|
|
|
November 2006 News Archive INDIANA TELECOM SLAMMING
WINDSTREAM CUSTOMERS If you are a Windstream customer, check your phone bill. You may be getting billed for long distance service you did not order. Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators are warning the public about a telephone company that is slamming phone customers across Georgia - with phony long distance charges. The company is Buzz Telecom from Merrillville, Indiana. "We’ve received over 100 complaints from all over the state," noted Public Service Commission spokesman Bill Edge. "We’re finding not only Windstream customers, but Bellsouth customers and customers of other local phone companies are apparently having their long distance provider changed to Buzz Telecom without their knowledge or consent. The Commission is looking into this and it could involve penalties up and to revoking their certificate to provide service in Georgia," he concluded. Victims in Stephens County reported getting the Buzz Telecom charges on their Windstream phone bills. Slamming is illegal and Edge says if you notice charges from Buzz Telecom on your phone bill and you did not contract with them for long distance service, you can file a complaint with the PSC in Atlanta by calling 1-800-282-5813. RESTORATION AUTHORITY HIRES
ARCHITECT, PLANS NEXT PHASE Now that the dome has been restored and new windows and sashes have been replaced in the old Courthouse, it is time to plan for the next phase of renovation. Yesterday, the Stephens County Courthouse Restoration Authority voted to hire the architectural firm of Barker, Cunningham, and Barrington to help with the interior work. "Gene Barrington is going to be coming up and helping us determine the phases," Authority member Dr. Henry Fields said. "Then, as each phase is determined, we will get the cost of what it will be to complete the phase and turn that information over to the County commission for them to fund. We realize that we have a limited amount of money and we may not be able to do everything, but we want to do it in order so that the building can be at least used when we complete the project with the money that we now have. Then when we come back and do the rest of it as more funds become available," fields said. Of the $350,000 dollar stipend the Authority received earlier this year from the County, about $128,000 is left. Part of that money is being used to pay for asbestos removal, which has been going on all week, but Fields said there are other projects left to do before more cosmetic renovations can begin. "We’re going to have to take out wiring. We are going to have to take out pipes. We have to reconfigure things like air conditioning and heating, and the lighting system as well. We also need to consider the modern technology of computers," he said. Work also continues on removing all the documents currently stored in the old Courthouse. So far, the entire law library has been removed and relocated and space is being sought for the rest of the documents and books in the building. Fields says they expect the entire removal process to be completed in the coming weeks. DCA COMMISSIONER TO VISIT
TOCCOA NEXT WEEK Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Mike Beatty will be in Toccoa next week to honor the City, officially, with several check presentations. Beatty will be at the Cornerstone Restaurant next Tuesday morning. There, he will present a number of checks for grants Toccoa is receiving to help take down the canopies and renovate the downtown area. Toccoa has received approximately one million dollars in grant money for the project. The total cost of the canopy removal and re-opening Doyle Street, which will include installing new parking spaces, trees and other beautification efforts, is about $1.5 million. After the presentation ceremony, Commissioner Beatty will tour the downtown area as well as some other parts of Toccoa scheduled for future redevelopment, such as Elberton Street. He will then have lunch at Gate Cottage where he will speak to the Rotary Club. After Beatty’s visit, bids will be open for the canopy removal project. City Planning Commission director Connie Tabor says so far about ten companies have inquired about the project. Bids will be opened at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Once opened, the Planning Commission will review them and then make a recommendation to the City Commission at the December 11 meeting. Tabor says removal work is now expected to begin in mid-January. CITY WORKS TO RESOLVE
DELINQUENT ACCOUNT PROBLEM The problem of collecting past due or delinquent payments for utility services continues to plague the City of Toccoa. For the past several months, City commissioner Andy Pavliscsak has been working closely with City Finance director Emory Stephens to come up with a solution. It is an area where the City continues to lose money and as part of this year’s audit, the firm of Amos and Company recommended Toccoa come up with a better way to collect those unpaid bills. A detailed plan was submitted to commissioners last week. "We have put together a revised utility account policy for the commission to consider," explained City manager Billy Morse. "Most of it is the same as what we're doing now, but it gets into what kinds of deposits are we going to require, how are we going to handle once they become delinquent, when do we cut the customer's service off for non-payment, how do we handle hardship cases, etc.," he said. Hardship cases topped a discussion Monday at a special work session on the problem. One of the biggest questions for commissioners and staff is exactly what defines a hardship case. "We want to be able to have the flexibility to be able to deal with folks who are having a hardship and work with them on paying their utility bills, but the commission is really looking for those to be extreme cases, and what an extreme hardship case is yet to be determined," Morse said. Another problem is with customers who are consistently late and who should be cut off for non-payment. Customer service supervisor Fredda Wheeler told commissioners most of the late and nonpayments come from the same customers month after month. Nothing was decided on any of these issues at the work session Monday. Commissioners plan to take up the problem at another work session in December. DRUG BUST NETS CASH,
FIREARMS, FELON A Toccoa man sits in the Stephens County Jail facing multiple drug charges. 40-year old Douglas Wayne Gibby of Timber Trail is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities raided Gibby’s home this week, seizing about half-ounce of methamphetamine and a quantity of marijuana. Also seized were two guns – a tech 9 and a rifle, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, a 1994 Ford F150 pick up and over $3,000 in cash. Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies and the Piedmont Northern MANS Unit made the arrest after an undercover investigation. Gibby is currently waiting a bond hearing. HART COUNTY ACCIDENT CLAIMS
LIFE A single vehicle accident in Hart County has claimed the life of the driver. The victim has been identified as 53 year old Ronald Jerry Bratcher. Bratcher was the driver of a 1991 ford pick-up which went out of control on US 29 near the Sardis Baptist Church and crashed into some trees. The investigating state patrol officer, Trooper Samuel Taylor, indicated that there were no skid marks in the fatal wreck. The trooper did not indicate whether the victim was wearing a seat belt. The accident occurred just after 2:30pm Wednesday afternoon. Bratcher’s wife was also in the truck. She was injured and taken to the AnMed Medical Center in Anderson, South Carolina with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation into the accident is continuing. TEXAS MAN FOUND GUILTY IN
COCAINE SEIZURE After two days of testimony, a Texas man received a stiff sentence from a South Carolina judge for bringing drugs into the state. Fernando Montez was found guilty late Tuesday of cocaine possession. Judge Howard King immediately sentenced Montez to 30 years in prison. In February, Montez’ vehicle was stopped along I-85 for a traffic violation. Drug dogs sniffed out about 30 kilos of cocaine, which was hidden in the back of the vehicle. The cocaine, with a street value of $3-million dollars, was brought to court in four large boxes Tuesday as evidence in the trial. His attorney tried to get the evidence eliminated from the trial but the judge denied the motion. POLICE BLOTTER Toccoa Police detectives are looking into a case of a counterfeit bill being passed at a local business. It happened at the Taco Bell on South Big A Road. The store supervisor told officers someone paid for their food with a $100 bill that turned out to be fake. There were no visible watermarks on the bill and it was taken into evidence for further investigation. Police responded to a report of a theft on Hillcrest Drive last week. The victim told police someone took about $300 worth of carpentry tools from the residence. No arrests have been made. In addition, police are looking into another burglary on Fernside Drive. In that case, a Lincoln Electronic MIG welder was taken. The welder is valued at $425.00 TOCCOA LOWERS DEBT, KEEPS
HEAD ABOVE WATER The City of Toccoa is slowly reducing its debt while maintaining its level of service to the community. That is the conclusion of auditors Amos and Company in their annual report to city commissioners this week. CPA Kent Murray went over this year’s audit findings at the regular commission meeting Monday night. Murray said FY2005-06 saw a total cash increase of $239,000, but mainly held maintained the status quo as in past years. Last year, Toccoa spent over a million dollars on equipment replacement and capital improvements, such as the purchase of a newer garbage truck, new police cruisers, and road improvements. All that, Murray said was done while only incurring about $370,000 in new debt. Government and general expenses increased last year as well from $2.5 million the previous year to $3.5 million in FY2005-06. Most of that money went towards airport improvements, public safety, and public works improvements. Murray praised the City for keeping expenses down while continuing to provide the same high level of service to citizens and credited City manager Billy Morse with holding the line on spending. The City did manage to reduce its overall debt last year by $1.9 million but lost about $550-thousand overall. HART COUNTY OFFERS REWARD
FOR BOWMAN MAN Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a Bowman man involved in a high-speed chase that resulted in the sheriff wrecking his vehicle. It happened just after midnight Sunday morning. Cleveland tells WNEG 33-year old Joseph Vaughn is wanted for questioning in Elbert County. When Cleveland and Georgia State Patrol troopers tried to stop Vaughn’s vehicle on Highway 181, Vaughn sped off and a chase began. The suspect fled down Highway 29 North and into Anderson County, SC where the chase continued down Highway 187. During the chase, Sheriff Cleveland says the suspect hit his cruiser from behind causing extensive damage to the vehicle’s rear-end and passenger side. Vaughn is wanted for questioning in the incident. He is also wanted in Elbert County for questioning on a similar incident and on felony theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing, and numerous traffic violations. Anyone with information on Vaughn’s whereabouts is asked to call the Hart County Sheriff’s office at 706-376-3114. PIEDMONT COLLEGE HOST FCA
