all of that stuff they will need," adds Kelley.

Races candidates will qualify for this week locally include sheriff, clerk of court, tax commissioner, coroner, state court solicitor, four county commissioner posts, and three Board of Education posts.  Other races will qualify in Atlanta and that is this week as well. The primary election is on July 15.

A Stephens County Magistrate Judge plans to join the race for Stephens County Sheriff. Dennis Brewer says he will qualify this week to enter the race to succeed the retiring Gene Sorrells. Brewer has served as a Magistrate Judge for 19 years and works as a plumber with East State Plumbing.

He says his experience as a Magistrate Judge gives him familiarity with the needs of Stephens County citizens when it comes to law enforcement. "I feel that the Sheriff’s Office needs an in-house drug unit, as well as a burglary and a domestic violence unit, as the multi-agency narcotics squad is great, but the work needs to be carried on and continuously," says Brewer. "Our officers should be receiving more training and should be fully supported by the sheriff."

Brewer is a member of Hill Street Baptist Church. He has also served as a volunteer with the Stephens County Rescue Unit and Emergency Management Agency for 30 years. He is married to Norma Simmons Brewer and they have one son, Greg, who is currently a lieutenant in the Helen Police Department. Brewer is the third person to declare his candidacy to WNEG in the sheriff’s race. Jimmy Mize and Randy Shirley both previously announced their intentions to run.

The Toccoa Police Department has a few more weapons in their war on drunk driving. Police Chief Jackie Whitmire announced that the department has been awarded four Alco-sensors by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.  "The main thing is that this is going to help our Police Department keep the city’s streets safe and help us enforce the DUI laws a little bit better," says Whitmire.

Alco-sensors are portable units that can detect alcohol on a driver’s breath.  Whitmire says his office works closely with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety programs, including "Operation Zero Tolerance," which is a statewide effort to raise awareness about the consequences of drunk driving.

In addition to the Alco-sensors, the GOHS also awarded the Toccoa Police Department two more window tint meters. Whitmire adds that these units are also about safety. "That is a safety issue at night especially, but it is a safety issue for the officers as well, those blacked-out windows," adds Whitmire. He adds vehicle windows cannot be tinted more than 32 percent. In all, the donation was worth about $2400.

A cross-country identity theft case remains under investigation by the Lavonia Police Department. Chief Randy Shirley says an individual has stolen the social security number of a police detective from California to get a job in Lavonia.

Shirley says while the issue may be cleared up soon thanks to the work of many agencies and individuals, the detective has been harmed by this incident. "The officer’s identity, as you could imagine, has been destroyed, and it has been ongoing for quite some time now and his creditors and so forth, he is having a difficult time, but hopefully we will have a resolution to this very soon," says Shirley.

Shirley says the individual is believed to be an illegal immigrant so Immigration and Naturalization is involved, along with the victim himself, who Shirley says did a lot of legwork on his own case. Chief Shirley says the business where this individual works is also cooperating in the investigation.

Two other Republicans intending to run for the 50^th District State Senate seat say the return to the campaign of the incumbent does not change their plans. Both Terry Rogers and Jim Butterworth tell WNEG that they intend to stay in the race with the return of State Senator Nancy Schaefer.

Last week, Schaefer announced she would now seek re-election to the seat after giving it up at first to pursue the bid for the 10^th Congressional District. Schaefer had pulled out of the Congressional race then due to health concerns facing her husband, Bruce. However, Schaefer says those issues have been resolved and a balance reached between his upcoming surgery and her campaign. Rogers and Butterworth both say they are in it to win it and that things are going well as the campaign begins to officially kick off with this week’s qualifying.

For students heading off to middle school next year, they will need paper, pens and a shot in the arm. Stephens County School System Nurse Coordinator Marie Brownlow says students entering the sixth grade will have to have an additional chicken pox shot to get into school. "When the children that are entering sixth grade entered kindergarten, they only had to have one, so the point in time where the school system monitors closely that the children are caught up is at the sixth grade entrance, because most of them are changing to middle school," says Brownlow.

In addition, students will have to have a certificate showing they have had two measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations administered since their first birthday. Brownlow says the requirement came for the second chicken pox vaccine came last year after officials at the CDC noticed children who had been vaccinated were still getting the chicken pox. "The CDC was seeing a lot of breakthrough, chicken-pox like disease, so they were realizing the children were not totally immune and the second one might provide more coverage for them," adds Brownlow. Vaccinations came be administered at a pediatrician’s office or at the health department. The first day of school for the 2008-2009 school year will be Thursday, August 14.

A local art guild will hold their Spring Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend. The Currahee Artists’ Guild is hosting the show Saturday at the Studio in downtown Toccoa. Debra Hartley with the Currahee Artists’ Guild says the show is free for the public to come and enjoy. "Every year, I am just so amazed at how they top themselves," says Hartley. "It is just getting better and better. It is a wonderful art show and I encourage the whole community to please come out, see it, and support the children. The children’s art is fantastic."

According to Hartley, they have children participating from each of the county’s elementary schools, along with the middle school, high school, and home-schooled students. Besides the judged art show, which will have about eight categories involved, there is the annual Cleo Alexander Floral Competition.

Hartley says this year, the flower chosen by Harold Alexander for the competition is a poppy. "He gives us a flower to depict in any way that we would like," adds Hartley. "We can photograph the flower, we can paint it, we can sculpt it, do it in pastel or colored pencil."

They will award cash prizes and ribbons for both the art show and floral competition. At least 50 artists are expected to participate. Hartley says those wishing to take part can still enter through the end of today. Entry forms can be picked up at the Studio on East Doyle Street, the Toccoa Chamber of Commerce, and online at www.curraheeartguild.com. Again, entries must be in by the end of today. For more information on the show, call 706-886-6138.

Tykes, trikes, and a thumping helicopter came together Friday for a lesson in safety and to raise money for a good cause. Friday was the 12^th annual "Trike-A-Thon" at First Baptist Church in Toccoa to raise money for the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

About 50 preschoolers came out with their tricycles and scooters to ride for pledges with a goal of raising $3000. First Baptist Church Preschool Director Jenora Dodd says in all those years, the preschool has raised $35,000. "I talked to St. Jude’s and they are always telling me that this school raises a lot of money and they are surprised at how much money we raise," says Dodd.

In addition to raising money, the children also got lessons in bicycle safety and got to tour emergency vehicles and other large trucks. The most exciting moment seemed to be a visit from a helicopter from Emory Lifeflight that landed smack dab in the middle of the First Baptist parking lot.

Dodd praises all the community support that made the day fun and educational. "It is just amazing to me that this many people can come out from our community to put this together," adds Dodd. "Without their support, it would not have the excitement. It would not be a fun-filled day for the children."

Some of the agencies which came out for the day were the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, the Toccoa Police Department, the Lavonia Police Department, the Toccoa Fire Department, Stephens County EMS, Stephens County School System, Morgan Concrete, and DJ Flash.

There is another change in plans for State Senator Nancy Schaefer. In a press release issued yesterday, Schaefer says she has decided to run for re-election as the 50^th District State Senator. Schaefer had previously planned a run for Congress against Paul Broun, but backed out due to health concerns facing her husband, Bruce. However, she now states in Thursday’s announcement that they have met with consultants and created a plan to balance his upcoming surgery with her decision to run for re-election to the state Senate. She may face at least two candidates. Terry Rogers and Jim Butterworth, both from Habersham County, previously announced they would run for the Republican nomination for Schaefer’s seat.

