WNEG News

Now that the reality of the devastation in New Orleans, Biloxi and all along the Gulf coast has set in, the rest of America, including people here in Stephens County, are mobilizing to help those left homeless by hurricane Katrina.

In northeast Georgia, a group of concerned citizens has formed, “Operation Helping Hands” to aid victims of Katrina. Some of the items they are collecting include batteries, flashlights, non-bottled water, perishable food, and clothing of all kinds, baby items of all kinds, pet food, and blankets.

Drop off points in Stephens County include, Toccoa City hall, Fernside Fire Station, Nuts & Bolts Ace Hardware, Moore’s Feed, Convalescent Home Equipment on Falls Road, and Quality Foods. Monetary donations may be made by through Tate’s Creek Baptist Church on Highway 184 in Toccoa.

And Stephens Federal Bank has re-opened their American Red Cross account to receive monetary donations. According to spokeswoman Kim Hudgins, anyone may deposit a donation into the account at any Stephens Federal Bank branch in Northeast Georgia. All of the money collected will be sent to the American Red Cross.

The trial of local businessman Eddie Seay on child molestation charges will be pushed back, now that Judge James Woods III has granted a request by Seay’s attorney for the prosecution to provide specific dates of the alleged child abuse.

Last week, Seay’s attorney Timothy Healy argued the indictment against Seay was too broad. The indictment alleges Seay sexually abused his two children over a period of four years. Healy argued the prosecution is really trying his client on four incidents that allegedly occurred within several months of each other last year.

Assistant District Attorney Richard Bridgeman told the Court there were more than the four events listed in the indictment that occurred over a four-year period. He said if those specific incidents were added, more charges would have to be brought against Seay.

Judge Woods disagreed and ordered Bridgeman to go back and provide specific dates. Seay was to be tried October third.

A member of the Southern Heritage group, who was convicted in December of trying to hit a Stephens County Sheriff’s deputy during a demonstration last year at the middle school, was back in court this week asking for a new trial.

Even though he acted as his own attorney in December, 41-year old Lawrence Leitgeb claims a standby attorney assigned to assist him did not give him proper advice.

During the hearing this week, attorney Chip Angel admitted he was told by Judge James Cornwell and the assistant district attorney to quote, “just let him try his case and be quiet.”

Angel also admitted during testimony that if he had been retained by Leitgeb, he would have objected to certain moves and statements made by the prosecution – instead he said he did nothing.

However, just when it seemed Leitgeb might be winning his petition for a new trial, he suddenly decided to take a plea, according to current Assistant District Attorney Rick Bridgeman. “In the middle of interviewing his first witness, Leitgeb decided to take a first offender plea,” Bridgeman revealed. “Under the terms, Mr. Leitgeb received the same sentence he received in December for felony obstruction of an officer. He will serve five years probation, plus pay fines. The difference though is that under the first offender, once his probation is served, it will be just as if he was never convicted of anything,” he said. Judge Cornwell also dismissed the second charge of misdemeanor obstruction.

Last year, Leitgeb was part of a group of Southern Heritage members who were protesting in front of the old Stephens County middle school after then principal Brenda Kelley reportedly refused to allow children to wear t-shirts that displayed the confederate flag. During that protest, someone allegedly threw rocks at a school bus. While Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies tried to arrest Leitgeb, a scuffle broke out and Leitgeb attempted to strike the officer.

The next time you drive by the Toccoa- Stephens County Parks and Recreation complex on Rose Lane, be sure to slow down and admire the new sign next to the entrance. The sign was designed and created by Leonard Massey and his wife, Janet.

A small dedication ceremony was held at the park Tuesday morning. Recreation Director Joe Gailey said that the sign was erected in time for the County’s centennial celebration. Leonard Massey, who is in a wheelchair, said that he enjoyed the project, as did his wife.

State Representative Jeanette Jamieson was responsible for helping to obtain the materials needed for the sign and she was thankful for the talent the Massey’s have and the fact that they were willing to share it with the community. The sign contains 120 letters. Janet Massey said one of the biggest tasks was trying to make green wood look brown on the sign.

Yesterday’s festivities at the Recreation Center were overshadowed by yet another incident of vandalism. Over the weekend, someone pried open the doors on two separate concession stands. Director Joe Gailey reported the break in and Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators are still looking into the matter. Gailey says it looks like nothing was taken.

The third Toccoa High School Alumni Reunion is scheduled for the end of September. Alumni Association president Dan Minish said that the group is amazed of the continuing interest and attendance for the event. There will be a social on Friday night, a barbecue on Saturday afternoon at Boyd Field and a final social gathering on Saturday night.

If someone in this area has not been contacted and would still like to attend any of the functions, Minish said it’s not too late. Peggy Pelfrey, a graduate of Toccoa High School, has been in charge of reservations for this third event. Any graduate or member of the association who has not been contacted may call Ms. Pelfrey at 886-3347.

Stephens and Franklin Counties managed to dodge most of the Tropical Storm Katrina bullet last night, but we are not out of the woods quite yet. Very little of the high winds and heavy rain that were expected actually hit Stephens County.

Today, Katrina moved over Tennessee, Western Kentucky and into Ohio, but not before leaving a trail of destruction over other parts of North Georgia. Hardest hit was White County where the entire county is without power and tornados ripped the roof off of a motel in Helen and destroyed the outlet mall there.

But according to the National Weather Service in Greenville, SC, Stephens County could still experience severe weather well into this evening. A tornado watch remains effect until 9 p.m. tonight and a flood watch is in effect until Wednesday morning.

Meantime, Georgia Department of Transportation maintenance crews are out in force today working to clear roads all over North Georgia. DOT spokesperson Teri Pope says State Road 75 near Helen, GA where a tornado touched down overnight, is littered with downed trees and power lines.

Fallen trees also blocked two roads in Northeast Georgia, State Route 81 south of Winder at the entrance to Fort Yargo State Park in Barrow County and State Route 11 at Mears Street in Monroe. Another problem is that many traffic signals are out all across Northeast Georgia and DOT crews are traveling the roadways making repairs, according to Pope.

Here in Stephens County, there was little damage and no power outages reported. A tree was reported down on Falls Road earlier this morning and also on Tugalo. Both have now been cleared away.

County Road Superintendent Clayton Haines tells WNEG his crews continue to work on removing tree limbs and debris at various locations around the County, but all County roads are passable.

Members of the Consolidation Study Committee have a lot of work ahead after their meeting yesterday. The group met for the second time Monday, and according to member and spokeswoman Daphne Paxton Monday’s meeting got down to specifics. One of those specifics included voting on a mission statement, which reads, “The Consolidation Committee will study the advantages and disadvantages of consolidation of the governments of Stephens County and generate a report for the four groups of Commissioners that will enable them to make a decision on consolidation.”

Another had to do with looking into hiring the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia to help with research. “The Carl Vinson Institute will do work for study committees such as ours that we could not do very quickly on our own,” Paxton explained. “They will pull data together from various sources for us and compile facts and figures we would not be able to do,” she said.

The group has a $15,000 grant to work with for professional services, travel expenses and anything else related to their work. But some noted that might not be enough to pay for outside consultants, such as the Carl Vinson Institute.

Finally, the group voted to meet once a week with a view towards completing their feasibility study by January 2006. Their next meeting will be Monday, September 12^th after the Labor Day holiday.

A Martin man is in the Stephens County jail after being caught passing a bad check at a local bank. It happened last week at Stephens Federal Bank on Big A Road. Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators say a teller called authorities when a man, identified as Steven McKibben tried to cash a U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $12,500.

The head teller noticed the check did not look real so she called it in and found it was not a valid check.

Some changes for voters in Toccoa when they go to the polls in November, thanks to a new state law.

Last week, house bill 244, which was signed into law by the governor last spring, cleared the u.s. justice department. That means, among other things, voters must show a photo id in order to vote.

County registrar Theresa Kelly says there five forms of identification that will be accepted. “They include a valid Georgia driver’s license, a state or federal government employee ID with a photo on it, a valid U.S. passport, a valid State of Georgia or federal employee photo ID, a valid military photo ID, or a valid tribal photo ID,” noted County Registrar Theresa Kelley.

Before this law was enacted voters could bring a host of different items to serve as valid IDs, including a social security card or utility bill. Now, those will not be accepted. Something else new beginning this election, according to Kelley, is the way absentee ballots will be handled. “If you vote absentee ballot by mail, you do not need a reason,” Kelley said. “However, if you come into my office to vote absentee you will need a reason and valid photo ID,” she said. Also, there will be no absentee or advance voting on the Monday before the election. Voters in Toccoa will go to the polls in November to elect two city commissioners. The county will oversee that election for the city.

