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THOMASON TRIAL BEGINS TODAY It will take two defense attorneys to try to save the life of Robert Eugene Thomason in Stephens County Superior Court this week. Thomason is charged with capital murder and four counts of aggravated battery in the shooting death of his estranged wife in October 2003. If convicted, Thomason faces the death penalty. Prosecutors say Thomason and his wife Deborah Sanders Thomason had been separated for almost a year when she filed for divorce. It was that decision, they say, that prompted Thomason to lie in wait for his estranged wife one Sunday night in October with a gun. When she arrived at her Defoor Road home that night, authorities say Thomason shot her numerous times as she tried to run to a neighbor’s house for help. She died at the scene. A pre-trial gag order was imposed by Superior Court Judge James Woods III, but not before Thomason’s attorney motioned for a change of venue two weeks ago - a motion that was denied. In August, Thomason’s attorney Chris Elrod motioned to have the death penalty removed from the case saying it is unconstitutional. Elrod told Judge Woods that the way the death penalty statute is administered in Georgia results in arbitrary treatment of defendants. Elrod said there is no specific database that can be used to determine what constitutes a death penalty case, so local district attorneys are allowed apply the death penalty arbitrarily. However, Judge Woods said the law presumes that any public officer performs all of their duties according to Georgia law in determining what constitutes a death penalty case.
SPACE GOING FAST AT NEW SUPER WAL-MART LOCATION As the Super Wal-Mart continues to take shape on Highway 17 and the 17 Bypass, space is quickly selling out to other retailers in the complex, which sports three mini strip malls in addition to the Wal-Mart. So far, Habersham Bank has rented 2,400 square feet of space next to the Wal-Mart. Two other retailers, Game Stop and Shoe Show, have rented 1,440 square feet of space and a 3,200 square foot store front respectively. In the biggest of the three strip malls, an unnamed hair salon, a nail salon, Mountain Music, Cato’s, and Spherion employment agency have all rented space. Wal-mart is also selling a number of out parcels on the edge of their property. So far, one has been sold. Captain D’s purchased a corner out parcel. Wal-mart had scheduled to open by the end of December, but have now pushed that back a month to the end of January.
CURRAHEE IDOL COMPETITION POSTPONED The second annual Currahee Idol competition has been postponed. Modeled after the popular TV show, “American idol,” the competition pits local vocalists against one another for the title of best singer in Toccoa-Stephens County. Director Bob Snead said, however, they did not get enough entries by the deadline to put the show on November 5. “We only had nine entrants by last Friday, which was the deadline,” Snead explained. Snead said of the nine who submitted entry forms, only one was an adult. All of those who did enter will get their entry fee returned to them. The Currahee Idol competition is divided into four groups, elementary school, middle school, high school, and adult. Snead emphasized this is not a cancellation but a postponement and they plan to hold the Currahee Idol competition sometime in the spring. If you have any questions about the postponement of the Currahee Idol competition, contact the Currahee Arts Council or Bob Snead.
HABITAT THRIFT STORE TO MOVE Stephens County Habitat for Humanity has a new home for its thrift store. For the past ten years, the store has been located in rented space on south Big A Road. Now, according to Habitat spokesman Gary Lance, the thrift store will be located on Broad Street. “We’re very excited about the new store space,” Lance said. “We will probably close the store on Big A Road sometime in the next couple of weeks and then begin making the move to the new store,” he said. Lance says the new location is bigger and for many people might turnout to be more convenient. Polysteel, the company that owns the building Habitat has been renting for the past decade, is expanding their operations and they need the space for their business. Six weeks ago, they told Habitat for Humanity to begin looking for new space and to be out by November 1. Lance says the move means progress for both groups. So far, an exact opening date for the new location has not been nailed down, but lance expects the store to open sometime later this month.
SOUTH CAROLINA PAIR ARRESTED HERE ON PRESCRIPTION
FRAUD Two men from South Carolina are in trouble with the law in Stephens County – accused of impersonating a doctor in order to obtain prescription painkillers from a local pharmacy. 26-year old Leon Hardee and his brother, 22-year old George Henry Hardee of Seneca tried to buy the drugs at Jerry White’s Pharmacy on Highway 17. “Several weeks ago, one of the two suspects called the pharmacy posing as a doctor and called in a prescription for some prescription pain medicine,” Stephens County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Mike Crozier explained. “That prescription was picked up, but then the suspects called in the same prescription about a week later and the pharmacy thought it was suspicious. They called the doctor’s office here in town and the doctor had no knowledge of the prescription and had not called it in,” Crozier said. Once contacted by the pharmacy, Crozier says investigators decided to set up a sting operation with the cooperation of pharmacy employees. “I was in the store when the suspects arrived to pick up the prescription. One of the brothers, George Henry waited in the car while the other one went to pick up the prescription,” Crozier said. “I waited for Leon to pick up and pay for the prescription and sign the book you have to sign when you pick up a prescription and then I arrested him,” he said. Leon Hardee is charged with two counts of obtaining dangerous drugs by fraud. He is also wanted in Anderson, SC on similar charges and was extradited to South Carolina. George Henry Hardee, who waited in the vehicle for his brother to come out with the drugs, was also arrested. Crozier says a check on George Henry found he is also wanted in Monroe County, Florida for committing similar crimes in Key West. He is in the Stephens county jail awaiting extradition to Florida.
GOBLINS HAUNT DOWNTOWN MALL THIS MORNING Dozens of little goblins were out on Doyle Street this morning for the 15th annual children’s Halloween Costume Parade. Sponsored by the Toccoa Main Street Program, the parade started at 10 a.m. and will feature pre-school age children from 6mos old to five years old. Main Street Director Connie Tabor asked that parents begin lining their children up at 9:45 a.m. so the parade could begin promptly at 10 a.m. Downtown businesses will provide goodies for the kids as they parade by their doors. First Franklin Financial will provide trick or treat bags. Children were encouraged to dress in storybook costumes but any kind of Halloween costume will be fine. First and second place prizes will be awarded for the most original costumes. Refreshments were served on the downtown mall immediately following the parade. In addition, as in past years, the Toccoa police monitored the entire parade route.
STILL TIME LEFT TO APPLY FOR EXTRA MEDICARE HELP There is still time to apply for extra financial help through the new Medicare prescription drug program that goes into effect on January 1. The plan is especially helpful to low and fixed income beneficiaries, according to the Social Security Administration. Those recipients could qualify extra help to pay for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program. The Social Security office in Toccoa is now taking applications from Medicare beneficiaries who may be eligible for the extra help. Toccoa office manager James Stewart tells WNEG to qualify an individual must have total annual income below $14,355 and resources limited to $10,000. Married couples living together are higher. Stewart says Medicare recipients must come by the Toccoa Social Security Office to find out if they qualify. LAVONIA MAN CHARGED
WITH COOKING METH A Lavonia man is out on bond after being charged with running a meth lab out of his home on north Fairview Road. Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas says a tip lead investigators to search the home of 33-year old Kevin Wiggins. “We conducted a clandestine operation to his home on Fairview Road. When we got there, we found all of the ingredients necessary to manufacture methamphetamine. He wasn’t actually cooking the meth at that time, but all the ingredients were there,” he said. Thomas says Wiggins gave authorities permission to search his home and he says officers also uncovered a cache of stolen property. The chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine are dangerous and could explode at any time. Sheriff Thomas says Wiggins’ home is near other homes and had that happened, many people could have been hurt. “There’s a trailer about 200 feet behind his trailer and a home across the road from him,” Thomas said. “There’s also some other houses a little further down and it would have been bad had something like that had happened,” he said. According to Thomas, emergency personnel were called in from as far away as Atlanta to clear the scene. “We called in EMS and the fire department were put on standby,” he said. “Then we had to wait for a HAZMAT crew from Atlanta to come in and clean up and remove the chemicals,” he said. Wiggins is charged with one count of criminal attempt to commit burglary and one count of criminal attempt to manufacture methamphetamine. He was released on a $10,000 bond. SOME TICKETS STILL
AVAILABLE FOR LIBRARY FUNDRAISER There are just a few tickets left for this year’s Friends of the Library Gourmet Dinner. The Toccoa-Stephens County Library is one of the most valuable resources we have in our community and the Friends of the Library Auxiliary work to help keep it that way. This year is no different. The Gourmet Dinner next Thursday will be held at Fishermen’s Cove and will include live entertainment. According to auxiliary member Brian Lambert, past fundraisers have helped purchase much-needed equipment for the library. To reserve a ticket for the dinner you can contact the library at 886-6082. SPOOKY WEEKEND
AHEAD FOR TRICK OR TREATERS Halloween is Monday, officially, but this weekend, ghouls, goblins, and other scary creatures are getting an early start on the creepy fun. And if you enjoy being scared out of your wits and eating candy, you’ll want to visit one or all three haunted houses set up in Toccoa this weekend. The first is an annual Halloween Spectacular at the home of David and Sharon good on Orlando Street in Toccoa. David good says this year’s festivities promise to be the best yet. You can visit the good’s home Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. And there is going to be a lot of bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble at the Haunted Cottage on the corner of Tugalo and Pond Street this weekend. Each night this weekend from 7p.m. until late at night, the Haunted Cottage will be spooky, gory, but safe, say organizers. And all this month, Truckers Toy Run for Kids has been sponsoring a haunted trail walk on Red Rock Road from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The haunted trail also features hot boiled peanuts and hot dogs. $3 for adults and a dollar for children or bring a new toy for the toy run. Just follow the signs down Oak Valley Road to Red Rock Road stop at the burning barrel. REMINDER: TIME TO