Thousands of people get a taste of Toccoa. The 18th annual "Taste of Toccoa" event drew crowds to downtown to eat food from local restaurants, hear music, and enjoy some of the games as well. Toccoa Main Street Program Event Coordinator Sharon Crosby says it was a very good crowd that showed up Thursday night for the festivities. "In fact, it seems like it may have been one of the largest we have had in many years, so were very pleased with it," says Crosby. "We had good participation from our restaurants. We had delicious food and the lines were nice and long and I think everybody had a really great time. The weather was beautiful, so that helps a lot." Organizers have not released an exact count of how many people showed up for the event. Crosby also says businesses in attendance seemed to be pleased with how everything went as well.

The lawn at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse could look different if a plan from the Courthouse Restoration Authority comes to fruition. The authority is considering moving a majority of the monuments to a monument garden centered around the World War II Memorial in one corner of the lawn.

Authority Member Dr. Henry Fields says it is something the authority needs to look at. "What we would like to do is go down there on that corner, maybe that quarter, of the yard, and turn that into a monument garden and take all of those other monuments that are scattered all over the place, other than the Confederate memorial, and put them in that area down there," says Fields. The Confederate Memorial is unable to be moved in that fashion, according to officials.

The plan is still in the initial stages and landscaping ideas are being formed as part of the restoration process. During Wednesday’s Authority meeting, they discussed the progress on the restoration of the building. They say the inside could be done in sixty days or so, allowing restoration to move to the exterior and surrounding lawn. Chairperson Dale Moseley suggested to County Administrator John Rutan that it might be wise to begin thinking about dates for a dedication ceremony later this year, but no specific dates were thrown out yet.

It is going to cost a bit more to cool down this summer at the Toccoa city pool.  At the city of Toccoa commission meeting Monday, commissioners approved renewing an agreement between the city and the Toccoa-Stephens County YMCA in which the city pays the YMCA to run the city pool through the summer. City Manager Billy Morse told commissioners that the YMCA would be increasing its daily rate for swimming from $2 to $3 per day.

YMCA Director Lee Ann Masten says the additional fee reflect the increased costs of caring for the pool. "The thing behind that is the cost to upkeep the pool," says Masten. "The price in chemicals has increased quite a bit and that pool requires a lot of chemicals as large as it is," says Masten.

Commissioner Ron Seib expressed concern that the price increase would be difficult for some of the citizens who use the pool. "I am not questioning the fact that we need to budget for pool operations," says Seib. "It is a 33 percent increase and I want to be sensitive to that."

At the meeting, Commissioner Bob Troup pointed out that the YMCA is the only organization in the community that offers swimming lessons and lifeguard training. Masten says the YMCA will be offering water aerobics, swim lessons, and afternoon and family swims. Commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.

Officials at Stephens County Hospital say the tobacco-free policy is going well. At Monday’s Stephens County Hospital Authority meeting, Safety Director Tony Knox answered a question from the Authority on how people at the hospital were adjusting to the tobacco-free policy.

Knox says it is going well to this point. "At the beginning, there was some we had to ask and you do still see them from time to time, but I think it is getting better," says Knox. "Some of them still go to their cars and smoke." Knox says people no longer smoke in front of the building as they did before the policy.

Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell also says the policy is working out well. He says when people are found smoking; they are just given a reminder of the tobacco-free policy in place. The policy took effect at the start of this year. Gambrell says it was done to set a healthier example and to keep people from having to walk through smoke to enter the hospital.

Unemployment takes a positive turn in Stephens County. The Georgia Department of Labor released the unemployment rate figures for Georgia’s counties Thursday. Numbers for Stephens County show that unemployment declined from 5.6 percent in February to 5.4 percent in March.

According to the Department of Labor, the Stephens County labor force in March was 13,673. Of those, 12,929 were employed, while 744 were unemployed. While down from February, unemployment in Stephens County was half a percentage point higher this past March compared to March 2007 when the unemployment rate was at 4.9 percent. In the State of Georgia, unemployment stayed at 5.3 percent for March, the same as February. That’s up over a full percentage point from the March 2007 statewide unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to expand a "Slow No Wake" zone on Lake Hartwell between Hartwell Marina and Hart State Park. The Corps says they expect to complete the "Slow No Wake" zone by May 1. In a "Slow No Wake" zone, boaters must travel as slowly as possible while still maintaining steering control, but produce no wake. The new zone will essentially combine two similar zones into one large area, according to officials with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Hart State Park and the Hartwell Marina, along with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Corps of Engineers all say they agreed to the change for safety reasons. A Corps official says they have received repeated reports over time of conflicting and dangerous actions by boaters in this area, which is endangering people and causing damage to property. For more information, call the Lake Hartwell Operations Manager’s Office at 706-856-0300 or toll-free at 888-893-0678.

Two grave dedications Saturday will honor Revolutionary War veterans from northeast Georgia. Lamar Davis with the Stephens County Genealogical Society says the society often restores grave markers and then holds re-dedication ceremonies. Two such ceremonies are taking place this weekend, one in Stephens County and one in Franklin County.

Davis says they are very impressive events to see and everyone is invited. "The FAR is decked out in their re-enactor’s uniforms," says Davis. "They look like George Washington out there, performing this ceremony and the ladies in the DAR dress in period dress and I think anyone who is interested in this type of thing would be very impressed with the ceremonies they conduct."

According to Davis, they have undertaken these restorations for about two years now. This weekend’s Stephens County ceremony is at 10:30 a.m. at the Swilling Family Cemetery. Davis says that is located in the Avalon area behind Milliken. "South of Toccoa on Highway 17 about seven miles, turn right on Wolf Pit Road," says Davis. Cross the railroad, bear to your right, and then immediately turn left on Swilling Road and about .9 miles down Swilling Road behind the Milliken plant on the right in the corner of the pine trees is the Swilling Family Cemetery."

The Franklin County ceremony starts at 2 p.m. at the old Carroll’s Methodist Church, which is located south of Lavonia, just off Jackson Bridge Road, which is off of New Franklin Church Road.

Lavonia Police and the United States Secret Service have a warning for northeast Georgia banks, grocery stores, and convenience stores that cash payroll checks. Lavonia Police Chief Randy Shirley says his department is working with the Secret Service to track down a crew responsible for passing fake payroll checks across the area. "We just wanted to alert the people of northeast Georgia and the surrounding areas about this fictitious check ring to get the identity of the individuals and to be very, very careful on cashing payroll checks," says Shirley.

Shirley says the scheme came to light when multiple checks were presented to Lavonia businesses that appeared to be payroll checks from Habitat For Humanity or Home Depot. The checks were found to have router numbers that coincided with an account attached to Zaxby’s Corporation. "They look authentic," adds Shirley. "I am looking at one now and the only thing different about them is the routing number."

Shirley says they have identified one of the three men they are looking for as 40-year-old Melvin Bridges of Jefferson.  He says they have issued a warrant for his arrest. Shirley says the Secret Service has told him there are numerous checks out in the northeast Georgia area. The Secret Service collaborates with local agencies in cases such as fraud or forgery because the crimes affect federally insured financial institutions.

Two Toccoa residents are facing multiple charges after Toccoa Police allegedly found them with illegal drugs last week. According to official reports, Friday night, a police officer noticed a red Nissan pickup truck failing to signal on a turn on Pond Street. After pulling the truck over, the officer noticed Paul James Montgomery of Poplar Street appeared to be intoxicated.  Montgomery was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and possession of a controlled substance. Authorities say he had prescription drugs with him that were not in the original container.