Toccoa police and firefighters were called to the Rose Lane Recreation Center last week after vandals broke into the gym. It happened sometime last Thursday night and was discovered early Friday morning.

An employee discovered the vandals took the fire extinguisher and sprayed the contents all over the gym. They also set off the fire alarms. Firefighters responded and recreation personnel cleaned up the mess.

Burglars are hampering a home remodeling project. Betty Latham of Toccoa told Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies someone had broken into her home on Seven Forks Road in Martin and took a paint sprayer and chain saw. Deputies photographed the entrance to the house and some cabinets that had been opened. Total value of the missing items is around $300.

A Toccoa man is charged with theft by taking and burglary. Police say 39-year old James Ellis broke into the home of Rebecca Bennett on Poplar Street over the weekend and took clothing, some household items and electronic equipment. Police recovered some of the stolen items at Ellis’ Almond Street home.

Police are investigating a theft of electronic equipment in an automobile. It happened over the weekend on Davis Avenue. The suspects smashed the rear window of the victim’s vehicle to gain entry. Taken were four 12-inch speakers, a 1,200-watt amplifier, a 600-watt amplifier, some miscellaneous tools, a car battery, and floor jack. Total value of the stolen equipment is over $2,000.

Members of the new consolidation study committee will hold their first meeting on Monday at the Fernside Fire Station meeting room. City and county commissioners agreed the study group should be made up of 11-members, four from the city, four from the county, one each from Martin and Avalon and a joint city/county representative.

The county chose four candidates and one alternate. They include Mrs. Russell Paxton, Michelle jamieson, Harold Andrews, L.J. Harrison, and Don Foster as the alternate. The City selected Jim Shurley, Philip Teasley, Clark Randall, and Jack Webb. They also chose two alternates, Wayne Gardner and James Thomas who will serve in the event one of the four drops out or if Martin or Avalon do not choose a member.

Last week, Martin Mayor Don Foster declined an appointment by the county because he is an elected official. At the time, he said a representative would be chosen from martin, but so far, no one has been announced. Monday’s meeting gets underway at 1:30 p.m.

Two more steps in the process of implementing e-911. Last week, the County began advertising for two new e-911 positions, an Administrative Assistant and a GIS Communications Officer. County administrator Darrell Hampton says the GIS officer will take over updating county addresses. “They will take over the job of making sure the street signs are put up, they will also be in charge of keeping up the address database,” Hampton said.

They will also be in charge of making new street signs using in-house equipment at the new dispatch center. The other position is for an e-911 administrative assistant. Both new positions will be cross-trained as dispatchers

The remapping and addressing of the county is just about complete, according to e-911 director Paige Crocker. Crocker tells WNEG most of the change requests are down and that part of the process is beginning to wind down. The problem, though Crocker says is that the post office has not begun making the change over to the new addresses and is telling residents to continue to use their old addresses.

Crocker says the county has sent all of the new addresses to the post office for their database, but they have not yet completed the work on their end. “The post office is not delivering to the new addresses right now. Not until they’ve updated their database and they’ll let everyone know. But as far as the County goes, you need to post your new address as soon as you get it, because once our addressing is complete, the new addresses will be the emergency response numbers,” Paige explained.

New addresses must be posted perpendicular to the street so that the house number can be seen from both directions. Both the post office and the county will announce when the change over is complete and the new addresses can be used.

There’s usually a line at lunch at the Perk Up Café, and it’s only been open a couple of months. On Friday, the perk-up café officially joined the chamber of commerce with a special ribbon cutting. Café owner Deanna green says setting up shop in Toccoa was a natural since her family already has ties here. “My husband is the food service director for Toccoa Falls College so we already have ties to the community,” Green explained. “Toccoa-Stephens County has always been a second home for us,” she said.

Located on the corner of Tugalo and Broad Sts., the Perk Up Café is popular as a breakfast and lunch spot with local businesses and equally popular with college students at night. Green says since they’ve opened in the spring, response from the community has been good. The Perk Up Café is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Green says there are already plans in the works to open another Perk Up Café in a nearby town.

Getting off to the right start in life is becoming more and more competitive for young people these days.

That’s one reason why Stephens county high school has instituted a program called “Skills USA.” It is a national program that partners students with teachers and industries to help them discover what they want to do in life and how to achieve their goals. They do that by working in real-life industries to see those careers are like. Ashley Hopkins is the national region vice president and Teela Rivers is state secretary for Skills USA. Both are seniors at Stephens County High and were guests on this weekend’s Radio Forum.

Hopkins says the professional development program helped her nail down a career choice. “There’s five levels you have to complete and I’ve completed all five,” Hopkins explained. “Skills USA gives you experience and training and teaches you how to set goals and achieve those goals. It’s the kind of training you wouldn’t get in a classroom,” she said. Hopkins has chosen a career in education and hopes to become an elementary school teacher.

After working with local doctors and medical facilities, Rivers has decided on a career in the medical field.

Rivers says she now has the tools to reach her goals. “My first goal is to get into Georgia State University where I plan to major in physical therapy,” Rivers said. “I plan to reach that goal and all my goals my not giving up or letting myself become sidetracked. I plan to work hard and stay focused. That’s what I’m going to try to do,” she said.

Skills USA is overseen at the high school by Guidance Counselor Pam Snyder. Students interested in getting involved can see Ms. Snyder for more details.

A fire that destroyed one of the two fireworks stores along I-85 in Oconee County, South Carolina early Saturday morning is still under investigation. An alarm company alerted the rural fire dispatch shortly before 2am Saturday morning Fair Play, SC fire chief Larry Wilkerson said that flames were visible as the first trucks arrived. Because of the fireworks the building contained and the potential for explosions, firemen were forced to limit the aggressive attack from inside the burning structure.

There were no known personal injuries. At the time, Crazy Steve’s was closed, but firemen spotted a pair of cars parked near the front of the building and for a time, worried that someone might be inside. Steel framing from the large rectangular building actually fell on one of the cars.

An adjoining motel escaped any damage. It is believed that the guests were temporarily evacuated. As the fire raged, I-85 traffic proceeded in both directions, but the Highway 59 Bridge over the interstate was closed temporarily.

The magnitude of the fire was such that it was an “all hands response” according to Wilkerson. Besides his department at Fair Play, SC, help came from Oconee’s Oakway, South Union, Crossroads and Anderson County’s Double Springs and Townville fire departments. Also responding were Oconee County EMS and Oakway rescue. Later, additional manpower arrived from Oconee’s Seneca, Walhalla, Corinth-Shiloh and Friendship fire departments.

Another routine traffic stop results in a drug bust and two arrests. It happened last Thursday evening on the corner of Emily and Whitman streets. Police pulled the car over for no working brake lights and discovered the driver, identified as Demetrious Montavious Winkfield, did not have a license. He was arrested at the scene. Officers say they when they patted Winkfield down, they found a bag of suspected marijuana on his person.

Winfield’s passenger, identified as Alafeez Wilson, fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later. Police say Wilson was allegedly carrying three small zip-loc bags of suspected marijuana. Other suspected drugs were found in the vehicle.

Both Winkfield and Wilson were charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute and driving while unlicensed.

We’re seeing more and more of this now that gas prices are going through the roof – people filling their tanks and then driving off. It happened again last Thursday at the Mountain Mart on Highway 17 North.

The manager told police a while male pumped about $62 worth of gas and left without paying. The suspect, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 140 pounds, was driving a large red Ford F-250 with a silver tool box in the rear bed. The vehicle headed north on highway 17.

Stephens County will soon be advertising for bids for renovation and construction of the new e-911 dispatch center. At this week’s called meeting, Commissioners voted 2-1 to begin the process by placing an ad in local and regional newspapers on September 2^nd. They will also advertise on the county web site and through other state agencies, according to County Administrator Darrell Hampton.

A pre-bid conference will be held September 12^th for any interested parties to pick a copy of the plans, meet with county staff, and ask questions. Bids will be open October 3^rdat the County work session. At that time, the County also expects to hear from site engineer Buddy Lawson regarding his recommendations for equipment contractors. The e-911 system must be up and running by January 1, 2006.

The City of Toccoa is working on establishing an historic preservation commission. As work towards bringing down the canopies progresses and Doyle Street is re-opened, the City wants to have in place a set of historic preservation ordinances for various parts of Toccoa as well a commission to oversee them.

At this week’s meeting, Commissioners agreed to a set of guidelines for choosing the members of the commission. Those guidelines, recommended by the Downtown Development Authority, call for five members who will serve staggered terms of two 2-year terms and three 3-year terms. Commission members must also reside in the City. Currently, the DDA is putting together two grant applications for renovating downtown Toccoa. Once the renovation is complete, the city can apply for historic district status.