“FALL BACK” AND DO A SAFETY CHECK TOO It’s time once again to “fall back.’ At 2 a.m. Sunday morning, we go off Daylight Saving Time and back to Eastern Standard Time. That means you need to remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. It is also a good time to do some routine safety checks, like with your smoke detectors, according to State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine. Oxendine says every year there are numerous fire fatalities in Georgia in homes that did not have a working smoke alarm. The third safety check, according to Oxendine, is to make sure your family has a good fire drill plan. Anyone needing a fire safety house check can also contact the Toccoa Fire Department. They will come out and check your home and your smoke detectors. If you do not have a working smoke alarm, you can get one free from the Toccoa Fire Department or one of the County’s volunteer fire departments. COUNTY SET
TENTATIVE MILLAGE County commissioners met today for a called session in order to tentatively set the millage rate for fiscal 2006. Setting the millage has been delayed due to tax assessor hearings resulting from property revaluations. County administrator Darrell Hampton said increases in revenue generated by the revalued tax digest, as well as increases in the insurance premium tax, hotel/motel tax and projected increases in the “LOST” and “SPLOST” taxes associated with the Super Wal-mart has resulted in a 4.38% growth in the tax digest. The millage rate for F2005 was 10.62. For F2006, the proposed millage rate is 9.95. Commissioners will formally set the millage rate at their next meeting in November. The tentative rate set today will allow the county to send out its property tax bills. ANIMAL SHELTER
CLOSES FOR REPAIRS The Stephens County animal shelter is undergoing some much-needed renovations. A recent inspection by the State Department of Agriculture found a number of violations at the shelter, which is operated by the Toccoa Police Department. Toccoa Police Chief Jackie Whitmire says work on the renovations began Wednesday. “The shelter will be closed for about two weeks,” Whitmire explained. “They started tearing out the old kennels on Wednesday and we’re going to install 12 new kennel runs, repaint, and resurface the floor. This has been some much-needed work at the shelter and we’re glad to finally get it done,” he said. Most of the dogs in the shelter were transferred to private rescue groups. The cats, which are housed in another area, are remaining at the shelter. The installation of the new kennels will take about two weeks and Whitmire says during that time only extreme animal control officers will address cases. “During this time animal control officers will only be handling dog bite or vicious dog cases,” Whitmire explained. “We won’t be able to pick up strays, but we will pick up vicious dogs and we’ll find somewhere to put them,” he said. If you have a dog you need to turn in, you can take it to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia or the Habersham County Animal Shelter in Clarkesville. The Stephens County Humane Society, a private rescue group, is not taking in any dogs at this time. The county animal shelter will continue to receive cats and kittens, however. SUSPECT IDENTIFIED
IN SUV THEFT Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators now have a suspect in the theft of a Ford Expedition from a Wisconsin dealership. The 2003 Expedition was purchased new from a dealership in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin two years ago. Chief deputy Mike Crozier says the purchase was made using fraudulent identification, driven to Atlanta, and then sold to a person in Toccoa. “The SUV was purchased new from a dealership in Wisconsin using bogus identification,” Crozier explained. “The suspect used a fake Georgia driver’s license and other information to purchase the vehicle. He drove it off the lot and of course, never made any payments on it so it was listed as stolen,” he said. That car was driven to Atlanta where it was eventually sold to a Toccoa resident for $20,000. Once here, the SUV had transmission problems and sat for two years at a location on Pond Street until neighbors complained. “We continued our investigation and once I was able to obtain an identification from the AFIS system, I relayed that information to authorities in Wisconsin where they will be applying for a criminal warrant for his arrest,” he said. The suspect’s name has not been released pending the issuance of the warrant. Crozier says the person in Toccoa who bought the stolen SUV will not be charged. NEED FOR LAND USE
PLAN BECOMING APPARENT Stephens County Commissioners are beginning to see the necessity for a planning commission and some sort of land use or land management plan. Yesterday, the commission spent over an hour considering six variance requests to the current county subdivision ordinance. All of the requests were denied. Commissioners noted that as more and more outside developers and resident landowners decide to build in Stephens County, they are receiving more and more requests for variances. Commissioner rex Anderson said it is an ongoing, time-consuming problem and the county must have some guidelines for future growth. During the called session yesterday, Anderson noted that their decisions may not stand up in court if the property owners decided to challenge the county ordinance in court. County administrator Darrell Hampton told commissioners a land use or land management plan would add re-enforcement to the subdivision ordinance. Anderson says land use in Stephens County is inevitable. A viable land use or land management plan would take several years to develop, according to commission chair Steve Chitwood. In the near term, commissioner Ken Peeples yesterday called for the commission to begin looking into establishing a planning commission. TALLULAH GORGE PARK
TO RELEASE WATER THIS WEEKEND Tallulah Gorge will return to its original state beginning this weekend when park officials conduct the annual water release program. The falls were considered North Georgia's first tourist attraction and drew thousands every summer. However, in 1910, Georgia Power was given permission to build a dam across the falls in order to provide electricity for Atlanta. The dam was completed in 1912 and power generation began in 1914. These water releases offer a historic glimpse of the Tallulah River as it flowed before the building of the dam. This weekend will be the aesthetic water release. Then for three weekends in November, the park will allow whitewater boating releases for experienced kayakers. Also during these releases visiting artists from around North Georgia will be demonstrating and selling their creations in the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. No gorge floor or climbing permits will be issued on any of the water release weekends. FINAL E-911
RE-ADDRESSING PROCESS WORK NOW After a year in the works, the e-911 re-addressing and re-mapping is just about complete. However, e-911 Communications Director Paige Crocker says her office has discovered that not everyone has received their change of address notices and not everyone has returned their cards. “Beginning Friday, we are expanding our ours of operation until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays except for the week of Thanksgiving so people who have not received a change of address card can come by the office and get their new addresses,” Crocker said. In order to complete the process of changing the addresses over, the e-911 offices have extended their office hours for the month of November. If anyone has not returned their questionnaire, you are asked to do so as soon as possible. If you are not sure whether you have returned the questionnaire, Crocker advises you contact her office so they can check, by calling 886-1211. SOME LOCAL CITIZENS
HAVE MONEY COMING TO THEM The Internal Revenue Service is looking for over 2,500 Georgia taxpayers who are owed refunds. Checks totaling approximately $2.5 million can be re-issued as soon as taxpayers contact the IRS with their correct address. Here in Stephens and Franklin counties, IRS spokesman Eric Erickson says there are ten citizens who have money coming to them. They include: Mary P. Carpenter - Eastanollee Brandon Richey – Martin Kenneth L. Cash - Toccoa Kevin Jones – Toccoa William G. & Courtney L. Miller - Toccoa Randall L. Allen - Carnesville William H. Walton - Lavonia Michael L. Westbrook - Lavonia Timothy E. Fields - Royston Victor & Victoria Castro Morales - Royston The refund issue takes on new urgency for the IRS as people displaced from the Gulf Coast are now living in other parts of the country and about 2,000 of them are here in Georgia. The refunds for people in Stephens and Franklin counties, the average refund check is $515 and range from $31 to over $2,000. If you think you might be owed a refund, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or go online to www.irs.gov. UNION COUNTY
RECEIVES ONE-GEORGIA GRANT Governor Sonny Perdue this week announced the One Georgia Authority grants and Centers for Innovation Research grants. The nearly $8-million dollars in funds distributed Tuesday will help create jobs, stimulate private investment and support the retention of existing jobs in the state. In Northeast Georgia, Union County’s development authority received a grant to help fund the purchase of land for a door and window company. Applewood Doors plans to build a 113,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on a 10-acre tract. The project is expected to create 27 new jobs in Union County while retaining 23 workers. Toccoa has also applied for a One Georgia grant in the amount of $500,000 to help with the downtown canopy removal and street re-opening project. City planning director Connie Tabor tells WNEG that grant application will be sent in sometime the end of this week. Tabor says she is waiting for last-minute approval. Once submitted, tabor said they should hear something from the One Georgia Authority within the month. DOT OFFICIALS CLOSE
SR180 Georgia Department of Transportation officials will decide today if it is safe to open a Townes County road closed yesterday because of snow flurries. The winter weather season has started a little earlier than expected in Northeast Georgia. Snow flurries on State Route 180 spur in Brasstown Bald on Tuesday, caused the DOT to close the road. DOT district engineer Russell McMurray said closing the road is a precautionary measure because the spur can become very dangerous very quickly. GAS LINE MOVE IS ON
TIME AND UNDER BUDGET A project by the city to move a gas line because of the widening of Highway 17 is on time and under budget. Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse, said that while the combination is rare, he’s glad to see it. “It is nice to be on time and I thin it will be under budget,” Morse said. “ Our gas director, Allen Yearwood and the Toccoa Natural Gas crews have been working with a contractor using our crews to save money. The contractor has then come in and laid the pipe. It’s about a three mile long pipe, actually it’s a 6-inch gas main which is pretty big. They’ve completed about two miles of the project and have about one more mile to go.” Mayor Ken Davis suggested that with the $50,000 that the city will save, plus a matching amount, the city will proceed to make some repairs to other gas lines. The commissioners agreed and gave Morse permission to proceed with other improvements. TURN OF SPRINKLERS IN
