Toccoa City commissioners have tentatively reached an agreement with Habersham County to sell them water. Last week, commissioners met in a special work session to discuss Habersham County’s bid to purchase about a million gallons of water a day from the City of Toccoa.

City manager Billy Morse said at last week’s work session, commissioners decided to meet personally with Habersham County commissioners.

"The City commission reviewed the agreement as proposed by Habersham County and in concept they agreed to it, but felt what was needed was to have two City Commissioners meet with two Habersham County commissioners to work out any other differences and to establish a sale price," Morse explained.

Yesterday morning, mayor Bob Troup, and commissioner Andy Pavliscsak met with two Habersham County commissioners to discuss the deal and nail down a price. Morse called the meeting productive.

"They hashed out a few of the items that were in the agreement and specifically agreed to a price," Morse said. "Now, since these were not quorums of either commission that information has to go back to the full bodies of Habersham County and Toccoa and hopefully by the end of November there’ll be an agreement in place," he said.

The exact price agreed upon at yesterday’s meeting has not been released. Habersham is offering to pay $1.81 per 1,000 gallons plus any additional costs to transport the water up the mountain to their facility.

City commissioners had discussed asking just over $2 per 1,000 gallons.

Motorists on the 17-bypass were at the mercy of other drivers this morning at the Jeanette Jamieson intersection due to a power outage. Power was out from Hwys 123 and 184, up Dicks Hill Parkway to Patterson Pump.

Hart EMC spokesman Keith Brown said the outage was the result of a one-vehicle wreck. "According to our crew, a truck struck a power line at Ayersville Rd and 123 near Patterson Pump," Brown explained. "The lines didn’t go down but slammed together from the impact and that caused them to short out," he said.

Stephens County Sheriff’s office and Georgia DOT workers were on the scene directing traffic at the intersection. By 10 a.m., full power was restored.

Hundreds of tiny goblins, super heroes, and other characters descended on downtown Toccoa this morning.

It was the 16^th annual Halloween parade for preschoolers. Over 300 children ages infant to five years were on hand to solicit goodies from downtown businesses.

Afterwards awards were presented for the best costumers. Costume judge Susan Turner says the judges were looking for something a little different. "We’re looking for creativity," Turner said.

This year’s winners were:

Best Original Costume went to Chatham Clouatre and Kylar Clouatre for their king and jester costumes.

Little trick or treaters will be out in force this afternoon and this evening hoping to collect bags full of goodies from neighbors and friends on this "all hallowed eve."

The Stephens County Sheriff’s office is offering some safety tips for parents and children alike, according to Sheriff’s spokesman major Tim Jarrell.

"Always have an adult accompany a small child and an older child should go with at least two other buddies," Jarrell said. "Also, it’s important to have children stay in areas where they know the people who live there," he said.

If they are going after dark, Jarrell said kids should carry a flashlight and a cell phone and wear reflective tape or markings on their costumes. Finally, Jarrell says do not let your child dive into the candy until you have had a chance to check it.

Extra patrols will be out in force this afternoon and this evening to make sure everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.

Supplies of flu vaccine have been flying out of the Stephens County Health Department almost as fast as they come in. Nurse manager Donna Cisson says they’ve received yet another shipment, and beginning tomorrow will again be offering the vaccine on a first-come, first-serve basis during normal business hours and until 2:30p on Friday.

This time, the Health department received another 400-dose shipment. Cisson says they are expecting another shipment of flu vaccine in the next week. The cost for the shot is $25.

Demolition work is underway in the Kyte/Morgan Sts. section of the Northeast Georgia Housing Authority. Earlier this year, the authority received grant money to tear down the 30 units and totally redevelop the neighborhood.

Plans include blocking off Kyte Street and turning it into a cul-de-sac with a park area for families and children, as well as extra parking. Instead of the old multi-unit buildings, the new housing will consist of a number of duplexes.

Director H.L. Brantley says the idea is to lose the institutional look in favor of a more residential, neighborhood feel. Brantley says this project should take a little over three months to complete.

Two years ago, the Booker T. Washington apartments off Wood and Grove Sts were demolished to make way for more parking and play space.

Advance voting begins this morning and will run through Friday at 5p.m. Absentee balloting has been going on since the end of September. Over 600 registered voters in Stephens County have requested paper ballots and another 60 have come to the registrar’s office to vote absentee on the computer.

County Registrar Theresa Kelley says you can still do absentee balloting this week, but you need a reason for cast an absentee ballot. .

This election, the ballot is two pages front and back with state and local races, as well as seven referendums. Kelley says it’s a good idea to review the ballot before voting.

"It's a long ballot. Sample ballots are in the paper and I have them here at the office. If you don't read over the sample ballot and you're not quite sure how you want to vote on the amendments, it's going to take you a little bit of time to go through the process. However, if you pick up a sample ballot and review it ahead of time, you'll be able to get through it much quicker," she said.

And despite the new law, voters will not have to have a photo ID in order to vote. Now if you have not yet registered to vote, it is too late for you to vote in the November election. The deadline to register for this election was October 10.

Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine has fined Georgia’s largest health insurer for violations of state insurance law. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia was fined $600,000 because Oxendine’s office found Blue Cross refused to offer quotes for group health coverage to certain small businesses, as required under the State’s insurance code.

The Company, Oxendine said, also used sales agents that were not properly appointed. Oxendine tells WNEG small businesses are the backbone of Georgia’s economy and he will not allow them to be taken advantage of by large insurance companies.

In addition to the fine, Blue Cross must monitor and record quote offers and requests for such quotes and make all such records available for ongoing examination by Oxendine’s office.

This year’s 16^th annual Children’s Halloween costume parade is tomorrow morning in downtown Toccoa.

Sponsored by Toccoa Main Street, all pre-school age children are encouraged to attend according to Main Street Director Connie Tabor.

Children are encouraged to dress in storybook costumes. Parents and guardians should begin lining up their little ones by 9:45 a.m. in front of the Toccoa Record. After the parade, children will be awarded prizes for the most original costumes. Parade activities should end at approximately 11:30 a.m. tomorrow

This is the last full week of campaigning for state and local candidates before next week’s General Election. Governor Sonny Perdue has been traveling around the state and this week he plans to be in Toccoa.

"The Governor will be at the Java Station Friday to meet and greet the citizens of Stephens County and to hear from them about any issues or problems that might be on their heart," noted local Republican Party chairman Kelli Austin.

Last week, Perdue traveled around South Georgia.

Not much time remains to prepare for Medicare part D's 2007 prescription drug coverage, according to the Medicare RX Access Network of Georgia. Open enrollment begins November 15 and runs for six weeks until December 31. Anyone wishing to change plans or sign up for the first time must do so during that time.

People already in a plan and satisfied with it don’t need to do anything, according to spokesman Joe Binns.

