Advance voting begins today for one local and a couple of state run offs. The run off is set for next Tuesday, August 8. In Stephens County, voters will choose a democratic candidate for the post one commission seat. Neither Democrats Michelle Jamieson nor Steve Tilley received more than 51% of the vote. The winner will face Republican Harold Andrews in November.

In the state races, voters must decide on a Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. Neither Gary Black nor Brian Kemp received a majority of the votes in the primary. The winner of that race will face Incumbent Democrat Tommy Irvin.

According to the new state law, all elections require run off if candidates receive less than 51% of the vote, and County Registrar Theresa Kelley says that means every election will hold advance voting.

"At this point in time, whether it be a run-off, a special election or a regular election we have to have advance voting. They changed the law back in 2004 to where any election now we have to have advance voting week," Kelley said.

So far, there has been no decision on the whether the state can impose a new law requiring a photo ID in order to vote. Kelley says the old forms of ID will still apply. Advance voting only takes place at the County registrar’s office in the New Government Building and runs through Friday, August 4.

A man accused of causing the death of a bystander during a fight at the Huddle House two years ago has pleaded guilty. Randall Sherman Lacy’s trial was to have begun today in Stephens County Superior Court.

On Friday however, Lacy plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of an officer. Judge James Cornwell III sentenced lacy to four years probation plus fines. The incident happened in April 2004 when a fight broke out at straight shooters nightclub on Currahee Street that spilled over to the Huddle House.

Authorities say Lacy was arguing with a Sheriff’s Deputy inside the restaurant when he accidentally fell through a window – shattering it. A shard from that window lodged in the leg of 21-year old Michael Harrison of Toccoa who authorities say was peering through the window watching the fight. That shard severed an artery. Harrison was life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta where he later died from his injuries.

The trial of Toccoa couple on meth charges could be delayed. 18-year old Patricia Jean Smith of Toccoa and 24-year old Michael Sean Smith of Cawthon Road in Toccoa are charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Motions to suppress evidence were introduced this morning before jury selection got underway, according to Assistant District Attorney Rick Bridgeman.

The pair was arrested in May 2005 after authorities obtained a search warrant to search their trailer on Whisenant Street and seized two grams of ice. Also arrested was 20-year old Robert Lamar West III of Cornelia. Their arrests were part of a weeks-long drug bust operation last year on the part of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Department and the Piedmont Northern MANS unit that netted over 100 arrests.

A Stephens County man had his sentence delayed on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine.

29-year old Timothy Scott Fitzgerald, a known drug dealer in the area, was to have been sentenced today but his attorney is trying a case in another county this week.

Fitzgerald was arrested last fall in Martin after he tried to sell more than two ounces of the drug to an undercover officer. His arrest was part of a major operation on the part of a sting operation conducted by Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators last year to clean out known drug dealers in the County.

The Georgia Wildlife Federation is gearing up for the 23^rd annual "Buck-a-Rama" which opens in Atlanta on Thursday. The Buck-a-Rama is Georgia’s largest hunting show for hunters and their families. It’s an opportunity to stock up on everything from camo, ammo, and other gear to the newest in technology, outfitters and guides.

This year’s highlight will be the state’s largest display of antlers. "For Georgia deer hunters this is the preeminent exhibit of antlers from both last year and years past. However, this year, it is especially going to be a huge exhibit of trophy antlers. We've got folks coming in from the Deer Registry beginning with Floyd Benson, with the number two head in Georgia, and we've got the number one head. We've got several that are ranked in the two and three class," Buck-a-Rama spokesman Jerry McCullom explained. Also on display this year is a 200-point Boone & Crocket non-typical not ever shown before in public.

And for years, the Buck-a-Rama has been a family show and this year is no exception. Kids will have an opportunity to learn the proper way to use a rifle, according to McCullom.

"This year we've got the Daisy BB Rifle Range set up indoors. The kids shoot and parents are able to help their young people be trained in gun safety and shooting sports. It is a great entertaining range supplied to us by Daisy who is one of our show sponsors," he said.

The Buck-a-Rama takes place at the Atlanta Expo Center on Jonesboro Road off Exit 55 on I-285 just south of Atlanta. The Buck-a-Rama runs through Sunday, August 6.

If you’ve always wanted to tread the boards, your big break might just around the corner. The Franklin Community Players is holding their annual membership meeting next Tuesday, August 8 in Franklin County High School’s Fine Arts auditorium.

According to spokesman Doug Lucas, the purpose of the players is to promote, foster, and increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation of the arts in Franklin and surrounding counties. Lucas tells WNEG they plan to do that through theater arts. Anyone may join as either a board member, general member, or financial supporter of the group. The open membership meeting begins at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.