COLD WEATHER With the arrival of cold temperatures, Georgia Department of Transportation officials in our area are reminding people to turn off sprinkler systems with overnight automatic timers. North District engineer Russell McMurry tells WNEG sprinkler systems that are left on overnight can create a hazardous condition for motorists the next morning. He added that every fall and winter crews see traffic accidents caused by icy spots from sprinkler systems. Spray from the sprinkler is blown onto the road or water drains onto the road and black ice is formed. TIME TO “FALL BACK” AND
DO A SAFETY CHECK TOO It’s time once again to “fall back.’ This Saturday night, we go off of Daylight Saving Time and back to Eastern Standard Time. That means you need to remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed. It is also a good time to do some routine safety checks, like with your smoke detectors, according to State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine. Oxendine says every year there are numerous fire fatalities in Georgia in homes that did not have a working smoke alarm. The third safety check, according to Oxendine, is to make sure your family has a good fire drill plan. Anyone needing a fire safety house check can also contact the Toccoa Fire Department. They will come out and check your home and your smoke detectors. If you do not have a working smoke alarm, you can get one free from the Toccoa Fire Department or one of the County’s volunteer fire departments. LIFE CHAIN WALK SET FOR
SUNDAY AFTERNOON Stephens County Right to Life will take part in a national “Life Chain” vigil this Sunday in Toccoa. Advocates will line the sidewalks of Big A Road beginning at Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday afternoon, silently holding pro-life signs. Stephens County Right to Life president Keri Powell says they want to let mothers of aborted children know that God loves them and their children. Participants will be provided with five different signs, which will be distributed at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Powell says their research shows that dozens of Stephens County women had abortions last year. The Life Chain rally will take place Sunday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. More information is available by calling 886-9223. ATLANTA DAIRY RECALLS
MILK The makers of Parmalat milk and other brands have issued a voluntary
recall of whole milk. MAKE-UP DAY SCHEDULED
FOR CHRISTMAS HELP Low turnout is being blamed for a make up sign-up day for the 2005 Salvation Army Christmas assistance program. Only a few dozen people showed up October 10 through the 14th for the initial sign up. Salvation Army caseworker Ann Shedd thinks it is because not enough people knew about it. The new sign-up day will be next Friday, November 4 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Shedd says all families signing up for the Christmas help must bring certain items with them. They must all bring some kind of proof of address, such as a utility bill. Shedd says there are no exceptions and any one of the necessary items that is missing will stop the sign up process. Last year, the Salvation Army helped over 300 families at Christmas. GOOD SPELLERS COMPETE
FOR LITERACY If you are a good speller, you might want to attend the Stephens County Literacy Foundations’ annual fundraiser. It is the Bee Smart Spelling and Trivia Bee to be held next Thursday, November 3 in the Stephens County Middle School cafeteria. Director Lisa Prickett says proceeds from the spelling bee and a silent auction support literacy programs in our community. Pritchett says one of the new programs supported by the fundraiser is a dictionary project in the elementary schools for third graders. This year, 19 teams of three spellers will compete for the grand prize, which is being donated by the Milliken Humphrey Plant. Last year’s winners represented the Stephens County School System Central Office. They out-spelled the team from North Georgia Technical College. STEPHENS COUNTY TO
PARTICIPATE IN STATE EDUCATION VIDEOCONFERENCE Stephens County will once again be a part of the State Department of Education’s “Community Conversations” program Wednesday evening. The county is one of 22 school systems across the state chosen to participate. This year’s theme is “investing in educational excellence,” and members of the Governor’s Task Force on Education Finance will be getting public input on how state education monies are spent. Like the last conference, Stephens County will participate from the Stephens County Middle School. Members of the task force and the public have been challenged by the governor to begin looking at education as an investment in our future. At the last conference, about 100 parents, educators, and teachers turned out to offer their thoughts and ideas, and they are hoping for many more tomorrow. Information gathered from the last meeting in January found that parents are most concerned with test scores, testing in general, and curricula. Tomorrow’s meeting gets underway at 7 p.m. CITY TARGETS AREA FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AESTHETIC REVAMPING The City of Toccoa is targeting a couple of areas that need economic development and some aesthetic revamping. This week, the commissioners approved a Housing Needs Assessment on Avon Street. Mayor Ken Davis says it actually involved several more streets in that area. “It is not limited to the Avon Street area, but actually an area north and northwest of the street,” Davis said. “ What we hope to get out of it is a series of recommendations from state government that will eventually lead to some community development block grants, which in turn will help make the area a better place to live for those folks by making it a better environment.” The other area is one that Davis would personally like to see cleaned up and developed. The area around Elberton Street where some old manufacturing buildings have been vacant for years and presents both an eyesore and a potential health hazard. Development Authority Mitch Griggs told the commissioners that there are several tools available to them to including a visit by outside experts to the site to determine the extent of what needs to be done. Mayor Davis said that the area once was a very viable industrial site and could be once again. “What some people may forget is that the area at one time was once a very viable industrial neighborhood and we would like to see it happen again,” he explained. “But the first thing we have to do is see what is actually out there. To my knowledge the city has never attempted to do anything about the area.” Davis said that the goal for the city is to get some new industry to locate there and provide some jobs and economic growth for the city. “One hopes that we will be able to development a program that will entice either the current owners or new owners to invest in the property,” Davis said. “ But the first thing we have to do is get off the dime and get started.” The city was told that since the area is near railroad tracks, it becomes a prime spot that very few areas can offer. It is expected that a team from the Department of Community Affairs and the University of Georgia may visit the site soon . IMPROVEMENTS TO CITY
WATER SYSTEM AND HENDERSON FALLS PARK PLANNED Beginning today, the City of Toccoa’s water department will begin a new project to help rid the system of rain water infiltration. City Manager Billy Morse said some new technology will be used during this process. “Using SPLOST funds over the last several years, the city has been trying to eliminate the infiltration of rainwater into our water system,” Morse said. “ Coming up in November, the city will be using a new process in which the crews will slip new pipe over the old pipe and in that manner, will be able to replace some lines without disturbing the ground. It makes it pretty quick and easy.” Morse also announced that through an anonymous donor, the city has received $2500 for improvements to Henderson Falls Park. With the donation and some city money budgeted for the park, the city will replace the grills and trash cans and will install eight benches at the park. HOUSING AUTHORITY TO
UPDATE AND ENHANCE KITE STREET HOUSING AREA With the blessing of the Toccoa City Commission, the Northeast Georgia Housing Authority will change the face of its Kite Street Housing area. Back in April, the Housing Authority met with city officials and announced their plans to demolish a number of units in that area and cut off an access to that street. Housing Authority Director H.D. Brantley said that project will make the area more attractive. “There are actually two parts of the project,” Brantley explained, “First of all we will be demolishing about 30 units on the Kite Street site. We will also cut off Kite Street about 300 feet from Collins Road and put in a cul-de-sac. That way the only access to the area will be from Morgan Street. Once the units are gone, it will provide more parking and make the area more attractive to our residents.” Once the project is completed, the only access to Kite Street will be from Morgan Street. City Manager Billy Morse assured the commissioners that the new configuration would not present any problems for city crews. Brantley said that bids will go out next week for the work, which he hopes will be completed in 90 days. FRANKLIN COUNTY
COMMUTERS FAMOUS IN TOKYO Several Franklin County commuters are now well known in Tokyo, Japan. That is because they were recently featured on a Tokyo news program about the commuting habits of Americans. Charlie Williams, Robby Oliver, Jeff Jacques, and John McQueen all commute every day from their homes in Franklin County to their Department of Transportation jobs in Gainesville. District engineer Russell McMurray tells WNEG TV-Tokyo asked the DOT’s “Clean Air Campaign” for a list of commuters and the four were selected. Williams said he only has to drive to work one week out of the month, which saves wear and tear on his car and on gas. The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia employers, commuters, and schools to encourage actions that result in reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality. NORWOOD MOVES TO AVERT
PENDING MEDICARE COLLAPSE U.S. Representative Charlie Norwood has introduced stopgap legislation that would forestall the coming January collapse of Medicare physician services due to scheduled physician rate cuts. Norwood along with congressional representative Ed Whitfield from Kentucky introduced the legislation. According to American Medical Association survey, 38% of doctors currently treating Medicare patients say they will be forced to withdraw from the program if the proposed 4.4% cut in physician re-imbursements goes into effect in January. Norwood said most physicians lose money on Medicare patients, but there is a limit to how much they can afford to lose without going broke. The proposed legislation would provide a short-term solution and allow congress time to work on replacing the current rate system with a cost-of-living system of reimbursements. POLICE NEWS Toccoa police are looking into a case of theft at the Belk’s on Big A Road. Zach Oliver told police his car was parked in the lot in front of the department store when someone broke into it. Thieves got away with his cell phone and an amplifier. Eric Sanchez on Currahee Lane told Stephens County deputies someone broke into his home and took several items. Missing is a portable air compressor and 230 piece socket set. Sanchez said the suspects entered the home through a rear window in the garage. Someone now may have a very large aquarium set up. A 100-gallon aquarium was recently stolen from a home on Prather Bridge Road. The homeowner told deputies no one lives in the house and the last time she was, there was in August. Connie Wilbanks said the fish tank was in the home at that time. GAG ORDER IMPOSED IN