Then on Sunday, a Parkway Drive woman was charged with possession of cocaine. Reports say police were conducting a "knock and talk" at a room at Budget Inn on Currahee Street when they found Amanda Michelle Murray with the drugs.  In addition, she was charged with an outstanding warrant.

Finally, an Eastanollee woman is facing possible felony charges after allegedly stealing almost $200 worth of clothing from Wal-Mart. Police reports say Angela Kay Hanson, of Prather Park Apartments, was charged with theft by shoplifting after an incident on Sunday. The report says "possible felony charges are pending." Officials say this charge often comes after multiple arrests.

A new program coming to Stephens County could save lives. Wednesday, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Department was at Henderson Falls Park to train on a new program called "Project Lifesaver." "Project Lifesaver" is a system that uses transmitters to locate Alzheimer’s patients, Parkinson’s patients, autistic children, and others who use the program. Two transmitters were purchased through the Pilot Club of Toccoa.

Cindy Tatum with the Pilot Club says it is a great program. "We have found this project to be one of the best that can go into local communities to help people," says Tatum. "If people stop to think, all of us know someone who has Alzheimer’s and that is just one of the diseases that it can help. Caretakers have a tough life and this can give them some security.

Corporal Brian Blanton of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office was in Toccoa to train Stephens County in the system. Blanton says his county has had the system for a while and it works well. "Since 1999, I believe it is, we have had 29 searches using the ‘Project Lifesaver,’" says Blanton. "All of the people have been found still alive and it has been anywhere from thirty minutes to about two or two and a half hours."

The program is simple. The person with the transmitter just wears it as a bracelet or anklet or anywhere on their body. When lost, authorities search for the frequency and when the person is within a mile, searchers hear a chirping sound. The closer searchers get, the louder the chirp gets.

Officials say the program works wherever people go, as long as law enforcement in that area are signed up for it. A number of area counties have "Project Lifesaver," including Elbert and Hart. Hall County should have it in the near future, according to officials. The program is not ready for people to sign up yet in Stephens County, but will be in the near future.

Some Stephens County homeowners may feel the effects of new flood maps currently under production by the state of Georgia. State officials were in Toccoa this week for a public hearing to allow people to see the proposed updated flood maps. State Flood Map Coordinator Collis Brown says the maps were old and harder to use. The new maps, he says, will be more workable for governments and have more accurate information on them.

He says some people may be affected if the new maps place a home in a flood plain. "With the new information and the new study information that is going into these maps, there may be some people that may find that on old maps, where they are not in a special flood hazard or a flood plain, they may find that they are now," says Brown. "For that reason, if they have a mortgage on their home, they may now be required to get flood insurance."

Brown says counties must also adjust to the new maps. That includes Toccoa and Stephens County, which are part of the National Flood Insurance Program. "What they are required to do is to administer local flood plain management regulations or a flood ordinance that they have adopted as a pre-requisite to joining the National Flood Insurance Program," adds Brown. "Those ordinances are based upon federal requirements, so one of the things they have to do is when new maps are produced, they have to use those new maps in administering and regulating that flood ordinance." Stephens County will work to pass an updated floodplain management ordinance by September, which is the deadline. The website for more information on these new maps is www.georgiadfirm.com.

A new Stephens County Hospital Foundation will help with fund-raising efforts at the facility. This past month, the Hospital Authority received permission to start the Foundation.  Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell says it would serve as a way to funnel donations through the system. "Of course, nothing in life is simple and we had to apply to the Internal Revenue Service for tax-free status and to obtain a tax identification number," says Gambrell. "In the past month, they have finally responded back to us that they are granting us tax-exempt status for the Foundation."

Gambrell says this approval allows the Foundation to take shape and get up and running. He says the Authority has not decided yet how the Foundation will operate or how active of a fund-raising role it will take on down the road.

New lights will brighten things up at a couple of Stephens County Hospital operating rooms. The Hospital Authority approved the purchase of new lights for two of the operating rooms at the hospital at their meeting Monday. The purchases continue work that started a year or so ago, according to Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell. "To refresh everybody, we have five operating rooms and we replaced the lights in one of the older rooms about a year ago and so this will replace the lights in the other two of the oldest rooms with brand new lights, much brighter than what we currently have in there," says Gambrell. "It is something that the surgeons really wanted us to get."

Along with the purchase of the new lights, the Hospital Authority also approved the purchase of $25,000 of orthopedic equipment. The third approved purchase will not happen right away, according to hospital officials. Gambrell says new anesthesia machines need to be purchased by the end of 2009 because the producer will not service the old ones anymore. The Authority gave permission to proceed to purchase the machines in a way so the hospital is able to spread out the costs.

Tykes and trikes will gather tomorrow to help raise money so other children can one day ride their bikes in good health. The 11^th annual St. Jude’s Trike-A-Thon is going to be held at First Baptist Church Friday at 9 a.m. Coordinator Angela Walters says it will feature a number of exciting events. "We are going to have many emergency vehicles and personnel on hand to not only teach about bicycle safety, but also to teach us about the people that drive our ambulances, our fire safety, and we are also planning on having a helicopter," says Walters.

Adult bikers will begin at 9 a.m., followed by children riding their trikes to raise the money pledged to them. Walters says the public is encouraged to attend and donate to this good cause. "They can come out to the event and they can give donations that will go directly to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital," adds Walters. "All the money that is raised will go to them and that money is used for research and finding out cures for various childhood cancers." She reminds folks that St. Jude’s Hospital does not turn away any child that needs treatment.

The investigation continues on an accident in Habersham County Tuesday that injured three people. The accident occurred about 3 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 441 and Antioch Church Road. One person was life lighted away from the scene and the other two were transported by ambulance. There is no word on their condition at this time.

The City of Toccoa is facing the same kind of belt tightening that is happening all over the country. At Monday’s City Commission meeting, commissioners got their first look at the proposed 09 budget. City Manager Billy Morse presented a summary, saying that budget is extremely tight. "Our general fund is extremely tight," says Morse. "We had a very difficult time with the general fund. There are just not enough funds to do what we need to do. The general fund revenues are not keeping pace with the general fund expenses."

In summary, the proposed $34 million budget includes no property tax increase, but does ask for a 4.3 percent increase in water, sewer and garbage collection fees. In addition, it calls for a salary increase for the city’s 175 employees and an additional 2 employees. After their regular meeting Monday, commissioners began a series of meetings with each department head to go through the budget line by line.

Commissioner Janice English expressed concern over the proposed rate increases, saying many Toccoa citizens are struggling because of the dramatic increase in gas and grocery prices. Morse told commissioners that if no increase in fees were made, they would need to cut some city services. Commissioners have scheduled two more work sessions with department heads to continue to work through the budget. It is slated to come before the commission for approval in June.

The local Republican Party wants voters to get a sense of the differences between Representative Paul Broun and his challenger for the Congressional seat, Barry Fleming. Jimmy Harris tells WNEG a debate between the two Republicans could happen in the next couple of months, but is not set in stone. "In the spirit of making sure that everybody can get a good opportunity to meet and understand Paul Broun and Barry Fleming, we are planning, as soon as we possibly can, sometime in June, to have a debate," says Harris. "We are going to have a debate between Paul Broun and Barry Fleming. We are trying to put together here in Stephens County."