The flags are missing from the new Hayestone-Brady sign on Highway 17. City commissioner Ferrell Morgan discovered the apparent theft last week and reported it to Stephens County sheriff’s office. Both the Georgia flag and the American flag were taken. Morgan says both flags were donated. “The flags were donated by local veteran William Tucker,” Morgan said. “We never expected anyone would steal them,” he said.

This past spring, the VFW Toccoa Post held a special dedication ceremony for the flags when they were erected. Williams is looking for two flags that Morgan says will be anchored securely. So far, investigators have no idea who might have taken the flags.

More workers were added to the labor force in Stephens County in July. The labor force in Stephens County in July was 13,235 - up from 13,113 in June and 12,990 in May. Of that, 817 were without jobs. The increase is largely due to graduates entering the job market, according to the state labor department.

The unemployment rate for July in Stephens County was down slightly from June – coming in at 6.2% from 6.3%. In the Georgia Mountains Region, of which Stephens County is a part, the unemployment rate for July was 4.7%. And the state unemployment rate for July was unchanged from June at 5.6%

Thousands of Christians from across north Georgia and the upstate will gather in Toccoa for tomorrow’s annual Toccoa Fest 2005. This year’s theme is “shout fest 2005 – let the walls fall down” and again will be held on the campus of Grace Baptist Church on highway 17.

Performers include, Newsong, Thousand Foot Krutch, Disciple, Krystal Meyers, Seventh Day Slumber, Grits, and KJ-52. Volunteers are still needed to help in various areas. Admission is $10 per person, but a love offering will also be taken. More information is available on the Toccoa fest web site at http://inspirezone.org/tf.html.

DISC GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT DRAWS PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
August 26, 2005

This weekend, the Stephens County Recreation Center will once again play host to a disc golf tournament.

Disc golfers will be coming from all over the country to play in tomorrow’s tournament. Coordinator Roger Terrell says the two-day event is fully booked and gets underway Saturday morning. Terrell says if you’ve never seen a disc golf tournament, it’s a great way to spend a day outdoors with the family, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Stephens County is home to one of the largest and best disc golf courses in the country.

Stephens County government will not be the same now that a familiar face is leaving. County Clerk Nancy Downs announced her retirement this morning. Downs has been the County Clerk for the past three decades and officials like commissioner Rex Anderson say she will be sorely missed. “Nancy has been with us for 30 years and worked with over 20 Commissioners during that time,” Anderson recalled. “She is well known and loved by other county clerks in the state and by everyone she works with here. Her importance to Stephens County government is unreal,” he said.

Anderson said he tried to talk her into staying but says Downs is committed to retirement. Downs’ last day is August 31^st. Downs tells WNEG she’s not sure of her future plans, but is looking forward to spending more time on her crafts. The County will begin looking for a new clerk after their next meeting in September.

Peoples’ nerves were rattled late Wednesday evening when a small earthquake rumbled through Toccoa and Stephens County. The National Weather Service in Greenville, South Carolina reported the small tremor occurred about 11PM.

Justin Lane with the Weather Service office said that the area affected by the small quake covered three states, including Northeast Georgia, the Upstate of South Carolina, and Parts of North Carolina. The epicenter was located about 25 miles northwest of Asheville.

Both the Stephens County Sheriff’s office and the Toccoa police Department received calls regarding the event. Here in Toccoa, there were no reports of damage, just some rattling of windows and slight movement of objects in houses.

The City of Toccoa will once again obtain a line of credit for fiscal 2006. City manager Billy Morse requested the line of credit at this week’s commission meeting and Commissioners approved. Morse says he hopes he doesn’t have to use it, but this year it looks like he might.

Earlier this month, City Finance director Emory Stephens told Commissioners he expects this fiscal year to be tighter than last.

Members of the hazard mitigation committee met this morning to continue working on details of a six-chapter report. Stephens County Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Becky Wahl says at this week’s meeting, committees made recommendations to the first two completed chapters of the plan.

Members of the planning committee have been working on the disaster plan since shortly after hurricane Ivan blew through Northeast Georgia last fall. That’s when the state mandated every county have a hazard mitigation plan in place. The report must be completed by November.

The attorney for accused child molester Eddie Seay was in court Wednesday asking that prosecutors clarify the timeline of offenses against his client. Seay is charged with two counts of aggravated sodomy, child molestation, cruelty to children and distributing obscene materials to his two children.

In the indictment the state says the abuse occurred over a period of four years. However, Seay’s attorney Timothy Healey wants the state to site-specific dates. During the hearing yesterday, the court heard the testimony of Dr. Kristin Barker, director of clinical services at Turning Points in Toccoa. Barker, who interviewed the children, said children typically do not give out the exact dates of traumatic events, and she said the more events there are, the less likely they will be remembered.

Assistant District Attorney Richard Bridgeman told the court there were more than the four events listed in the indictment and they occurred over a four-year period. He said if those specific incidents were added, more charges would have to be brought against Seay. Judge Earnest Woods III said he would take Healey’s objections under advisement. Seay is scheduled to go on trial October 3^rd.

A Hart County Sheriff’s investigator is recovering from injuries he received while trying to arrest a drug suspect. Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland says it happened Tuesday morning. Hart and Elbert county investigators were trying to apprehend a suspected drug dealer when the suspect jumped into a car and fled.

While driving off, the suspect tried to run down of the investigators. That investigator, who has not been identified, was injured by metal debris.

Shots were fired in an attempt to stop the vehicle but the suspect kept going. Hart county deputies on Mt. Olivet Road and the suspect fled on foot later stopped the vehicle. K-9 units from the Lee Arrendale state prison have been called in to assist in the search for the suspect, along with deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Hartwell Police Department, and Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. Cleveland says the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

A Toccoa man called police when a friend asked to borrow his moped then came back without it. Kurt Learn told police he let the suspect borrow the moped Monday night. The suspect rode the bike north on Hill Street toward Currahee Street. Learn said he came back later on foot and claimed the moped had been confiscated by the Toccoa Police at the package store.

Learn took officers to the apartments where he believes the suspect lives, but could not remember the man’s name only that he was black. However, Learn was able to pick the suspect out of a series of photographs shown to him by police. The investigation is continuing.

The investigation continues into a burglary at the Wendy’s on Big A Road. Management discovered about $1,400 in revenue missing August 11^th, but so far there have been no arrests. According to Toccoa Police Lieutenant Butch Newkirk, detectives continue to work the case. “We’re still interviewing employees and others in this case,” Newkirk said. According to the manager of the Wendy’s the money was taken from the business office. So far, police have not said if they have any suspects.

“A sad day.” Attorney Alton Adams comment this morning after County Commissioners voted to award the solid waste convenience site contract to waste management of Banks County. Adams and his client John Carter of Carter's Royal Disposal attended this morning’s meeting to protest what they see as a deliberate attempt on the part of Commissioners to keep Carter from getting the contract. Earlier this week, Commissioners opened the two bids for the convenience sites, and at the time it appeared Carter had the lowest bid.

The total amount of the contract comes to $87,945. The difference between the Carters Royal and Waste Management bids is $852.01 with Waste Management the lower of the two bids. On Monday, Commissioners requested County staff provide a history of dumping costs from each company from the past two years before making a decision.

But Adams said the County ordinance calls for giving preference to local businesses. “There’s a preference for local contractors. The County attorney acknowledged that the three percent or $300, whichever is less, which obviously meant whichever is more, gave a minimum of a $300 preference to local bidders which would have cut that to $552,” Adams explained. “I think it’s a sad day when John Carter, the only one that bid on the total contract. He operated the waste sites seven to eight months; lost considerable amount of money; went back to the County and asked the County to have the hours changed and one or two of them closed. The County was unsure about what it wanted to do, so he had to give notice as the contract provided. He was going to terminate his services in three months. He has told me he has lost at least $25,000 to $30,000. He employs truck drivers; his facility is here in Stephens County; he pays a substantial amount of tax to Stephens County. When Waste Management was asked if they pay taxes in Stephens County, they said they weren’t sure. I think it’s a sad day when we got a County that’s in an economic depression, and we deliberately, for an amount of just $500, based on figures that may or may not be correct, award a contract by a 2-1 to someone who does business in Banks County and does not do any business in Stephens County. That, over a man who has lost a substantial amount by operating the convenience sites at a loss for about seven or eight months. Supposedly it was done at the County attorney’s advice, but the County attorney said it (the County ordinance) could have been interpreted either way. Thank you,” Adams said.