FUND RAISER One of the lesser-known aspects of sports in high schools and colleges is a group called the "Fellowship of Christian Athletes". The membership ranges from middle school students to officials in the community, both men and women, some are athletes, some simple support the program on a volunteer basis. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has a very active chapter in 15 counties in the Northeast Georgia area, including chapters in both the Stephens County Middle School and Stephens County High School. Funding for the group is on a volunteer basis and money must be raised throughout the community every year to keep the programs going. A fund raising dinner was held Tuesday night for the Stephens, Rabun and Habersham county areas at the Piedmont College Dining Hall in Demorest. The FCA Area Representative is Steve Pruitt, a graduate of Stephens County High School and Mars Hill College, who later graduated from Seminary School. Steve, whose office is in Toccoa, said he was very pleased with the turnout of supporters for the FCA. "We were really excited about tonight turnout." Pruitt told WNEG Sports. "We had probably about 150 to 180 people. We’re trying to narrow down our scope a little bit to three counties, Stephens County, Habersham and Rabun . However. We’re not going to forget the other counties. We’ll still be ministering to them, but it’s just an opportunity for us to minister and target these areas a little bit better." Steve explained about some of the activities that members of the FCA in the various schools take part in. "They do Bible study. We have meetings in a lot of our high school, middle schools and our colleges, where they meet once a week. They also are doing ministries out in the community, the Samaritan's Purse and other activities. And also, they are being an influence to our young kids working with them, whether it be cheerleading, helping with sports camps during the summer and things like that. We just want them to be an influence on the younger kids." Pruitt’s territory currently spans 15 counties and some 57 schools. Dinner guests dined at sponsored tables for event. Some of the sponsors included Morgan Concrete, Jack Stovall, Habersham Bank and Mack Poss and Associates. POLICE NEWS Toccoa police arrested two Eastanollee men after officers say they were caught red-handed with some stolen tires. A resident of Rock Quarry Road called police after discovering four tires missing from her yard. The victim gave police a description of a possible suspect driving a pick up truck pulling pallets on a trailer. Officers later spotted the pick up going down Big A Road and pulled it over. In the bed of the truck, officers say they saw the four stolen tires. The driver, identified as 36-year old Alvin Blanchard of Eastanollee told to officers that his passenger, identified as Michael C. Taylor took the tires from the Rock Quarry residence. Taylor allegedly admitted to taking the tires and was arrested. The tires were returned to the victim. Two people were arrested for drug possession following a traffic stop. It happened last week on at Towne Plaza on Big A Road. Police pulled over a Ford Expedition for an expired tag and allegedly discovered the drugs. Police arrested 42-year old Tony Anthony Haynie of Sunset Rd in Toccoa and 41-year old Vonda Sue Hughes of Clayton, GA. Both are charged with expired tags, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug related objects. They were taken to Stephens County Jail. EVIDENCE AGAINST TEXAS MAN
STANDS IN SC DRUG TRIAL In Oconee County, SC, evidence against a Texas man, charged with cocaine possession will stand. Yesterday, a judge ruled South Carolina State troopers acted properly when they searched the vehicle of Fernando Montez last February seizing 30 kilos of cocaine. Montez’ vehicle was stopped along I-85 for a traffic violation. The cocaine, with a street value of $3-million dollars, was brought to court in four large boxes Tuesday for the hearing. In the evidence suppression hearing, Montez’ attorney sought to strike that evidence – which serves as the basis of state’s case against his client. However, after two days of testimony and other evidence, General Sessions court judge Howard King ruled the Sheriff’s officers acted properly and were not required to ask for consent or present a search warrant. King said his ruling was based, in part, on the way Montez acted at the traffic stop scene. Montez, a Mexican native who speaks little English, heard the ruling yesterday through a translator. HOLD HARMLESS COULD BREAK
HABERSHAM WATER DEAL Toccoa City commissioners voted not to budge on the hold harmless clause in their contract to sell Habersham County water. Last week, Habersham County commissioners balked at the clause which requires them to cough up at least $500,000 should any lawsuits arise from the water sale deal in the first 24 months. Habersham countered with a cap of $250,000 if a suit arises in the first 12 months. At a work session Monday night, commissioners agreed with commissioner Andy Pavliscsak, who said the City of Toccoa is already shouldering most of the liability. "We’re the ones that are putting our permit at risk," Pavliscsak noted. "We’re the ones taking the chance. I don’t understand why Habersham feels that they shouldn’t share in any liability that may crop up over the next 24 months of this agreement," he said. Commissioner Ferrell Morgan also said the citizens of Toccoa and Stephens County have paid into the City water system for years and they deserve a return on their investment. "We have water and we’d like for them to have water, but the citizens of Toccoa paid for this system over the years, which we’ve tried to make some money on it – it’s not a huge amount. It will give us an opportunity to give the citizens of this community who have paid for this system some return on their investment of the past 45 years," Morgan said. Commissioner Billy Chism suggested Toccoa give Habersham County until December 31 to accept the contract as put forth by Toccoa. If they do not, then Habersham must start from scratch with a new offer or look elsewhere for the water they need. That suggestion was put in the form of a motion and it passed unanimously. The sale of water to Habersham County is legal, but that might not stop some municipalities from suing or from the EPA from stepping in. Habersham County is in two water basins – the Chattahoochee River Basin in the western half and the Savannah River Basin in the eastern half. Toccoa is part of the Savanna River Basin and according to Kevin Ferrell, program manager of Water Withdrawal Permitting for the State Environmental Protection Division; it is legal for Toccoa to sell water to Habersham County for that reason. Ferrell tells WNEG once that water is in Habersham, it may be transferred to any part of the county deemed necessary – including the part of the county in the Chattahoochee River Basin. Ferrell went on to say the Toccoa water would only be used in Habersham and would not be sold down the river, so to speak, to Atlanta or to any other municipality. Whether or not any lawsuits might come up might be moot, however, if the two municipalities cannot come to terms on the hold harmless agreement. Meantime, Habersham is not the only county looking to buy water from Toccoa. Banks County is also interested and Toccoa is looking at that prospect. STEPHENS COUNTY E-911
FINALLY ON LINE There was no drum roll, no fireworks, no balloon launched into the air. But after two years of planning, ordering equipment and the renaming of hundreds of roads, the Stephens County E-911 center went on line with it’s emergency service this morning just after 10AM. E-911 Director Paige Worley said that everything went off very quietly and smoothly, although there were a lot of phone calls to the center this morning… "Basically, we have Bell South, we have Gumby and all of our technical people working on all of our phone lines, making sure we’re getting the correct information." Worley stated. " And the people who take care of all of our screens is making sure that we are sending the information through the 911 lines. Now anytime, anyone calls 911, it should their valid 911 address." Many of the phone calls this morning to the 911 center were in reference to road names and no sign son some roads. Ms. Worley said that all 911 numbers should be posted today because that’s the only number the emergency personnel will respond to… "As of today, the road signs and the address you were given stand. They are official Stephens County addresses. What you need to do now is post your new numbers. Don’t put them on the mailbox because the Post Office is not ready to change their addresses but do post them at the driveway. If you do call 911, the only information we’re going to have is the 911 addresses." Not all of the signs are in place in the county and some personnel are still working on those. Other signs are in the process of being put up at the around the county this week. Terry Ryan, who is the Chief Technician for TCI of Huntsville, Alabama was overseeing the operations and he said that he did not see any problems with the communications equipment or the operators. HOME DEPOT PROPERTY
ANNEXED, REZONED Toccoa commissioners have approved a request from Romeo Adams, the owner of some 37 acres on the corner of the 17 Bypass and Memorial Drive to annex his property and rezone it B2 Commercial. Adams is in the process of selling that land to mega retailer, Home Depot. Closing is expected sometime after the first of the year. The home improvement chain has already submitted plans to the City Planning Commission for a 106,278 square foot store with an attached 28,086 square foot garden center. Home Depot’s projected annual sales for the Toccoa store, considered a small-market store, will be about $20 million dollars. Meantime, the hardware giant will finally begin construction on a store in Rabun County. The Company has closed on its purchase of 12 acres for a store in Clayton, according to the Norton Native Intelligence Report. They had originally closed on 18 acres on U.S.441 in 2002, but later filed a breach of contract suit against the property owner, which stopped construction. That suit has now been settled. Home Depot plans to build a larger store in Clayton and employ about 150 people. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN
MOUNTAINS RISES SLIGHTLY Unemployment in the Georgia Mountains Region rose to 3.8% in October, up a tenth of a percent from 3.7% in September. According to the State Labor Department, Georgia’s overall unemployment rate increased to 4.7% in October – up from 4.6% in September. The increase, in contrast to the national unemployment rate, is due to the large number of layoffs and a job growth rate that is not keeping up with the number of new job seekers. In October, over 48,000 new job seekers entered the workforce, while newly created non-farm jobs rose only by 17,600. DNR SEEKS INPUT FROM PUBLIC
ON PARKS, RECREATION AREAS What changes would you like to see at Georgia parks and recreation areas? Your comments and ideas are being sought by the Department of Natural Resources and are the topic of several public meetings to be held across the state. "We’re having this public meetings where people can say if they want bike trails versus hiking trails or would they rather have horseback riding trails," DNR representative Kim Hatcher explained "Are they looking for more soccer fields or more open natural fields? The University of Georgia is helping us come up with a snapshot of what Georgians are looking for in outdoor recreation," she said. The meetings are part of the Department’s statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, created every five years. The next meeting for the Northeast Georgia area will take place Thursday at the Jane Hurt Interpretive Center at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Hatcher says the DNR has noticed changes in the kinds of outdoor activities people are looking for. "With the growing population there is more heavy use of what we already have out there. We also have an aging population, which means you might have people more interested in flatter terrain trails as opposed to mountain biking trails. So as the world changes, what people are looking for changes," Hatcher said. If you cannot attend the meeting in Tallulah Falls, you can call the DNR at 404-656-3530 or visit their Web site at www.gastateparks.org. SCHAEFER VISITS WASHINGTON,