Neither Broun’s or Fleming’s campaign has commented to WNEG on the possibility of a debate, although Fleming’s campaign says he welcomes debate. Fleming spent Monday in Toccoa. It is unclear when Broun, or Democratic candidate Bobby Saxon, will visit the area as part of the campaign trail. Qualifying for the election begins on Monday.

Local State Representative Jeannette Jamieson will update area Democrats on the recent legislative session this week. Jamieson will appear at a meeting of the Stephens County Democratic Committee Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Quincy’s of Toccoa. Local Democrats will also hear from Ted Terry with the Georgia Democratic Party on a new service called VoteBuilder. Again, the Democratic Committee Meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Quincy’s of Toccoa.

A Martin man is facing forgery charges after his arrest by Lavonia Police. Chief Randy Shirley says 20-year-old James Marion Milford III attempted to pass a forged check at the Northeast Georgia Bank branch in the Dill’s Food City in Lavonia. "Milford was attempting to pass a $500 check that was not authorized for him to cash and had forged the victim’s name on it," says Shirley. "The bank in Lavonia contacted the Toccoa branch of Northeast Georgia Bank and they told him this same individual had been passing numerous checks in the northeast Georgia area."

Shirley says the check originated from a family member, adding that before he was arrested, the suspect allegedly tried to take the check back. Chief Shirley says though officers arrived as that happened and apprehended Milford. According to Shirley, his department is working with other authorities throughout the region to bring possible related issues to a resolution.

Construction at Stephens County Hospital continues to move forward. That is according to Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell, who says everything remains on schedule for completion of patient room renovations. Gambrell says they have spent $1.4 million out of pocket on the project, but that was expected.

He says that is where profits brought in every year are expected to go. "While Stephens County Hospital does make a profit, we take that profit and since we do not have stockholders, so we do not have to pay dividends, what we do with our profit is we throw it back into the operations of the hospital in terms of capital projects of different sorts," says Gambrell.

Gambrell says last fiscal year, the hospital made about $1.7 million, all of which is put back into capital projects. The administrator goes on to say that because of all of the projects ongoing at the hospital, including the renovations, the hospital did have to dip into cash reserves to cover some costs, adding that was also expected.

When complete, the patient room renovations will result in brand new rooms, 79 percent of which will be private rooms. Even the semi-private rooms, Gambrell says, will have more privacy because of their design. The $5.4 million renovation project is expected to wrap up in late June or early July.

An unidentified Franklin County man remains hospitalized after he was thrown from his horse Tuesday evening. Franklin County deputies were called to the scene near Tugalo State Park Road around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The man had been thrown from the horse and hit his head on concrete. He was airlifted to Greenville Hospital where his condition is unknown.

Tomorrow is the day to gather downtown to eat great food, visit your neighbors, and get a "taste of Toccoa." Thursday is the 18^th year that the annual event has been held. Toccoa Main Street Program Event Coordinator Sharon Crosby says it will be a wonderful way to enjoy the evening. "It is an event where we highlight all of our restaurants and caterers in Stephens County," says Crosby. "We also have activities for children and for young adults. We have our stores downtown that will be open for everyone to come in and shop and look around and so it is just a fun night for everybody to just be together and enjoy the evening together."

In addition to the wide range of food offered, there will be two stages with entertainment and activities for kids. New this year will be a remote controlled racing game. "This year, we are going to be having Fast Track Entertainment," adds Crosby. "It is a remote-controlled NASCAR race track. You have six people racing against each other at the same time and it looks like it is going to be an exciting and fun activity for all ages." The "Taste of Toccoa" runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Toccoa.

A grant in place to fund a rear-access connector road to Home Depot in Toccoa may be extended for an indefinite amount of time. Stephens County Commissioners have requested an extension on a grant they received through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, totaling $350,000.

According to Phyllis Ayers, who brought the issue before commissioners while acting as Interim Stephens County Administrator earlier this month, the details on how to finance the remainder of the road must continue to be worked out. Ayers says the county has been in touch with the state regarding the extension. "In those grant documents, we had six months to get that done and we are at the point with that project that we need to ask for an extension from DCA, which we have been given a verbal from DCA," says Ayers. "There should not be a problem, but we would like to get it in writing from DCA that they will extend these grant funds for us."

There is no word on when the extension would be approved by the Department of Community Affairs. Former Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Mitch Griggs said the grant and the road were instrumental in securing the final decision for Home Depot to come to Stephens County after initial construction obstacles on the site. The rear-access road is designed to alleviate truck traffic on Highway 17.

Stephens County will remain with their current auditor for one more year. Mauldin and Jenkins’ contract with Stephens County for auditing services for both the county and the Stephens County Library will go for one more year at a cost of $50,500. That is after the county commissioners approved the move at their last meeting.

County Finance Officer Phyllis Ayers says after having pulled double duty, filling the role of interim administrator, she did not have time to bid out the services, as is customary after three years. She says Mauldin and Jenkins has done a good job and keeping them for one more year would help her out tremendously. "They know us very well and it only takes them about two weeks now because they know our books so well and it is just really a request to assist me because I am looking at another year-end audit in just a few short months, getting ready for one," says Ayers. Ayers goes on to say the price increase a slight one over the past three years, when they worked for the same fee each year. Commissioners approved the extension unanimously.

A Turner Road resident is missing hundreds of dollars in various items after a reported burglary earlier this week. According to the report with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Department, the victim says when she arrived at her home, she noticed the rear sliding glass door had been broken. In addition, the door to the bedroom had been kicked in and the lock broken. Three items were allegedly taken, including a $400 9mm Ruger pistol and a pair of tennis shoes. The total value of missing items is listed at $500. Authorities continue to investigate.

Meanwhile, Toccoa Police are investigating three thefts. A Cole Manor Road resident reported that on April 16, several weed eaters, lawn mowers, transmission parts, and tools were missing, valued at $1000. Then, a Watson Street resident reported a stolen computer on April 18 valued at $600. Finally, a Poplar Street resident filed a report stating her pressure washer was stolen from a carport storage room sometime between April 16 and April 17. The pressure washer was valued at $350.

New Stephens County Administrator John Rutan says he is ready for the challenge. Rutan’s first day on the job was Monday. He says his previous job experiences working in Henry County and for the Department of Transportation have prepared him for this position. "It was a position that offered a lot," says Rutan. "It was kind of a way to encapsulate much of my past experience and my engineering experience. It actually is a culmination of all those. When I saw it, it just really appealed to me."

Rutan says he has worked in a number of different departments, everything from roads to the tax assessor’s office. As for how he will manage Stephens County, Rutan says he expects to be an active administrator, but not too hands-on. He compares himself to the conductor of a band. He says he is someone that can step in and help anywhere, but needs to set a course and let the departments get the job done as best they see fit. "I see myself as being very active," adds Rutan. "However, I will not meddle in the department. Those department heads know how to run their department. They understand their department. I will assist them. I am very willing to assist them and put on the hat to help them, but I am not going to tell them how to run the department."

Stephens County Commissioners hired Rutan this month at a salary of $78,000 a year. He replaces Darrell Hampton, who left last August. Interim Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers will move back into her primary role as county finance officer.

Meanwhile, the new Administrator says he wants to make sure Stephens County is ready for impending growth. Rutan says he is currently assessing the situation and meeting with the department heads and other county officials to set priorities and formulate plans to move forward. Rutan says one area he personally would like to focus on is technology, specifically Geographic Information Systems Technology, also known as GIS.