THOMASON PROCEEDINGS With the murder trial of Robert Eugene Thomas set to begin next week, the judge has imposed a pre-trial gag order. Thomason is charged with capital murder and four counts of aggravated battery in the shooting death of his estranged wife in October 2003. He is set to go on trial October 31 in Stephens County and faces the death penalty. On Friday, Superior Court Judge James Woods III heard a litany of pretrial motions from Thomason’s attorneys – one of them - a motion for a change of venue. In August, attorney Chris Elrod motioned to have the death penalty removed from the case saying it is unconstitutional. Elrod told Judge Woods that the way the death penalty statute is administered in Georgia results in arbitrary treatment of defendants. Elrod said there is no specific database that can be used to determine what constitutes a death penalty case, so local district attorneys are allowed apply the death penalty arbitrarily. However, Judge Woods said the law presumes that any public officer performs all of their duties according to Georgia law in determining what constitutes a death penalty case. TOCCOA WOMAN CHARGED IN
FATAL WRECK A Toccoa woman has been charged in a wreck last week that left one man dead. It happened last Monday at the intersection of Big A Road and East Currahee Street. Police say 21-year old Heidi Ramey was driving north on Big A Road when she ran the red light and slammed her 1994 Ford Explorer into the 1982 Buick driven by 54-year old Tommy Lee Smith. Smith was traveling west on Currahee Street when Ramey hit the driver side of his car, spinning it around counterclockwise. The impact caused Smith’s vehicle to be pushed into the driver’s side of a pick up truck driven by 44-year old Janice Mack of Lithonia. Mack’s truck was sitting at the intersection facing east. The impact caused Smith to be ejected from his vehicle. He later died at Stephens County Hospital. Ramey was charged with speeding and failure to stop for a traffic light. “CURRAHEE” CRY
RESURRECTED AT FORT CAMPBELL In Fort Campbell, KY, the 101st Airborne Division recently re-activated a historic unit whose actions during World War II were the subject of the book "Band of Brothers." The 506th Regimental Combat Team - also known as the "Currahees," a Cherokee Indian word meaning "stands alone" - returned to the division just as its soldiers were completing final preparations to return to Iraq. Colonel Thomas Vail tells WNEG his Currahees have trained hard and are ready to join their brothers in Iraq. The reactivation is part of the 101st Airborne Division's recent expansion from three to four brigade combat teams under a Pentagon plan to reorganize the army into smaller, easily deployable units. The unit - called the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment when they trained here in Toccoa during World War II, was among the first to land in Normandy. Over the years, the army has deactivated and reactivated the unit several times, sending its soldiers to Korea and Vietnam, where the unit was critical to winning the battles on Hamburger Hill. First Sgt. Edward Lawrence, the Brigade's rear detachment commander, said the reactivation brings instant identity to a brigade whose current members have yet to be tested. Lawrence said it gives young soldiers a history that they know about, and. something to base all further accomplishments on. CHEEK TO JOIN HABERSHAM
BANCORP BOARD Habersham Bancorp has announced that Ben Cheek III has joined their board of directors. Cheek is the chair and CEO of First Franklin Financial Corporation in Toccoa. In addition to a proven track record of success in the financial services industry, Cheek currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Georgia Council on Economic Education, the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Financial Services Association and the American Financial Services Association. Cheek is an active member of the Toccoa Rotary Club and a volunteer with the Salvation Army. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Piedmont College and the Advisory Council for the School Business Administration at Toccoa Falls College. In making the announcement, David Stovall, president and CEO of Habersham Bancorp said he is honored that Cheek has chosen to join their company. Habersham Bancorp is headquartered in Clarkesville and has offices in Cornelia, Baldwin, Braselton, Cleveland, Canton, Hickory Flat, Warrenton, and Toccoa. CHRISTIAN
BUSINESSWOMEN’S
GROUP TO START For many women, working a full-time job outside the home is a fact of life that can become very stressful. That is one reason why Anita Poole is starting a support group for working women. It’s called the Stephens County Christian Business Women’s Fellowship and they plan to hold their first meeting this Thursday. Poole says it is an idea she believes god put on her heart. The group will meet once a month in the beginning and maybe more than that if there is enough interest. Poole says any working woman is invited to participate. The Christian Business Women’s Fellowship will meet this Thursday at noon at the Cornerstone Restaurant. They hope to meet monthly, possibly more often if interest grows. CITY TO REVIEW FUTURE
OF ELBERTON STREET City Commissioners are taking a look at the old Elberton Street industrial area to see if anything can be done to revitalize the area. That stretch of Toccoa was once home to such furniture makers as Trogdon, Lullaby and Sears, but now consists of vacant and abandoned buildings. Mayor Ken Davis has proposed trying to buy the properties from the current owners, most of whom live somewhere else. The City would then look at getting the land cleaned up and selling it to other industries. Commissioners plan to discuss the matter at tonight’s City Commission meeting. CITY
LOOKS TO COUNTY ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE With the County working on an adult entertainment ordinance, the City of Toccoa is looking to follow suit. City commissioners will discuss extending the moratorium on issuing adult entertainment licenses at their regular meeting tonight. Commissioner David Austin tells WNEG, the City is waiting for the County to institute its adult entertainment ordinance and will likely then come up with its own version. According to County administrator Darrell Hampton an announcement of a public hearing on the county ordinance should be out this week. That hearing will address the issue of free speech, which adult entertainment such has topless bars, adult bookstores, and x-rated movie theatres are protected by, according to County attorney Rusty Smith. Smith said during the hearing, the commission would hear from certain members of the community who will address the negative effect adult businesses could have on a community. The Stephens County ordinance is modeled on the Gwinnett County ordinance, one of the strictest in the state. City commissioner David Austin says Toccoa will likely model their ordinance on the County’s. DEER HUNTERS CAN HELP
FEED HUNGRY THIS SEASON With deer hunting season starting soon, hunters can help feed those less fortunate in our state by donating a deer to the “Hunters for the Hungry” program. The program begins in November. Sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, seven locations will be set up across the state for hunters to drop off their deer. Here in Northeast Georgia, hunters can drop off deer at the Hall County Farmers Market the weekend of November 5 and the weekend of November 26. DNR spokeswoman Melissa Cummings says the meat is distributed across the state to the needy. “The meat is ground and packaged and then shipped to the Atlanta Food Bank,” Cummings explained. “From there they distribute to shelters and food banks all over the state,” she said. Sealey’s Deer Cooler in Jefferson will also be accepting deer from November 1 through the 30th during normal business hours. Hunters in Georgia donated more than 860 deer during the 2004 collection and in total, more than 145,000 pounds of venison have been donated since the program began in 1993. CITY ANNOUNCES LEAF
PICKUP – FREE MULCH Now that fall is here, many homeowners have two projects to get out of the way before winter sets in - rid the lawn of leaves and get the garden ready for winter. That is where the City of Toccoa can help. Beginning November 1, the City’s leaf pickup service will be available to vacuum leaf piles from the curbside. The vacuum on the truck is destined to pick up leaves only, not sticks, twigs, or other yard debris. The truck will run on a unique schedule and may not run on the same day as garbage pickup. To find out when the truck will be in your neighborhood, call Janet Dye in the Public Works Department at City Hall. And in order to minimize the impact of waste on landfills, the City of Toccoa recycles leaves, clippings, and yard gatherings collected throughout the year. That yard debris is turned into mulch, which the City is now offering free for the taking. You can pick up and take away as much mulch as you can carry between 7 a.m. and noon on the first Saturday of each month from the mulch yard on West Doyle Street next to Alewine Park. Tree-x and Top Notch have agreed to assist the City with loading mulch. LOCAL WOMAN FINDS
PROBLEMS WITH STATE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM A local businessperson is questioning the State Department of Agriculture’s claim that they ran out of money to fund the low-cost spay/neuter program. The program is funded through the sale of specialty tags, but this past May, the Agriculture Department stopped the program saying they had run out of money. Molly Moncure, owner of Radiosoft, Inc. in Stephens County, also does German Shepherd rescue. She says she tried to take advantage of the program in May when she took a dog to her vet to be spayed and was told it had been suspended. Now several months later, Moncure wonders why the program has not been restarted. “I thought about it for several months and realized that they’re still taking in money from the sale of the specialty tags for the spay/neuter fund. So there’s money going into that fund, but no money going out of that fund,” she said. After contacting the Agriculture Department and requesting a financial breakdown of the program under the Georgia Open Records Act, moncure said she found many discrepancies. “What I found was that in May when they ended the program, they had $115,000 in that account. They have not suspended the sale of the specialty tags since they ended the program, and they take in roughly $50,000 a month,” Moncure noted. “So by my records, they should now have about $300,000 in that account, yet they are saying there’s only $120,000 in the account,” she said. “So what I want to know is where is that money going? I also want to know why, if there is $120,000 in the account, they are not using it for spay/neuters,” she asked. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told Moncure they are looking into her concerns. HIGH
SCHOOL SEEKING NEW LATIN TEACHER Stephens County High School is looking for a new Latin teacher. At this week’s school board meeting it was learned the school is looking at two candidates to fill the position left vacant by Janice Clifton. Not one of the most well known courses offered at the high school, principal George Sanders says it’s an important core course that needs to continue. “We’ve had a Latin program in place for a number of years,” noted Sanders. “We recently lost our Latin teacher and so far we’ve talked to a couple of candidates. We hope to have someone in place by the second semester this year,” he said. Sanders would not elaborate on who they are looking at, but WNEG News has learned one of the candidates comes from the Washington, DC area. Sanders say they hope to have a new teacher in place by the second semester. TABOR CHRYSLER