In making their decision, commissioners asked for an opinion from county attorney rusty smith, who requested time to review the County policy regarding awarding contracts to local vs. non-local bidders. Smith said the policy was ambiguous and these circumstances complicated. “The issue that was before the Commission was which of these two bidders should have been awarded this contract. The County has a purchasing policy that appears to me to require that contacts be awarded to the lowest bidder,” Smith countered. “There is a local preference, but the way the policy is written, the local preference is very limited. It’s limited to 3% or $300. Because this is a larger contract, the amount as the staff has calculated is something like $88,000, the local preference was not enough, given the difference, to allow the Commission in my opinion to prefer Carter Royal, the local contractor. So my opinion was that Waste Management was the low bidder and the Commission was bound by its purchasing policy to award the contract to Waste Management,” he concluded.

However, Adams accused Smith of playing party politics and knew all along how the vote would go. Smith denied the charge. “That is absolutely untrue,” Smith responded. “No one on the Commission, no staff member has said a single word to me about which one of these contractors they wanted to have the contract. And I don’t care personally which one of the contractors is awarded the contract. I did not know until we walked into the meeting this morning and I saw the math that the staff had put together, extrapolating based on prior use, who would actually be the low bidder, and took a look at the purchasing policy, who I would recommend. There is no pressure. I acknowledge this is not as clear as I would like. It’s not always a case in the law where a question is either put clearly ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but it was the best opinion that I could glean based on the information I had in front of me. It had nothing to do with favoritism or politics or anything else,” he said.

Municipal elections are coming up in November and if you have moved since the last election, the county registrar’s office needs to know about it. This week, about 200 change of address confirmation notices are going out to people who have moved since the last election and county registrar Theresa Kelley says it’s important she hear back from those people. “If they don’t call me within 60 days of receiving that notice, I will place them on the inactive list. The State is requiring me to do this,” Kelley said. “They will still be able to vote in November, but they will be listed as inactive,” she said.

Toccoa voters will elect two new city commissioners in November. Qualifying for the city race is September 12^th through the 16^th in office of the city clerk at city hall.

CCCS OFFERS BUDGET TIPS FOR HIGHER GAS PRICES, INTEREST RATES
August 24, 2005

What do gas prices and interest rates have in common? They are steadily rising and sneaking up on consumers’ wallets and budgets. Gas is now a full dollar more per gallon than it was in January and the federal funds rate has jumped 2.5% over the last 14 months, meaning variable-rate credit cards and home equity lines are costing even more.

The Georgia office of Consumer Credit Counseling Service is offering some tips on how to keep those rising prices from breaking your budget.

NORWOOD POLL SHOW MOST IN FAVOR OF RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
August 24, 2005

With Congress likely to take up the debate over Social Security reform after Labor Day, Georgians are showing a strong preference for adding personal accounts as suggested by President George W. Bush. That’s according to an online poll conducted by U.S. Congressman Charlie Norwood. The poll on his Web site listed three Social Security reform proposals and asked respondents to select the one they liked best.

1,356 Georgians participated in the online poll. 43% favored reportedly favored the president’s proposal to add personal savings accounts to Social Security. 23% chose the elimination of the earnings cap on contributions and 11% said they would rather see no changes.

The City of Toccoa is looking to buy four new police cruisers but not without a bid from local car dealerships. At Monday ‘s meeting CITY Commissioners voted to postpone opening sealed bids for another two weeks. That decision was made at the request of City Manager Billy Morse. “One of the dealers in town could not get the information he needed back in time to submit a bid,” Morse explained. “There’s been some delay in delivery dates for the 2006 models so rather than have him miss out on an opportunity to bid, I requested the City extend the bidding another two weeks,” he said.

The City intends to buy new 2005 or 2006 vehicles. All of the current police cars have well over 100-thosuand miles on them and Morse says they plan to replace a few each year. Right now, the police department has 18 patrol cars in service.

The Ninth District Opportunity has a new regional director. Kay P. Lewis will direct the head start and pre-k programs in 20 counties coordinated by the Gainesville-based non-profit group.

Lewis in a native of Barrow County and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Brenau University.

She is active in Hoschton Baptist Church where she teaches Sunday school. Lewis also serves as the secretary of the Winder-Barrow High School PTO. She has been with the Ninth District Opportunity since 1981. Lewis will coordinate the programs for more than 4,000 students.

Senior year can be an anxious time for students as they prepare to leave high school and enter college or technical school. There are many decisions to be made, tests to take and applications to send out. That’s why Stephens County High School’s guidance department is holding a senior parent night Tuesday, August 30^th.

Guidance director Patricia Withers tells WNEG parents will receive guidelines and answers to their questions, such as how to find information about colleges and technical schools, where to find applications, who to talk to about financial aid and the hope scholarship.

Parents will also receive information on how to schedule a mandatory individual senior conference with a high school counselor for themselves and their student. The senior parent night starts at 6:30p.m. next Tuesday night in the high school cafeteria.

How did car stolen three years ago in Wisconsin end up in Stephens County? That’s what Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies wanted to know. Deputies received information that a stolen vehicle might be located on Pond Street in Toccoa. The car’s VIN number came back stolen from a suburb of Racine, Wisconsin in August 2002.

The suspect is described as a black male from Cedartown Georgia. When investigators looked inside the center consul of the vehicle, they found several papers belonging to a man that live at the pond street house where the car was found. However, investigators have been unable to locate that person. Local investigators impounded the vehicle and notified Wisconsin authorities.

County convenience sites will operate on split schedules when they open September first. Last night, Commissioners voted to have the open the sites from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 9 a.m. to noon in the mornings and from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the evenings.

However, Commissioners could not agree on who should get the contract to provide roll-offs and compactors at each site. Two bids were received, one from Carter’s Royal and one from Waste Management, Inc., but Commissioners could not decide who would have the lowest bid based on the chart provided them by County staff.

Waste Management indicated they would haul 15 loads per month at 8-10 tons per load. Carter’s Royal said they would haul about 12 loads but at 12-14 tons per load.

After some discussion, Commissioners voted to table the decision until they were provided an exact history of loads and tons from both. An angry Carters Royal owner John Carter charged he was purposely being shoved aside. “I had the lowest bid and they should have awarded me the contract,” Carter said. “I’m just being pushed aside. I live in the County, I do business in the County, this is railroadin’,” he concluded.

County attorney Rusty Smith told Commissioners they didn’t have to award the contract to the lowest bidder because the contract is under $100,000 a year. However, Carter disagreed and says the bid letter he received said it was over that amount. “The letter said the contract was over a $100,000,” Carter explained. “The law says if the contract is over $100,000 they have to give it to the lowest bidder and I had the lowest bid,” he said. Commissioners voted to make their decision in yet another called session on Wednesday.

A Hartwell man is being held without bond in the Hart County jail after a wreck he was involved in Sunday killed a woman. Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland says 22-year old Steven Lamont Goss was driving drunk Sunday afternoon on Highway 77 when his van crossed the centerline and hit an oncoming Honda. “It appears he caught the front side of the vehicle and rolled down the driver side, pushing in the side door panel in at about the head of the victim. It continued on and ended at the back of the vehicle,” Cleveland explained. The victim, identified as Cheryl bates, residence unknown, died at the scene.

Inside Goss’ vehicle was a 14-month old baby. It is not known how the child is related to Goss, but Cleveland says the baby was not hurt. “The baby’s grandmother carried it to the Emergency Room, even though paramedics checked the child out at the scene and said it was fine,” Cleveland said. “She told me she didn’t want to take any chances,” he said.

Goss is charged with first degree vehicular homicide, DUI, child endangerment, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, and driving to fast for conditions.

A business that started out as an effort to help women with breast cancer is now a full-fledged medical supply company. Next to me held a ribbon cutting today at their new location on big a road next to LeCroy Office Products. Owner Brenda Chapman says she’s been working with cancer survivors for several years, but kept receiving requests.

Originally offering supplies for cancer patients, Chapman says a growing demand from local doctors and clinics was the reason for expanding their business. Next To Me is also opening a new store in Lavonia in the coming weeks.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s office is looking for the person who took $2800 worth of wooden pallets from Industrial Supply in the Industrial Park. Mike Kay told offices that someone back up a truck to the south side of the building and removed the pallets. In the process, the thief also damaged an air compressor. Damage was estimated to be about $150. A telephone repairman told Kay that he saw a white Dodge Dooley loaded with the pallets headed north on Highway 17 north. No contact has been made with the vehicle or the driver.

Another vehicle has been stolen in the County. This time, it was a 1986 silver Chevy Celebrity. The vehicle was taken from a residence on Brookhaven Circle. Whoever took the car may not get very far as the car is not in very good mechanical condition, according to James Smith, the owner.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s office is investigating the theft of a 1994 boat that was parked behind a residence on Georgia Highway 328. The black boat is a v-hull model. The victim placed no value on the boat.

A mobile home located on Georgia 145 was damaged when someone kicked in the front door of the unit and took an RCA video camcorder. The residence was dusted for fingerprints, but none were found.