During October, plans are sending letters to current enrollees describing any changes to their drug coverage.

The network recommends carefully reviewing the letter and re-evaluating the coverage to make sure it meets the beneficiary’s prescription drug needs. In 2007, 16 stand-alone prescription drug plans that fill in the benefit’s coverage gap will be available in Georgia.

Beneficiaries can also speak with counselors at 1-800-medicare or 1-800-669-8387.

A third of beneficiaries nationwide qualify for help with the gap from the low-income subsidy, including 87,467 in Georgia. To apply for the subsidy, visit the local Social Security office or call1-800-772-1213.

The unemployment rate rose slightly in Stephens County last month to 5.5% - up from 5.3% in august.

For the state overall, the unemployment rate was 4.6% in September – unchanged from the month before.

In September, Stephens County’s labor force was 13,281. Of those 12,546 were employed, while 735 were without jobs.

State Senator Nancy Schaefer recently welcomed (R) Sen. Chip Pearson of Dawsonville, (R) Rep. Vance Smith of Pine Mountain, and other members of the General Assembly to Northeast Georgia for a joint meeting of the Senate and House Economic Development Committees.

The meeting took place last week at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center in Tallulah Gorge State Park.

It featured presentations by Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser, Tallulah Falls Mayor Carl Seaman, Rabun County Chamber of Commerce President Frank Wheeler, and several other speakers.

Committee members also attended the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting to hear an update from local officials on issues in Rabun County, including health care and transportation concerns, and then headed to Tallulah Falls for the joint committee meeting.

Earlier this year, Sen. Schaefer was appointed to the Senate Appropriations Committee. She also serves on the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions, Special Judiciary, Ethics and Retirement committees.

Complaints of metal pieces found inside a package of ground beef are unfounded. That’s according to the district manager of the Sav-a-Lot in Toccoa where the meat was supposedly purchased.

Todd Thompson of Currahee St. told police he bought about five pounds of ground beef from the Sav-a-Lot last week and used some of it to make spaghetti and meatballs. However, he said that when he started to eat he found pieces of metal in the meat. Officers took the pieces into evidence, but not the package of meat.

Sav-a-Lot district manager Scott Mosely tells WNEG inspectors with the Department of Agriculture were in Toccoa Friday and inspected the meat department. Mosely said they didn’t find any tainted meat and gave the store a clean bill of health. Mosely also said he looked at the pieces that Thompson allegedly found in the ground beef and said they weren’t metal, but plastic. Those were turned over to inspectors with the Department of Agriculture.

A 14-year old boy, lost in the Chattahoochee national forest last night is safe today, and according to his family, is not mentally impaired or a special needs child as has been reported. James Edwards is the grandfather of 14-year old Brandon McCall.

Edwards said he and his grandson were doing some bush hogging for a neighbor on Homer Road near Frady Branch yesterday afternoon. The friend had a pony Brandon decided to take for a ride along some horse trails when he got lost.

Edwards says his grandson came to a fork in the trail and because of the leaf cover, took the wrong trail that leads to Mt. Airy. He said when it got dark is grandson realized he was lost and decided to hunker down for the night. He covered himself with the horse blanket and tied the pony to a tree. That’s when he heard the sound of coon dogs in the distance.

"He took the horse about 100 yards off the road, which is why they couldn't find him," Edwards explained. "So he sets down, unsaddles the horse, ties the horse to a tree, and wraps the blanket around him. He heard those dogs run and he thought, 'Those people gotta come through here.' And so, in a little bit, here come a pick up. He flagged it down. It was dark and he didn’t' know he was about a quarter of a mile of being out of the refuge up there at Mt. Airy Bridge," he said.

The pickup contained two teenagers who drove Brandon to the Mt Airy police. He was picked up a short time later at the Mt Airy post office. Edwards said about 30 friends on horseback and four-wheelers gathered to try to find Bandon, but were stopped by rescue crews who would not let them into the forest.

"We ride this constantly. We ride this all the time. We know more about this place than the game warden does," Edwards said. "We know more about this place than anybody does because we're here all the time. I was raised here. I've been riding here 60 years. These kids have been riding these trails ever since they've been big enough to set up on a horse," he said.

Edwards is also upset about the report that his grandson is mentally impaired and wants to set the record straight – Bandon is a normal 14-year old boy.

"He was just riding a horse and got up on the wrong trail," Edward said. "He's not crazy or mentally impaired or has special needs or anything. He just got off on the wrong trail with all those leaves falling," he said.

Edwards says kids are already teasing Bandon because of the report he is a quote, "special needs" child and he worries about what will happen to his grandson when goes back to school on Monday.

It’s time once again to "fall back." This weekend, we go off daylight saving time and return to standard time. Daylight savings ends Sunday morning at 2 a.m. So, remember to set all of the clocks in your house back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

It’s also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and to make sure they’re in good working order, according to Insurance and Safety Fire commissioner John Oxendine.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs sponsors the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" fire safety program. Another part of that safety program, according to Oxendine, is to make sure your family has an escape route in the event of a fire.

Changing the battery, twice a year and cleaning dust from your smoke alarm are easy ways to ensure continued protection of your family and your property.

Stephens County Tax commissioner Vicki Whitworth reminds citizens and taxpayers that the last day to pay your 2006 taxes without a penalty is Wednesday, November 15. Tax office spokeswoman Dean Hicks says those who fail to pay on time will be subject to stiff penalties.

"The interest calculates at one-percent per month if the bill itself is late," Hicks explained. "After they become 90 days late, then a ten-percent penalty will be added to the unpaid tax bills as well as a tax lien being filed against that property," she said.

To provide citizens with as much flexibility as possible, the Tax Commissioner’s office will be open Friday, November 10 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, the office will be closed the Friday after the tax deadline in observance of Veterans Day.

The fire that destroyed the Wurst Haus restaurant in Helen was accidental. That’s the finding of the State Fire Marshal and crime scene investigators who spent the past several days combing through the rubble of the burned out building.

The fire happened late Tuesday night and at the time, Helen Fire Chief Burt Smith said it looked suspicious.

"The reason that I had called them in was because the fire had escalated so quickly from the time of alarm we were on the scene in less than two minutes and the fire had already really taken off. That just left me a little curious, if you will, as to why the fire spread so rapidly. However, they gave me a pretty fair explanation," Smith said.

Authorities now believe the blaze broke out in a restroom located near a hot water heater, but it’s not certain exactly what sparked the fire. Once ignited, smith said the flames spread so fast, he felt sure it had been deliberately set, but inspectors believe the fast-moving fire had to do with the age of the building.

"There was no sheet rock in the building, it was all paneling, what we refer to as 'fire load,'" he explained. "Everything in the structure, all the cosmetic coverings were all flammable. So, once the fire got going, it just had plenty of fuel so it spread quickly. Got in the attic. The building is over 40 years old. So, it was aged, it was ready," he concluded.