INVOLVED IN OPERATION GRATITUDE A local car dealership is involved in a nationwide effort to help bring home a little closer to service members overseas. Tabor Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep is helping to kick off “Operation Gratitude” and will serve as a drop off point for donations for U.S. Servicemen. Operation gratitude is a non-profit organization that collects comfort items and letters of appreciation from the American public to send to U.S. Servicemen stationed around the world. Manager Stan Roberts says they are thrilled to be a part of this national effort. Items that may be donated can be anything that Servicemen cannot usually get overseas, such as gum, CD’s, DVDs, and even tuna salad kits. You can get a complete list of items to donate online by going to the operation gratitude web site at www.operationgratitude.com. GEORGIA UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE RISES IN SEPTEMBER The unemployment rate in Georgia rose to 5.4% in September, up two-tenths of a percent from 5.2% in August. That is way up from the national rate for September, which were 4.8% and almost a full point over the Georgia unemployment rate from a year ago of 4.6%. In the Georgia Mountains Region, of which Stephens County is a part, the unemployment rate for September was 4.1% Here in Stephens County, 151 workers filed for unemployment benefits in September, down from 163 in August and way down from a year ago when 238 claims were filed in September 2004. CALL FOR ARTISTS FROM
CURRAHEE ARTIST GUILD The Currahee Artist Guild is inviting all artists to enter its 16th annual Arts and Crafts Festival the weekend of November 5 – 6. This year’s show and sale will take place at Thacker Hall on Doyle Street in conjunction with the Toccoa Harvest Festival. Guild spokeswoman Deborah Hartley tells WNEG this year’s judge will be Mary Padgelek from Athens, Georgia. Padgelek is an award-winning painter and author whose work has been widely published in journals and books. Awards will be presented Sunday afternoon. New this year, Hartley says there will also be art demonstrations going on all weekend outside of Thacker Hall. Entry forms are available at the Studio and Frame Shop on the downtown mall and at the Chamber of Commerce office. UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
PROGRESSING WELL The local United Way Campaign is progressing well a month into the fund raising event. Chairman Steve Alligood said that several industries have either completed their fund raising efforts or are in the middle of them. “We’re making good progress,” Alligood said, “ Several of the organizations have either finished their fund raising efforts or are in the middle of them. I know the City of Toccoa has just finished their campaign and it’s up a little this year. That’s always good news when you can increase your giving from one year to the nest. First Franklin is working on their campaign right now and all of our small business letters have gone out in the mail. So we’re looking for a good campaign this year.” Right now, the county’s total is about $30,000 with a goal of $112,000. MARTIN FALL FESTIVAL
NEXT WEEKEND The Martin Fall Festival is just about a week away. The annual event is scheduled from 9am to 6pm in Martin on Saturday October 29th. Martin Mayor Don Foster said that the city and the Martin Women’s Club have been working very hard to make the festival a good one with some new events. “Oh, yes, this is the time for us to show off a little,” Foster stated. “ We really appreciate all of the things that the Martin Women’s Club is doing to make the festival another good one. We’ll have a blood mobile here and I understand we’ll also have some square dancing, which is something new this year. So I hope everybody will come out and have a good time.” AM 630 plans to do some live broadcasting from the festival on that Saturday morning from 9am until 12 noon so be sure to be listening. HEALTH DEPARTMENT RUNS
OUT OF FLU VACCINE The high demand for flu shots in Northeast Georgia has already exhausted supplies at some county health facilities and Stephens County is one of them. Stephens and Hart Counties ran out of the vaccine yesterday as did Forsyth County. Dave Palmer with the North Health District tells WNEG flu clinics will resume as soon as another supply of vaccine is received. Palmer emphasizes the shortage is not due to not enough vaccine as happened last year, but to the high demand for flu shots this year. ABSENTEE VOTING BEGINS
TODAY Those voting in municipal elections next month need not worry about having a photo ID with them, but they will need a valid form of identification. On Tuesday, a federal court in Rome temporarily barred the state from enforcing a new state law requiring voters show photo identification at the polls. County registrar Theresa Kelley says that means the old system will be in place in November where one of 17 pieces of identification will be accepted. In granting a preliminary injunction Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Harold Murphy in Rome, GA, agreed with critics who claimed the law amounted to an unconstitutional poll tax. Murphy held it was not tailored narrowly enough to serve its stated purpose of preventing voter fraud. Meantime, absentee balloting begins today and Kelley says voting machines will be set up in her office. Toccoa residents are going to the polls to select two new city commissioners. FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF
WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department was honored by Governor Sonny Perdue recently for their outstanding work during the state’s “100 Days of HEAT” safety program. More than 400 officers, highway safety advocates, and elected officials were on hand when Perdue bestowed the awards on 26 state law enforcement agencies. Franklin County won the 2005 Governor’s Cup for having the highest overall evaluation. Franklin County scored 178 out of a possible 195. Sheriff Steve Thomas says they will be going to Atlanta next week to receive their trophy. However, it doesn’t stop there. The Franklin County Sheriff’s office also received first place in the Class Two division of the Governor’s Challenge Award, which recognized the deputies’ dedication to increasing seatbelt use and slowing down impaired and speeding drivers. Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas also received the Impaired Driving Awareness Award for his department’s efforts in addressing the problem of impaired driving. “I’m very proud of all my officers,” Thomas said. Finally, the Franklin County Sheriff’s department received national recognition by being awarded first place in the National Law Enforcement Challenge. That award comes from the International Association of Chief’s of Police. RECOVERY ACADEMY
STRUGGLING TO FIND FUNDING The fate of the Stephens County Recovery Academy remains up in the air. At this week’s school board meeting, director Bob Gaylor received the backing of the school board and school superintendent Gary Steppe although the school board cannot allocate any funding for the program. The Recovery Academy provides professional mentors and counselors to students who have been expelled from school. However, the program has run out of funding and will have to close down the end of the year if more grant money isn’t found soon. School board member Dr. Beth Pinkerton suggested the board call a meeting with local civic and business leadership to see what could be done to save the program. Gaylor is hopeful something will come of that effort. Gaylor is also working with county commissioners to find funding. Begun five years ago, the Stephens County Recovery Academy helps expelled students get back on track and graduate, and has an 85% success rate. It was also featured by the U.S. Department of Education as a model for other school systems across the country in a recent seminar in California. REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP
MEETS WITH NE GA BUSINESS LEADERS Business leaders from five Northeast Georgia counties are in Tallulah Falls today talking to state Republican senators about economic development in our area. Stephens County is one of the counties the senators are interested in. One of the big issues seen as holding back Stephens County’s economic future is a lack of infrastructure. While that problem is being addressed at the local level, development authority director Mitch Griggs says he plans to get more information on what’s being done at today’s meeting. “Infrastructure in rural communities is always an issue,” Griggs said. “I want to make sure that the widening of Highway 17 and the Bypass are still on track and that those projects will be completed as fast as they can,” he said. Griggs and other business leaders will be meeting with State Senator Nancy Schaefer, Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill. Griggs says he also wants to get an update on the future of transportation for our area. “I also want to know what the status of the proposed I-3 interstate is. I want to know what they’re doing in Washington, DC to develop that project,” he said. Right now, the federal Department of Transportation has authorized a feasibility study of the I-3 proposal scheduled to begin sometime next year. I-3 is one of two new interstates proposed in Georgia. The other, I-14, would cut through the southern most part of the state. TRUCKERS TOY RUN FOR KIDS
UNDERWAY Calling all big rig drivers and bike riders...it’s that time of year again. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Truckers Toy Run for Kids and anyone interested in taking part in the trucker parade can sign up now. The Toy Run takes place the second Saturday in December and as in previous years, rolls off from the grounds of the Toccoa Casket Company according to coordinator Amon bear weaver. “We’re asking for all big rigs and roadworthy motorcycles to sign up,” Weaver said. “We don’t want any of those smaller bottle rocket cycles,” he said. Donations of toys, clothing, and supplies are also being taken at this time, according to Weaver. Weaver says they are looking for two new unwrapped toys for the children. Weaver says they expect to help at least 60 families this year. STEPHENS COUNTY SCHOOLS
ADOPT HEAD LICE POLICY After some head scratching and research, Stephens County School Board members have approved the school system’s first-ever head lice policy. Last month, the policy was proposed by the school system’s head nurse Jennifer Steffanini who says some children have a continuous problem with head lice. At last night’s meeting, the board approved the new “no nit” policy that requires parents to make sure their children are nit free before sending them back to class. Steffanini says often parents will wash their child’s hair and send them back to school, but do not continuously check for the nits, the eggs lice leave behind on the scalp. Consequently, the children are re-infected within a couple of weeks and then spread the lice to their classmates. Steffanini said the school nurse is ready to get involved with the family to help rid the student and the home of lice. The Stephens County policy is based on policies in surrounding counties where they have been successful in drastically reducing the number of lice cases in their schools. SHOTS