A representative of Norton Mountain Properties told the Sheriff’s office that a house they have was up for sale was burglarized. A back door had been kicked in and the stove and refrigerator removed. The central air conditioning unit on the outside of the house was also damaged.

Toccoa Police recovered one stolen vehicle and have a lookout for another one. Police recovered a 1990 Lincoln Town Car that had been taken from Lavonia. The vehicle was found parked in the roadway on Watkins Street. Lavonia Police have a suspect in connection with the theft, but have not yet made an arrest.

Meanwhile a woman reported her car broke down while she was on S. Pond Street. She had parked the car at Zebo’s with the key inside. When she came back later the vehicle was gone. The car is a 1995 Ford Aspire, blue in color.

Police are also investigating the theft of some money from three vending machines at the emergency room of Stephens County Hospital. Damage to the machines was listed at about $25 but over $600 was reported taken in the theft.

Still no word on what caused a house fire Friday in Eastanollee. Fire investigators spent the weekend combing through the rubble of Scott and Amy Rumsey’s home on Eastanollee School Road, but say the house was too badly burned to determine an exact cause.

The blaze broke out about 9 a.m. Friday morning. A Hart EMC worker passing by told WNEG he saw smoke billowing out of all the windows and called 9-11. At first, firefighters feared someone might be in the home, which was fully involved by the time they arrived, but no one was inside.

Amy says she and her husband bought the house from their grandparents in February, but it has been in her family since 1949. For now, the Rumseys are staying with family. The home is insured and she says they will rebuild.

City commissioners meet tonight for the second of their monthly meetings. The City is looking to purchase four new police vehicles, and tonight’s meeting, the bids will be open.

Also on tonight’s agenda, commissioners will once again take a look at the process for designating certain parts of Toccoa historic areas. Mayor Ken Davis recently requested the City put together an historic preservation ordinance.

The City Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority are currently working obtaining state and federal historic status for downtown Toccoa, but mayor Davis also wants the City to have its own set of historic codes.

Tonight, commissioners are also expected to consider appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission. Tonight’s meeting takes place at 5 p.m. in City Hall.

City and county commissioners will take another step towards consolidation tomorrow night when they meet for another intergovernmental work session. Now that they’ve chosen their candidates for the study committee, commissioners will look at coming up with a consolidation work plan.

County administrator Darrell Hampton said Commissioners plan to meet with committee members to lay the groundwork for future meetings.

Last month, both the County and City agreed to form an 11-member consolidation study committee.

Hampton says all options for consolidation will be looked at. The County side of the committee consists of Mrs. Russell Paxton, Michelle Jamieson, Harold Andrews, and L.J. Harrison.

City commissioners selected four candidates and two alternates. They include Jim Shurley, Philip Teasley, Clark Randall, and Jack Webb. The two alternates are Wayne Gardner and James Thomas.

Both sets of commissioners are moving swiftly to form the study group after State Representative Jeanette Jamieson chastised the County for voting to return some $15,000 in grant money for the project to the state.

Labor day weekend is not far off and Lavonia Police are already taking part in state programs designed to keep motorists safe as they travel. Last Friday, Lavonia began its “Operation Zero Tolerance” program, which will run through September 5^th.

Lavonia Police Chief Randy Shirley tells WNEG his department will be conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to identify and remove drunk and drugged drivers from the roadways.

According to Lavonia Police Sergeant Michael Schulman, their first goal is public awareness and education to hopefully stop people from driving drunk in the first place. Schulman says if you find you are too drunk to drive and need a ride, you can call the Lavonia police department if you live in the area and an officer will take you home. Each year in Georgia, some 500 people die on state roadways as a result of drinking and driving.

The unemployment rate in Georgia remained unchanged in July – holding at steady at 5.6%. In the Georgia Mountains Region, of which Stephens County is a part, the unemployment rate for July was 4.7%.

Here in Stephens County, more people have entered the labor force over the summer months. In July the labor force in Stephens County was 13,113 – up from 12,990 in May. The June unemployment rate in Stephens County was 6.3% Local unemployment rates come out the end of the week.

Troopers from the Georgia State Patrol Toccoa post are investigating a fatal crash in Hart County. The patrol says this wreck happened on Highway 77 Sunday night, north of Hartwell. Trooper say a car crossed the centerline and struck an oncoming vehicle head on. As of noon, it’s not clear which of the drivers died, nor what is the condition of the other driver. So far, neither victim’s name has been released, and an accident reconstruction team continues to investigate.

Also, troopers investigated a two-vehicle wreck in Habersham County near the Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute. The accident happened Sunday morning about 10:45 a.m. There were five injuries in the wreck, but none was believed to be serious.

Students at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega are mourning the loss of two of their classmates today. Two students were killed early Sunday in a car wreck in Lumpkin County. A third student was injured.

Troopers say the students were in a Jeep Wrangler at about 4:20 Sunday morning when the driver, 21-year-old Gavin Brian Moore, went off the shoulder, overcorrected, and hit a tree. Moore, who is from Cartersville, was killed. A passenger, 23-year-old Brian Devine of Lawrenceville, was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he later died of his injuries. A third passenger, identified as Alaina Sanfilippo of Savannah, was injured. Sanfilippo reportedly suffered broken bones and is expected to recover.

Members of Moore’s fraternity, Sigma Theta, held a memorial vigil Sunday night on campus. So far, authorities have not said whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.

MEDICAL COMPANY BUYS RABUN HOSPITAL
August 22, 2005

Rabun County Hospital has officially been sold and its name changed to Mountain Lakes Medical Center.

The new owners are In-Med Group, Inc. – the parent company of Professional Resources Management of Rabun.

County commissioners in Rabun are very pleased with the sale, calling the new owners very competent, very professional business managers. In-Med plans include expanding services and raising the level of professionalism of the staff, according to an In-Med spokesman.

Power crews worked throughout the night and are still out working to restore power to homes around the lake, after severe thunderstorms knocked down trees. This

morning, about 1,200 Stephens County homes were still without power in the Mullins Ford and Gumlog areas, according to Hart EMC spokesman Terry Cleveland.

One of those homes still in the dark Friday morning was Stephens County Humane Society vice president Joan Allen. Three large trees in her front year were

blown down Thursday night onto power lines.

The trees blocked the front entrance of Allen’s home, but she says all of the animals made it through the storm safely. At noon, Hart EMC said they were still getting calls in from the Shorewood area.

Even strong thunderstorms last night could not stop Stephens County from celebrating its 100th birthday.

Four days of celebration kicked off last night with an evening of spectacular music from Stephens County musicians and performers both past and present at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center’s Garrison Auditorium.

The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. David Stufft, performed a concert of patriotic and pops music. Georgia Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor also

spoke last night, telling the audience he’s proud of the education achievements of our County.

The evening wrapped up with a look back at some famous black performers from Stephens County, including blues singer Ida Prather Cox and banjo player Jake Staggers. Staggers’ grandson, baritone Lee Wiley rounded out the concert with two amazing performances.

Tonight, more live entertainment, but the kind you can dance to when the County sponsors a block party and dance at the Recreation Center on Rose Lane.

Attorneys for accused murderer Robert Eugene Thomason are trying to get the death penalty removed from their client’s case. Thomason and his two attorneys were back in court Thursday to go over a list of pretrial motions with Superior Court Judge James Woods.

Thomason’s attorney Chris Elrod motioned to have the death penalty removed from the case saying it is unconstitutional. Elrod told Judge Woods that the way the death penalty statute is administered in Georgia results in arbitrary treatment of defendants.

Elrod said there is no specific database that can be used to determine what constitutes a death penalty case, so local district attorneys are allowed apply the death penalty arbitrarily. However, Judge Woods said the law presumes that any public officer performs all of their duties according to Georgia law in determining what constitutes a death penalty case.

A special trial date of October 31^st has been set for Thomason who is charged with capital murder in the 2003 shooting death of his estranged wife.

Still no word on what caused a house fire this morning in Eastanollee. It happened about 9 a.m. at the home of Evelyn Rumsey on Eastanollee School Road. A Hart EMC worker passing by tells WNEG he saw smoke billowing out of all of the windows and called 911.

At first, firefighters feared someone might be in the home, which was fully involved by the time they arrived, but no one was inside. Amy Rumsey tells WNEG she and her husband Scott are living at the home. Rumsey says everyone was away when the fire broke out.

Volunteer firefighters from Eastanollee, Big Smith, and Martin answered the call and had most of the fire out within minutes.

Another telephone scam hits Stephens County and once again, it is targeting our elderly citizens. “The callers tells the victim they are calling from Washington, DC and says the caller has won a $50,000 grant from the federal government,” Sheriff Gene Sorrells explained. “They then ask the victim for their social security number and bank account numbers to supposedly direct deposit the money. However, they also ask for $300 as a fee to send the grant money,” he said.