TALKS TRADE State Senator Nancy Schaefer recently returned home from a trip to Washington, DC. Schaefer spent the week following this month’s election meeting with other Republican delegates discussing the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America – also known as the North American Union. In 2005, President George W. Bush, Mexican President Vincente Fox, and former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin formed the "Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. According to Bush, the idea is to expand economic opportunity for all three countries and to, "create the most vibrant and dynamic trade relationship in the world." The plan also calls for taking steps to enhance the security of all three nations. However, many Americans fear the American Union is the first step towards a common economy and economic globalization. Other issues discussed at the joint meeting included discussions on the NAFTA Corridor, according to Schaefer. Schaefer also spoke of her concern for securing the borders and the critical need for jobs, not only across, the country but also in the 50th District of Georgia. Before returning home, Schaefer met with Senators and members of the House in Washington, DC. SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORT The Stephens County Sheriff’s office is investigating several thefts that have occurred recently. Someone broke the lock off of a storage building on Steve Gulley’s property on Garland Road. Some industrial wiring and a craftsman tool box was taken. The total value of the items was estimated to be about $250. A burglary was reported at a Royal Food Store on Highway 106. Upon opening the store Thanksgiving morning, the store’s clerk noticed the side window had been broken out. Five boxes of cigars and cash was taken from the store. Deputies did notice some blood around the window that was broken. Samples were taken into evidence and the investigation continues. A resident of Country Club Drive in Toccoa told deputies that someone had taken a brand new generator off of her front porch. The generator was a General 4000 EXL and had never been used. None of the neighbors reported seeing anyone around the property. No value was placed on the generator. SALE
OF WATER TO HABERSHAM ON HOLD According to a published report in the Northeast Georgian Newspaper in Cornelia. Habersham County officials have apparently rejected a provision in the plan to buy water from the City of Toccoa. The report indicated that the Habersham County Commissioners took a lot of time discussing a counteroffer for a hold harmless agreement between the county and the City of Toccoa. The counter offer was rejected by the City of Toccoa on Tuesday of last week. The one major issue which the two governmental entities apparently disagree on is a hold harmless agreement in which Habersham County would pay half of any damages, claims or expense in case of a lawsuit concerning the inter-basin transfer from the city into Habersham County. The original figure, written by the city of Toccoa, was no more than $500,000. The Habersham County officials suggested a counter offer of half of that amount, which was rejected by Toccoa officials. The article states that the Habersham County Commissioners indicated that the likelihood of a lawsuit due to the inter-basin transfer is unknown and that there is a strong possibility that no lawsuit would ever be filed. Meanwhile, the Toccoa City commissioners have a work session scheduled for this afternoon following the regularly scheduled Toccoa City Commission meeting at 5PM. An amendment to the Habersham water sales is on the agenda for the work session. HOLIDAY HIGHWAY FATALITIES The Georgia State Patrol missed it’s Thanksgiving Holiday fatality predictions by just two this long holiday. There were 18 fatalities on Georgia highways. The patrol had predicted 20 people would lose their lives over the Thanksgiving Holiday. There were 3586 accidents resulting in 939 people getting hurt. In the Troop B or North Georgia area. Five people were killed over Thanksgiving. At least two people lost their lives in the Northeast Georgia area. Forty two year old Timothy Alewine of Martin was killed Wednesday evening in a single car crash in Hart County. Alewine was a passenger in a car driven by 42 year old Stacy Medlock of Homer. Medlock was injured and taken to Cobb Memorial Hospital. He faces numerous charges including homicide by vehicle and DUI. A three year old Gainesville boy was killed Thanksgiving Day when he was struck by a car in a private driveway about 4PM.The boy was identified as Jose Luis Zarco Perez. Some ninety people were injured over the holiday in the North Georgia area in 357 accidents from Wednesday evening at 6pm until midnight last night. CURRAHEE CLUB GOLF COURSE ONE OF THE BEST The new Currahee Club Golf Course on Lake Hartwell has received an outstanding ranking from Golf Week Magazine in an article written by Bradley S Klein. The Currahee Club has been rated as the Number 12 course on the list of the nation’s Top 50 New Courses. Chris Whitley, one of the partners of the new course, is very proud of the ranking and the article in the magazine. "We’re honored to be selected in our first year of eligibility rankings with the magazine." Whitley stated. "We’re going up against some of the great golf courses in the country. We’re also thrilled for the designer, Jim Fazio. We think the course is a beautifully designed course and a great compliment to the beautiful views and surrounding of the lakes and mountains. We’re thrilled." Whitley said that he and his partners have had a number of people tell them what a beautiful layout the Currahee Club has. That, he says, is a tribute to the designer Jim Fazio. "We’ve had quite a few people who have commented on the course and have compared it to some of the great golf courses in the country. Most of the people who play the course say that they are amazed at the beauty of the course and how well it is managed, especially the greens." A picture in the article shows the par 4, 14th hole at Currahee with it’s two-tiered layout and the beautiful panoramic view of the mountains and Lake Hartwell. STEPHENS COUNTY BOE PLANS RENOVATIONS AND
CHANGES The Stephens County Board of Education has some plans to re-locate the Crossroads School and do some renovations at another school. School Superintendent Gary Steppe said that the money is coming from a couple of different sources. "The board gave us approval of bids to go ahead and be in the process of renovating the old Big A Elementary School for our new Crossroads facility." Steppe reported. "We’ll be getting ready to get that under construction. We had renovations scheduled for Liberty Elementary School as well. All of these are made possible by QSAB bonds that we were able to get. We’ll be spending about four million dollars on these projects." Steppe also told the Board of Education recently that request to put a traffic light at the intersection of the Big A Road and White Pine Rd has been denied by the Department of Transportation The request was put to the DOT through the City of Toccoa. Steppe said that he would pursue the request further through our local legislators. Board member James Thomas said that he didn’t want any student killed at that intersection before a traffic light is installed there. STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL REPORTS RECORD
NUMBER OF BIRTHS Stephens County Hospital continues to be a center for a record number of births in the Northeast Georgia area. Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said that the New Impressions Birthing Center is one of the busiest in the hospital, sometimes very quiet, other times, out-growing the number of beds in the center. Gambrell continues to be amazed at the number of births that take place at the hospital each year. "We are definitely increasing the number of births here at the hospital." Gambrell said. " In the 2004 fiscal year, we exceeded 500 births, just barely. And we were just tickled with that because that was the first time we had ever passed that mark in maybe twenty years. Now, for example, in the year that just ended September 30th, we had 597 births, so we’re right at the 600 level right now. So we’re definitely still increasing. And we have what is called a "Watch Child System" which enable us to closely monitor the child after birth." The hospital is planning to add some more beds to the New Impressions to try and eliminate the process of placing new mother’s on another floor after giving birth. TOWER SPACE WILL IMPROVE
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS An arrangement with Toccoa Falls College will be helping Oconee County, South Carolina officials strengthen a weak link in its network of emergency communications. A committee of the Oconee County council signed off an agreement last week that will allow the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department to reserve space on a 560-foot tower that belongs to the college. Sheriff James singleton said that the dead spots will be eliminated to allow more reliable communications for his department, rescuers, firefighters and other personnel. The agreement to lease space on the tower will cost the county one dollar a year. Once the Toccoa tower attachment is completed, sheriff’s officials have told the county that they will next turn their attention to the next community project, which could be a new tower in the vicinity of the Oconee Nuclear Station. LAVONIA "FESTIVAL OF TREES" One of the great holiday traditions in the Lavonia area is the "Festival of Trees". The festival starts today and runs through Saturday December 2nd at the Lavonia Cultural Center. The theme this year is "Candy Land" and the festival promises to be a great treat for the general public, but especially for the children. There will be an Opening Reception for invited guests, sponsors and volunteers. Regular hours beginning Tuesday will be 10AM until 7PM. The public is cordially invited to drop by the Cultural Center, make a bid on the trees, mini-trees and wreaths. Winners will be announced on Saturday December 2nd. The Lavonia Downtown Development Authority and the Better Hometown Program are sponsors of this year Festival of Trees ONE MORE RUNOFF Just when you thought all the voting was over, a little advertised run off is on the horizon. The race for Public Service Commission – District 3 will take place Tuesday, December 5th. Neither Republican candidate Chuck Eaton nor Democratic incumbent David Burgess received 50 plus one percent of the vote November 7th. County Registrar Theresa Kelly says that means another round of advance voting next week. Kelley says she’s also sent out about 300 absentee paper ballots. Now if you don’t vote next week, polls will be open at all 10 precincts on December 5th. BLACK FRIDAY IS HERE Today is Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year and a time when retailers across the country offer big discounts for at least part of the shopping day. That means thousands of early Christmas shoppers will be lined up extra early at area shopping centers and malls to get the best deals. Here in Toccoa, the super – Wal-Mart on big a road is expecting big crowds this morning, according to Wal-Mart spokeswoman Jamie Adams. However, Adams says the best deals will only be available this morning. The day after thanksgiving was dubbed "Black Friday" because it’s the day retailers say they finally start making a profit for the year. Last year, however, Black Friday turned out to be only the sixth largest shopping day of the year and retailers are finding more and more consumers are waiting until Monday, the 27th to begin their holiday shopping – and they’re doing it online. MasterCard worldwide conducted a survey which found that most people this year plan to spend most of their holiday budget on clothing and accessories. The survey also said more consumers said they planned to buy gift cards this year. GEORGIA FLU SEASON UNDERWAY The Georgia department of human resources, division of public health, is reporting the first confirmed cases of influenza of the 2006-2007 flu season. The cases, which were confirmed by the state public health laboratory last week, were from Bartow and Cobb Counties. Although these represent the first officially confirmed cases of flu, it is likely that flu may also be circulating in other parts of the state. However, North District Health spokesman Dave Palmer says so far, no confirmed cases have been reported in northeast Georgia. All Georgians are encouraged to protect themselves from the flu through vaccination, and practicing proper hand-washing. Additionally, ill persons should stay at home; cover coughs and sneezes, and practice good hand-washing to avoid spreading viral illnesses to others. NORTH GEORGIA ROADS DEADLY THIS HOLIDAY A Homer man faces numerous charged including homicide by vehicle in connection with a fatal wreck in Hart County Wednesday evening. The accident killed a passenger in the man’s vehicle. The victim was identified as 42 year old Timothy Alewine of Martin. Alewine was a passenger in a car driven by 40 year old Stacy Medlock. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the car in which Medlock was driving ran off of Highway 17 near Bowersville. The car overturned several times. Medlock was injured and taken to Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston. The patrol has charged Medlock with homicide by vehicle, DUI, reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain a lane and driving with slick tires. In Gainesville, a Thanksgiving Day tragedy has claimed the life of a three year old. The child was identified as Jose Luis Zarco Perez. The child was struck by a car backing out of a private driveway about 4Pm Thursday. The patrol has predicted that 20 people will lose their lives during the Thanksgiving Day holiday driving period. DONATED VENISON TO FEED THE HUNGRY It’s deer season and the Department of Natural Resources has a way for you hunters to donate any extra deer meat to the needy. The "Georgia Hunters for the Hungry" is a program through which harvested deer becomes nutritious venison that benefits those who need it the most. Venison is given to food banks throughout the state to help the needy and low-income in Georgia. Hunters can donate their field dressed deer this weekend at