A private memorial service will be held in Mississippi for the man found shot to death off Black Mountain Road Saturday. The body of 57-year old James R. Lewis was found by people walking their dog down a dirt road Saturday evening. He had been shot in the head and his hands tied behind his back

Despite the apparent cold-blooded nature of the crime, Stephens County Assistant District Attorney Rick Bridgman tells WNEG it’s still too early to say whether he will seek the death penalty against 38-year old Van Allen Caffee and 31-year old Raheem Shands - the two men charged with Lewis’ murder.

Bridgeman says the investigation is still continuing and he will not make a decision until all the facts of the case are in. Lewis, who lived next to the suspects on Rose Lane, had been arguing with Caffee and Shands for about a week before the murder took place. Both Shands and Caffee are being held without bond in the Stephens County Jail.

Advance voting begins again on Monday – this time for several local and state run off elections. The run off is set for Tuesday, August eighth. According to the new state law, all elections require run off if candidates receive less than 51plus one percent of the vote.

And that means every election will hold advance voting. This week, representatives from the Secretary of State’s office are at the Stephens County Registrar’s office preparing the computers for next week’s advance voting. County Registrar Theresa Kelley says if you voted in the Primary, you must choose the same ballot style you chose then, if you did not vote in the Primary, you may choose either ballot style. 

In Stephens County, voters will choose a Democratic candidate for the Post One commission seat.

Neither Democrats Michelle Jamieson or Steve Tilley received more than 51% of the vote. The winner will face Republican Harold Andrews in November.

In the State races, voters must decide on a Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. Neither Gary Black nor Brian Kemp received a majority of the votes in the primary. The winner of that race will face incumbent Democrat Tommy Irvin. So far, there has been no decision on the whether the state can impose a new law requiring a photo ID in order to vote. Kelley says that means the old forms of ID will still apply.

Advance voting only takes place at the County Registrar’s office in the new Government Building.

It begins Monday morning at 9 a.m. and runs through Friday, August 4.

The trial for a man accused of causing the death of a bystander during a fight at the Huddle House two years ago will begin on Monday. Randall Sherman Lacy is charged with involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of an officer.

It happened in April 2004 when a fight broke out at Straight Shooters nightclub. Police broke up that fight, but later a crowd of about 50 to 100 people gathered outside the Huddle House and another 40 to 50 inside when a fight broke out in the restaurant.

The fight spilled into the parking lot when a customer was pushed through a restaurant window. A shard from that window lodged in the leg of 21-year old Michael Harrison of Toccoa and severed an artery.

He was life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta where he later died from his injuries.

Lacy is also charged with obstruction of an officer when he allegedly resisted arrest and gave false information to police. He has plead not guilty.

There is a new face on the old Wal-mart building. Yesterday, Tractor Supply officially opened its doors in Toccoa on Big A Road. Store manager Trish Walker says a grand opening is planned for Labor Day weekend.

Tractor Supply Company is the leading retail farm and ranch store brand in America. Founded in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business, tractor Supply Company owns and operates more than 590 stores in over 33 states supplying daily farm and ranch maintenance supplies to a targeted customer base of farmers and people living in rural areas.

Walker says the store has everything farmers, horse owners, ranchers, part-time and hobby farmers, and suburban and rural homeowners are looking for. Tractor supply will be open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 5 p.m.

The phone at Shirley’s Sole Food on Currahee Street has been ringing off the hook ever since word got out she is going to be featured on a national cooking show. On Saturday, "Shirley’s" will be featured on a new Food Network series called, "Feasting on Asphalt."

Owner Shirley Combs tells WNEG people are confused about the air date and she wants everyone to know it is this Saturday night at 9 p.m. Combs said the show’s host; Alton Brown visited her restaurant several years ago and remembered the good food she serves.

Shirley said Brown loved the food and told her it was something different. On June 20, he and a production crew from the Food Network spent the day with Shirley filming. Combs hopes the national exposure will be good for business.

Shirley’s Sole Food will be featured in the first episode of "Feasting on Asphalt" Saturday night at 9 p.m. She will also be a featured guest next week on a cooking show on Channel 3 in Clarkesville where she will demonstrate how to make her famous cabbage-cheese casserole.

County commissioners are looking over several design options for the new county jail. Commissioners met in a called session last week with Peter Brown Construction to go over their options.

Originally budgeted at $7.2 million in SPLOST IV funds back in 2002, inflation has increased the cost of the new jail to just over $8 million. However, Commissioners are determined to keep costs for the project at the original $7.2 million. That means a new jail that will be smaller than originally planned. The plan now is for a jail which will house 150 inmates as opposed to the 220-bed facility the County had hoped to build.

At last week’s meeting, representatives from Peter Brown Construction offered their input regarding design, but County administrator Darrell Hampton says commissioners have not made a decision.

"Commissioners are looking at all options right now and they do not have a favorite plan. The folks with Peter Brown encouraged the Commissioners to focus on one or two designs, but as far as saying they like this design or that design - they're not at that point," Hampton explained.

Commissioners have no deadline to make a decision on a design for the new jail, but Hampton says it will be soon. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in January 2007 with a completion date of December 2007.