FIRED ALONG BROAD STREET Police are looking into reports of random gunfire along Broad Street in Toccoa. All three incidents happened Sunday evening near the Currahee Street intersection. In the first, a driver for Hartwell Railroad was traveling north on Broad Street when he heard a pop-pop sound. Eddie Pitchford told police he looked out the passenger side of the truck and when he looked back inside, he noticed a bullet had gone through the rearview mirror and into the windshield. Pitchford said he did not see anyone at the time of the shooting. As officers were taking his statement, another driver pulled up and said someone shot at him. Cecil Bearden said he was also traveling north on Broad Street near the Boys and Girls Club when he was shot at. Bearden showed the officer where the bullet struck his 1990 Chevrolet near the left front fender. A third person stopped at the police station and reported a similar incident. A Mr. Hellenga reported he was traveling south on Broad Street when someone shot at him. The bullet grazed the passenger side door of his vehicle. So far, police have no suspects and the investigation continues. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
MAKES DRUG ARREST On Tuesday, 23-year old Darrel Wilson of Valley Drive in Toccoa was brought to the Stephens County Jail on misdemeanor drug charges from the Toccoa Police Department. During the booking process, deputies discovered four pre-packaged bags of marijuana on Wilson’s person. He was immediately charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in addition to the Toccoa charges. Wilson is being held without bond in the Stephens County Jail on a parole hold. STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL
ENDS FISCAL YEAR ON A POSITIVE NOTE Stephens County Hospital has ended another fiscal year. Finance Committee Chairman Elliot Caudell said that he never imagined the growth the hospital has accomplished in the last 25 years. Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell agreed that the hospital is a fast growing product. “I’ve been here for the last 21 years,” Gambrell said, ”I agree with Mr. Caudell about the growth of this hospital. Seventy nine million dollars in revenue is a huge amount for a hospital of this size and it continues to grow each year.” Wilkinson Center and Clary Center Director Karen Barnes surprised the authority with her report when she told the board that the roof on both buildings were leaking badly and would need to be replaced. Gambrell said that both buildings have the original roofs on them. “The Wilkinson Center opened up in 1988 and the Clary Center opened in 1992,”Gambrell explained. “We’ve had a lot of rain this summer and it looks like we’ll have to replace both of those roofs.” The authority will be getting estimates on the cost of replacing the roofs as soon as possible, feeling that the longer they wait, the more the damage to the inside of the builds will be. REGISTRATION OPENS FOR
CRUISE-IN Classic and antique car lovers are being sought for this year’s Annual Antique & Classic Car Cruise-In. Sponsored by the Stephens County Recreation Department, the Cruise-In takes place November 5 in conjunction with the Toccoa Harvest Festival. Registration forms can be picked up at the Rec.Center, according to spokesperson Cheryl Spinet. The Cruise-In will be located in front of Troup’s Photo on East Doyle Street. In addition to the antique vehicles, there will also be live entertainment featuring 11-year old Alex Swindol who won the national “Little Elvis” competition last year in Missouri. Spinet says the cruise in will not be limited to just cars this year. For more information on the Cruise-In contact the Rec. Department office at 886-5101. BANKS COUNTY TO DEVELOP
MARTIN BRIDGE ROAD EXIT The Banks County Development Authority is laying the groundwork for development of the Martin Bridge Road area off I-85. In a recent meeting, the authority agreed to look into having the area used as a possible industrial park. The authority plans to get examples from other counties that have industrial parks and use them as a guide. Currently, the Martin Bridge Road area is zoned C-2 Commercial. However, the authority is interested in using the land for industrial use rather than exclusively for retail such as banks crossing. A subcommittee consisting of members of the Development Authority, the Banks County Commission and the Banks County Planning Commission has been established to oversee development of Martin Bridge Road. JACKSON COUNTY LOOKS AT
ADDING EXITS TO I-85 The Jackson County Commission is considering adding new exits to I-85. In a recent meeting, a study was discussed that found adding new exits to I-85 in Jackson County would help bolster economic development along the corridor. And adding parallel roads running alongside the interstate would provide motorists with a safe alternative to the major thoroughfare in an emergency. There are already four interstate exits along Jackson County’s stretch of the north-south corridor of I-85. Jackson County commission chairwoman Pat Bell said she would like to see two more. ANOTHER 441 DETOUR IN
RABUN COUNTY Another detour for motorists going up Hwy 441 into Rabun County. This week, Department of Transportation engineer Russell McMurray announced work will begin tomorrow to reconstruct the intersection of 441 and West Wolf Creek Road south of Clayton. McMurray tells WNEG, D-O-T crews will completely rework the intersection in order to improve sight distance. During the month-long construction project, motorists will be detoured from West Wolf Creek Road to Old 441 to the Wiley Connector and then back onto 441. The detour is expected to last for a minimum of 30 days, weather permitting. HIGH SCHOOL CONDUCTS DRUG
SWEEP A Martin teen is free on bond after being caught with drugs on the campus of Stephens County High School. The arrest of 17-year old Elizabeth Ann House was the result of a random drug sweep last week by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Department and the Piedmont Northern MANS Unit. Agents allegedly discovered five pre-packaged bags of marijuana in her possession. Principal George Sanders says his goal is to eliminate the drug problem among young people in Stephens County. "We're real concerned about the drug situation at the high school as well as our community," Sanders said. "We have asked Sheriff Sorrells if he would bring the dogs in unannounced so that no one knows when they’re coming or what's going on right there as far as what's going to be searched. They did this and coach Brown was the man that was in charge at the time. Coach Brown was able to take them around. In addition, they were able to randomly go through classrooms and they were able to go through book bags. We contacted some of the students and parents that were involved. The big idea is that we want parents and students to know that we're not going to allow drugs to stay in Stephens county high school if we can help it," he said. Meantime, Elizabeth House is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. She is currently free on $10,000 bond from the Stephens County jail. According to Sanders, last week’s drug sweep is one of many more to come. Two weeks ago, four juveniles were arrested for bringing alcohol on campus and one was charged with bringing a knife to school. Another student was found to be carrying a plastic bag containing marijuana in his book bag. RITA EVACUEES AT GEORGIA
BAPTIST RETURN HOME About 34 Hurricane Rita evacuees from Texas are starting the long trip back home this week. The evacuees, many from nursing homes around Houston, have been staying at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center and the Toccoa Nursing Center for the past month. "Last night we had 36 people in there. By tonight we'll probably have about 20 and by Wednesday there shouldn't be anyone there at all," noted Jim Martin, American Red Cross representative. "Our only logistics thing we're working out is to get the right planes to get the people returned. Most of the people at Georgia Baptist have a some kind of special need of some sort. And we have to make sure that when we return them they have somewhere to go - to either a relative or a facility where they will be cared for," he said. News of the evacuees arrival last month came suddenly when Hurricane Rita forced the evacuation of most of the Texas coast. The Georgia Baptist Conference Center had been prepared to receive hurricane Katrina evacuees but they never arrived. TOCCOA MAN DIES IN MONDAY
WRECK Toccoa police are still investigating a wreck Monday that killed a Toccoa man. It happened at about 1:30 p.m. Monday at the corner of Highway 123 and Big A Road. The accident involved three vehicles and it is still not clear how it happened. Police say 54-year old Tommy Lee Smith was driving a 1982 Buick Riviera. He was taken to Stephens County Hospital where he later died. The drivers of the other vehicles are identified as 21-year old Heidi Ramey who was driving a 1994 Ford Explorer, and 44-year old Janice Mack of Lithonia who was driving a 1986 Ford f-150 pick up. Both drivers were taken the Stephens County Hospital for treatment of injuries. Their conditions are unknown. ASIAN BIRD FLU NO REAL
THREAT TO GEORGIA POULTRY INDUSTRY Threats of Asian Bird Flu wiping out the poultry business in Georgia are greatly exaggerated. That’s according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association in Atlanta. The Associated Press recently published a report by an infectious disease expert at Emory University claiming the avian flu could wipe out poultry farmers here. However, Dr. Elizabeth Krushinskie, VP of the Food Safety and Production Program for the Association says the commercial poultry industry in Georgia has an effective biosecurity program already in place. "The advantage our commercial poultry industry has in the United States is that all poultry is kept inside buildings," Krushinskie explained "They're confined to buildings and kept away from wild birds and other wild animals that could bring diseases into the flocks. And that's the whole premise of biosecurity...you want to keep your flock secure from biological challenges." she said. Both Franklin and Stephens Counties have contain some of the largest number of poultry farmers in the state – most working for large commercial producers, such as Fieldale Farms. In the event the avian flu did strike birds in the U.S. and more specifically here in Northeast Georgia, the poultry farmers would likely not suffer much economic loss, according to Krushinskie. "He may suffer some short term loss from that flock not going to market to be sold. Let’s say he raised it for five weeks and it was going to go to market, he doesn’t get paid until that flock is processed. In this case that flock would be destroyed and not go to the processing plant. That grower would then have the barn cleaned out, disinfected and made sure there was no virus left and maybe after eight weeks another flock of birds would be put back on that farm, she said. However, Dr. Krushinskie says the avian flu virus could affect the live-bird market in the U.S., such as in larger cities where many Asian immigrants live. "They like to go to the market, pick out a live bird, have it slaughtered, plucked and dressed for them to take home to cook for their families, much the same way they do in the markets in Asia," Krushinskie noted. Right now, there is no Asian avian flu virus in the U.S., but it has spread to parts of Eastern Europe where poultry flocks are being destroyed by the millions. MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC
A SUCCESS Confusion over what day their appointment was on may have been the reason why Dr. Polvere’s mobile spay/neuter vet clinic did not do as many procedures as had been booked yesterday. Originally advertised for today only, spokeswoman Sara Matthews says they had so many people call, they booked surgeries for both Monday and Tuesday. Matthews, said many people didn’t show up, told her they thought their appointment was for today. She says because Dr. Polvere drives from Washington Georgia, some three hours away, it’s important she do at least two dozen procedures each time she visits here in order to make it worth her while financially. The mobile clinic offers low-cost spay neuters for dogs and cats as young as 6 weeks. The price of the surgery also includes a free rabies vaccine. Other vaccines are $5 each. Currently, they plan to come very other week, with the next visit after today scheduled for November 1. But if people fail to show up, they will have to scale back on their visits. Appointments may be made by calling 706-654-3291. DISASTER DRILL SCHEDULED