the Boy Scouts of America in Pendergrass on Hwy 129 North, one mile from I-85;
or they can donate deer every weekend until January 1st by bringing it to
Sealey’s Deer Cooler, 5675 South Apple Valley Road in Jefferson. Since the program began in 1993, more than 170,000 pounds of
venison has been donated, according to the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. LOCAL DRUG DEALER SENTENCED A local drug dealer will serve five years in prison on multiple drug trafficking convictions. 20-year old Crystal E. Ramsey Negron pleaded guilty this week in superior court to five counts of possession of illegal drugs and drug trafficking. The charges go back to September 2005 up to June, 2006. In September, 2005 Negron was arrested for child cruelty and illegal possession of Loritab and hydrocodone. Other convictions include possession of marijuana and methamphetamine with intent to distribute in April, May, and June of this year. She also pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered vehicle without a valid driver’s license and crossing the guard lines at the Stephens county jail. Each count carried a sentence of 12 years in prison with five to serve and a total of almost $10,000 in fines and court costs. THIS SUNDAY DESIGNATED "DRIVE SAFER SUNDAY" Last year, they introduced a similar resolution in honor of Cullum Owings, a Georgia college student who killed in 2002 on his way back to school from his Thanksgiving holiday. Robert Mikell with the governor’s office of highway safety says Owings father began the annual event through his non-profit group, "Road Safe America." Statistics show that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest highway traffic day of the year. Earlier this week, governor sonny Perdue also issued a statewide proclamation designating the same day as "Drive Safer Sunday" in Georgia. The high volume of vehicles on America’s highways and interstates increases the risk for dangerous or fatal accidents. The "Drive Safer Sunday" resolution encourages motorists, trucking firms and law enforcement agencies to work together to make the roads safer for all travelers during the holidays and throughout the year. Chambliss will join the Owings family and numerous other advocates in Athens tomorrow at the Sigma Chi Fraternity house prior to the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game to help spread the word for all Georgians to drive safely. STEPHENS COUNTY SHERIFF'S REPORT A traffic stop by the Stephens County Sheriff’s office resulted in the arrest of the driver. A deputy stopped a car on highway 17 south because the vehicle was weaving on the roadway. The car also had one tire larger than the other three. The driver, identified as Leroy Webb told the deputy he had two flat tires that day and that was the only tire he had left.. A license check indicated the suspect was driving on a suspended license. There were also three firearms in the vehicle, which were turned over to a relative. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Oakway Drive where it was reported that someone had taken a vehicle and was possibly headed toward Florida. Some change was also missing from the residence. A residence on Highway 17 south was illegally entered and a guitar and case were removed. Entry was made into the residence by breaking out a window in the front. The guitar and case were valued at about $600. A resident of DeFoor Road in Eastanollee told deputies that someone had taken a Weedeater lawnmower and an air compressor. Someo0ne had also pried open the lock to his garage. The items were valued at over $500. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SLIGHTLY HIGHER The unemployment rate in Stephens County for the month of October was measured at 5.6 percent, which is up only slightly from the rate in September, which was 5.5 percent. The state's unemployment rate for the month of October was 4.7 percent, which is also up slightly from the 4.6 percent in the month of September. The rate is also lower than it was a year ago when it was 5.1 percent in October of last year. According to the latest Georgia Department of Labor statistics, the Stephens County labor force is 13,403. Of those, 12,652 were employed and 751 were looking for work. CAFFEE AWAITS BOND HEARING DECISION Attorneys for accused murderer Van Allen Caffee are waiting for two decisions from Superior Court Judge Ernest woods on whether he will let their client out of jail. 38-year old Caffee and his nephew, 31-year old Raheem Shands are charged with the execution-style killing of 57-year old James Robert Lewis in July. Yesterday, Caffee’s attorney Brian Rickman argued that the Grand Jury indictment of the pair in October should be thrown out because no decision was ever rendered in the pretrial hearing in September. Magistrate Judge Dale Smith heard the pretrial discovery hearing, but cut it short before all testimony had been heard because he had to leave early. In the meantime, the Grand Jury convened in October and did find there was enough evidence to send the case to trial. Judge Woods noted however, that the Grand Jury indictment would likely take precedence over any decision that might have come from the pretrial hearing in Magistrate Court. Caffee is also waiting to find out if he will get bond. Defense attorneys called four character witnesses, including Caffee’s pastor, mother-in-law, father, and a family friend. All testified they did not believe Caffee would leave the county because he has a wife and three children here. However, most admitted to prosecutor Rick Bridgeman that they were not aware of Caffee’s lengthy criminal history dating back to 1988 that included convictions for aggravated assault, burglary, shoplifting, larceny, and drug possession in three states. In at least three of those cases, Caffee failed to appear and warrants were issued. New York, said Bridgeman still has at least three warrants for his arrest on various charges. That, said Bridgeman, made Caffee a flight risk. He also said the victim’s friends and family fear Caffee would seek retaliation against them for his arrest if he were released. Judge woods said he would render a written decision on both questions in the coming weeks. NOT TOO LATE FOR FLU VACCINE If you have not received your flu shot, there is still time according to Julie Gerberding, M.D., and Director for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against the flu, but their loved ones as well," said Dr. Gerberding. "National interest in getting a flu vaccination has traditionally tapered off after Thanksgiving. But November and December are good times to be vaccinated since flu activity typically does not peak until January or February." To emphasize the importance of flu vaccination, National Influenza Vaccination Week will be held from November 27 to December 3 this year. This event is designed to raise awareness about the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the months of November, December and beyond. Vaccinations are recommended for anyone who wants to decrease the risk of influenza. While anyone can get influenza – and the infection can be severe – many groups, including people aged 50 years and older, those with chronic illnesses (heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes), and pregnant women, are at highest risk for complications. In addition, those in close contact with these high-risk persons should be vaccinated. For the first time, CDC is also recommending that children aged 24 months to 59 months be vaccinated. Previously, the recommendation was for children aged 6 months to 23 months, who are nearly as likely to be hospitalized for complications due to flu as those aged 65 years and older. Children aged 24 months to 59 months are not as likely to be hospitalized, but are more likely to see a physician or visit the emergency room for flu than older healthy children. CANTALOUPE RECALL – MAY CONTAIN SALMONELLA Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin reports the voluntary recall of Arizona cantaloupes that may have the potential of harboring salmonella, a harmful food borne organism. Rio Vista, Ltd, in Rio Rico, AZ is voluntarily recalling about 62,640 cartons of "Llano" and "Nature’s Partner" brand cantaloupes, shipped between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6, 2006. Lab tests show some of the shipped cantaloupes contain salmonella. Investigators are seeking the source of the contamination and the fruit is now in its 14th day of voluntary recall. Irvin tells WNEG that more than 62,000 cartons, distributed in the U.S. In addition, Canada, have been sold in bulk cardboard cartons containing six to 15 cantaloupes to a carton. The young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly in danger here as once in the blood stream, salmonella can cause severe illnesses. In healthy consumers, salmonella may cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting and abdominal pain. The cantaloupes may have entered the state in the normal distribution of fresh fruit. Georgians who have purchased either "llano" or "nature’s partner"-brand cantaloupes should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. HIGH FATALITY NUMBERS EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND The Georgia State Patrol and Department of Highway Safety is predicting a high fatality rate on state roads this Thanksgiving weekend. Today kicks off the official start of the Thanksgiving holiday and that means the roads will be jammed with thousands of travelers trying to make it home in time for that turkey dinner tomorrow. Robert Mikell, with the Georgia Department of Highway Safety says this weekend is one of the longest and busiest of the year for travelers. "As always, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination," Mikell said. "It’s also a good idea to drive defensively, and take rest stops along the way," he said. The State Patrol and the Georgia DOT have released their joint predictions for traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities for the 2006 Thanksgiving holiday. The holiday begins at 6 p.m. tonight and ends at midnight on Sunday. Their predictions call for 2,915 traffic crashes, 20 traffic fatalities on Georgia roads, and another 1,301 injuries. Nationwide 55% of all traffic crash victims killed last year during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend were not wearing their safety belts. NO CHARGES IN WESTMINSTER FATALITY Westminster, SC police say the evidence suggests speed was not a factor in the death of a Georgia man Monday and the driver in that fatal accident will not be charged. The accident happened Monday afternoon. 82-year old A.D. Shirley of Clarkesville was attempting to get to Dickson Equipment Company Monday to pick up a tractor when he was struck crossing East/North Avenue. After an investigation yesterday, Oconee County authorities and Westminster police ruled the driver, identified as 19-year old Melanie Marcengill of Westminster, was not at fault. Shirley died later of his injuries at Oconee County Medical Center. TOCCOA, COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED FOR