The restaurant was completely gutted and will have to be totally rebuilt. Built in the md-1970’s, the Wurst Haus has been owned by the same family for over 30 years.

A convicted career drug dealer will serve just half of his original sentence. In March, a Stephens County jury convicted 40-year old Willie Brown of Toccoa of cocaine possession.

Brown had originally been sentenced to 30 years in prison with no possibility of parole, but in a deal worked out with the Stephens County Assistant District Attorney, his sentence was reduced to 15-years.

His conviction stems from a July 2005 arrest in which Toccoa Police officers found crack cocaine in the front seat of Brown’s car. Brown also plead guilty to another charge of obstruction of an officer.

Brown admitted fighting with officers as they tried to arrest him for the cocaine possession.

Brown has a lengthy criminal career going back to 1992. Court records show brown was convicted of burglary and cocaine possession in White County in 1992.

In Stephens County, Brown was convicted of burglary in 1994, cocaine possession in 1998, and making terroristic threats in 2001. He also served time in prison from 2002 to 2004 on forgery charges out of Carroll County.

A hunter is recovering this morning after being shot. It happened Thursday morning near South Carolina 107 in Oconee County, SC — just south of the North Carolina line. An Oconee County Sheriff’s spokesman says the un-identified hunter was shot in the leg. 

Captain Mike Crenshaw says the hunter was party of a hunting party that apparently had just shot a wild hog.  County deputies and South Carolina DNR officers responded. Crenshaw says first reports indicate the shooting was accidental.

Toccoa police are looking into a complaint of tainted meat. Todd Thompson of Currahee St. told police he bought about five pounds of ground beef from the Sav-a-Lot earlier this week.

Thompson said he purchased the meat Tuesday. He said he used some of it to make spaghetti and meatballs, but when he started to eat, he found pieces of metal in the meat.

Thompson also told police he had given some of the meat to his son who had already eaten it.

Authorities contacted Sav-a-Lot but were told there was no one there who could help them.

That investigation is continuing.

The City of Commerce issued a building permit for what is believed to be the largest building ever constructed in Jackson County. The Norton Native Intelligence newsletter reports John W. Rooker & Associates paid the City $111,982 for a permit to construct a 962,280-square-foot speculative building in what is now being called the Commerce/85 Business Park. 

The building is located at the Ridgeway Church Road end of the park, which will be served by the under-construction extension of Steve Reynolds Industrial Parkway. Building official David Zellner said that the building will be 1,782 feet long by 540 feet wide and will cover more than 22 acres.

It has been a busy few weeks for the Stephens County Registrar’s office and next week promises to be even busier. Advance voting begins on Monday and will run through Friday, November 3 at 5p.m.

Absentee balloting has been going on since the end of September, and so far, almost 600 registered voters in Stephens County have requested paper ballots. Another 60 have come to the Registrar’s office to vote absentee on the computer. County Registrar Theresa Kelley says you can still vote absentee next week, but there is a difference.

"Absentee you have to have a reason. You do not have to have a reason do advance voting," explained Kelley.

This election, the ballot is two pages front and back with state and local races, as well as seven referendums. Kelley says it is a good idea to review the ballot before voting.

"It's a long ballot. Sample ballots are in the paper and I have them here at the office. If you don't read over the sample ballot and you're not quite sure how you want to vote on the amendments, it's going to take you a little bit of time to go through the process. However, if you pick up a sample ballot and review it ahead of time, you'll be able to get through it much quicker," she said.

And despite the new law, voters will not have to have a photo ID in order to vote.

"At this point in time, the 17 forms of identification that we've been using will apply to this election," Kelley said. "Driver license, social security card, birth certificate; things like that are what you need when you go to the polls," she said.

Now if you have not yet registered to vote, it is too late for you to vote in the November election.

The deadline to register for this election was October 10.

Arson is suspected in a blaze that destroyed a landmark restaurant in Helen. Agents from the State fire marshal’s office hope to have an answer this afternoon regarding an exact cause of the fire Tuesday that destroyed the Wurst Haus.

When asked by WNEG if he thought the fire was deliberately set, Helen Fire Chief Burt Smith said he had no comment and that the investigation is ongoing.

"They were on the scene for about two hours Tuesday evening and gathered some evidence and a lot of photographs but wanted to come back," Smith said. "We are relatively certain of point of origin, but we are not at all certain of the cause of the fire," he said.

No one was in the building at the time the blaze broke out and Smith says they are not sure if the manager’s story is accurate.

"The story I got from the manager was that she was the last one out of the occupancy, less than 20 minutes prior to our dispatch. We had men on the scene less than two minutes from the dispatch and upon arrival had heavy fire coming out of the building," Smith explained.

The Wurst Haus is the centerpiece of Helen’s Alpine-themed main street and has been one of the biggest tourist attractions since the mid 1970s. Smith says the building was a total loss.

"The structure is still standing. All four walls and most of the roof are still intact, but the inside of the building is a total loss. In my opinion, they're going to have to completely demolish the entire building and rebuild from the ground up," noted Smith.

Opened in 1974, the Wurst Haus has been in continuous operation under the same ownership for over 30 years.

A local real estate agent is angry about the removal of a commercial sign that was knocked down and broken at the corner of Highway 17 and the Eastanollee Bypass.

Jean McCullough is the agent selling the property on that corner. This week, she discovered the large "for sale" sign, along with some republican political signs had been removed by the DOT and her sign damaged.

The sign had been up for over a year and the political signs were there with the permission of the property owner. McCullough says other for sale signs along that stretch of Highway 17 were not touched.

"When I came down Highway 17 to look at the situation and observe all the other signs that were on the rights of way, I noticed that other political signs were left up and other realtor signs were left up," McCullough explained. "And so I wasn't quite sure why this had taken place and why I had not been contacted," she said.

There is a state law that bars signs from state-owned property and McCullough wonders why the Georgia Department of Transportation never notified her of a problem.

"My whole issue is, why did the sign have to be destroyed because it's an expensive sign and it was broken in three pieces. So obviously, they just threw it off the truck. It could have just been left on the property off the right of way. Then I could have had the gentleman come and put it back up," she said.

Under state law, no signs may be placed on public right of ways without the DOT’s permission according to DOT spokeswoman Teri Pope.

"We have very clear rules for safety reasons and because we don’t want any one person or group to benefit off of lands that all of us own," Pope explained.

McCullough says her sign was expensive and she wants the DOT to replace it.

Three suspects in two Stephens County murder cases entered "not guilty" pleas this morning in Stephens County Superior Court. 36-year old Steve Christopher Langlands entered a "not guilty" plea today. Langlands was re-indicted earlier this month for the August 2001 murder of Anthony Paleaez.