Like other such phone scams, the caller uses high-pressure tactics to get people to give out their personal and bank information. But Sorrells says if you receive such a call, keep that information to yourself and hang up immediately. So far, the Stephens County Sheriff’s office has received at least three reports of this phone scam in the past two days.

Maybe you didn’t know Toccoa has an airplane manufacturer, but we do. Ace Aircraft makes and sells light aircraft parts and kits, but now they’re planning a big expansion. According to Ace Aircraft owner Bill Wood, new FAA regulations are allowing him to not only make the parts, but the actual Ace Airplanes and he’s looking for a large building in which to do that. “We’re hoping to manufacture about 50 planes a year,” explained Wood.

Named after their 1923 inventor, Ace Corbin, Ace planes are light sport aircraft that one can build from a kit or order already built. They come in three sizes, a one-seater open cockpit called a Baby Ace, a two-seat open cockpit called a Junior Ace, and a two-seat closed cockpit called a Cabin Ace or “Trainer.”

Wood, who ships kits and plane parts to customers as far away as Australia, says now that the FAA is allowing the manufacture and sale of light sport aircraft, he wants to get started as soon as possible.

Stephens County is 100 years old today. Four days of celebration kicks off tonight with an evening of spectacular music from Stephens County musicians and performers both past and present at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center’s Garrison Auditorium.

The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. David Stufft, will perform a concert of patriotic and pops music. Then we will hear from the future of Stephens County when the Stephens County Middle School Chorus performs.

In addition, to some fabulous music, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor will be the keynote speaker. Tonight’s concert is free and everyone is invited to attend. The concert gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, school students will be touring the downtown area and the new train depot, the old courthouse will be open for tours, local artists will display their work at Thacker Hall and the County will sponsor a block party at the Recreation Center featuring live entertainment, food and a huge birthday cake.

Saturday events include the Centennial Parade at 10 a.m., a Cruise In of antique cars, a display of antique farm equipment, art show, old courthouse tours, and the dedication of the New Currahee Campus of North Georgia Technical College.

Stephens County High School is taking part in a prestigious study. Recently, the state department of education named Stephens County high as one of the state’s most promising high schools. As such, the school will be part of the National Successful Practice Network – a study group funded by the bill gates foundation, according to school superintendent Gary steppe. “Members of the high school will be visiting other schools around the country to determine best practices,” Steppe said. “Then they will bring those ideas back to Georgia where they could be incorporated in schools here,” he said.

Stephens County schools have recently been the recipient of high praise from the state in recent weeks and months. This year, all of the schools met the Annual Yearly Progress report, and scored above average on the CRCT tests. Steppe says he’s gratified by the progress our schools have made.

This latest recognition from the State School Superintendent’s office comes on the heels of Eastanollee Elementary School’s recent winning of the Oglethorpe Award for 2005.

Commissioner Rex Anderson says the Board of Education’s decision to waive the $100,000 fee for the purchase of seven acres of old Middle School property is good news. “I think this is a sign of how two governing bodies can work together,” Anderson noted.

In a surprise move this week, BOE voted 5 to 2 to waive the $100,000 the County offered to pay for the property. Instead, the they asked the County to simply pay the closing costs and attorneys’ fees.

Board chairperson Jerry Steele said taking the money smacked of double taxation. Steele told board members he wanted everyone to know there is one branch of local government concerned about its citizens.

However, not every BOE member was in favor of the idea. James Thomas said double taxation is a misconception. Thomas said taking the 100,000 dollars would be nothing more than a transfer of funds that will do what State Representative Jeanette Jamieson is asking for – use sales tax money to fund education.

According to Thomas, the $100,000 is coming from SPLOST IV sales taxes, is being given to the school system and will be used for education. Board member George Payne agreed and said he would rather just give the money back to the taxpayer because he’s not sure what the county will use that SPLOST money for.

Toccoa City Mayor Ken Davis is hoping to revitalize a stretch of Elberton Street where the old Trogdon Factory buildings are located. At this week's County Development Authority meeting, Davis asked Development Authority Director Mitch Griggs to look into what could be done.

The dilapidated buildings along Elberton Street, some just ruins, have long been a City eyesore. All have different owners, some in the area, some not, but the challenge is to make the idea of revitalization attractive to the property owners. Davis says the properties as they appear now, are not saleable and not viable for attracting new industry, but need to be put back into good economic use.

Having worked for a number of years for the State Department of Community affairs, Griggs is familiar with the various programs available to property owners who want to renovate or revitalize their buildings. Griggs will report on his findings at the next Development Authority meeting.

The Ninth District Opportunity will hold another food giveaway Friday and Saturday, September 2nd and 3rd at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church on Collier Road. According to spokeswoman Dianne Irvin, this will be "an excellent bag of food."

If you are unable to pick up the food yourself, you will need to write a note of permission for someone else to get it for you. Also, the note will need to contain your name, address, and phone number, number of household members, monthly household income, and a signature.

Irvin is also asking for volunteers to help distribute the food. If you would like to help distribute food, please call Irvin at 886-0211.

The Stephens County School Board last night approved the sale of part of the old middle school property. But in a surprise move, voted 5 to 2 to rescind the $100,000 the County offered to pay for the property. Instead, the Board is asking the County to simply pay the closing costs and attorneys’ fees at the closing.

“We want to do this as a show of good faith, that we want to do our part to see to it that we have a 9-1-1 facility. There’s been a lot of unrest and we want the citizens to know that there’s one branch of government that’s trying to do something to help the people out,” Steele said. “I was told that the county in turn would show a little leniency towards us. You know, by State law, the County can charge us 2.5% to collect our taxes. Last year, the taxes that they collected was $9,430,551.60. Of that, the county charged us $235,763.79. That’s money that’s collected as school taxes that is never spent on the schools. I don’t believe it cost them $235,763.79 to collect our taxes for us. We’re not doing this saying, ‘If we do this will you do that,’ we’re just asking the citizens to speak to the county commissioners and ask them if they would consider cutting us a little slack because we need this money, too,” Steele concluded. Board member George Payne agreed and said he’d rather just give the money back to the taxpayer.

However, Board Member James Thomas said double taxation is a misconception. Thomas said taking the $100,000 would be nothing more than a transfer of funds that will do what State Representative Jeanette Jamieson is asking for – use sales tax money to fund education. According to Thomas, the $100,000 is coming from SPLOST 4 sales taxes, is being given to the school system and will be used for education.

Steele pointed out the problem with that is the tax digest has not yet been set and the board does not know if their millage will go up or down. So far, no closing date has been set.

With sky-rocketing energy costs, low-income households in Stephens County may be eligible for some free help to make their homes are more energy efficient. The ninth district opportunity recently received some federal grant money for free weatherization services. Weatherization services are designed to help homeowners reduce air infiltration thereby lowering cooling and heating costs, according spokeswoman Di Irvin. “Our Weatherization department in Gainesville will come in and find all the holes and leaks where heat and air conditioning escape from your home and they will fix those holes free of charge,” Irvin said.

Applicants must meet federal income guidelines. For example, a family of four can qualify if their annual income is no more than $29,000. Applications are available at the ninth district opportunity offices on the downtown mall in Toccoa. To make an appointment contact them at 886-0211.

We’re only a day away now from the Stephens County Centennial and yesterday, a group of high school students were out at the old county courthouse doing some yard work. Students trimmed bushes and hedges, raked leaves and generally tidied up the grounds of old courthouse.

The Courthouse Restoration Authority had hoped to have the new windows in place by the Centennial, but authority member Jack Stovall tells WNEG, the process is going slower than expected and they are still waiting for bids to come in. The authority will have the courthouse open for the Centennial and will offer tours on Friday and Saturday.

Stephens county education literacy foundation is working to raise money for a new program to help give children greater access to reading opportunities. It’s called “FIRST” and according to foundation director Lisa Prickett, the service is free.

Tomorrow, supporters will gather for an informational breakfast at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center.

The goal is to raise awareness and sponsorship for as many children as possible. Pricket says for $30 a year, one family will receive a year’s worth of hardcopy books. “The child will receive one hardcopy book a month for 12 months,” Pricket explained. “It is hoped that parents will also get involved in reading to their children or if they need help with their reading skills, will take advantage of free reading help at the literacy foundation office,” she said. Anyone interested in getting more information can call Lisa Prickett 886-6909.

Downtown Toccoa will soon be home to a new business with some old familiar faces. What used to be frank Anthony's Hair Salon will be housing Power Satellite Services. Store owner Billy Power and his family are currently in the process of moving back to their hometown from Virginia Beach, Virginia where for the past 20 years, Power has operated a very successful satellite business.