A Hart County man has been indicted by the Grand Jury for carrying a gun onto the Stephens County High School campus. It happened in April. Authorities say 18-year old Christopher Avery Partlow of Dewy Rose and a 16-year old juvenile from Hart County went to the school to pick up a female student.

As they were leaving campus, they confronted two Stephens County High School students and an argument began. Partlow allegedly pulled a handgun and pointed it at one of the students.

Another student, who witnessed the fight and saw the gun, ran to a campus resource officer and reported it.

A search of Partlow’s vehicle by the officer turned up a 22-calibre pistol and ammunition. Partlow is charged with one count of carrying weapons within school safety zones, and two counts of aggravated assault. He is expected to enter a plea in Superior Court in August.

A Stephens County woman is angry about a pair of roaming pit bulls in her neighborhood and she wants someone to do something about it. Theresa Nash addressed City commissioners this week and pleaded for their help because the City runs the shelter.

Nash told City Commissioners her neighbor on Abbey Lane owns two pit bulls that she lets run the neighborhood. Despite complaints, Nash said the dogs, which she believes are vicious, are still allowed to roam. The last straw came, according to Nash when one of the dogs cornered a little boy.

"Not a hair on that dog was moving and he hollered, 'help me!' 'cuz he knew he couldn’t go the way he was wantin' to go. He couldn't go home. Just as I turned around another dog came flying out of the woods about the time I was going to tell him to freeze, but he took off running and she chased the dogs. I had an old milk carton in my hand but I decided if they're going to get somebody, better me than that little boy," Nash explained.

Nash was able to run the dogs off, but the event was enough to bring her to this week’s City Commission meeting, even though she lives in the County.

"I want a law that certain dogs will have to be kept up. We in the County pay our taxes and we ought to be capable having something done about dogs just like the City," she said.

City manager Billy Morse tells WNEG one of the dogs in question has already been in trouble for chasing and biting a car. Commissioners listened to her complaint and promised to look into the matter even though it’s out of their jurisdiction.

If you’re a thief, it doesn’t pay to stop for a nap. A Florida man, suspected in three burglaries at churches in Oconee County, SC was caught napping - literally. Oconee County Sheriff’s sergeant Scott Arnold says the first call came in Monday morning.

"We responded to a burglary in progress on the 24th of July around 5:25 a.m. Deputies arrived and noticed that the Bethlehem Baptist Church had been broken into but at the time were unable to locate anyone. We later located a truck near the church and we found some stolen items from other churches. Later on, we were able to locate an individual laying up in the woods," explained Arnold.

Robert Warren Chapman of Bonita Springs, Florida was arrested and charged with burglaries at three church properties in Mountain Rest. Arnold says tracks leading from Chapman’s truck and a strange noise lead deputies right to him.

"We had spotted a fresh foot track near the truck up on the bank. The deputies followed the track and they heard a rattling noise. A few seconds later they noticed him lying on the ground with a t-shirt pulled up over his head and he was actually snoring. That was the rattling noise they heard," Arnold said.

Chapman charged with burglaries at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Monte Vista Baptist Church, and Mountain Rest Baptist Church. His arrest has also drawn interest from out of state law enforcement agencies, including investigators in Rabun County, GA and Macon County, NC.

Authorities believe Chapman may be related to burglaries in both those counties as well.

Toccoa Falls College is now offering an online degree for a Bachelor of Science in Ministry leadership. Courses will be provided solely online as a degree completion program. This program is specifically designed for those needing 42 hours to finish their bachelor’s degree.

Toccoa Falls College’s School of Christian Education developed this program to meet the growing need for trained leaders in the church. Courses begin this September. For more information about the new online degree contact Dr. Bill Hyndman at 706-886-7299 ext. 5319.

Authorities are looking for a Toccoa man in connection with the theft of utility services. Police say a locked water meter on Henrietta St. had been turned on after the lock was broken off. Over a thousand gallons of water had been used since the meter had been read at the time it was locked.

At that same address, officers also discovered the gas main had been broken but had not been turned on. Police have a description of the suspect, but have not made any arrests.

Another Wal-mart employee has been arrested for shoplifting. Authorities arrested Janice Davis of Hidden Valley Dr. in Alto after store detectives discovered approximately $500 in merchandise missing. An investigation lead to the arrest of Davis, who was charged with theft by taking.

Police are on the lookout for a red pick using stolen gasoline. Employees at the Race Way on South Big A Road told officers the driver of the truck pumped almost $70 worth of gas then sped off. The truck is believed to be a red Ford Ranger with a silver toolbox in the bed.

We now know the name of the man found shot to death off Black Mountain Road on Saturday.

Authorities say he is 57-year old James Robert Lewis of 6236 Rose Lane, Toccoa.

Three people are behind bars in connection with the execution-style slaying Lewis Saturday evening. Quick work by Stephens County investigators and the GBI netted the arrests of the trio who live in a home several doors down from Lewis’ home on Rose Lane.