In 2004, Langlands was found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years. He was granted a new trial after his attorney was able to show that key evidence had been omitted in his original trial.

Also entering "not guilty" pleas this morning were 38-year old Van Allen Caffee and his nephew, 31-year old Raheem Issa Shands. The pair was indicted this month for the July kidnapping and murder of 57-year old James Robert Lewis.

So far, no trial dates have been set in either of those cases.

A former Coats American employee accused of taking about $400,000 from the Coats Credit Union plead "not guilty" this morning in Stephens County Superior Court.

Authorities say that during her employment, Walker stole over $400,000. She allegedly used her computer to inflating the amounts of "cash outs" and dividends paid to credit union members, which were contained in a company computer network file. The thefts occurred over a period of two years from 2002 to 2004. Walker is currently out on bond.

Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a theft of trailer. The utility trailer was taken from the residence on Pine Drive in Toccoa. It is described as a utility trailer with a 14-15-foot drop end. It had been taken from the back of the house along with a boy’s bike and three pairs of work boots. So far, there are no suspects.

A domestic dispute resulted in the arrest of a man who pulled a knife on a Sheriff’s deputy. It happened Sunday at a residence on Hancock Drive in Toccoa. Deputies arrested 17-year old Michael Williams after he allegedly attacked his mother with a knife when she asked him to do some chores. Deputies say as they tried to pat him down for weapons Williams pulled a knife out of his pocket. Williams is charged with felony aggravated assault and felony obstruction of an officer.

Requests for bids will be going out in the coming days for removal of the downtown canopies. At a work session this week, City Commissioners heard from Robert Benson of Robert and Company, the architect in charge of the project.

Benson said the removal of the canopies would be done in three phases with the first being the demolition of the concrete canopies. "You can start your demolition in the West Doyle block across from the Courthouse and then around the corner down Sage Street," Benson noted. "The removals will occur there first. Once that is completed from an asbestos standpoint, they can start the removals there of the concrete. That should go relatively quickly because they have Easy St. access for the removal equipment. And once the roofing removal subcontractor is cleared with that block, then he can move on over into the mall area," he said.

Structural engineers who have been conducting site surveys downtown discovered the roofs of the canopies are covered in a material containing asbestos. Benson said before demolition can begin, an EPA certified company must remove that material and dispose of it. Once that is done and the removal process gets underway, crews will work from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the week. Temporary street lighting will also be placed downtown while the work goes on.

About eight trees in the median between Alexander and Sage streets will be taken out and replanted in other parts of the City. The final phase of the project, according to Benson will be the Streetscape project, which will open up Doyle Street and return on-street parking to the area. Sidewalks and other beautification projects will be put in as well.

The problem of delinquent utility bill payments is escalating again for the City of Toccoa. At this week’s regular monthly meeting, City Mayor Bob Troup proposed the city go back to a former system he believes will help reduce the number of late pays. "At one time, when a water bill was becoming due, we put a hanger on the door to tell the customer that if they don't pay it by a certain date, their water will be cut off," explained Troup. "I think if we went back to that system of putting hangers up that we will eliminate some our collection problems in that area through no one's fault," he concluded.

The use of hangtags on people’s front doors was eliminated several years ago because of complaints from citizens. Utility customers said the hangtags told the entire neighborhood they were late on their bills causing them embarrassment.

City finance director Emory Stephens is currently studying the problem of late pays and is researching the best way to collect them. Commissioners voted to table the matter until next month, when Stephens will present his findings and recommendations.

A new assisted living center is coming to Toccoa. County Development Authority director Mitch Griggs says Assisted Living Services, Inc. from Anderson, SC plans to build an 80-room facility next to the new senior apartment complex at the corner of Rothell Road and Rose Lane.

"It will be a single structure with rooms inside. It's not a nursing home and it's not an independent living situation either. The residents would have their own rooms. However, it would be different from a nursing home in that there would be some on site staff that can care for certain medical needs, but it's kind of a middle ground between independent living apartments and nursing home," Griggs said.

Griggs said a recent certificate of need filed with the state found Toccoa-Stephens County is underserved by such facilities. Work is expected to begin in December and Griggs expects it will take about nine months to complete the project.

County Administrator Darrell Hampton is responding to an article that appeared in the Anderson Independent newspaper regarding the City of Toccoa’s adult entertainment ordinance. In the article, it was mentioned that Stephens County had no adult entertainment ordinance.

Hampton notified AM630 WNEG to point out that the County passed its own ordinance almost a year ago. "That ordinance was passed in November, 2005," Hampton asserted. "The matter was of concern to the County Commissioners and citizens and the Commission went through the necessary process to hold public hearings to put together an ordinance that they felt would address the County's ability to regulate adult entertainment establishments," he said.

Under the Stephens County adult entertainment ordinance, adult businesses may not sell alcohol or be located near churches, schools, or daycare centers. It also requires that the business owner and all employees be licensed and undergo background checks.

However, the County ordinance cannot stop adult businesses from setting up shop in Stephens County. Toccoa City Commissioners expressed concern their ordinance include a clause that would bar adult clubs from keeping law enforcement out. Hampton says the County ordinance addresses that issue.

"I believe we do have the ability, yes, to make sure, either through reporting or inspections to know that those businesses would be operating within the hours that the ordinance said," Hampton noted. "The Cafe Risqué situation in Lavonia predates my term of service, but the purpose of our ordinance was to have something that would proactively address standards that would be reasonable and yet meet the test of either the state or federal law," he concluded.

While the County ordinance is fairly stringent, County Attorney Rusty Smith has indicated it would hold more weight if a land use or some sort of zoning plan backed it up. Additionally, federal law also requires that such ordinances be part of a zoning code that designates their location within a county.

This year’s "Tour de Tugaloo" is coming up the first weekend in November. Sponsored by the Stephens County Foundation, the bike ride, according to spokeswoman Kim Hudgins, allows riders of all skill levels to participate.

"The Laine Weed Memorial Tour de Tugaloo" ride will be held on November 4th beginning at 8 a.m. at Yonah Dam Park," Hudgins said. "It's a bike ride that has several different loops. You can do a 20-mile loop or you can do three 20-mile loops. You can do up to 62 miles if you want to," she said.

Cyclists come from all over the southeast to participate in the ride and then typically spend the rest of the day visiting the Toccoa Harvest Festival. Hudgins says sign in will begin at 7 a.m. on November 4 and there are several ways to register.

"The registration fee is $25. You can contact Dan McCollum at the Stephens County Foundation at 706-282-0390 and he'll be glad to give you any information you need about that," she said.

All proceeds from the "Tour de Tugaloo" will benefit the Stephens County Foundation, which is working to preserve the corridor.