While Stephens County has some of this technology, Rutan says it is imperative the county makes progress in that area. Rutan says that information will help the county make the decisions necessary as growth inevitably approaches. "I think Stephens County needs to plan for that growth," says the new administrator. "My theory on growth is that you either plan for it, or you do not, but you cannot stop it. It is kind of like water running downhill, it is going to come and so hopefully we can get good policies and such in place so that we can get some good, well-planned growth." Rutan says he feels northeast Georgia has a tremendous amount of growth potential.

A Candidate for Congress comes to Toccoa. Barry Fleming, one of the two Republicans running for the 10th Congressional District Seat in the U.S. Congress, made an appearance in downtown Toccoa Monday for Stephens County Republicans. Fleming told the audience of his platform of taking some of the changes instituted in Georgia and going to Washington. He spoke of favoring lower taxes, tough laws on crime, and an increased emphasis on family values.

He also addressed a number of issues important to area residents in a question-and-answer session. Regarding the controversial Interstate 3 proposal, he supports building the section from I-85 south towards Savannah, while examining whether to build the road north to Tennessee as is proposed.

Meanwhile, he also says he wants to work on the management of lakes by the Army Corps of Engineers, calling water "our most valuable resource." "It is important that the Corps manage the water resources that are abundant here and in good fashion," says Fleming. "I think for a long time, we have needed the Corps of Engineers to update how they handle our water resources. They were created really to handle problems out West. Now that we are in the Southeast and we are growing fast, water is vitally important and for them to update how they manage our water resources is probably a good thing for the South, so that will be one of the things I want to work on when I go to Congress."

The Stephens County Republican Party hosted the visit. Party Chairman Jimmy Harris says they are glad Fleming was able to visit. "We thought it would be a great idea for local Republicans and anyone in the community to be able to come and meet Barry and find out a little bit more about who he is because he is down from the Augusta area and since Paul Broun has an office here in the area, he already has kind of an ‘in’ with everyone," says Harris. "This will be the first time we have actually had a Republican primary for this position since Charlie Norwood was elected."

Harris says the county party will not endorse a candidate in the primary. He says the visits allow voters to get a better idea for what the candidates have to offer. According to Harris, they are attempting to arrange a visit by Congressman Paul Broun as well.

Oconee County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Officers say a West Union man has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend. An arrest warrant charges Barry Lee Jackson with the murder of Kimberly Anne Parker. Jackson and Parker had been living together for about two weeks at a Main Street, West Union apartment. However, at about midnight Sunday, according to sheriff’s officers, the 30-year old Parker, believed to have been in coronary distress, was taken to Oconee Medical Center, where she died. An autopsy the next day found Parker died of blunt force trauma consistent with a physical altercation. The investigation continues.

The Stephens County Hospital Authority meets with County Commissioners. Monday night, the Authority met for an annual presentation with the Stephens County Board of Commissioners and other officials over dinner at the Clary Center on the campus at Stephens County Hospital.

Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell told those in attendance about the numerous projects taking place at the hospital, including the ongoing patient room renovation project, equipment purchases, the move to a tobacco-free campus, and this year’s re-accreditation by the Joint Commission.

Gambrell also says the number of births are up at the hospital and other statistics, such as emergency room visits, are staying about the same, but have been on a general upward trend for years. The Authority says they appreciate getting the chance to meet with the commissioners. Gambrell says the hospital has challenges from time to time, but those are challenges that the Hospital embraces.

Stephens County is well on its way to being a Georgia "Work Ready" certified community. At the monthly meeting of the Stephens County Development Authority Thursday, Gordon Broome, Stephens County’s Work Ready Leader, told members that the certification program is going very well in the county. "The great thing is that we have certified 138 people through the end of February of this year," says Broome. "If we look at the overall state, the number of people that have been certified, we are fourteenth in the state."

The Georgia Work Ready Program is a statewide effort to certify workers in real world skills. To become certified, a person takes a three-hour exam at North Georgia Technical College and is awarded a certificate that rates how well he or she did on subjects such as math and reading comprehension.

Then, that certificate is used when looking for a job to let potential employers know how prepared a worker is for employment. Broome says the program is a win-win for both employee and employer. "It is a win-win situation for the employer because he does not have to determine what your skill levels are," says Broome. "You go in and if you have a silver or gold certificate, he knows what your level of skills are based on the certificates you get."

The other good news for Stephens County is four of those tested reached the "platinum level" – the highest level possible. Only three counties in the state have four or more "platinum level" workers. Stephens County is taking three years to try to reach all the mandates of the program, which will certify the county as a "work ready community." For more information on the Georgia Work Ready program in Stephens County, call Carolyn Adams at North Georgia Technical College at 706-779-8100.

With copper prices continuing to rise, another possible copper theft is under investigation in Stephens County. According to authorities, a Cardinal Lane resident says someone destroyed his heating and cooling unit by taking metal and copper parts out of it. The victim says he last remembers seeing the unit on March 1 after some construction work done on his home. Nobody in the area says they saw anything suspicious. Sheriff’s deputies say they will put the area on extra patrol. The investigation into the matter continues.

Though Earth Day is today, Stephens County will get to celebrate on Saturday. The 10^th annual Earth Fest is slated to be held at Henderson Falls Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In case of rain, it will be at the Stephens County Recreational Facility on Rose Lane.

Keep Toccoa Stephens County Beautiful President Linda Wilson says it will be a fun and educational day for people of all ages. "This year, we will have Smokey Bear," says Wilson. "We will have an archaeological dig, a natural trail, outdoor water experiment, and a butterfly activity. We will have a beekeeper there, a 4-H activity, a plant sale, wildlife, and a bird display, face painting, and much more."

In addition, food will be for sale and the liberty elementary ensemble and the currahee square dancers will provide entertainment. At 11 a.m., there will be a butterfly parade. Wilson says the day is especially important for children to learn how to care for the earth. "This will help educate our children in many areas," adds Wilson. "We are going to have information about recycling with the city of Toccoa. The archaeological dig teaches them about the natives that were in the area a long time ago. A natural trail is done by Camp Toccoa and it teaches them about what is to be recycled and what is not." Keep Toccoa Stephens County Beautiful, the Junior Woman’s Club, and the city of Toccoa sponsor Earth Fest.

If all goes as planned, new Stephens County Administrator John Rutan should take over his post today. County officials indicated previously that under the contract agreed to between Rutan and Stephens County, his first day on the job would be today. Stephens County Commissioners approved Rutan’s hire by a 2-1 vote earlier this month, then finalized the paperwork a couple of weeks ago to make it official. Rutan was hired at a salary of $78,000 a year, with eligibility for a pay increase coming beginning at the end of six months, along with health and other benefits. Rutan coming on the job means that Interim Administrator Phyllis Ayers will go back to focusing solely on her job of Finance Officer. Ayers had filled in since the departure of Darrell Hampton last year.

One of the candidates for the 10^th Congressional District will visit Stephens County this afternoon. Barry Fleming, a Republican candidate for the post, will visit the Old Nickel Back Shoe store from 3-4 p.m. today. Fleming is challenging incumbent Representative Paul Broun for the Republican nomination for the 10^th Congressional District seat.

The Stephens County Development Authority has given one of its committees the green light to spend up to $5 million to improve the Haystone-Brady Industrial Park. At its monthly meeting Thursday, Cam Parker, Chair of the Authority’s Property Development and Finance Committee, presented a list of to-do items which will bring the Highway 17 park up to a marketable standard.