THANKSGIVING Just a reminder that Toccoa City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Routes for garbage and recyclables scheduled to be picked up on Thursday, will be picked up on Monday. Routes for garbage and recyclables scheduled to be picked up on Friday will be on Tuesday. As with all holidays, local law enforcement, emergency crews, and fire departments will be open as usual or on call. The Pines Golf Course will be open Thanksgiving Day from 7a .m. until sunset. TOCCOA POLICE REPORT Toccoa police were investigating a burglary at a residence on Oak Cliff Road. Dale Crump told offices that someone had stolen a cell phone and a hand gun from his house. The hand gun was a Rugar model 4-p89, 9mm pistol. The gun was valued at $300. A woman on Ridgecrest told officers that someone had taken her son’s bicycle and that one of her neighbors had seen the suspect who took it. Whoever had taken the bike had removed the wheels and chain off and placed the bicycle in a nearby dumpster, where it was discovered. The bike is valued at $135. Police do have a suspect and the investigation is continuing. Sheriff’s deputies took a man into custody who was selling products door to door on Whispering Pines Rd. The man, identified as Kevin Sneed is from Richmond, Virginia and reportedly did not have permission to be selling products from Anglin Diversified Products. The man reportedly has a warrant on him from the Richmond Virginia area and local deputies were asked to hold the subject. REWARD OFFERED FOR RETURN OF MACK TRUCK A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the location and return of a stolen dump truck. The truck was stolen from Caudell Trucking over the weekend, according to company owner, Steven Caudell. Caudell tells WNEG a maintenance worker discovered it was missing late Sunday afternoon when he went to the offices on West Currahee Street to work on some of the trucks. The truck is described as a 2005 blue Mack CV 713 dump truck. It had a current Georgia tag, number HX-7811. "Caudell Trucking" is also written on both cab doors. Caudell says he believes the thieves might have taken the truck to strip for parts or paint and re-sell. The dump truck is valued at between 90 and 95-thousand dollars. LOCAL SOUP KITCHEN SERVES THANKSGIVING
FEAST TODAY Thanksgiving Day will come a day early for about two hundred needy people in Toccoa –Stephens County when the Toccoa-Stephens County Soup Kitchen serves turkey and all the trimmings tomorrow. Volunteers have been gathering supplies and cooking the dinner since Monday, according to soup kitchen coordinator Gary Lance. Lance said the number of people taking part in the early Thanksgiving Day feast stays about the same year after year, but anyone who wishes may come to the soup kitchen Wednesday and they will be fed free of charge. The dinner takes dozens of volunteers, according to Lance, who give of their time and talents to make sure others have a happy Thanksgiving and a hearty turkey dinner. The free Thanksgiving dinner will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the soup kitchen located in the old Whitman Street High School building. This is the 20th year that the Toccoa-Stephens County Soup Kitchen has offered a Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless and needy. They will do the same thing again at Christmas. NORTHEAST GEORGIA COUNTIES RECEIVE ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS Seven Northeast Georgia counties will be the recipients of a multi-million dollar road improvement effort, including Banks, Habersham, Franklin, and Hart counties. Georgia DOT commissioner Harold Linnenkohl announced recently more than $13 million dollar in new road improvement contracts. In Banks and Franklin Counties about 14.3 miles of roads will be resurfaced from U.S. 441/SR 15 to SR59. Bridge maintenance and shoulder reconstruction will also be done on SR198 in Franklin County – some of which is already going on. In Franklin and Hart Counties, new cable barriers will be installed to replace old guardrails on I-85 beginning at SR403 and ending at the South Carolina state line. In addition, Habersham County will have over six miles of resurfacing and shoulder reconstruction work done on SR17 to the White County line. The completion date on all these projects is expected to be between December 1 - 31, 2007. INSECT THREATENS NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEMLOCKS A tiny insect that causes Hemlock trees to die has spread through more areas of Northeastern Georgia for the fourth consecutive year, according to a new survey. The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC reports the Hemlock woolly adelgid has now infiltrated Lumpkin County, in addition to being detected in Rabun, Towns, Habersham, White, and Union Counties. According to Forest Health coordinator James Johnson, the Hemlock woolly adelgid has gained ground in already infested counties and has spread about 15 miles beyond where it was detected last year. Johnson tells WNEG winter is the ideal time to detect the insects’ presence on trees. He said they produce a cotton-like, woolly sac about the size of a match head can be found on the underside of the branches of infested trees. In spring, the larvae inside the sacs hatch and the tiny adelgids begin sucking sap from the base of needles, depriving trees of water and nutrients and, after several years of feeding, causes needle loss and tree death. Homeowners and landowners who believe they have identified the pest on their trees should contact their local GFC or Georgia Extension Office to learn about treatment options that may help protect their healthy trees. STEPHENS COUNTY ER BUSY
WITH NON-EMERGENCIES Stephen County Hospital continues to be a very busy place, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. One of the busiest places within the hospital continues to be the emergency room, which recently has undergone a renovation and expansion. Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell told members of the hospital authority this week while visits to the emergency room continue to rise, many of the people treated there are not emergency patients. "Our number of ER visits has exceeded 22,000 per year," Gambrell explained. "That’s compared with over 19,000 just two years ago. So we do have a big increase. But when you drill down to the core of things and look closer, we’re not really admitting that many more patients into the hospital. Nor are we transferring any more patients to other hospitals. What is happening is more patients are coming to the ER for minor ailments and complaints. Either they don’t have a local physician or something, I’m not sure what, but they’re using the ER kind of as a primary care clinic almost." Gambrell said the emergency room does have it’s few, rare quiet times, but many times it’s a very active part of the hospital. He doesn’t have an answer for the non-emergency part of the business, but said it’s a problem all over the country. "We’ll treat patients when they’re here, but by the same token, it tends to clog the system sometimes when you have an emergency patient. But it’s just a fact of life and that’s something in my reading that I’ve found all over the country, not just in Toccoa." The Hospital Authority has approved expenditures for a new 125-pound capacity washing machine for the laundry department and new lights for the third operating room so that it can be used for general surgery. CITY OF MARTIN SHINES FOR
SEASON The City of Martin will be getting into the Christmas Spirit today as members of the Martin City Council begin to put up the Christmas Lights on Highway 17. The city has spent thousands of dollars over a number of years to purchase decorations that have received praise from many folks who just pass through the city and admire the holiday scenes. Vice Mayor Harold Alexander has been in charge of purchasing the decorations over the years and he’s not really sure just how many the city actually has on display. "You know, we have so many I don’t remember right off hand just how many we actually do have," Alexander said. " We have all kinds of scenes, like the Nativity,, we have skaters, we have Victorian carriages, we have toy soldiers, and we have some big trees. We are excited about it again this year. We invite everybody down to see it. We get a lot of folks come down and see the lights and we’re very appreciative of the folks who let us know they like it. We hope they will like it again this year." Alexander said he hopes that the decorations will all be up and lighted by this week-end. SOUTH CAROLINA ACCIDENT
KILLS CLARKESVILLE MAN An elderly Georgia man has died as the result of injuries sustained when he was struck by a car in Westminster, South Carolina Monday afternoon. According to Oconee County, South Carolina Coroner Karl Addis, 82 year old A.D. Shirley of Clarkesville, died at Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca about an hour after the accident. Westminster South Carolina Police say that elderly man was struck on East North Avenue as he crossed the highway , attempting to go to Dickson Equipment Company to pick-up a tractor. Authorities say the victim was struck by a car traveling eastbound about 2:39PM Monday afternoon. The driver of the car has not been identified. The Westminster, South Carolina Police and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are both investigating the accident. STEPHENS COUNTY SHERIFF'S
REPORT Copper apparently is still a pretty hot commodity. Some people are willing to steal to get it. Daniel Wright of Highway 145 in Eastanollee told Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies that someone broke into four mobile homes on his lot. The suspects took three evaporator coils from the units. A heating unit was disassembled and all of the copper parts were removed. Deputies dusted the scene for fingerprints and reportedly did obtain some prints from one of the units. The investigation continues. A burglary was reported at the Strip-Ease Building on Highway 17 in Martin. Hal Dalrymple indicated that someone broke the hasp off of the lock of the building he was using for storage. A number of hand tools were reported taken. The tools were in some tote bags. Included among the tools were pliers, gauges and channel locks, all valued at between $500 and $600. The rash of broken vehicle windows continues. A woman who lives on Yow Mill Road reported that someone broke out the passenger side window of her vehicle sometime between Friday night and Saturday. HOUSING AUTHORITY
RECEIVES READING AWARD The Northeast Georgia Housing Authority along with Menlo Housing Authority shared top honors as the recipients of the 2006 Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment’s Collaborative Partnership Award. They were recognized for their efforts in implementing the read at home program. Additionally, Northeast Georgia Housing Authority partnered with Stephens County Partners for Success, Stephens Education Literacy Foundation, and the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy to promote childhood literacy. The Stephens County Read at Home provides free age-appropriate books to each registered child from birth to five years of age. Also included are activity pages, a parent’s guide, and newsletter and library card. The award was presented to resident services manager Kandi Chavis at a luncheon in Savannah. DONATIONS NEEDED FOR