Power says however, they are anxious to get back home to Toccoa. “We’ve been talking about moving back home for about 10 years,” Powers said. “We are both from Toccoa, born and raised. My family owned the SPUR gas station on the corner of Broad and Currahee Street for many years. When I graduated from Stephens County High School in 1973, I joined the Marines, which is how I ended up in Virginia. But this area is growing fast and becoming a lot like Atlanta and all the traffic and congestion just gets to you after awhile,” he concluded.

Power says his store will be a full service operation, offering various communications services including satellite TV and HDTV. He will be setting up shop for most of September and he says they hope to be open for business by October first. “We’re excited about all that’s going on in downtown Toccoa and we’re looking forward to being part of the renewal process,” he said.

“Revisit, Rethink, and Re-adjust” is the motto of the Toccoa Downtown Development Authority’s ongoing to plan to renovate Doyle Street. Last night, downtown business and property owners met with members of the DDA to get more details on the renovation project. Each participant received an 11-page outline of the City’s plan for downtown Toccoa.

One of the issues many owners have had with the re-opening of Doyle Street is where to find money to renovate their own storefronts. DDA chairman Art Sutton says the City will provide information on low-interest loans and grants. “There’s already a low-interest loan program that’s been in existence for a long time,” Sutton noted. “The City legally at this time cannot go and restore the front of a privately owned building. We’ll be pursuing possibilities through perhaps a state revolving loan program. You know we’re really sort of breaking ground as far as seeing if there are public funds that can be utilized in a loan type program,” he said.

Another problem that could develop after the canopies come down is storefront rental prices. Sources tell WNEG that as

Clarkesville renovated their downtown, some outside investors raised their rents – forcing some businesses to close. Sutton said Toccoa should not be compared to other communities who have a smaller business and retail base. “We’re being compared to Clarkesville and Cornelia, which have much smaller retail bases than we have,” explained Sutton. “Downtown is a public function. It’s private enterprise. I would make the argument that if rental rates are escalating, then that indicates there is a demand. I don’t think there’s any investor that’s going to come in, that has any intelligence, and price himself or herself out of the market,” he said.

Planning Commission Director Connie Tabor says, meantime, that both the One Georgia and Georgia DCA grant applications are just about ready for submission. She expects work on the downtown mall to begin within the next 12 months once those grants are approved.

State Representative Jeanette Jamieson will be part of statewide hearings on a resolution which would replace property tax with sales tax to help fund education in Georgia. Jamieson is a co-sponsor of HR3, which if it passes in the State Legislature next session, will go before the voters in November 2006. The measure calls for a 2.2% state sales tax to fund education.

Jamieson says certain segments of Georgia’s population are being taxed out of their homes – primarily retirees – by increasing school millage rates. “If in January when we go back down there it becomes obvious to me as a sponsor of this bill that this bill is not going to have enough support to get it out there for a vote in November 2006, you will find an ad in the local newspaper where I will be putting the question out just for this County to increase the Homestead Exemption by another $25,000 if you are 65 or over or disabled,” Jamieson said.

A state sales tax for education could also help provide funds for another area of concern. Currently, the State of Georgia is being sued by 51 school systems that claim the State is not providing full funding.

The State is supposed to fund schools at 80%, but is currently only funding at about 75%, according to Jamieson. Jamieson says every state that has faced a similar suit has lost. “We are going to lose that lawsuit,” Jamieson noted. “And if the federal court says, ‘Fund them,’ then what is going to happen? Either the State sales tax, or state income tax or some tax at the state level will have to be raised to find that money,” she said.

Recently, a group of Stephens County retirees complained to the School Board and the County Commissioners about the high school millage. Both the Commission and the School Board said they could not exempt seniors from the tax, that it must be dealt with in the State Legislature.

An update on a story we told you about Monday regarding a toddler found wandering in the road. Authorities have arrested a Toccoa man who was supposed to be babysitting the child while the mother is hospitalized. It happened about 8 p.m. Friday night.

Toccoa police responded to a report on Fernside Drive of a toddler wandering alone in the roadway. It took several hours before officers were able to determine where the child came from. Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies went house-to-house until they found where the little boy came from. 22-year old Chad Crump told deputies he was babysitting the boy and another child when he fell asleep. The toddler wandered out of the house as Crump slept and was found hours later on Fernside.

Many new high school seniors are starting the school year already preparing for college. Coming up in October is the first sitting of the SAT and State School Superintendent Kathy Cox has announced a new online prep course for seniors to help them get ready.

The free class will allow students to take practice and drill tests and then review their strengths and weaknesses. Students can access the site 24-hours a day from school or home by going to the Web site at www.satonlinecourseschool.com.

Developed by the College Board, the online course includes 18 lesions featuring interactive activities and multimedia content, three full-length sat practice tests, and over 600 practice questions with explanations of answers to all questions.

Stephens County School Board members are expected tonight to formally approve the contract for the sale of part of the old middle school property. Earlier this month, the Board met face-to-face with Stephens County Commissioners, their attorney Rusty Smith and County Administrator Darrell Hampton to hash out exactly how much of the old middle school property the County will be purchasing.

After about an hour of discussion, the School Board agreed to sell the County 7.64 acres, which includes the library building, music building, the main classroom building and the old gymnasium. The County will also buy an extra 200 square feet along Virginia Drive for a communications tower. The County is purchasing the property for $100,000. So far, no closing date has been set.

Stephens County has a new Director for their Partners for Success program. The board has hired Toni Childress to replace Pam Hunter-Dempsey who resigned last month. Childress will be working with several groups including “Family Connections,” “Community in Schools,” and the school’s mentoring program.

Family Connections is a public/private partnership created by the State of Georgia and funders from the private sector that work to improve the conditions of children and families. Communities in Schools takes a community development approach to supporting education by unifying the existing resources of communities around children, families and schools as a support system.

Childress currently works as executive secretary for the Lavonia Chamber of Commerce. On Monday, she announced her resignation.. Childress will begin work in Stephens County on September first.

U.S. Congressman Charlie Norwood says he has a lot on his plate in this upcoming session of Congress. Close to his heart is the Clear Act – a bill he co-authored that would clamp down on illegal aliens. Recently, groups of concerned citizens have banned together to police the U.S. border with Mexico, from Texas to California. Immigration authorities are not happy with those groups and see them as a nuisance, but not Norwood. “I consider them patriots,” Norwood explained. “I consider them American citizens who know we need to solve a problem and the federal government, thus far, has not done it. I have great admiration for those men and women and great appreciation for them. I sent one of my senior guys to Arizona when the minutemen were out there and they stayed a week just so I could get a true picture of what was going on, and I did. They absolutely stopped illegals from crossing that 23-mile border. These are good people. These are highly organized, many retired military, very good, patriotic people who know we have a national security problem on our southern border,” Norwood concluded.

Another problem the U.S. is having with illegal immigrants is a rise in the spread of diseases long gone from North America, such as leprosy. Norwood said sick illegal immigrants come to the U.S. to get free medical care – and are depriving U.S. Citizens of care and costing taxpayers millions.

Downtown property and business owners will be getting a detailed outline tonight of the City’s plan to take down the canopies and reopen Doyle Street. Local business owners, Diane and Buddy Lawson been against the project from the beginning. Lawson, an engineer, recently challenged City Commissioners to provide a detailed plan of how the entire removal process will work. At tonight’s meeting, Lawson and others will get a first-hand look at the project’s objectives, resources required and the availability of those resources.

City planning director Connie Tabor says the 11-page document will detail each phase of the downtown renovation project, and each business and property owner will get a copy. Tabor says the plan also includes a marketing strategy, which will list exactly how the City plans to recruit retailers and businesses to Doyle Street as well as a plan for marketing downtown as a tourist and entertainment destination. Tonight’s meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. in Thacker Hall next to the Toccoa Record.

A Toccoa man who escaped police custody last week by kicking out a plexi-glass window in a patrol car is now behind bars. Police captured 30-year old troy Scott Norris of Currahee Lane late Friday morning.

According to Police Chief Jackie Whitmire, officers were searching for Norris in places he is known to frequent when an officer spotted him running through an apartment. As the officer got out of his patrol car, residents in the Andrew Court apartment complex pointed to the suspect and said he was the man police were looking for. Norris was arrested without incident in the kitchen of that apartment.

A week earlier, officers allegedly discovered a cache of drugs and drug paraphernalia in Norris’ car as they performed a safety check at the apartment complex. As they searched his vehicle, Norris was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police cruiser from which he escaped minutes later.

When arrested, Norris still had the handcuffs in his possession, which he said he was able to remove with a key given to him by an acquaintance. Norris faces multiple drug possession charges.

The Department of Family and Children’s Services may get involved to find out why a small child was left alone for hours Friday night. At about 8 p.m. Friday night, Toccoa Police responded to a report on Fernside Drive of a toddler wandering alone in the roadway.