Parker says the $5 million price tag is actually an investment in jobs. "We need those jobs and we need quality jobs and the way you get those, in bulk anyway, is to grow your industrial economy," says Parker. "We cannot do that right now. We are out of the game. We have a piece of property, but we do not have an industrial park. In order to attract that kind of private investment to get those projects to come here, we have to invest in ourselves by building a park and that is what we hope to do."

Some of the items the group wants to pay for now include paving and curbing 600 feet of road, grading a 1300-foot rail bed, and installing $1.5 million worth of sewer structures. The goal is to have enough infrastructure and landscaping in place to attract industrial tenants. The money will come from SPLOST V money. In total, $7 million was allocated to Haystone-Brady.

Parker told the authority that to finance the projects now, the committee would look for a variety of low-cost financing options. "We have chosen to go ahead and forward fund our projects," adds Parker. "We have a team put together that will investigate every federal and state agency, looking for grants. We will look to the bond world, as well as local financing." The authority approved the plan unanimously.

Stephens County will receive a visit from the Georgia Board of Transportation next month. State Representative Jeannette Jamieson says the visit, which is a scheduled meeting of the board, is set for May 13 and 14. Jamieson says she is looking forward to the board’s visit, adding they will stop at a number of different locations. "I am looking forward to them having an opportunity to once again review the planned traffic lanes out around what will be the new high school and what will be around Home Depot, in addition to reviewing the progress made on the by-pass, and seeing the downtown," says Jamieson. "We are going to be sure that they see what their extra $30,000 has done for the downtown project, which is coming along beautifully."

According to the representative, they will also pay a visit to the Currahee Military Museum. Jamieson says the board has not visited Stephens County in a number of years. She says their last visit proved fruitful for area transportation projects. "The last time they met here, we did the tour of potential projects and that is when the funding for the by-pass and right-of-way acquisition for the Highway 17 expansion from Interstate 85 north got put on the front burner," adds Jamieson. Representative Jamieson says she is confident Board of Transportation members will see Stephens County at its best and leave with a positive opinion of the area.

State Representative Jeannette Jamieson says she is not worried about the status of area projects in light of recent reports of a funding shortfall at the Georgia Department of Transportation. Recent reports have stated the Department could be facing a $1 billion shortfall. That lack of funding could reportedly put some projects in danger of being pushed back or cut altogether.

However, Jamieson says she is confident the major projects on the horizon for Stephens County will continue to move ahead. "It will have no effect on our by-pass, nor do I believe it will have any effect on the construction of the Stephens County portion of the four-lane for Highway 17," says the representative. "They are not going to spend $35 to $40 million buying right-of-way if they do not plan to build those other two lanes."

Last week, Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Teri Pope told WNEG the shortfall would not affect any projects already under construction. However, Pope did say at the time projects that had not begun the construction phase could fall under review by the Board of Transportation later this summer. Until the Board reviews everything, Pope says the status of some 9,000 projects statewide will remain unknown.

Local farmers can benefit from a new funding program through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS Agent Russell Biggers says the conservation security program will pay landowners for certain conservation practices on their property. "According to what all they are doing, it could be, I’d say a typical farm, 75 acres or something," says Biggers. "It could be a few thousand dollars a year or even a little more than that."

Some of the conservation practices included in the program are nutrient management, pest management, and limiting livestock from going into streams. This is the first time that the Broad River watershed has been included in this federal program.

The Broad River watershed is comprised of all or part of the following counties: Banks, Franklin, Madison, Oglethorpe, Elbert, Hart, Wilkes, Lincoln, Clarke, Habersham, and Stephens. Biggers says in Stephens County, the area is everything west of the Elberton-Hartwell railroad line. He encourages anyone interested in signing up for the program to come to a meeting tomorrow, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin County Ag Building. "If the landowners are interested, we would like for them to call 706-376-5451 and plan on attending this meeting at the Franklin County Ag Building and a meal will be provided," adds Biggers. Once again, that number for more information is 706-376-5451.

Stephens County Special Olympic athletes gather for competition. The local Special Olympics organization held a field events competition at the Stephens County High School football field Friday. Forty-five to 65 athletes were expected to take part in the event, according to Stephens County Co-Coordinator Jeremy McClain.

McClain says the day’s festivities went very well. "Most of the athletes really seemed to enjoy themselves," says McClain. "We did not have any major things that we did not have a contingency plan for. Everyone got to compete in at least two events and some did three. We had pizzas and meals for all of the athletes."

According to McClain, the opening ceremonies were a highlight of the day, with athletes from all of the schools in the county involved taking the torch around the track, Rev. Andy Childs providing an invocation, and the VFW Honor Guard appearing as well to help with flag ceremonies.

McClain goes on to say there were other highlights as well. "I saw the athletes really enjoy ‘Olympic Town’, where we were providing face painting and some of the ladies had their nails done by cosmetology students at the High School," adds McClain. "There were fall festival games that were here and they were competing for prizes."

Some of the athletes also tried Bocce, which is a Special Olympic sport. McClain says he appreciates all of the support the event received from the businesses in the area, along with the community and the schools. This was a local event only, but McClain says some area athletes may participate in some games at the state level in the fall.

The regional branch of the American Red Cross says they need O-negative blood now. The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region says they are down to less than a day’s supply of type O-negative and urge people to donate to help replenish their supply.

Southern Blood Services Region Spokesperson April Phillips says type O-negative plays a critical role in maintaining the blood supply. "O-negative is very important because it is the universal donor type and therefore can be given to any patient regardless of their blood type," says Phillips. "It is commonly used for major surgeries resulting from traumas, as well as in emergency situations, as well as situations when the hospital is not readily able to get a blood type for the patient."

While O-negative is under the greatest stress, Phillips says all blood types are needed and anyone that can is encouraged to donate. "There is a constant need for all blood types, especially type O-negative and O-positive, but if you do not know your blood type, that is fine," adds Phillips. "Come in, donate anyway. You will get a blood donor card within just a few weeks of your blood donation and then you will know your blood type."

According to the Red Cross, most people in good health who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds can give blood. For more information on donating blood, such as blood drives or donor centers, go to www.givebloodredcross.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

Stephens County drivers who buy their cars out-of-state will soon have an easier time paying their sales tax bill to the state of Georgia. Stephens County Tax Commissioner Dene Hicks says beginning May 1, the tax commissioner’s office will begin accepting out-of-state sales tax payments for cars bought elsewhere, but needing to be registered in Stephens County. Stephens County Commissioners approved the arrangement Tuesday, allowing it to go forward.

Hicks says it will make things easier after a change in state law in 2006 affected such vehicle purchases. "The state of Georgia will not print your title and they will not allow you to register your vehicle that you purchased outside the state of Georgia until the sales tax has been paid for," says Hicks. "Now, in the past, our office has not accepted those payments."

Previously, these payments had to be made in neighboring counties, such as Habersham or Franklin, according to Hicks. The tax commissioner’s office will also receive a vendor fee, which can be used as part of their operating budget.

Meanwhile, the tax commissioner’s office is also taking steps to pave the way for Stephens County drivers to renew their car tags online. Commissioners approved the move Tuesday and Hicks says it is coming, but it may take a little while. "There are a few steps with the state system that we have to get set up and some accounting issues and things, so as soon as we can get that going, we are going to," adds Hicks. "The state has informed us that once we get the approval from the county, that it normally takes 60 to 90 days." Hicks says she hopes it is a smooth process to get it online and that in the near future, tag renewal online will be an option.