The City of Toccoa is one step closer to a tougher adult entertainment ordinance. Last night, commissioners voted to pass the first reading of an amendment to the current ordinance. The City is trying to shore up its adult entertainment ordinance to prevent the kinds of problems Lavonia has had to deal with ever since the Café Risqué moved in.

Commissioners heard last night from Lavonia Police Chief Randy Shirley who said Lavonia’s peace and safety have been compromised since the strip club opened.

"First of all we noticed a striking increase in robberies, thefts, and drugs, and domestic violence, traffic congestion and accidents; gambling and something Lavonia has never seen before - prostitution in and around the I-85 area. Later on, we had a spa to open up on I-85 and 17 and had numerous complaints from area residents," Chief Shirley recounted.

A major problem facing Lavonia law enforcement is their inability to enter the Café Risqué or crack down on the activities there. That’s because of federal injunctions issued after the owner sued the City alleging his first amendment rights were being violated.

The City of Lavonia is currently embroiled in yet another lawsuit with the club after police raided it in March – confiscating a number of video poker machines. Commissioner Andy Pavliscsak asked for more research to make sure all loopholes were closed.

He said he wants to make sure Toccoa law enforcement could access any kind of adult establishment at any time if necessary.

"Obviously the big problem with what I call a sexually oriented business or an SOB because that's what it seems to be...the problem here is going to be being able to access the business, inspect the business and enforce the rules and regulations that we impose upon it. These types of businesses are well versed in their tactics that they know will work that will tie the hands of the law enforcement community," Pavliscsak commented.

However, commissioners voted to pass the first reading noting future amendments could be made if needed. A second and final reading is set for next month.

Temperatures dipped to near freezing overnight and we can expect more of the same tonight. Another freeze warning is likely overnight with temperatures once again expected to drop to around 32 degrees.

It is fall and the weather is changing, but John Tomko with the national weather service in Greenville says we are experiencing colder than normal temperatures.

"No, we're not at normal temperatures. We're below normal, but it's not unusual to have a freeze this time in October at the 50% mark. In other words the 50% probability of having your first freeze date is right around this time of year - the end of October," Tomko said.

A weak El Nino pattern has developed and that could mean a cooler, wetter fall in portions of Georgia and Alabama, helping to recharge rivers and groundwater supplies that were depleted earlier this year during months of dry weather. However Tomko says whether that means a colder than normal winter remains to be seen.

"If El Nino continues and if it were to develop strongly, what would happen is we would have lower than normal maximum temperatures and higher than normal minimum temperatures. That is, the temperatures wouldn't change that much from night to day because of the cloud cover associated with a lot of precipitation," he said.

Tomko said the full effects of El Nino won’t be felt until late winter or early spring.

County commissioners are mulling over a request by EMS director Ray Willis to require more training for first responders in the County’s volunteer fire departments. At a recent called meeting, the County attorney told commissioners the state has no set training guidelines for first responders.

Additionally, the County cannot mandate such training for volunteer firefighters. Commissioners expressed the concern too much required training would overburden fire fighters who are volunteers and not paid. However, Willis says the problem is not with requiring new training but with updating existing training.

"They have already been trained," Willis noted. "They have been trained by my employees - my EMT's, my paramedics. They are certified - National Registry. All we're asking is that if you're on the National Registry, it requires to keep your skill level up; to do eight hours of recertification training a year. That's all we're asking. If they're not willing to do that, then I'm sorry, but we have a responsibility to provide the people of Stephens County the best care we can give them," he concluded.

According to the County attorney, most counties let the EMS and volunteer fire fighters set their own guidelines. Willis says that is the case in Stephens County with first responders here receiving National Standard training.

"We teach them how to control c-spine, how to give oxygen, how to do blood pressure checks, how to blood sugar checks, how to extricate patients from a wreck; just to assist the patient until my medics can get on the scene. That's basically it. No, we're not trying to teach them to become EMT's," Willis explained.

Willis praised the current first responders at all the volunteer fire houses for their expertise. However he said new medical techniques come out all the time and the first responders just need to renew their certification every year.

Twenty years ago, City commissioner Billy Chism was part of a Rotary International exchange program – spending time with a family in Australia. This week, that family has come to Toccoa to visit. Leslie and Michael Hunter are from Boca Beach Australia, and last night were honored by Toccoa mayor Bob Troup with the key to the city. Michael hunter told commissioners he was grateful for the opportunity to get to know Chism and his family.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

An Alto man was recently honored for his years of service to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Georgia Department of Transportation commissioner, Harold Linnenkohl announced Melvin Armour of alto was honored at this year’s district Employee Appreciation Day with the 2006 Commissioner’s Merit Award.

Armour has worked for the GDOT for over 24 years, beginning began as a temporary laborer , then moving up through the maintenance division, and is now our maintenance shop manager. In that position, Armour is responsible for the maintenance of hundreds of pieces of equipment from passenger vehicles to dump trucks to motor graders.

As a result of his leadership, 98% of district one’s inspected equipment is in good condition with no safety deficiencies found.  Commissioner Linnenkohl presented Armour with a plaque.

More recalls to tell you about – this time boxes of Duncan Hines chocolate chip muffin mix – which reportedly contains milk not mentioned in the ingredients on the box. The muffin mix, part of a limited production, is being voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer due to ‘undeclared milk product’ in the ingredients not listed on the label.

This recall applies only to "Duncan Hines bakery-style chocolate chip muffin mix" with the UPC codes of 44209 and 42012 and the production codes: 27166523,  27266521, 27266522, 27266523, 31266522, 31266523, 06666622, and 06666623.  The production codes are located on the top of the carton.

Habersham County’s efforts to lure the Georgia State Patrol from their post in Toccoa to a new facility on Hwy 365 continues to be an uphill struggle. Now, after several failed attempts to find the money via SPLOST and other sources, Habersham is turning to the state for help, according to County administrator Ed Sealover.

"At their meeting Monday night they unanimously approved sending a letter to the Governor asking if they could meet with his staff to see if there is any funding available," Sealover explained. "Or some funding that might be available to the County that instead of using some County money to pay for the project they could use some state money to pay for it and money they could take in and apply to the project," he said.

It is normally a county’s responsibility to come with the money for such projects, and Habersham had planned to pay for it using SPLOST IV money.

However, Habersham over-budgeted and two years ago, the necessary $1.5 million was not there. If the state should say no, then Sealover says, the Habersham commission will go back to the drawing board, possibly trying for a fifth SPLOST.

"We're coming down on probably after the first of the year to start putting in place a SPLOST V, which we'll have to negotiate with the municipalities because SPLOST IV runs out in 2008," Sealover said. "One of the complicating factors with SPLOST V is that we need to build a new county courthouse and that will cost about $25-million, which will eat into the projected $35-million in revenue the SPLOST V is expected to generate," he concluded.