FOR WEDNESDAY Stephens County Hospital will be conducting its annual “Disaster Drill” Wednesday morning. Hospital Administrator ed Gambrell said that hospital officials decided to announce the drill this time so that everybody will be ready. “Sometimes we don’t announce the drills in order for it to be more realistic,” Gambrell explained, “This time we decided to announce the drill so that all of our personnel will have studies up on all of the procedures they need to follow and will be ready for the event. We also don’t want to alarm the public if they should see more emergency vehicles going to ward the hospital than they normally would.” Gambrell said that since the community had been prepared for some hurricane victims, the drill will center around a similar type situation in which a large amount of patients would be coming to the hospital and needing medical treatment. “Since the community just a short time ago had been prepared for hurricane victims coming in, we decided to keep that theme in mind and do a similar type situation in which a large number of victims would be coming into the hospital, each needing specific medical needs,” Gambrell said. Normally, students from the Stephens County School system are used as victims. This time, however, Gambrell said that senior citizens from the Rose Lane Senior Center have volunteered to become “victims” for this drill. STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL
AUTHORITY LEADERSHIP REMAINS Just as members of the Stephens County Hospital Authority stayed the same recently, the officers on that board remained the same, following Monday’s meeting. By acclamation, Chairman Ferman Gregory was named Chairman of the Authority Board, a position he has held for the last 18 years. Gregory said that he enjoys being a member of the board and that the success of the authority is the result of cooperation amongst its member. “I’ve always said that if anybody wants this job, they could have it,” Gregory joked. “But it is a privilege to work with this board. The reason we have the success that we have is that we work as a group together.” While other rural hospitals continue to struggle in many parts of the state of Georgia,. Stephens County Hospital continues to grow, be profitable and provide health care not found in other hospitals of its size. Gregory said this past year has been one of the most memorable in terms of expenditures on facilities and equipment. “This year has been a year that we have spent a lot of money on facilities such as the new EMS building and the emergency room, which we are extremely proud of,” Gregory pointed out. “We try to provide the best equipment we can possibly afford to allow our doctors to provide the best medical treatment of our patients.” Mark Wilkinson was also elected vice chairman of the Hospital Authority. All of the authorities respective committees will remain the same to ensure continuity. CURRAHEE IDOL COMPETITION
COMING IN NOVEMBER Think you are ready for a singing career? Well, one place to start might be the second annual Currahee Idol contest, which is set for November 5 at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to the singing contestants, this year’s show will feature the winners from last year’s competition as well as other performers. Applications are still being taken for anyone interested in entering the competition. Director Bob Snead says the event will be divided into four categories just like last year and only soloists may enter. All entrants should bring their own music sound track to sing to, according to Snead, as there will be no live music allowed. "We found that we don’t have the manpower or the time to spend setting up and taking down amplifiers and moving instruments on and off stage," Snead said. Winners will be chosen from each category and one overall winner will be selected. To get an application or more information you can contact Bob Snead at 886-5549. CAROL JACKSON TO SPEAK IN
FRANKLIN COUNTY TONIGHT Former State Senator Carol Jackson will be in Franklin County tonight to speak with voters about the issues concerning them. Jackson will be speaking tonight at the Georgia Auction Barn in Canon, on Highway 17 at 7 p.m. Jackson is running for the Secretary of State job and has been traveling around Georgia listening to voters. One problem people in north Georgia are telling her they have is how hard it is to get to the secretary of state’s office in Atlanta to do business. "People in North Georgia have a hard time getting to Atlanta or to Macon to conduct business with the Secretary of State’s office," Jackson noted. "If elected, I plan to set up two satellite offices in North Georgia," she said. Jackson says another complaint she hears from voters has to do with the timing of licensing tests. Many times people finish their coursework just after the state licensing date, which in some cases, means they have to wait months before they can take their state certification exam. Jackson wants to set up a program whereby no matter when the coursework is completed, people would be able to immediately get their state certification. Other issues Jackson says she plans to address include doing more to protect the elderly from fraud and investment scams. HOSPITAL LOVELIGHT
PROJECT UNDERWAY This year’s love light project underway at Stephens County Hospital. Sponsored by the Stephens County Hospital Auxiliary, this year’s goal is $18,100. The Auxiliary plans to help the hospital purchase several new pieces of patient care equipment with the money raised this campaign. They include medication carts, which feature mobile bedside medication administration. Also a Spiro meter software upgrade. The software is used to evaluate the success of a patient’s respiratory treatment program, which helps staff better determine the effectiveness of specific drug therapies. Also on the Auxiliary’s Christmas wish list is a non-magnetic gurney for the MRI department. There are three ways to give to the love light tree including a donation of $5, which lights a bulb on the tree; a $25 donation lights a bulb in the star at the top of the tree, and a donation of $100 buys a star for the tree. This is the 24th year for the Auxiliary to light the Love Light tree, which will be held Thursday, December 1 at 7 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. MARTIN FALL FESTIVAL
STILL NEEDS EXHIBITORS The Martin Fall Festival is just around the corner, but there is still a big need for artists and crafters to reserve space. This is the 14th year of the festival and coordinator Louise Wilson says the deadline for exhibitors to sign up has been extended. "We will be taking reservations for space right up until the day of the festival," explained Wilson. In addition to arts and crafts, this year’s festival will feature children’s games, gospel music, and something new this year – square dancing. Also the Blood Connection will have a mobile donor bus at the festival from noon to 4 p.m. Right now the blood connection, which supplies Stephens County Hospital, has a critical need for blood. The martin fall festival takes place the last weekend in October on Main Street in martin. Exhibitors can call Wilson at 779-3460 to get more information. MARCH OF DIMES WALK
AMERICA EVENT A BIG SUCCESS Saturday’s annual "March of Dimes for Healthier Babies" was a huge success according to officials. This year, the Ford Family had the honor of being ambassadors for Walk America. Chet and Nicole Ford shared their story of their twins’ pre-mature both so that Stephens County residents understood how participating in Walk-America helps the March of Dimes fight pre-mature birth and its painful consequences. AM 630 WNEG broadcast live reports throughout the event Saturday morning. WNEG’s John Durham spoke with Joy green who is with the NE Georgia Division of the March of Dimes. Joy told John that she felt the march was a success, "Oh, I think they day has just been beautiful, everybody seems to be excited and glad to be here," she exclaimed. "We all thin this has been a very successful event. We’ve raised a little over $37,000 and our goal was $45,000. Some more money will be coming in after the walk is over, so I’m very happy with what has happened here today." If there is anyone in out audience who wants some more information regarding the March of Dimes or pre-mature births, Ms. Green says there is a telephone number and web site available. "They can call our offices in Gainesville at 770-534-1332 or visit our website at walkamerica.org." Local sponsors for the walk included First Franklin Financial, Toccoa Clinic, Raybon OB/GYN, Stephens County Hospital, Simply Skin and Brother John’s Subs. AMERICA’S SAFE SCHOOL
WEEK THIS WEEK This is "America’s Safe Schools Week" - a program by the Department of Homeland Security to unite educators, policymakers, students, parents, and the community in assuring school safety. Georgia Homeland Security Director Mike Sherberger tells WNEG the most important step school officials can take is to develop a safety plan. Georgia law requires every public school to implement a wide-ranging safety plan that addresses acts of violence or terrorism, natural disasters, hazardous materials and radiological incidents. Of the 2,069 public schools in Georgia, almost 1,600 now have official safety plans. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
HIRING TOMORROW If you are looking for work, the Georgia Department of Corrections is hiring. They will be testing for correctional officers tomorrow at the Hart EMC office in Hartwell beginning at 10 a.m. Anyone interested in taking the test should have a high school diploma or GED, be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age. They should also not have any felony convictions. Applicants can get more information by calling the Whitworth Parole Center at 706-856-2601.
ACCUSED PROSTITUTES IN LAVONIA MAKE BAIL,
DISAPPEAR Lavonia police continue their search for a third suspect in the prostitution bust they made earlier this week on Highway 17. The bust Monday at the silver spa was the result of a two-day sting operation conducted by Lavonia police and the Anderson, South Carolina vice squad. Lavonia police chief Randy Shirley says it is likely the woman has left the state. “We are currently looking for the third young woman. We do have her name and a photo. However, we believe she has left the area,” Shirley said. “We have notified law enforcement around the country because we believe she will be trying to practice her trade in other states,” he said. Arrested Monday were 49-year old Kim Yung Moon of Korea and 39-year old Jangim Kim of Dunwoody, Georgia. They are now on the run along with the owner of the Silver Spa. Shirley says a man from New York flew down to Georgia and posted their bond on Tuesday before a hold order from the immigration and naturalization service could be issued to keep them in Franklin County. Both women are illegal immigrants from South Korea. Shirley says law enforcement routinely has problems with the INS when it comes to holding illegals that break the law. Next month, Shirley plans to approach the Lavonia City Council and city attorney to ask them to begin proceedings to shut the Silver Spa down under the City’s nuisance ordinance.