State Representative Jeannette Jamieson says the recently completed legislative session was overall, a good session. Jamieson says while it went well, it could have gone better. "I think in the House of Representatives and overall, maybe the session was more productive than you would think when you first review what we did," says Jamieson. "It was not as productive as, first of all, it should have been, and secondly, that many of the sessions have been in the 24 years I have been there."

Jamieson pointed to water as one of the biggest issues of the legislative session. First, of course, was the statewide water plan, which Jamieson vehemently opposed. Jamieson says that plan was not a positive step because it would allow for inter-basin transfers. However, a secondary bill is a significant improvement in the situation, according to Representative Jamieson.

She says the oversight bill, which gives the General Assembly the power over any decision by the Environmental Protection Division director regarding the water plan, alleviates some of the concern. "I really believe that when all is said and done, we will find that it might have been the most important piece of legislation, up to and including the budget, that was passed this year," adds Jamieson.

Jamieson pointed to a number of other bills that were passed through the House she feels are important. One is legislation requiring a 30-day notice on foreclosures, rather than the previous rule of 15 days. Another bill exempted non-clinical construction at hospitals from state approval prior to construction.

In addition, Jamieson says the House added $51 million in education funding, at least slightly lessening the burden on local districts. One issue Jamieson feels did not move forward fast enough is transportation. She says she is disappointed legislation allowing regions to band together to fund transportation projects did not pass the Senate. The General Assembly wrapped up the session back on April 4.

Plans to split the seventh graders at Stephens County Middle School by gender next year are coming along smoothly. That is according to Middle School Principal Tony Crunkleton. "And at this point, everything is going fairly smoothly," says Crunkleton. "We have not had any bumps along the road at this time." He says he is currently working on placing students in the teams for next year, which will include an all girls’ team, an all boys’ team, and a mixed team.

In addition, teachers are being carefully placed and will get extra training on teaching a single gender class. "They are on board with it," says the principal. "We have discussed it with the teachers already about what team we are looking for them to teach, whether it is the boys’ team, the girls’ team, or the mixed team. I have had a couple of discussions with teachers about whether they feel like they are in the right team, whether it is the boys’, the girls’, or the mixed, and we have made a couple of changes."

Tuesday, Crunkleton presented the Stephens County Board of Education with results of a body of research that shows splitting this age kids by gender may have academic benefits. He told board members that research on adolescent brains shows they operate differently, and therefore learn differently.

Locally, Crunkleton says he sees the most discipline problems with 7th graders, as well as gaps in the CRCT testing that seem to be attributed to gender. He says for the most part, he has gotten positive feedback about the plan from parents. "The comments that I am hearing are mostly positive," adds Crunkleton. "Obviously, not every single one is positive. The parents are glad we are doing it. They wish they had done it before. Some said they wished they would have done it in sixth grade." Crunkleton says data will be carefully compiled to see if the arrangement makes a difference in testing and behavior.

A crunched car on Big A Road now has a partner; one that is sending a similar, but different message. Toccoa Police Chief Jackie Whitmire says the damaged truck near the high school is meant mostly for Saturday night’s prom goers. "This comes at a good time," says Whitmire. "Prom is this weekend and we want to have a real safe weekend. We will have extra police officers out working and we will be doing some safety checks with the State Patrol officers this weekend."

The truck comes from an accident where the driver was drunk, and Toccoa Police intend it to be a visual reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving. Whitmire has a specific message for teens. "We want everybody to be careful," adds Whitmire. "No drinking and driving. Teenagers, enjoy the prom. It should be a good weekend and a safe weekend." The Stephens County High School prom is Saturday night at the Currahee campus of North Georgia Technical College.

Hart County makes their biggest cocaine arrest ever. Sheriff Mike Cleveland says in a press release issued to WNEG that a warrant was taken on Richard Jerome "Duck" Teasley after a two-year investigation. Teasley has since been apprehended with the assistance of law enforcement in Athens-Clarke County and federal DEA agents.

When apprehended, Cleveland says Teasley was found to be in possession of 2.2 pounds of powder cocaine. It has an estimated street value of $35,000. Sheriff Cleveland says he is grateful for the help on the investigation from the DEA, Athens Clarke County law enforcement, and the Lavonia Police Department.

While some area counties have seen initial unemployment claims rise in recent months, do not count Stephens County among them. According to statistics for the month of March from the Georgia Department of Labor, in March, Stephens County saw 169 initial unemployment claims filed in the month of March. That is actually down 12 percent from February, when 191 initial claims were filed.

The numbers do show an increase of 10.5 percent in initial claims filed from March 2007 to last month. The Georgia Department of Labor says some consider initial claims to be a good barometer of economic activity because the statistic measures newly unemployed workers.

Throughout the state of Georgia, initial claims rose 3.9 percent from Feburary to March of this year, and 36.3 percent from March 2007 to last month. Elsewhere around the area, initial unemployment claims were down in Habersham County, but reports show a rise in initial claims of over forty percent in both Franklin and Hart counties.

                                                                                                                                                                            The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is getting new equipment, thanks to some criminals. The Mountain Judicial District Attorney’s office presented the Sheriff’s Office Wednesday with six digital cameras and memory cards to be used in documenting crime scenes and car accidents. District Attorney Brian Rickman says the funding for the cameras comes from the Victim Assistance Fund, which is made up of money from criminal fines. "We have purchased six digital cameras," says Rickman. "The purchase was made out of victim assistance funds. It is not tax dollars. Five percent of every criminal fine goes into a victim assistance fund and it is money that has been accumulated over the years."

He calls the donation a win-win situation because the cameras not only help the Sheriff’s Office be more efficient, but also helps the DA’s office in their prosecutions. "It is a win-win situation to give our law enforcement the tools they need, which is digital technology and digital cameras to document crime scenes, injuries, property damage, and all the things we need," adds Rickman. "It is a benefit for them. It is also a benefit for us because, obviously, the better the image, the better case we have, the more success we have."

Captain Jimmy Mize with the Sheriff’s Office accepted the cameras and says they will allow each shift supervisor to now have one to use. "It is going to help us better prepare cases for them, along with helping people in the community," says Mize. "We can use them for domestic cases, accidents, and property crime cases, so it is going to help us out real well." The donation was worth about $540. Wal-Mart discounted the cameras for the District Attorney’s office.

Lawn care continues to be a cutting issue for the Stephens County School Board. At their monthly meeting Tuesday, the board once again tabled the decision on which lawn service to hire to care for the system’s properties. The same issue came up in the March board meeting and a 3-3 vote caused the issue to be tabled. The tie vote came because board member Beth Pinkerton was out of town in March.

When Tuesday night’s vote was taken, the same members – Jeff Webb, Curtis Waters, and Sandra Childs -- voted to reject the lowest bid. Pinkerton abstained, saying she saw both sides of the issue. "I have two problems with this whole business and one is that I agree and love being loyal to people who have done in the job in the past," says Pinkerton. "I think that is extremely important. However, there is a huge difference in these prices and I have a great deal of difficulty wanting to pay this full amount."

Despite having nine companies submit bids, the board focused on two: Curbco, which bid $23,880, and Reed’s Lawn Service, which bid $39,000. Curbco’s bid was the lowest bid, while Reed’s was the fourth lowest bid. Reed’s is the current vendor. Board member Sandra Childs expressed concern that the lowest bidder would not be able to do the job adequately for the price bid.