MAYORS CHRISTMAS MOTORCADE Every holiday season dozens of communities across the state take part in the Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade. Here in Toccoa, the Toccoa City Fire Department collects new unwrapped toys and gifts to give to residents of mental health facilities throughout Georgia at Christmas. Assistant fire chief Elgar Lewallen is again asking for the public’s help in donating items for the patients at Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta. Lewallen says they need just about every kind of item. Many of the patients have been in the hospital for much of their lives and receive little support from their families. The staff at these hospitals report that without the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, many of those patients would not receive any gift at Christmas. Lewallen asks that donations be brought to one of the two City fire stations or Toccoa City Hall by Wednesday, December 13. Now if you would like to make a donation of a new, unwrapped item or a monetary donation and are not able to drop it off, you can contact the fire department at 706-886-8656 and someone will pick it up. DREAM GIVER’S CELEBRATES
EXPANSION It has become a fixture on the downtown mall and last week, Dream Giver’s Art Gallery celebrated another milestone. The shop, which features the work of local artists, held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the opening of its new outdoor gallery. Owner Diane Lawson says she is having a great time running her shop and believes the extra new space will be an asset to both artists and shoppers. Dream Givers Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday on the downtown mall. STEPHENS COUNTY SCHOOL
SYSTEM TURNS 100 Last year, Stephens County celebrated its centennial with a lot of fanfare. This year, school system staff discovered quite by accident that the Stephens County Board of Education and school system turned 100 this year. It all started, according to Brenda Kelly, with a quest to create a new crest for Stephens County schools. They found a handwritten ledger dated 1906 which contained the minutes of every school board meeting or "school board commission" as it was called back then, beginning with the first one in January 1906 through 1916. The first school superintendent in Stephens County was W.A. Cooper, who was chosen from among four candidates. All four had to take a written exam to show how educated they were. The one who scored the highest, got to be the school superintendent. Cooper scored over 95% - the highest – and was awarded the job. According to the ledger, teachers monthly pay ranged between $25 and $45 dollars back then. Last week was American Education Week and Kelly said each school held some kind of event to mark the centennial. The children at Liberty Elementary, for example dressed in period clothing from 1906 and celebrated with a large birthday cake. Kelly said the original ledger along with the other ledgers will be housed in a glass case at the administrative offices. In addition, while Liberty Elementary celebrated the centennial with costumes, fourth graders at Eastanollee Elementary combined history with literature and a fundraiser. The kids set up an old time wax museum last week, portraying historic American characters who come to life for a nickel, according to school librarian Ella Baldwin. Part of the museum experience included a fundraiser. Money collected from the donation cups goes to buy more books for the school library. This is the fourth year the school has put on the was museum. Baldwin says she got the idea from another school out west. TOCCOA POLICE NEWS Two cases of shop-lifting were investigated by Toccoa Police. An officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart on S. Big A Road where a female suspect was in custody of the loss prevention officer. The suspect was identified as 20 year old Rachel Poss of Braswell Street. The suspect was charged with taking $191 worth of bed linens and Swiffer Sweeps through the self check lane un-scanned. The merchandise was recovered and returned to stock. The suspect was taken to the Stephens County Detention Center for holding. Police are looking for the suspects who allegedly took merchandise from the Family Dollar Store at 423 S. Big A Road. Witnesses indicated they drove away in a maroon color Chevy Blazer. A check of the tag revealed that the tag belonged to a 1981 Oldsmobile. A woman came into the Community Bank Branch inside Wal-Mart and asked the teller if she could replace a ten-dollar bill because it was torn. Upon further inspection, it was determined that the bill was counterfeit and was turned over to the police . A Toccoa woman told offices that a carton of cigarettes was taken out of he car while she was getting change from a machine at the Lazer Car Wash on the Big A Rd. She told offices that two white males were at the next bay when she pulled up to the car wash. They were gone when she returned to her car. A resident of S. Hill Street told offices that a man and two females showed up at his house. After asking the trio to leave, the man set fire to his bedroom door. There was very little damage and the victim gave police the first name of the suspect, The incident was turned over to detectives for further investigation. ATLANTA DEVELOPER BUYS 47
ACRES ON BYPASS The corner of SR17 and the 17-Bypass is taking off, economically, now that the Super Wal-Mart is open. Over 47 acres directly across from Wal-Mart at the corner of SR17 and the By-pass have been sold to a developer from Marietta, GA. Metro Development LLC purchased the property and plans to divide it up and market it to retailers. According to plans submitted to the Toccoa Planning Commission, the Company plans to have 14 out parcels ranging from one acre to 17 acres. WNEG has learned several of those of out parcels have already been spoken for by retailers, but so far the names of those retailers have not been disclosed. Last night, the Planning Commission approved their application to be annexed into the city and zone the area B-II/Commercial District. According to Metro Development, now that the annexation and rezoning has been approved, they will begin marketing the property. HOME DEPOT RECEIVES
PARKING VARIANCE Another major retailer planning to build across from Wal-mart was back before the Planning Commission last night as well. Home Depot requested a variance to reduce the number of parking spaces they will need for their new store on the corner of 17-Bypass and Memorial Drive. The City of Toccoa zoning code requires one parking space for every 200 square feet of commercial development. Based on the city code, that means home depot would need to provide 672 parking spaces for their new store. However, the Company contends they will only need about 400 parking spaces and will likely not utilize even that many. That is based on a parking study conducted by Home Depot’s Southwest Division. The proposed Toccoa store consists of a 106,278 square foot building with an attached 28,086 square foot garden center. Home Depot’s projected annual sales for the Toccoa store, considered a small-market store, will be about $20 million dollars. FEDS INDICT FAIRPLAY MAN
ON COUNTERFEIT CHARGES The Fair Play, SC man arrested last week in Lavonia on counterfeit charges has now been indicted by the federal government in his home state. 28-year old Eli Moore Tucker was arrested last week in Lavonia after he was caught trying to pass a fake $100 bill at Dill’s Food City. Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney in South Carolina announced Tucker’s indictment on charges of passing and attempting to pass counterfeit money. Lavonia Police chief Randy Shirley says now that he has been charged by the federal government, the local charges will be dropped. The secret service investigated the case against tucker and arrested three more men, including two from Georgia. They are identified as 28-year old Darrell Brown of Townville, SC, 21-year old Darrell Case, and 30-year old Benjamin Renner both of Hartwell. All three are charged with conspiracy to make, forge, and counterfeit obligations. Shirley says Tucker, case, and Renner will all likely be taken back to South Carolina and held in the Greenville Detention Center. The U.S. Attorney’s office in South Carolina said the men allegedly made and passed fake 10’s, 20’s, and 100-dollar bills in both Georgia and South Carolina. STEPHENS COUNTY
FOUNDATION APPLIES FOR GRANT Efforts by the Stephens County Foundation to buy up land along the Tugaloo River continues along with plans to turn 87 acres of waterfront into an education and recreation area. This week, Foundation chairman Joe Ferguson went before County commissioners asking for their help in obtaining a grant from the Department of Natural Resources. The Recreational Trails Grant will be used to build an education pavilion. Ferguson estimates the cost to build the facility to be close to $100,000. In addition to the pavilion and new bike trails, the Foundation also has plans to build other recreational facilities, including hiking trails and picnic areas along the Tugaloo Corridor. The Tugaloo Corridor runs from Tallulah Falls to Broken Bridges. The Stephens County Foundation has been working for the past five years to raise money to purchase the land in order to preserve it for future generations. RICHARD ADAMS NAMED NEW
REC DIRECTOR One of the three finalists the first time around for the position of recreation Director for Stephens County, was the top choice Thursday for the job. Richard Adams, who has been a volunteer coach and headed up many activities within the recreation department for a number of years, was selected by the Stephens County Commissioners following interviews Thursday. Adams had headed a security company for the University of Georgia as well as other areas of NE Georgia. He was among the top three named as finalists for the job a couple of months ago when the commissioners had to re-advertise the job because of a discrepancy in the job description. At the last minute, the commissioners had agreed to include the director of the Senior Center as a part of the job, but had neglected to notify all of the candidates. On advice of their attorney, the commissioners then re-advertised the Recreation Department’s Director position without the senior center position. Adams will begin his new position on Monday. He’ll replace Joe Gailey, who had been in that position for five years before resigning this summer to take a similar position in South Carolina. Technology is growing in our everyday lives and educational officials realize that the education of our children depends on keeping up with the technology in the classroom. BOE APPROVES TECHNOLOGY
UPGRADE FOR SCHOOLS Stephens County School Superintendent Gary Steppe told the Board of Education this week that there are many facets of technical education that need to be upgraded and a committee has been formed to oversee that area. “We have known that technology has been on the back burner for several years, since we’ve had all of the budget cuts and everything, “Steppe explained. “ We’re at a point now where we need to do something. So we have a technology committee that’s been working for the last couple of months. We really use technology a lot more in schools today than we used to, just a few years ago. It has become an integral part of the way we educate children. Technology is in every facet of our lives. It makes sense that a lot of that needs to be in the schools. What we asked for tonight is for an opportunity to come back to the board and bring them back a proposal from this committee to address some of the needs that are pressing now in the schools.” Steppe told the board that the system needs an accounting upgrade, from a company called CSI Technical Outfitters. The current program, which was designed back in the 1980s, handles payroll and different accounts throughout the system. The state will be dropping it’s support of the system with help and hardware in the next year or two. The new system will cost $108,000.The board will hear a presentation regarding the new system at their next meeting. POLICE NEWS A Toccoa man has been arrested and charged with possession of marijuana after a search of his residence by Toccoa Police. 35-year old Scott Dorsey of Busha Street was charged after a search warrant was issued and the suspected illegal drug was discovered.