Sealover said, however, that project would likely use up most of the $35-million the county would realize from another SPLOST.

After just a few days, the supply of flu shots at the Stephens County Health Department is dwindling. On Monday, the Department had received 400 doses, but nurse manager Donna Cisson says more than half have already been administered.

While it is a good idea for everyone to get a flu vaccine, there are those who should make it a priority.

They include:

Cisson advises listeners that if you miss this round of flu vaccine, do not panic, there will be more.

"CDC recommends the flu shot be given starting at the end of October, November even through December," Cisson noted. "We still give the flu vaccine even through March because the flu season usually starts mid February and will run through April. So, people don't need to panic. It will be available. It's just being released in small increments," she said.

Flu vaccine is administered on a first-come, first serve basis Monday through Friday.

Those of you who may be considering adopting a child will want to attend an adoption party and videoconference tomorrow in Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Division of Family and Children Services is hosting the party at the Fulton County Health Department offices in downtown Atlanta.

Prospective parents will get to meet about 25 children who are in need of adoptive families, according to spokesman Ari Young.

"Prospective parents will have a chance to meet the children and get to know them and the children will have an opportunity to ask them questions," Young explained. "If a couple wants to get more information on any of the children at the party tomorrow, a representative from DFCS will be there to assist them," he said.

However, there are approximately 250 children in Georgia needing families. Typically, they are age 8 or older, African-American and/or a member of a sibling group. For more information, you can call the DHR offices in Atlanta toll-free at 877-242-5774.

Two local financial instructions celebrated National Credit Union Day yesterday with a special ceremony and other festivities. Traditions Credit Union on Hwy 145, formerly Coats Credit Union, held a ground breaking yesterday for their planned expansion.

President David Miller said he is excited about the kind of growth he foresees in Stephens County.

Miller tells WNEG they expect to begin construction next week on the new addition, which he says should be completed by March 2007.

And Northeast Georgia Credit Union also held an open house. President Brian Aiken said customers were treated to lunch and other goodies. National Credit Union Day recognizes the value of credit unions and is celebrated in countries around the world.

No lane closures are expected next week during construction at the I-985 exit 16 interchange. Georgia Department of Transportation communications officer Teri Pope tells WNEG work will continue on the reconstruction of exit 16 – Oakwood at I-985 but all work will be outside the lanes of traffic next week.

Crews are working on the substructure for widening the existing I-985 bridge over SR 53/Mundy Mill. Slow down and plan extra time in your schedule if you are driving through any DOT work zone.

The speed limit on I-985 within the construction project limits; north of the Elachee Bridge to about 1 mile south of exit 16 – SR53 has been lowered to 60 miles per hour. All fines are doubled in dot work zones. The overall projected completion date is July 31, 2009 and its construction cost is over $74.6 million.

The unemployment rate in Georgia remained unchanged from August to September at 4.6%. That’s two-tenths of a percent higher than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 4.4%. For three out of the last four months, Georgia’s jobless rate has been higher than the national rate.

Georgia lost 5,200 non-farm jobs in September; 2,600 in trade and services; 1,400 in construction; and 1,000 in manufacturing.

In Stephens County last month, 174 workers filed for first-time unemployment benefits – down from 202 in August but higher than a year ago.

Five House Bills are on the November’s ballot that will help the widows and families of veterans, and law enforcement, and firefighters stay in their homes.

HB 81 will allow surviving spouses and family members of peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty to continue to receive Homestead exemptions on their property.

Under the Special Election section, HB1530, HB1531, HB1532, and HB1534 apply to surviving spouses of veterans. State Representative Jeanette Jamieson says it will allow surviving spouses to continue to receive their Homestead exemption.

The bills would also allow the Homestead exemptions to follow the surviving spouse if they have to move to another county. Jamieson said an article in the Toccoa Record, which said the exemptions would put an extra burden on other taxpayers, is not looking at the big picture.

"You’ve got to remember that two homes at Currahee Club just sold – one for $1.3 million and one for $1.5 million. So that is going to be added to the tax digest plus any other homes sold this year. In addition to that, the sales tax revenue from Wal-mart and the entire retail area in the Wal-mart area will be on the tax digest this coming year," Jamieson explained.

Three other House Bills on the November ballot deal with Homestead exemptions for seniors. HB 848 would provide a Homestead exemption for senior citizens that would be equal to actual level for the state ad valorem tax.

Locally, HB1529 would exempt senior citizens in Stephens County from having to pay school ad valorem taxes if the assessed value of their property is more than $25,000. In addition, HB1526 would provide seniors with an additional Homestead exemption from paying property taxes in Stephens County if the value of their property were $25,000 or more.

A local business on Sage Street is looking to expand for the sake of its employees. Wally’s Custom Dry Cleaning is asking the City of Toccoa for a setback variance in order to build an addition to his existing complex.

Wally Jordan wants to build a two-story permanent extension on the back of his existing building.

The addition would house an employee day care, sick room, and offices. Toccoa’s Planning Commission is expected to vote on Jordan’s request at their monthly meeting this afternoon.

A two-day crime spree has resulted in multiple charges and multiple indictments against a Stephens County man. Authorities say it started on August 27 when they say, Kevin Gober broke into to a home on Highview Road.

Once inside, Gober allegedly beat the resident, identified as Simena Harris, in the head and then forced her against her will to go with him to a location on Sunset Road in Eastanollee to get money.

The next day, the indictment alleges Gober came back and robbed Harris again. He then allegedly beat her and dragged her from her home to a residence a few doors down where he choked her and forced her into his car against her will.

Gober is charged with two counts of kidnapping with bodily injury, two counts of robbery, two counts of family violence battery, and two counts of cruelty to children – third degree. A Stephens County Grand Jury indicted Gober on all of the charges last week. He remains in the Stephens County jail.

It was a packed house at this week’s school board meeting with dozens of CTA students from the high school on hand. All of the students participated in one of a number of national competitions where many won awards for their projects, according to CTA principal Cezanne Grayson.

"We had students that competed in SKILS USA, as well as students that were in FCCLA, students that were in SBLA," Grayson explained. "Of course in SKILS USA you have students in drafting, automotive and you have health care science and cosmetology. So, we were really fortunate to have this many national winners," she said.

Stephens County is known in the state for producing top students from the Career, Technical, and Agriculture division. Grayson says it is because of the outstanding students and teachers.

"We are so blessed to have a dedicated staff and I would put our students and staff up against any student body or staff in the State of Georgia, they’re just fabulous and they believe in what they’re doing. Our students and teachers give it all they’ve got," Grayson said.

Vocational education is not what it once was as more and more industries require skilled workers in technical fields.