"Currently in the Stephens County Jail is 38-year old Van Allen Caffee of Rose Lane; his nephew, 31-year old Raheem Shands also of 6254 Rose Lane and 21-year old Samantha Caffee, Van's wife," Chief Deputy Mike Crozier announced late Monday. "Mr. Caffee and Shands have both been charged with murder and kidnapping; Samantha has been charged with obstruction of an officer," he said.

Saturday evening, passersby discovered the body of a white male lying along a dirt road off black mountain road. The victim’s hands had been tied behind his back. Since then, GBI and Sheriff’s investigators have been working around the clock to solve the case. Investigator Crozier credits the GBI team with the speedy arrests.

"It was a very good investigation. We had the help of the GBI Region 8 and all their resources at our disposal, which lead to the arrests and holding of the three subjects at this time," Crozier commented.

WNEG has learned that all three suspects lived next door to the victim and the murder may have been the result of an ongoing argument that began last week. However, Crozier says an exact motive has not yet been determined.

"We believe it's domestic in nature. We are still following leads trying to put the finishing touches on the case, and hopefully we will have that done soon," Crozier said.

Both Shands and Caffee are being held without bond pending a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

A Stephens County couple has been indicted on six counts of felony cruelty to children and aggravated battery.

Last week, a Stephens County Grand jury ruled there was enough evidence to indict DeAngelo Antwan Gaither and Christina Pearl Jackson. The indictment lists a horrific tale of beatings and withholding food from their from their three children- an infant and two toddlers.

According to the indictment, in March the couple allegedly slammed their baby son’s head against the playpen causing brain damage. The baby was life-flighted to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta with severe head injuries. His current condition is not known.

The indictment goes on to allege the couple beat their two other toddlers repeatedly their fists and belts and deprived all three boys of food. Officers who discovered the children in the couple’s Prather Park apartment testified the children had been deprived of food to the extent their health and well being were jeopardized.

Both Jackson and Gaither remain in the Stephens County jail. They are scheduled to enter a plea in Superior Court August 3. The children were taken into protective custody.

More studies are needed before the City of Toccoa moves forward with a request for bids to develop the land around Lake Toccoa. At Monday night’s regular meeting, commissioners were to have approved an eight-page RFP drawn up by City Manager Billy Morse.

However, both commissioner Ferrell Morgan and Billy Chism were absent from last night’s meeting. The ensuing discussion prompted the three other commissioners to put off any decision.

"We had a motion tonight that says we should find out exactly what we want to do up there, through the necessary studies and find out the environmental impact before we put out a request for proposals. So we will be having a work session at the next meeting to determine what studies we're willing to do and how we can afford to have those studies done," explained Toccoa mayor Bob Troup.

The RFP calls for an extra water reservoir in addition to Lake Toccoa, the expansion of the Pines golf course and no more than 150 homes to be built on the 500 acres owned by the city. However, commissioner Billy Chism recently issued a written statement protesting the idea of developing the land around the City’s only watershed. According to Chism, the watershed provides the greatest benefit when there is no man-made activity on land surrounding it.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. That’s one reason why the Ronnie Green Heart Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) is hosting a free community education seminar concerning women and heart disease next month.

The seminar takes place Thursday, August 17, 2006, from 6:30-8 p.m. In the Walters auditorium at NGMC’s main campus. Dr. Lalitha Medepalli, a cardiologist with Northeast Georgia Heart Center, will be discussing signs and symptoms, risk factors, and other important information that pertains to women and heart disease.

Dr. Medepalli tells WNEG all women need to be aware of the risk factors for heart disease.

They include high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, tobacco use, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes and family history.

Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of almost a half million women each year in the U.S.

To register, or for more information about this event, call 770-538-7641

If you’ve always wanted to know what the inside of a police dispatch center looks like, mark your calendars. The new e-911 dispatch center in Eastanollee will have another open house on Sunday, July 30.

Located on Virginia Drive, in Eastanollee the new center is now home to the Toccoa police dispatch and will soon house the Sheriff’s department dispatchers. E-911 communications director Paige Crocker will also be on hand to answer visitors’ questions.

Meantime, Crocker says that so far, they’re on track for going fully online in September.

During the second "scrub" by Alltel, more errors were found in the e-911 mapping and address system, but Crocker says they should be online by September 27^th at the latest.

Governor Sonny Perdue has announced y the launch of "Air Georgia" - the airport initiative in rural Georgia.

At press conference Monday in Vidalia, Perdue said the move would create a new financing program within the OneGeorgia Authority in order to make improvements and upgrades at many of the state’s smaller airports, including Toccoa’s LeTourneau Airport.

Perdue said developing rural airports will help boost the economy well into the 21^st century by enhancing tourism opportunities and expediting access to emergency healthcare services, as well as support the transportation needs of small business owners in rural areas.

On Monday, Governor Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority board approved the regulations for "Air Georgia," along with an initial $15 million budget at a board meeting held at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia. 