Two incidents of damage to property were reported to police, one on E. Whitman Street, the other on E. Currahee Street. Albert Thompson reported that windows in two of his trucks at Thompson Construction had been broken out. And the window of a car ,parked at Precision Woodcraft, was also broken out. Police do not know if the two incidents are related. Extra patrols have been dispatched to these areas. There are no suspects at this time.
Police were sent to an address on Grove Street, where a man told officers that another man pointed a black firearm at him and went into his apartment. The accused man told officers that he did not point any weapon at the victim. No firearm could be found at that location. The proposed victim indicated he would seek a warrant through the magistrate’s office. POST E-911 ADDRESSES NOW,
SAYS COUNTY COMMISSION If you have not already done so, it is time to post your new e-911 address, but not on your mailbox. As we’ve been telling you this week, e-911 will be up and officially running at 10 a.m. November 28. That means only your new e-911 address will be used in the event of an emergency. County administrator Darrell Hampton explains where to post your e-911 address. “What County Commission is requesting is that citizens post their e-911 address at their driveway. They can post it adjacent to their mailbox but NOT ON their mailbox,” Hampton explained. “They need to keep their current mailing address on their mailbox. They need to display both addresses,” he said. The Toccoa Post Office is still working on making the changeover to the new addresses and they ask that you continue to use your old address for regular mail. Meantime, e-911 employees are working overtime-making new street signs as fast as they can to meet the November 28 deadline. There are now 1,700 new roads, mostly private drives, in the County. The County has run into problems with people stealing the new signs the minute they are put up. So, e-911 is running out of materials. In order to meet the November 28 deadline, Hampton says the Commissioners have authorized extra help. “We ordered additional sign posts to day to make sure we had additional sign posts to put in. We started with 500, we are down to 100. Commissioners also authorized additional County staff to help e-911 workers make and put up the new signs and if needed, we will also contract with a sign company for additional help in order to get the new signs up by the 28th,” Hampton said. If you have not received a new road sign, e-911 director Paige Worley asks for your patience. Worley says they have about 500 new road signs to make. FIRST RESPONDERS REACH
TRAINING AGREEMENT Volunteer fire fighters and EMS director Ray Willis have reached an agreement regarding the training of new and existing first responders. Willis is asking that those volunteers keep their training up to date in order to be re-certified. In addition to 40 hours of initial training, first responders must take another 12 hours of training a year to keep their certification with the National Registry of EMT’s. A question arose, however, among the volunteers about when and where that training would take place and who would do the training. Volunteer fire chief Vernon Wilkinson, Jr. asked the training be done at each fire station once a month. Willis countered with an offer to provide free training once at quarter at each of the fire stations with a local EMT Tim Bohannon teaching the classes. At Tuesday night’s regular meeting, commissioners offered to mediate a discussion on the issue in order to get it resolved. However, Willis and the volunteers continued their discussions in the Courthouse Annex parking lot and came reached an agreement on their own. At the end of Tuesday’s regular meeting, volunteer first responders told commissioners they had accepted Willis’ offer.
NEW BRIDGE OVER I-85 IN LAVONIA TO OPEN SATURDAY The new bridge over I-85 on SR17 will open to traffic this weekend. As part of widening the roadway, the bridge over the interstate also had to be widened. DOT communications officer Teri Pope tells WNEG they hope to shift traffic onto it on Saturday. Additionally, the traffic will be shifted onto the newly built lanes of SR17 beginning at the Silo Shopping Center and onto the new bridge over the interstate. Then, traffic will be shifted back over to the existing lanes of SR17. Pope said it is all part of staging the construction. She said crews will build the new lanes of roadway and bridge; then move traffic over to use them and then upgrade the “old” lanes. Pope advises people traveling in the area this weekend make sure and slow down through the area until everyone gets used to the traffic shift. Sunbelt Structures is the prime contractor on this 3.93- mile long project. The completion date is April 30, 2007. So far, the DOT is on schedule to meet that date, according to Pope. TERRELL RESIGNS FROM REC
DEPARTMENT The County now has two key Recreation Department positions to fill. On Tuesday, interim director Roger Terrell resigned after 23 years of service. County administrator Darrell Hampton. “The County attorney, Brian Ranck had conversations with Mr. Terrell or Mr. Terrell’s attorney. In the course of those conversations, he advised that it was his intention to resign. He did deliver to the County staff his letter of resignation. That letter was given to County commissioners Tuesday night and they did accept Mr. Terrell’s resignation,” Hampton said. Terrell had been on leave from the department for over a week for reasons neither he nor the county will disclose. However, Terrell says he was ready to make a career change. “Sometimes you know when it’s time to make a change and find a new career,” Terrell explained. “Your interests change. When you have different talents, its kind of fun to look at other options. I shook hands with the County manager and commissioners Tuesday night and left on a good note,” he said. In June, Rec director Joe Gailey resigned to take a position in South Carolina. This morning, commissioners will conduct a second round of interviews with candidates for that position. In an unusual move, those interviews will be open to the public. Interviews begin at 8 a.m. This morning at the Courthouse Annex. GEORGIA POWER SEEKS
ANOTHER RATE HIKE Georgia Power is asking for another rate increase from the Georgia Public Service Commission. Georgia Power filed the request with the PSC on Monday. If the GPSC gives the okay, you could see at least an additional $5.50 each month on your bill for 1,000-kilowatt hours. Collectively, that’s $416,000,000 statewide. Tiffany Gilstrap, media representative for Georgia Power, says the utility is trying to collect under-recovered costs. “We are experiencing growth in our customer base, and we’re looking to use more natural gas. However, as we project out into the future with the increased use of natural gas, we will continue to see some fluctuations as we have seen in the past with natural gas prices as well as with coal prices.” The Public Service Commission will hold a hearing on the projected rate increase in January and vote on the issue in February. If approved, the rate increase will start March 01, 2007. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
SLATED FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL PROPERTY Several weeks ago, the Stephens County Board of Education announced they had selected a site behind the current high school for the construction of a new high school. Since the board already owns the land, it would seem to be a pretty good choice. One of the first steps before any construction can start is an environmental study of the site. The board’s architect, Greg Smith explained about the study and why it is needed. “We’re looking for anything that might create a hazardous condition for students.” Smoth stated. “It may be traffic or types of traffic be it tanker trucks or trucks carrying petroleum products. It would be high voltage electrical lines, it would be gas distribution lines or LP tanks. It would be anything that would create a danger of explosion because of the mis-use of them.” The question has arisen that since there is already a high school adjacent to that property, why is a study needed in the first place. “There are a couple of reasons. The first reason is the fact that there never was an environmental study done when this building was built. The criteria for sight selection was much more lenient than they are currently. The state process for site selection has evolved considerably as we face more and more hazardous type conditions. Of course 9-11 has had something to do with this Therefore, we are more sensitive about where we place school buildings and try to avoid these types of situations.” Other parts of the study include some 36 points on the property as it pertains to soil content, the actual surveying of the property and a wetlands study since some of the property is in a location where so-called “wetland” is located. Smith said that the study should be completed by the first of the year. BIG A RECOGNIZED FOR
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS Big A Elementary School in Toccoa was recently recognized by the state for their academic achievements over the past year. The school was only one of two in the Northeast Georgia area that was designated as winners of the “Silver Award” of Excellence. School Superintendent Gary Steppe said he was extremely proud of the students, teachers and staff at Big A for this honor. “The school was recognized by the state, ”Steppe said. “There were over 2000 public schools in the state of Georgia and the Office of School Achievement recognized 178 of them. We were really happy that Big A Elementary School was one of those that was recognized. They were recognized for their “Silver Award” which ,means that over 96% of their students either met or exceeded the standards for the state in all of their academic areas.” Steppe praised the work of the teachers and the students for their hard work in accomplishing such a high goal. GEORGIA TEACHERS REMAIN
AT BOTTOM OF PAY SCALE Newly released data shows that while Georgia’s average teacher salary still continues to lead all southeastern states, it still has yet to reach the national average teacher salary.