It took some two hours before the child’s parents could be located. The case was turned over to the Stephens County Sheriff’s department for further investigation.

The Stephens County Centennial celebration is just days away now and one group that has played an important role in the County’s history is its veterans. Local VFW commander William Tucker is asking that Stephens’s County veterans from all branches of the military and all active-duty military take part in a Registration Ceremony on Friday at the Senior Center.

Registration at the Senior Center will take place Friday at 4:30 p.m. Tucker says you can come in your uniform or dress casually. Another event next weekend is the Centennial parade Saturday morning and local veterans will be marching. Tucker is asking for any veterans or active-duty military that would like to march to meet him at Doyle Street Park by 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning. If you need more information or have any questions, you can call William Tucker at 886-4636.

Centennial t-shirts are on sale. The county is selling them as part of their contribution to the centennial celebrations. According to county clerk Nancy downs, t-shirts are $10 each and are available in the county commission offices. T-shirts are selling fast so if you want one, Downs says to get it soon.

T-shirts will also be available Friday august 19^th during the block party at the senior center and at the old county courthouse over the centennial weekend. Also, ball caps will be available for sale with the centennial logo on the front. Downs says they should be in and ready for sale this week.

EXTENSION DEADLINE TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT FOR FEDERAL TAX RETURNS
August 15, 2005

If you received an automatic extension on filing your 2004 income tax returns, time is almost up.

Tonight at midnight is the deadline for late filers, but IRS spokesman mark green says if you don’t think you’ll make it, all is not lost. You can apply for yet another two-month extension, but you have to file a Form 2688 and have a pretty good reason.

Green says the IRS will look at the circumstances surrounding your application for more time. Reasons the IRS will consider include emergency hardships, such as death, job loss, and natural disasters. Like the august extension, the October extension applies only to the deadline for filing your return, it’s not extra time for paying any taxes you may owe. Green says you can also take advantage of free e-filing through October 17^th.

More and more women are taking the step of starting their own business. If you are one of those who have thought about it, you may want to take advantage of a seminar offered by the university of Georgia.

“Women Starting Their Own Business” is a morning seminar being offered tomorrow at the university of Georgia small business development center in Gainesville. Topics will include planning and finances, loans and grants, legal requirements, taxes, permits and what to do first. The cost of the seminar is $40.

U.S. Congressman Charlie Norwood is back in Georgia this week and yesterday visited to Toccoa to meet with local officials and constituents. Members of the City and County Commissions, Chamber of Commerce, and the Development Authority met with Norwood at his office on Savannah Street. Norwood’s spokesman John Stone said the Congressman wanted to hear from those communities in favor of the proposed I-3 project and here in Stephens County – he did. Norwood said the meeting quickly turned to the subject. “And I was glad it did, but right now I won’t know what I think about the proposed interstate project until the Department of Transportation study is completed,” Norwood said. “That will give the information to work with that we need to know,” he said.

That study will not begin until the next fiscal year, and will likely take several years to complete. However, Norwood is confident the study of the initial proposed route from savannah to Stephens County will be approved. It’s where the freeway goes after that that is in question. “We know for sure that I-3 will go through Savannah, Augusta, Elbert, Hart and Stephens Counties,” Norwood explained. “I met with people from Rabun, White, and Union counties and they don’t want the interstate going through their mountains and I understand that, but we don’t know where it will go until after the study is completed,” he said. Both South and North Carolina are also interested in having a section of the future freeway come through their states.

More people in Georgia filed for first-time unemployment benefits last month. The State Labor Department says 42,591 laid-off workers filed for benefits in July – up 24% from June. But in Stephens County the number was down from June.

Only 190 laid-off workers filed for first-time benefits – down from 220 in June…and way below July 2004 when some 348 Stephens County workers filed claims. Some counties with the biggest increases unemployment filings last month include Lumpkin, Troup, and Whitfield Counties in the north and Telfair, Screven, and McDuffie Counties in the south. Most of the increase comes from the manufacturing industry.

Initial claims were also up from a year ago when just 39,760 filed for unemployment. Initial claims are considered to be a leading economic indicator, because they measure newly laid off workers.

A call is going out for all former WABCO employees to take part in next Saturday’s centennial parade. Parade coordinator Tracy Burt says WABCO played an important role in the history of Stephens County. The parade takes place Saturday morning and will feature floats and displays depicting the history of Stephens County.

Burt says so far, the response to the parade in general has been better than expected. “We’ve have a wonderful response from people in the community,” Burt noted. “It’s going to be a great parade and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. Any former WABCO employee and would like to participate in the parade, you can call the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce office or stop by to sign up and get more details.

What woman doesn’t dream of getting a complete makeover? Well that’s what Becky Glenn, owner of “Curves” in Toccoa thought, too. It’s one reason she decided to pull some community businesses together offer the Toccoa version of the popular TV show, “Extreme Makeover.”

According to Glenn, one lucky woman will receive a host of free services and goodies from various businesses in Stephens County, resulting in a brand new look and healthier lifestyle.

The makeover will take approximately three months and eight beauty and health businesses to complete, beginning in September. Curves will donate exercise and fitness training along with weight management counseling, Simply Skin Solutions will offer microderm abrasion and laser hair removal.

New Image Salon will treat the winner to a new hairstyle, with a new manicure and pedicure coming from Tanique Day Spa. Dr. Chris Carringer of Carringer Chiropractic will assess any muscular problems with the winner and design a plan to improve their health. Next, the Towne Doctor will offer a therapeutic massage; Belk's a new outfit and Dr. Joseph Wilbanks will do free teeth whitening. Finally Quincy’s will treat the winner to a free gift certificate.

Glenn says the goal is to help one deserving woman change her lifestyle from the inside out. Applications are available from the participating businesses until August 26^th. The winner will be chosen September 2^ND.

The Lavonia Chamber of Commerce is offering businesses in our area a chance to learn about the problem of drugs in the workplace and its cost to employers. Next Wednesday, they will sponsor a free “drugs don’t work” luncheon. According to coordinator Toni Childress, statistics show most people with drug or alcohol problems have steady jobs. “Studies show 77% of drug users have regular jobs,” Childress said.

Drugs Don't Work in Georgia is an affiliate program of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Resources. It is designed to assist businesses in achieving drug-free certification.

The guest speaker will be Chuck Wade, who heads the Drugs Don’t Work program in Georgia. Wade will discuss the five steps a company needs to go through to obtain a “drug free workplace” certification. “Employers in Georgia certified by the State Board of Workers' Compensation as having a drug-free workplace are entitled to a 7.5% discount on their workers' compensation premiums,” explained Childress.

To get more information about next week’s drugs don’t work luncheon, call the Lavonia Chamber Office at 356-8202.

A Stephens County man was arrested at his home on Oak Valley Road after leading Toccoa police on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of over 70 miles an hour. On Tuesday, officers spotted a Nissan Maxima driving down Big A Road with a broken taillight. As the officer approached the car to pull it over, it sped off down Oak Valley Road.

The chase ended when the car pulled into 5660 Oak Valley. 18-year old Ryan Lewis Smith told police he was running because his insurance was expired, but a check of state records found his insurance was valid.

Smith was charged with tail light violation, failure to yield, and fleeing or attempting to elude.

Authorities are looking for a woman who tried to scam a local financial institution out of thousands of dollars. Shawn Beasley of Citi-Financial on Big A Road told police the suspect tried to get a $2,000 loan Wednesday. Beasley said the suspect produced several different types of documents to try and secure the loan, including a credit application with a driver’s license, owners certificate, property receipt, and a copy of a pay stub. All of the documents turned out to be fake.

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Extra patrols are watching Cobb Roofing after hundreds of gallons of fuel evaporated. The owner of Cobb's roofing called authorities last week when he discovered his supply of fuel had been drained. Ozie Cobb told Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies that the Company had just received a delivery of fuel last Thursday. But Cobb said the following day, he noticed the tank was shy some 231 gallons of fuel. The fuel pumps are kept locked and secured, but the tanks are not.

A caller early Monday morning to WNEG radio asked if the high school would be open for the first day of school because of vandalism over the weekend. Well, a little spray paint did not stop classes from starting on time according to Principal George Sanders.

Sanders says some 2005 graduates allegedly spray-painted profanity and other things on the windows and sides of the school.. A maintenance worker discovered it when she came to get the classrooms ready for Monday. “She had come in to check on the fans because they had steam cleaned the carpets and she found the vandalism,” Sanders said. “She called me about 8:30 Sunday morning,” he said.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene, and they photographed the graffiti before it was washed off.

Sanders says he and his son spent most of Sunday working to remove the paint. “Luckily, we still had a power washer left here so we