FORGED AND STOLEN CHECKS REPORTED The Toccoa Police Department was investigating a couple of cases of forged and stolen checks. The manager of the Southside Package Store told police that a cashier at the store cashed a third party check for $280. The cashier did get a driver’s license number and the date of birth of the subject who cashed it. The next day, the bank reported that the check was counterfeit. A police check on the subject, identified as 30 year old Tito Adkins of Carver Drive, Athens, indicated he was wanted for several other forgeries. Detectives will be continuing their investigation. A local beauty salon was the victim of a forged check Police received a report from Rapunzel’s that they had received a note from the Northeast Georgia bank that a check in the amount of $181 was from an account that had been closed. A further investigation revealed that the checks had been stolen and another bad check had turned up at Dominos Pizza. Region’s Bank reported that a counterfeit $20 bill was found in an account from a local restaurant The bill was taken into evidence by the police department while the investigation continues.
POLICE NEWS Toccoa Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a burglary at a home on Highland Avenue. Jackie Watson told police she returned home Monday to find someone had been in her home. Watson said she found clothes missing from her dryer; food taken from her refrigerator and someone had been ironing clothes on her carpet where they left a burn mark. Neighbors said they saw a women enter the home Monday. Watson was able to give police the name of the suspect and said she will prosecute if the person is caught.
The drug arrests continue in Toccoa. Tuesday night, officers received a complaint of drug-related activity at the Falls Apartments. When they arrived, they found two men in a parked car at the apartment and were given permission to search the vehicle by the driver. During the search police say they found a red metal box containing marijuana packaged to sell, which the driver allegedly admitted was his. They also found two glass pipes containing methamphetamine resin that the passenger in the vehicle allegedly claimed to be his. In addition, police reportedly found a zip-loc bag containing methamphetamine and a 22-caliber handgun in the back seat of the vehicle. Arrested was 17-year old Cody Jake Bolmon of Carnesville and 20-year old Nicholas Andrew Bolmon of Eastanollee. Both are charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. Cody Bolmon is also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. They were taken to the Stephens County jail.
JOE GAILEY RECEIVES LEADERSHIP AWARD Stephens County Recreation director Joe Gailey is the recipient of this year’s Roy A. Hammond Leadership award. The award is given every year to a member of the Georgia Recreation Professionals Association (GRPA). Gailey received the award Wednesday at the annual GRPA banquet in Gwinnett County and said it was a total surprise. “I had absolutely no clue,” Gailey said. “I was sitting there with my wife when the gal making the award, who is a friend of ours, started talking about the winner’s accomplishments, which could have applied to several different people in the room. The last thing I expected was for her to call my name,” he said. The staff at the Stephens County Recreation Department nominated Gailey for the award. Gailey said the award has special meaning because he knew Roy Hammond personally. “I worked with Mr. Hammond for about two years,” Gailey explained. “So this award naturally means a lot more,” he said. Hammond was a 45-year professional in recreation and for 20 of those years, served in District 7, which is the district Stephens County is in.
COLLEGE TO HOLD SMALL BUSINESS EXPO Anyone interested in starting their own business or if you already have one could benefit from an Entrepreneurial Expo coming up next week at North Georgia Technical College. The Expo takes place Thursday, October 20 at 5:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the school and the Hart, Franklin, and Toccoa-Stephens County Chambers of Commerce. Chamber director Cynthia Brown this a golden opportunity to find out more about resources available to the small businessperson. Speakers for the seminar include representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, both Georgia Tech and North Georgia Tech Small Business Resource Centers, and the Appalachian Community Enterprise office. The seminar is free but registration is required by calling the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce office.
TREASURES FROM THE ATTIC SALE NEXT WEEK Every year hundreds of people, line up early at the doors to the National Guard Armory to attend one of the largest garage sales in the region. It is the “Treasures From Your Attic” sale sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of Toccoa Falls College and it is coming up October 22. Spokesperson Sharon Crosby tells WNEG that despite the large number of items already accumulated, they are still taking donations for the sale. Crosby says shoppers will be able to pick up bargains on furniture, toys, clothing, housewares, and electronics. Proceeds from the sale go toward three substantial TFC student scholarship programs as well as to fund other projects at the school. If you have something to donate, you can contact the school at 886-6831 extension 5205.
REPUBLICANS CANDIDATES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
SATURDAY UPDATE...THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED The Franklin County Republican Party is hosting a grassroots picnic tomorrow in Sandy Springs. Citizens from around northeast Georgia will have an opportunity to meet the republican candidates for next year’s elections. Among those in attendance tomorrow evening, include the candidates for State Agriculture Commissioner, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor. All announced candidates for statewide offices have been invited to speak as well as the gubernatorial and congressional delegation. The picnic starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Sandy Cross Community Center.
ANTIQUE CARS ROLL INTO TOCCOA If you like antique cars you’ll want to be around tomorrow to see about 30 of them as they pass through town. Local member John White says the Horseless Carriage Club of Metro Atlanta features some of the earliest vehicles ever made. The group will be traveling to Walhalla today and will be in Toccoa on Friday. They plan to visit Toccoa falls in the morning and then spend some time at the Whistlestop Antique mall in the afternoon. White, who owns two model T’s, and a 1920 Chalmers says it was his idea to bring the club to northeast Georgia. White says there will be about 30 antique cars cruising Toccoa on Friday.
BRADEN GROUP RECEIVES TAX CREDIT FROM STATE A plan to build a senior citizen apartment complex on rose lane will go through thanks to a tax credit from the state department of community affairs. The credits were awarded to 34 low-income affordable rental housing developments statewide. In Toccoa, the Braden Group out of Summerville, Georgia plans to build the complex on the corner of Rose Lane and Rothell Road Extension. Last month, Toccoa City commissioners recommended they be awarded part of the $18.2 million dollar tax credit designed for low-income housing. According to a list published by the DCA, the apartment complex, to be known as “Imperial Place” was awarded over $320,000 in tax credits for the project.
CITY COMMISSION DEBATE SET Toccoa citizens will have a chance to hear from the City commission candidates first hand when they meet next month for a public debate. Sponsored by AM630 WNEG, the Senior Sector of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, and the Kiwanis Club, the debate will take place at city hall on November 1 at 6 p.m. Senior Sector representative Jim Shurley says this debate will have the same format as past debates. There are two City commission seats open this term. Mayor Ken Davis is running for re-election against local businessman Andy Pavlicsak, and incumbent Claude Smith is running against challenger Billy Chism. The election is Tuesday, November 8.
LAVONIA POLICE RAISE MONEY FOR WAVELAND, MS
POLICE FORCE Lavonia police will be out in force today asking donations to help a fellow police force in Mississippi. Officers will be at the downtown red light in Lavonia all day today. Chief Randy Shirley says the idea came from a Carnesville man. “A Carnesville man who drives truck told me about the police station in Waveland, Mississippi,” Shirley explained. “When the category four hurricane blew in, they lost all of their police vehicles and so we’re taking up a collection for them because they have nothing to operate on,” he said. According to a report in the Times Picayune, as Hurricane Katrina blew through, Waveland Police Chief James Varnell and his officers found themselves literally clinging to trees and bushes outside the police station as a wall of water swept everything away. Waveland lost all 33 of their patrol cars, along with four fire engines and every piece of heavy equipment the city had. After Katrina, the city of 8,800 had no way to transport the injured or the dead and nowhere to take them. Now a month after the storm, Waveland’s city offices consist of a bay at the fire station where the mayor has set up two small card tables. Shirley says the money collected today will be wired directly to the Waveland’s bank account so they will have it immediately. According to the National Association of Police Organizations, just about every coastal town in Mississippi lost their public safety vehicles and equipment.
MOBILE VET CLINIC A HIT IN TOCCOA-STEPHENS COUNTY Last month we told you about a new mobile vet clinic that offers low-cost spays and neuters for your dog or cat. Calling themselves “the Pet Mechanics,” Dr. Amber Polvere and vet tech Susan Thompson are scheduled to be in Toccoa next week. Originally, they had set Tuesday October 18th for the one-day clinic, but according to spokeswoman Sara Mathews the response was so great, they scheduled a second day for Monday, the 17th. Mathews says the response was so encouraging they plan to be in Toccoa every other week through at least the end of December. Their next clinic will be held November 1. The mobile vet clinic will be parked on the grounds of the Toccoa-Stephens County Animal Control. To get prices and make an appointment, you can call them at 706-654-3291.
NORTH GEORGIA CREDIT UNION EXPANDS North Georgia Credit Union is expanding their service area by opening a new office in Lavonia. The credit union will be leasing storefront space in a new strip mall just south of Lavonia City Hall. Representative Laura Williams tells WNEG this will be a full service office that will offer loan and deposit products, a drive up ATM, and a night depository. |