"It is a new day because CTA is cool now and the reason we’re really rocking and rolling in Stephens County is because we tell our students when they enter high school that we want them to attain a dual seal. It’s there for the taking. They need to leave here with a college and CTA seal. It is our job to make sure we make them ready to either go into the entry-level workforce or go on to post-secondary. And they rise to the occasion. They are just fabulous. You can see it on our Wall of Fame. We couldn’t ask for our students to any more than what our students do," Grayson concluded.

Grayson said most students consider c-t-a education cool and want to go for a double seal.

More than half-dozen vehicles were disabled Tuesday afternoon after their tanks were filled with contaminated regular gasoline at the Racetrac, in Cumming. Department of Agriculture inspectors reportedly found water in the gasoline in all pumps selling regular gasoline Tuesday and during a re-inspection on Wednesday morning.

Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said a "stop sale" order was issued and the 18 regular gas pumps were sealed. Irvin says they will remain locked until the Agriculture Department is convinced via laboratory tests confirm there is no water in the tanks, pumps, or gas lines.

Tuesday afternoon, State Agriculture inspectors pulled samples of three grades of gasoline -- regular, mid-grade, and premium -- at the Cumming Racetrac and found water in the regular-grade gas but found no such contamination in the other two. 

Earlier this year, Agriculture officials found water in the regular-grade gasoline at the Cumming Racetrac after receiving a complaint from a customer.  Officials speculate that rain water seeped into an underground storage causing Tuesday’s incident.

A Toccoa man is expected to appear in Superior Court next week to answer rape and assault charges.

39-year old Gary Hendricks Bates was indicted last week by the Stephens County Grand Jury on rape, aggravated sexual battery, and aggravated assault charges.

Authorities say in April 2005, Bates assaulted, beat, and raped a Stephens County woman. He was arrested in July by Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators and is currently out on bond.

The Toccoa Police Department received three reports from the Raceway Service Station on the Big A Road concerning counterfeit checks, apparently all passed by the same suspect. Reports indicated that an Hispanic male passed three separate checks belonging to Highgrove Partners LLC drawn on Branch Banking and Trust. The checks were issued in three different names, listed as having an Orchard Drive address. The checks totaled nearly $1500.

A Lavonia man told police that his car broke down while he was at Tractor Supply on the Big A Road in Toccoa, so he left it there. When he returned, the vehicle was missing. The car is a 1993 black Mazda four door sedan. The license tag number is 527-ZUS.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s office is also investigating a stolen vehicle taken Sherri Lane in Toccoa. Roger Rucker reported that his 1995 Cadillac Deville, was taken from his driveway sometime Monday night. The vehicle was recovered in Jackson County where it was involved in an arson case. The investigation is continuing.

Despite the fact that there has been no official announcement, home improvement giant Home Depot is petitioning the City of Toccoa to annex about 37 acres it plans to buy on the Highway 17 Bypass. The Toccoa Planning Commission will consider that request plus a request for a sign variance when they meet Thursday afternoon.

Home Depot is currently in discussions with Romeo Adams of Royston, the owner of the acreage located at the corner of Memorial Drive and Highway 17. City manager Billy Morse tells WNEG that according to plans submitted to the City, Home Depot is planning for a mega retail center.

"It looks like the Home Depot itself will be around 102,000sf with a 28,000sf Garden Center. There are six out parcels and then five other proposed retail parcels on the over all property. The Planning Commission will be reviewing the annexation and sign variance this Thursday night," Morse explained.

Since the new Wal-mart opened earlier this year, both the City, County, and School System have seen big increases in sales tax revenues. If this project goes through, it add additional sales tax revenue and yield other benefits for Toccoa-Stephens County, not the least of which would be an additional 200 jobs.

Morse says this latest interest in Toccoa-Stephens County by a major retailer may signal the start of an economic turn around for our community.

"Economic development seems to be hitting its stride in this community," Morse noted. "Obviously we've seen property and sales taxes increase quite a bit in the City of Toccoa since the Wal-mart development has come in. So, I think it's a sign that this community is getting ready to grow and we need to make sure it grows the way we want it to with good planning and zoning and that's what the Planning Commission is trying to do," he concluded.

Home Depot has also petitioned the City for a sign variance. The retailer is asking permission to erect a 35-foot shared pylon sign that is 290 square feet. The City ordinance allows for a sign no more than 150 square feet.

A Martin woman has been indicted on two counts of child cruelty after authorities say she starved her 17-year old son. Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators say Melanie Alice Blalock of Avalon Road in Martin intentionally deprived her son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, of food.

The indictment alleges authorities found that between January and February of this year, 17-year old Zachary Blalock was willfully deprived of food such that his well being was jeopardized. Authorities also say, Blalock intentionally caused her son excessive physical pain by failing to provide adequate medical care when needed.

Blalock is charged with one count of first-degree child cruelty and one count of second-degree child cruelty. She is presently out on bond. A trial date has not been set.

The use of methamphetamine in North Georgia is growing problem – so much so that one part of North Georgia has been called the "crank corridor." That is one reason the North District Heath Department is conducting a seminar next month for health professionals.

Coordinator Donald Slakie says Health Department workers are seeing in an increase in meth-addicted patients.

"In this area there have been a lot of people coming into the health department with meth addictions. In White County, the nurse manager there has been keeping a list and it's been discovered that meth is the problem," Slakie said.

An expert in meth addiction will discuss the physical and psychological changes such an addition causes in a person. Healthcare workers, according to Slakie, are finding the addiction increasingly is an underlying cause behind other symptoms. The seminar will also teach health care workers what to look for in meth-addicted individuals.

"We're seeing people showing up at our clinics with other symptoms that appear to be symptoms for other illnesses and we're finding that a lot of these symptoms really do relate back to them using methamphetamine," Slakie explained. "Some of the symptoms are rapid heartbeat, picking at their skin to the point it bleeds, sleep deprivation, just whole number of physiological complaints," he said.

The seminar takes place November 6 at the North Health District office in Gainesville.

Registration forms and additional information is available by calling 770-531-5679.

The Stephens County Health Department has been restocked with flu vaccine. According to nurse manager Donna Cisson, flu vaccine once again became available yesterday and this time they do not expect to run out.

Vaccines are $25 and are administered on first-come, first serve basis, Monday through Friday.

Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.

In addition, the Senior Center on Rose Lane will be holding a one-day flu vaccine clinic on Thursday, November 2. Appointments are necessary, according to director Haley Knight. To make an appointment, call the center at 706-886-4740.

A Toccoa man has been indicted on one count of growing marijuana. In April, the Stephens County Sheriff’s office, the Piedmont Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, and the governor’s task force arrested William Parker LeCroy, age 41 of Rock Quarry Road in Toccoa.

While conducting a countywide helicopter fly over by the governor’s task force, the suspect was found to have a marijuana plant growing in his backyard. When approached by deputies, about the plant, he gave permission to search the residence.

A back room of the basement revealed eight more plants, growing lights, fans, and paraphernalia used for growing, smoking, and harvesting marijuana.