"Air Georgia" is targeted to the 49 level I and level II airports in rural Georgia, and will accelerate a number of projects including runway extensions, installation of navigational aids, weather reporting stations and other projects deemed necessary to increase accessibility of rural airports and communities.       

Beginning today, pilots flying into Toccoa’s LeTourneau Airport will be able to access a computerized weather service called "A-WOS 3," which stands for "Aviation Weather Observation Station."

This morning, representatives from the FAA were at the airport to formally certify the phone service and it should be online this afternoon. Airport Authority chairman John Taylor says the weather line will primarily help incoming pilots.

"The weather station will give pilots basically everything they need to know, including the amount of clouds, the visibility, the altimeter setting, any thunderstorm information, what the wind conditions are, etc. In short, everything the pilot needs to know to land at the Toccoa airport," explained John Taylor, president of the Toccoa Airport Authority.

The airport authority applied to the FAA two years ago for the weather line and just recently received approval. Taylor said 75% of the system is being funded by the federal Department of Transportation Aviation Division. The other 25% is being paid for by the City and the County.

There’s a lot to be done if Stephens County wants a water permit for Lake Hartwell. That’s according to the U.S. Army corps of engineers. Representatives from the Corps met with Commissioners yesterday to go over the requirements for the permit. The County wants to be able to access up to 10-million gallons a day if necessary to help with economic and residential growth.

The Corps told Commissioners they have not had a request for water since Hart County received their permit in 1997. At the time, they received permission to withdraw 2.5 million gallons a day at a cost of just over $350,000. However, Stephens County is looking at bit higher cost.

"At those, rates that are 10 years old, your request for 10-million gallons per day (GPD) would be about $1.3 million in a lump sum payment," Campbell explained. "If you were to go the 30-year plan, just an estimate on that would be right at about $100,000 a year for 30 years," she said.

It will take about two years for the County to fulfill all the requirements the Corps will need to grant the permit, according to Campbell.

"We need a letter from the County saying that you have the funding available," Campbell told Commissioners. "We need to know in that letter where you would like to put your intake structure, and then we would actually start moving forward. We would also need a copy of your Georgia water withdrawal permits. You have to have a justification report, which demonstrates the need for the additional water," she concluded.

Additionally, they will have to provide a location for the water pump station and environmental report, a cost analysis, submit regulatory permits, and a report of how much water would be returned to the lake.

Despite the laundry list of requirements, the County remains undeterred. "I think that that the information will be considered, but I did not see anything that would cause me to say that the County would not continue working to progress this project," County administrator Darrell Hampton said. Hampton said his staff would begin now to prepare the initial letter of intent.

An Oconee County, SC woman is among the thousands of Americans being evacuated from Lebanon. Beatrice Hamilton of the Shiloh Community is in Lebanon on a mission trip and became stranded by the conflict. Her husband, Fred, meantime, is back home awaiting her safe return.

Fred Hamilton, who is the Oconee County School superintendent, conceded the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has created some anxiety for his wife, but he said she has not been through the kind of ordeal some Americans there have experienced.

Beatrice Hamilton is in Lebanon with members of a missionary team from the Upstate and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Just a reminder about tomorrow’s Public Safety Fun Day at the Rec Center on Rose Lane. The fun day is being sponsored by local law enforcement as well as public safety agencies, such as the EMS and the Toccoa Fire Department.

The goal of the day is to build a bridge between law enforcement and the community. "The reason we're having the Public Safety Fun Day, is that we want the public to be able to see all public safety personnel, fire, EMS, law enforcement and State agencies that assist us in Stephens County in a capacity other than our normal day-to-day functions," explained Stephens County Sheriff's Department spokesman major Tim Jarrell.

On hand for tomorrow’s fun day will be the drug dogs from Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto. A highlight of the day will be the "D.W. Eye Goggles Obstacle Course." It’s an opportunity for kids to ride golf carts wearing special glasses that simulate what it’s like to drive under the influence of alcohol.

In addition to free snow cones, there will be other activities for children and their parents, according to Jarrell.

"The Georgia State Patrol is coming in with a helicopter and with their new Dodge car that they're testing at this time," noted Jarrell. "The Toccoa Police Department is going to have their 1946 Ford patrol car as well as one of their new Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers, which they recently purchased. The Sheriff's office will have their prisoner transport van there; we'll have two of newer patrol cars there; and we'll be giving out seatbelt safety pamphlets and other information on drug awareness," he said.

The Public Safety Fun Day is free and will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rose Lane Recreation Center.

The unemployment rate in Georgia rose to 5.2 % in June, up one-half of one percent from 4.7% in May. The jobless rate rose because of a seasonal influx of students into the workforce looking for temporary summer jobs and recent graduates seeking permanent employment.

For the second consecutive month, job growth did not keep pace with the number of unemployed workers actively seeking jobs. Unemployment among active job seekers rose by 22,879 during June, while the number of people employed decreased by 198.