The annual National Education Association Ranking and Estimates shows the State’s estimated average teacher salary for 2005-2006 at $48,300, while the national estimated average salary for the same year stands at $49,109.
In Georgia, it takes the average teacher 14 years and a master’s degree to reach the average salary. Georgia’s starting salary with a bachelor’s degree is $31,659. POST OFFICE NEEDS YOUR
E-911 ADDRESS The U.S. Postal Service promises to work closely with Stephens County and e-911 director Paige Worley to make the address change over happen. County commissioners heard last night from Toccoa postmaster Mike Alford and Postal Service representative Debbie Lombardo, manager of address management for the Atlanta district. Alford said the problem originated with Flagship GIS who never provided the post office with a list of old and new addresses. However, Alford told commissioners that what they are asking Paige Worley for is what they have been asking for from the beginning. “In all the meetings we’ve talked about how we need to have the old address, the new address, a physical identification of the building, and the person’s name so that we can take that information and get that into our database. This is something that we still need,” Alford explained. Lombardo said it is her office’s job to take the list of old addresses and match them to the new addresses – a changeover that takes about a year to complete. But that process cannot begin, she said, until they have at least 98% of the old and new addresses. “We’ve been given about 60% of the information that we need,” Lombardo noted. “That’s not enough. What we have to do in my office is completely close down your zip code and update it for the major mailers, while we go in and change every address one by one. We need to have it correct the first time because people want their mail. And that’s what we’re here to do – provide a service for them to get their mail. What Mike, Eastanollee and Martin have done is send out a mailing to the customers asking them to tell us what their new e-911 address is. So we are out there soliciting the information ourselves,” she said. In the first mailing, some 2,200 letters went out to citizens from the Postal Service requesting their new e-911 address. Alford said only about 475 were returned, and they plan to do a second mailing next week. Alford is asking that citizens fill out the card and return it ASAP to their post office. E-911 will go live at 10 a.m. November 28 despite the problems with the Postal Service. Worley said that while this issue is being resolved, all Stephens County citizens must immediately post their e-911 address at the edge of their driveway. STATE HONORS TWO STEPHENS
COUNTY CITIZENS Two people were honored last night by the County and the State of Georgia for their act of heroism earlier this year. Stephens County Sheriff's deputy sergeant Harry Collier and private citizen Doug Holland are credited with saving the lives of a couple trapped in their burning mobile home. It happened in March of this year. Barbara and John DiGiacomo awoke in the middle of the night to find their home on fire. In her proclamation, State Representative Jeanette Jamieson credited deputy Collier with bravery in saving their lives. “He selflessly and heroically risked his life in the line of duty to rescue the occupants of a mobile home that was on fire and brought them to safety with the assistance of a neighbor, Doug Holland,” Jamieson read. “He demonstrated extraordinary bravery in saving the lives of Barbara and John DiGiacomo. It is abundantly fitting and proper that the unique and often unheralded contribution of local law enforcement officers on behave of the citizens of this state be recognized,” she concluded. The DiGiacomo’s next-door neighbor also saw the flames and without regard for his personal safety, according to Jamieson, also risked his life to save the couple. “Doug Holland has long been recognized by the citizens of Stephens County for the vital role he’s played and his leadership and his commitment to the citizens. And whereas on March 28, 2006 he risked his personal safety and well being to assist deputy Harry Collier of the Stephens County Sheriff’s office in awakening the occupants of a mobile home that was on fire and evacuating them to safety. His significant organizational leadership talents, his remarkable patience and diplomacy, his keen sense of vision and his keen sensitivity to the needs of the citizens of his community have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues,” Jamieson said. The proclamation was adopted by the State House of Representatives on June 13 this year. In January, it will be placed in the State Archives as a permanent record of the men’s bravery. CITY OF TOCCOA'S ECONOMIC
HEALTH IMPROVING Toccoa City Finance Director Emory Stephens gave one of his most optimistic reports in several months Monday evening, telling the City commissioners that after one third of the fiscal year has passed, the City has the best cash flow it has had in quite sometime. “The City has the highest cash balance as of October 31 that it has had in several years,” Stephens announced. “And that’s due to several things. The tax bills went out early this year and receipts are coming in, water sales are running ahead of budget and that helps. And we had several of our larger customers who paid their accounts at the end of the month, so cash receipts for October were probably unusually good. Some of that may last and some of it will even out for the next few months. It looks like at this time that we have a good chance of having a positive cash flow over the entire fiscal period, assuming gas sales hold up as well as they did last year.” Stephens said that even after losing Fruit of the Loom’s plant in Rabun County on the northern gas line, still about 20% of gas sales is coming from that line and more is projected. PREPARE FOR
SEVERE WEATHER, WARNS GEMA With the hurricane season behind us and winter upon us, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) says now is the time to restock the disaster supplies kit. GEMA advises all Georgians should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days in an emergency or severe weather event, such as an ice storm or blizzard. The disaster should contain a range of critical supplies for each family member, including bottled water, non-perishable foods, sleeping bag or bedding, change of clothes, flashlights, battery-powered radio and NOAA weather radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a can opener. It is also time to use the year-old food, water, and batteries, and replace them with new items. GEMA director Charley English tells WNEG that even though the bottled water and non-perishable foods have a long shelf life, its still a good idea to change them out annually to keep them fresh. POLICE BLOTTER Vandalism continues at the Stephens County Parks and Recreation Department. On a routine patrol, a Stephens County Sheriff’s deputy discovered that someone had stopped up two toilets with toilet paper and paper towels. The toilets were located at the concession stand between ball fields #1 and #4.Shut-off valves were engaged to stop the flow of water and Recreation Department personnel were notified. ------------------------------------------ A residence on Red Rock Road was illegally entered and several items were taken. The homeowner reported that someone pried open the front door and made entry. A front window was also opened and a bucket was found on the outside. A coffee can and a glass jugs full of coins was taken along with seven knives. -------------------------------------------- A resident of Dusty Lane in Toccoa reported to officers that someone had been taking tin off of his vacant mobile home. An extra watch was placed on the area. STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL
WITHIN 90-MINUTE GUIDELINE A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that about a third of heart attack patients don’t get the surgery they need within the required 90 minutes of arriving at the hospital. That means their risk of dying from a blocked artery increases by 42% as the treatment is delayed. 90-minutes is the guideline for how long it should take from the time the patient enters the emergency room until doctors perform an angioplasty – the common treatment for a blocked artery. About 11% of emergency room patients who come to the Stephens County Hospital are heart attack patients, according to ER nurse manager Vickie Ansley. Ansley said the average time for treatment of heart patients ranges from 39 minutes to 45 minutes. However, she says once a heart attack has been diagnosed, the Ronnie Green Cardiac Center in Gainesville is immediately contacted. “There’s some criteria that we go by,” Ansley explained. “We don’t’ want to send them right out the door until we’ve made sure it is a cardiac event. If they have what we call FS Cell Elevation, which is on the EKG that the physician sees immediately, we call Ronnie Green with the information, then either fly them out or send them down via ambulance,” she said. Stephens County Hospital has a working agreement with the Ronnie Green Center, according to Ansley and patients are often transferred there for immediate care within the 90-minute guideline. WALHALLA CIVIC CENTER
RECEIVES GRANT People with physical disabilities should have an easier time accessing the Walhalla Civic Auditorium thanks to a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission. The auditorium has been awarded $7,500 in grant money under the accessibility program. According to auditorium president Jean Phillips, the money will be used to repave the parking areas leading to the handicap ramps on the front and side of the building. The accessibility program provides special funding for venues and artists that need help in serving the unique needs of the physically challenged. Paving for the new ramp should be completed in time for this year’s Christmas Chorale performance in December, Phillips said. E-911 SYSTEM TO GO “LIVE”
NOVEMBER 28 After two years of planning and preparing, the County’s new e-911 will go live on November 28. E-911 director Paige Worley made the announcement at last night’s County work session. However, she said there are still problems with the Toccoa Post Office refusing to change over the addresses. Worley told commissioners the Postal Service has dragged its feet concerning the change over and is telling citizens not to use their new e-911 address. However, that is the only address e-911 dispatchers will see on their computers when an emergency call comes in. The problem has caused a stalemate between the County e-911 and the Postal Service and gone on so long, according to Worley, that e-911 can no longer wait. So far, Eastanollee and Martin Post Offices have agreed to make the switch to the new e-911 address, but are waiting for Toccoa to take the lead. Tonight, commissioners will hear from Toccoa Post Master Mike Alford and get his side of the issue. TOCCOA APPROVES TOUGH
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE After weeks of discussion, the Toccoa City Comm |