In addition, she said Reed’s Lawn Service cares for her own property and she has always been pleased with the work. "I know this just because they work in my yard too, so I know what is going on," says Childs. "I am just not necessarily thinking that the lowest bidder on everything is the best."  Systems Director Brenda Kelly told board members that the bid process included a pre-bid meeting with all the bidders, written expectations, and reference checks, and she felt comfortable recommending the lowest bidder. Board members voted to re-visit the issue in May.

A two-term school board member is not seeking a third term. George Payne, who is an at-large member of the Stephens County School Board, announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election, saying it is time for him to move on. "There are many people who could serve in this capacity and who could bring something new to this Board of Education, so I am just making an opportunity for them to step in," says Payne.

Payne has served on the school board for eight years. He says in that time, he is most proud of the work the Board of Education has done to raise the achievement of the students. "The fact that we have made it our goal and objective to improve the achievement of our students and it looks to me, based on the data that I have seen, that our kids are achieving and they are doing extremely well and I am proud of them," adds Payne. "They have done the work and we have provided the opportunity."

On the other side, Payne says he regrets that the board and the press did not have a better relationship. "There are times when you try something and it does not quite work out the way you hoped it would work out," says Payne. "I had hoped for better relationships with communication between the press and things and it did not quite work out that way." Payne says he hopes that more than one person will run for his spot so voters will have a real choice.

A Stephens County resident and northeast Georgia police officer will run as a Democrat for coroner. Dennis Bell announced his intention to run on Wednesday. Bell is currently a Franklin Springs police officer and volunteer firefighter. He has previously worked with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Commerce Police Department, and Arcade Police Department, where he served as chief.

Bell says the job of coroner is about finding the truth and he wants to serve in that role for his native county. "I have always wanted to help people," says Bell. "I have done this ever since 1987, when I first started with the Sheriff’s Office of Stephens County as a dispatcher and I have been that way ever since."

Bell says he has worked with the Jackson County Coroner’s Office and GBI as an assistant from time to time. In addition, he says over 2300 hours of training in various areas of public safety has prepared him for the task. "Some training that would be a great asset to the coroner’s position would be child death investigations, homicide investigations, and crime scene investigations," adds Bell. Bell was raised in Eastanollee, where he still lives with his son. He graduated from Stephens County High School in 1985.

Stephens County will honor the memory of Jack Stovall in the restored historic courthouse. Tuesday, County Commissioners approved a proposal by the Courthouse Restoration Authority to honor Stovall, who passed away earlier this year, with a room in his name at the historic courthouse in downtown Toccoa.

Dale Moseley with the Restoration Authority says Jack worked so hard on the courthouse that it just seemed like the right thing to do. "We felt like since he did spend many, many hours up there, we have been doing this for like two years, up until January, Jack was probably there two to three times a day and he did a lot of the planning for us and he was just a number one person as far as getting things done," says Moseley.

The room they selected to honor him is downstairs in the northeast corner of the courthouse. Moseley says there is a mural in that room and that mural was special to Jack. "When the contractor found the mural in the room we wanted to designate for Jack Stovall, Jack got a lady to come in and touch the mural up and he was just very excited about that mural," adds Moseley. On Tuesday, Moseley told commissioners that they would like to do a public dedication of the room once the courthouse is fully restored.

The Stephens County Courthouse Restoration Authority also has a million more dollars at their disposal. County Commissioners formally released the remaining approximately $1 million in the SPLOST funds already allocated to the authority for courthouse restoration work at their meeting Tuesday. As of now, the authority has spent approximately $1.1 million on the work and Authority Member Dr. Henry Fields says they expect to come in under the allotted $2.14 million for the restoration work.

Fields says the efforts to come in under budget are commendable. As for work on the courthouse, Fields told commissioners that the interior work could be wrapping up in seven weeks or so. They have also begun planning for landscaping around the building and the Authority says they will continue to work on that.

Stephens County roads are cleaner this week after a group of around 50 volunteers braved dark skies to help Keep Toccoa and Stephens County Beautiful. The Great American Cleanup, sponsored by Keep Toccoa-Stephens County Beautiful, was Saturday. Organizers say the bag count and weigh-in are still incomplete. However, they indicate that already 144 bags of litter and debris have already been collected.

A number of roads were cleaned. Those include Highway 184, the Martin community, Yonah Dam Road, Rock Creek Road, Whispering Pines Road, among others. The cleanup comes on the heels of concerns raised by the public at multiple Stephens County Commissioners’ meetings regarding the amount of litter on the roadways. In addition, commissioners are poring over a report filed earlier this year by a committee they tasked to solve the litter problem.

Organizers of last weekend’s Paul Anderson Park Memorial Banquet say over $30,000 went into the coffers of the Foundation. The Foundation says they are pleased with the banquet, which took place Saturday at the Currahee Club to raise money for construction and upkeep of the Paul Anderson Park, located at the intersection of Tugalo Street and Big A Road.

Speakers at the banquet included a graduate of the Paul Anderson Youth Home, as well as former Atlanta Falcons’ coach Dan Reeves. A number of the fourth grade students who created the concept for the park also attended the banquet and had their original drawings displayed for the banquet’s attendees.

As for the Park itself, the Foundation says the finishing touches are going on regarding construction. They say they expect to have an official opening of the Park and unveiling of the Paul Anderson statue in mid to late May. For more information on the Paul Anderson Park, visit the website at www.paulandersonpark.com.

A convicted felon is back behind bars after the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office found him on the wrong side of the law. Deputies arrested 34-year-old Dennis Scroggs of Prather Bridge Road at his home Monday after they received a report of illegal activity. "We were contacted by the State Probation Office here in Toccoa in reference to Mr. Scroggs having a dirty drug screen and they were going out to do a search of the residence and ask for our assistance along with the drug units," says Captain Jimmy Mize of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

At the home, investigators found drug paraphernalia, a 22-caliber assault rifle, and a 2-way radio that had been stolen a year ago from the Eastanollee Fire Department at a fire scene. Scroggs was charged with possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition, he has outstanding parole and probation warrants. No bond has been set because there is no bond on probation and parole warrants. Mize says Scroggs had served prison time for burglary charges, drug charges, and driving offenses.

Stephens County has an official seal. County Commissioners approved a seal at their meeting Tuesday. The Courthouse Renovation Authority presented the three finalists. The winner was Brian Sellers of Toccoa. Sellers will receive $500 and the honor of having designed the official county seal. Sellers says he just incorporated the required elements into the design. "Any kind of seal usually has a roundness to it," says Sellers. "So I just kind of incorporated the flower as the background and then I just laid the other three on top, which is the courthouse, then Currahee Mountain, and of course, Toccoa Falls. I used the courthouse because it is important because it is going to go in the Courthouse." The guidelines for the contest required designs to include Toccoa Falls, a Cherokee rose, and Currahee Mountain, along with other optional symbols. Sellers will see his seal placed in tile in the floor of the historic courthouse as renovations continue.

He says he is proud to have won the contest. "It is big, especially because it is going to be there hopefully for the rest of time," adds Sellers. "Hopefully, it is something my kids can look at and pass on to their kids and say, ‘Hey look, my dad did this’ and it is important to me. It is actually a big honor. Obviously, they gave out cash awards and it is nice, but having it in the courthouse is really more important to me at least and hopefully everybody in the county likes it." Secon