Another 22,681 entered the workforce, but were unable to find jobs. At the same time, Georgia lost 9,800 non-farm jobs, which includes multiple jobholders. Virtually all of the job losses came in the service-related industries. Jobs in manufacturing and construction were up slightly.

Walhalla, SC authorities are looking in White County, Georgia for a suspect believed to be the shooter in a murder last Sunday night. Acting on a tip Wednesday, a White County SWAT team raided a trailer park there looking for Willie Herrera.

Investigators say Herrera is wanted in Oconee County, SC on charges of first-degree lynching for allegedly shooting his brother, Ramon, Sunday night at his Walhalla home. Walhalla Police chief Tim Chastain said officers did not find Herrera in that White County trailer park and now following other leads.

Chastain said the shooting Sunday was the result of an argument over women in the home that escalated to gunfire. In addition to Herrera, Walhalla police have charged another man with first-degree lynching. He’s identified as Jason Michael Bennett of Oconee County. He is currently in the Oconee County jail.

Count commissioners are looking obtaining a raw water permit from the U.S. army corps of engineers in order to obtain water from Lake Hartwell.

At a called meeting today, Commissioners will discuss the issue with representatives from the Corps.

According County administrator Darrell Hampton, it is an issue that they have been talking about for several years.

The County, he tells WNEG, has no intention of getting into competition with Toccoa as a water provider, but he said Commissioners want to have the resource available to help with future growth.

In other business, commissioners will discuss their meeting last week with engineers regarding the next step in the construction of the new jail. Commissioners have chosen a site next to the current jail on Scenic Drive, but have had to wait for the engineering site report from the construction team to know for sure whether they can actually build there. Another called meeting with engineers is set for tomorrow morning.

Most kids often have trouble eating right, but a new program from the University of Georgia Extension Service is helping teach them about the major food groups. It has called the Food Pyramid with Professor Popcorn and is geared towards fourth and fifth graders in schools in Stephens and Banks counties.

"It’s a hands on program that gives kids a fun way to learn about how to eat right," noted Gina Gailey, UGA College of Environmental Sciences, So far, the program has been well received by teachers, which means Professor Popcorn will help children continue to explore the food guide pyramid in North Georgia.

"The teachers really like it. It is a program we obtained from curriculum offered by Purdue University, and as I said, it is a hands-on approach that teaches the importance of eating right. And if we don’t do this many of the children will not get the nutrition education that they need," Gailey said.

For more information on the curriculum, contact the UGA College of Environmental Science or the Stephens County Extension office.

Commuters to north metro Atlanta via I-985 will encounter construction work beginning Monday morning.

Weather permitting Monday 24, Tuesday, and Wednesday 26 the outside lanes of SR53/Mundy Mill Road will be closed from 9am to 3pm under the I-985 Bridge.

It’s the first lane closures on a project to reconstruct the I-985 interchange at Exit 16 in Oakwood.

GDOT workers will be moving a crane in to work on the I-985 bridge over Mundy Mill and removing the rumble strips on the outside shoulders, in order to shift traffic onto the shoulder. The shift will shorten the left turn lanes from Mundy Mill Road onto I-985 north and south and is expected to remain in place throughout construction. Delays are expected so please avoid the area if possible.

The project started June 29, with the overall completion date expected to be by July 31, 2009 at a cost of over $74.6 million.

A language barrier almost landed one Chinese immigrant in jail. Police stopped a van in the parking lot of the Super Wal-mart that was driving erratically. When the officer asked the driver if he was ok – the driver indicated he did not speak any English.

The driver, identified as Bi Fu Wu of Toccoa was taken to the hospital for an implied alcohol blood test and then to the police station. When his roommate arrived, he explained that Mr. Wu did not speak English and was trying to learn how to drive in the Wal-mart parking lot. Both were released without having any charges filed against them.

A Toccoa man was arrested and charged with theft by taking after lawn mower he allegedly stole was discovered at a local pawnshop. The victim told police while he was on vacation, someone took his lawn mower.

He later found his mower at MTC Salvage and Pawn on Highway 17 in Eastanollee and called Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies. Deputies interviewed the pawn shop’s owner who said a man identified as Robert Graves of Savannah Street had sold him the lawn mower for $20. Graves was arrested by Toccoa Police and charged with theft by taking.

A tropical depression that threatened the Carolina coast is now moving towards the New England coast will likely stay north, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm Beryl is only the second storm of this hurricane season, but the season is still young.

That is one reason the National Weather Service in Greenville, SC is calling for more weather spotters for Northeast Georgia, according to meteorologist Steve Burrus. "We’ve had a lot of interest in having another class, but I still need a few more names in order to schedule one," Burrus explained. "Once I have enough names we’ll call everyone and schedule a time for another weather spotter class in Toccoa. Anyone interested in taking part in the class should contact me at: 864-848-9970 x 410," he said.

Last year, so many people signed up for the initial weather spotter class in Toccoa, they had to schedule two sessions. Burrus says since then, the spotters have been a tremendous help to the weather service in providing information about conditions in our area.

Stephens County voters will be going back to the polls in three weeks to elect a Democratic candidate for Post 1 of the Stephens County commissioners.

Michelle Jamieson received 736 votes to 541 for Steve Tilley, but the margin of victory was not enough to avoid a run-off, which will be scheduled for August 8.

The winner will face republican challenger Harold Andrews in November. Jim Ledford received 301 votes and Anthony Thomason received 261 votes.

In the only other contested race in Stephens County, Jerry Steele defeated challenger Inger Neal by a vote count of 1216 to 574 for the Board of Education, District 1, Post 2 seat. He now runs unopposed.

In the BOE District 2 Post 2 race, Democrat Haley Knight will face Republican challenger Jeff Webb in November. And David J. Fricks is running unopposed for the District 3 Post 1 seat.

22% of Stephens County voters actually showed up at the polls for the Primary election yesterday.

Stephens County Registrar Theresa Kelley said that all of the votes cast in Tuesday’s balloting were counted with the exception of five or six "provisional" votes.

"They’re not on the voters’ list. We can’t find them, but they say they’ve registered," Kelley explained. "We let them go ahead and vote and then we have two days to look for their records to see where they were registered to see if they are in fact registered. If we cannot find any evidence that they have registered, then their vote will not count, and we send them a letter explaining to them why," she said.

In the state races, Stephens County voters tracked with the State in most races. They overwhelmingly selected Governor Sonny Perdue over Republican challenger Ray McBerry, 727 to 99 votes, while Democrats in the County went with Lt. governor Mark Taylor over challenger Cathy Cox 899 to 797.

In the Lt. Governor’s race, Toccoa native Ralph Reed came away with the Republican victory in Stephens County with 559 votes to 259 for challenger Casey Cagle, but lost the state race to Cagle. Democrats here selected Jim Martin as their choice to run for Lt. Governor.

Republicans voted for Bill Stephens as their candidate for Secretary of State while Democrats selected Gail Buckner.

And Banks County resident Gary Black to run against incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin in November.

For State School Superintendent, Democrats in the County selected Carlotta Harrell over Denise Majette while Republicans chose incumbent Kathy Cox over Danny Carter.

We can expect to see near record highs today as an usually long, dry heat wave continues to simmer over Northeast Georgia. Yesterday, the National Weather Service in Greenville, SC issued a heat advisory that warned of extremely hot temperatures today. Today’s high is expected to be in the upper 90s.

"Today will be the peak as far as the temperature goes and also the combination of temperature and moisture and humidity," noted meteorologist Steve Burrus. "So, today will be the worst day of the stretch and then after today we’ll progressively slightly cooler temperatures each day heading into the weekend. Then a cold front will come in from the north on Saturday and provide a better focus for showers and thunderstorms and that should also help cool us down a little bit. By the end of the weekend our temperatures will be back to where they should be for this time of year," he concluded.

All this heat is being caused by a high-pressure ridge stalled over the country by a jet stream that is holding steady just north of the upper Midwest. That means all the rain and cooler weather is staying in Canada while the U.S. is staying hot and dry. According to the National Weather Service, this is the longest string of mid-to-upper 90-degree days in three years in Georgia.

With the extremely hot weather comes the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Children and the elderly are especially affected by the summertime heat. Stephens County Health Department nurse manager Donna Cisson says there are few things you can do to protect yourself.

"Dress for the heat by wearing light weight clothing; drink lots of water and juice and avoid caffeine and alcohol because those dehydrate the body," Cisson said. "Eat small meals and more often; slow down; avoid strenuous exercise. Stay indoors if possible in the air conditioning. Also, be a good neighbor. If you know someone that doesn’t have an air conditioner or a fan, let someone know so they can get some help," she said.

Other tips include never leave children or pets inside a hot car. This week in Indiana three children died after being left in a hot vehicle. Persons without air conditioning should use fans to keep the air circulating and try to get to an air conditioned building, such as the senior center, church or shopping center to cool off.

If you have to be out in the heat, Cisson says there are signs to watch for that warn of heat exhaustion. "They feel cool, moist, pale. They look pale, as if they are going into shock or they can have real red skin. They have very heavy sweating. Other signs include headache, nausea, and vomiting, as well as dizziness," Cisson said. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, get to a doctor immediately.

The City of Martin continues to have some problems with the Hartwell Railroad.

The city has had property issues with the railroad for several years. Now the city wants the railroad to move some of it’s equipment. Martin’s Vice Mayor, Harold Alexander said that the railroad has made a mess in the city limits.

It was also brought up at Monday’s meeting that the railroad has only paid the city taxes for one year since Hartwell Railroad took over the line. The council will turn the request over to the City Attorney.

It took a year, but a Toccoa man is behind bars charged with rape. 38-year old Gary Hendrick Bates of Whisenant Street is charged with the April, 2005 rape of an unidentified Toccoa woman.

"The delay for the arrest came because we were waiting for the Crime Lab to process some of the evidence we had in the case. He is currently being in the Stephens County Jail. A bond was denied by the Superior Court judge and we’re waiting for a hearing to be set up by his attorney," explained Stephens County Sheriff’s Department spokesman major Tim Jarrell. Details of the crime have not been released by investigators.

It’s a run-off in the Democratic race for the County Commission Post One spot in the November General Election. With just 22% of Stephens County voters turning out to cast their ballots in the state primary, Michelle Jamieson outpolled Steve Tilley 736 votes to 541. Jim Ledford garnered 301 votes and Anthony Thomason received 261. The totals gave Jamieson 40.02% of the vote, but it takes 50% plus one vote to win. Jamieson will face Tilley in a run-off election on August 8^th.

In another contested race, Democrat Incumbent Jerry Steele received over 67% of the votes for the Board of Education District 2 Post race to Inger Neal’s 32%.

For the Board of Education District 2 Post 2 race, Democrat Haley Knight will face Republican Jeff Webb in the General Election.

Tune in Wednesday morning for more election results in state and local races with Ted Taylor on AM 630 WNEG.

The local Boys and Girls Club on Whitman Street continues to move forward thanks to some heavy duty fundraising and new solid leadership. Recently, the club launched another fundraiser, called "It Just Takes One." Boys and Girls Club board spokesman Gary Donohue said the goal is to raise $25,000. Board members are asking for a thousand people to donate $25 and they’ve been working with local businesses to put their posters in their store and office windows.

Another fundraiser in the spring was a success, according to Donohue. It was the annual "Steak and Burger Dinner" in May. For information on donating to the "It Just Takes One" campaign, contact Gary Donohue at 706-886-7110 or Mary Rice at 706-886-3771.

Despite the fact that Stephens County High School missed passing the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Report, the Middle and Elementary Schools passed their required state exams with flying colors. This year the criteria referenced competency test or ‘CRCT’ was harder than in past years, but school superintendent Gary steppe said all four elementary schools scored very high.

Toccoa Elementary, Liberty Elementary, and Eastanollee Elementary all received the Silver Award for achieving better than 95% the CRCT; and for the third year in a row, Big A Elementary received the Gold Award for achieving over 98% on the test. Steppe said it was the Middle School, however, that saw the most improvement.

According to the AYP Report, participation in the CRCT this year was 100% in Stephens County.

Undercover work by Stephens County Sheriff’s Department and the Piedmont Northern Mans Unit resulted in three drug-related arrests last week. The first happened last Wednesday. Two Toccoa men, identified as 18-year old Brian Bowden and 18-year old Andrew Campbell were arrested after authorities discovered a marijuana growing operation inside their home on Ridgemore Drive. According to Major Tim Jarrell, authorities also seized the indoor growing system the two had set up. Bowden and Campbell were charged manufacturing marijuana. Both were released on bond.

Two other drug arrests happened on Friday. Forty-two-year old Edna Cordell of the Lone Oak Motel is charged with possession of cocaine. Cordell also faces charges in other counties and no bond was set. She is currently being held in the Stephens County Jail.

NEW CLEANING SERVICE IN BUSINESS
July 17, 2006

A new cleaning business is up and running in Toccoa and if you’re looking for a good service, this one might be for you. RB Cleaning Services joined the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Friday with an official ribbon cutting. Owner Rachel Burton says she can do just about any kind of cleaning job.

Burton can be reached at her office on 160 N. Alexander Street or by calling 706-599-7153.

The Cancer Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC), which includes the Toccoa Cancer Center, recently received Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer (COC) of the American College of Surgeons.

Accreditation with Commendation is the highest level of accreditation that can be achieved by a cancer center, and is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of cancer care. They also have to undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of their performance and processes.  

This type of accreditation is awarded when the program complies with all COC standards and receives a commendation rating for at least one or more of the eligibility categories of standards. 

Commuters to Atlanta be warned.

Georgia D-O-T crews are readying the area along I-85 southbound just north of Old Norcross Road for blasting three times this week. That could mean some stiff delays and traffic tie ups so you might want to plan ahead to take alternate routes in to the metro area.

If crews are able to get the area prepared, blasting could occur daily beginning today through Wednesday the 19th and again on Friday the 21st at 1pm. Blasting will likely occur three times a week through early fall, according to D-O-T District Engineer Russell McMurry. When blasting is underway, traffic will be stopped on the interstate for about 10 minutes as the blast occurs.

I-85 northbound traffic will be stopped at Steve Reynolds Boulevard and I-85 southbound traffic will be stopped at State Route 316. Traffic on Old Norcross road will also be stopped. Off duty law enforcement officers will stop traffic for the blasting. Currently there are no other lane closures planned on the I-85 and SR 316 reconstruction project for this week.