Additionally, deputies seized marijuana that was being hung to dry and a calendar numerically identifying each plant according to its age. LeCroy was indicted on one count of the manufacture of marijuana.

A micro-loan program in North Georgia being touted as a success and could be expanding. Administered through the Appalachian Community Enterprises, the program provides small loans for people needing help starting a new business.

"We're a private, independent non-profit. We borrow money from government programs or from banks at a reduced rate and then we turn around and re-lend the money to individuals who could not normally get a loan," noted executive director Grace Fricks.

Most of the applicants have been women and minorities, according to Flicks. The first loan was awarded in 2000. Since then, 143 micro-loans have been awarded totaling some $1.7 million dollars. Those loans have also created over 250 jobs. Fricks says most of the loans are under $100,000.

"The smallest loan is $500 and the largest is $35,000; although we have noticed more of our customers are asking for larger amounts so I think we're going to go up to $50,000," Fricks said.

Residents in 34 north Georgia counties are eligible to apply, including Stephens and surrounding counties. More information is available by calling 1-800-477-6609.

A couple with a history of drug charges has been indicted on drug trafficking charges. Last December, authorities arrested 19-year old Mekell Tukes and Becky Teasley - both of Toccoa on possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

It was the second drug arrest for the couple in less than two weeks. Tukes and Teasley were arrested the first time on December third after Toccoa Police and the piedmont northern mans unit searched Teasley's home on pond street where they allegedly found cocaine, marijuana and smoking pipes.

A week later on December 14^th, authorities again searched Teasley's home on Pond Street and again found cocaine, marijuana, and drug Paraphernalia. A Stephens’s County grand jury indicted the couple last week. Both pleaded not guilty and were released on bond.

Toccoa police have made a couple of arrests for shop lifting at the Super Wal-Mart. In one incident, a Seneca, South Carolina couple was charged with taking $612.52 worth of merchandise from the store. They were identified as 50 year old Doug Wilbur Anthony and Jennifer Marie Arno. Both were taken to the Stephens County Jail following the incident.

A Maysville, Georgia man, identified as 22 year old Michael Tweedy was apprehended near the store after he allegedly ran from officers. Tweedy was charged with taking a motorcycle helmet, valued at $85.

A couple of traffic stops by Toccoa Police ended up in officers having to chase vehicles and arresting the occupants. An officer observed a suspicious vehicle at the traffic lot at Doyle Street and Broad Street. A subsequent chase through many streets in Toccoa ended with the vehicle being located at the top of an embankment behind the First Baptist Church. The driver, Sheranden Randy Davenport of Arnoldsville, Georgia and a passenger, 25 year old Armand Payne of Hull, Georgia were taken into custody. They were charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while a license was suspended and reckless driving.

A local man was taken into custody following a chase that began on Rothell Road. Twenty-eight year old Christopher Mathew Seay of E. Silver Shoals rd was arrested and charged with a violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, driving on a suspended license and fleeing and attempting to elude

Police took five Dell boxes into evidence after a woman reported that the boxes ended up at her address. Two of the boxes had her name on them, three others had different names, but the same address. The woman told officers that she had been talking to a man on the Internet who claimed to be a Jerry Potter, who told her the packages were his and he wanted her to mail them to an address in Nigeria. The boxes were taken to the police department and the investigation is continuing.

A local political forum planned for this evening at Toccoa City Hall has been cancelled.

The forum would have brought together state and local candidates for office including State Representative Jeanette Jamieson and Republican challenger Bill Quarterman, State Senator Nancy Schaefer, and challenger Democrat Carol Jackson.

However, Jamieson, Schaefer, and Jackson all had prior commitments, as did candidates for School Board and County Commission seats.

Each election year, the Senior Sector of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce tries to hold such forums in order to give local voters an opportunity to hear from the candidates. No word on whether the Senior Sector plans to reschedule the forum.

A Stephens County man is going to have find a new place to live now that the Grand Jury has ruled he lives too close to a church. The Stephens County Grand Jury found that 55-year old Donald Alexander Fuller, a registered sex offender in Stephens County, lives within a thousand feet of a church on Alexander Street.

Under a new state law that went into effect in July, registered sex offenders may not live that close to a church, school, or other institution in which children may be present.

The indictment alleges that in early September, Fuller moved into a residence located at 205 N. Alexander Street and failed to notify the Sex Offender Registry of Georgia of his new address.

He is listed on the Georgia Sex Offender Registry as living at the Lone Oak Motel on Highway 123 in Toccoa. Fuller was convicted in 1999 of sexual battery.

Stephens County will receive $17,619.75 in grant money to assist in cleaning up both landfills. The County is one of 71 cities and counties across Georgia that will receive funding to help pay for environmental cleanup of aging, leaking municipal landfills. Governor Sonny Perdue made the announcement yesterday.

County administrator Darrell Hampton says both landfills are on a list of potentially hazardous facilities.

"This is the first year in maybe a couple of years that we've received money from the solid waste trust fund to help in doing some of the things we do to do post closure care on the landfill," Hampton said.

Other surrounding counties to receive funding include Franklin County, which is receiving $88,022, Habersham will get $105,678, and Hart County is receiving $55,055. All of the funding is being distributed through the state Environmental Protection Division.

NEW INDUSTRY FOR MARTIN
October 17, 2006

The City of Martin will be getting a new industry. According to Martin Mayor Don Foster, Newell Industries of East Point, Georgia will be taking over the Whitlock Scrap Metal Company. Foster said that the city council has made the appropriate zoning variances to accommodate the industry. "Newell Recycling is in the process of buying the property that Whitlock has here in Martin." Foster said. "Tonight, the City Council approved variance for the changing of the property over. That should care of it and we wanted Newell to know that we wanted them to be a part of Martin. From what I understand, they should be ready to go by the first of January."

Mayor Don Foster indicated that the City of Martin worked with the Stephens County Development Authority to obtain the new industry and thanked them for their effort. Newell Recycling has been in business since 1935 and has grown into a significant company in the Southeast dealing with metal recycling.

The company has indicated it will do some revitalization of the area with new fencing and landscaping to improve the public’s view of the facility. The site will employ four people. Mathew Drain, the Corporate Counsel for the company, indicated the company will move approximately three semi-trailer loads from the site each day.

GREGORY TO CONTINUE IN HOSPITAL AUTHORITY POST
October 17, 2006

Ferman Gregory will begin his 20^th year as the Chairman of the Stephens County Hospital Authority. By a unanimous vote, the authority agreed to keep the present officers for another year.

Gregory said he was proud to be elected Chairman again because of the pride he felt for the Authority. "I’m proud to be the Chairman of the Authority of Stephens County Hospital," Gregory stated after the meeting Monday. "I think we have one of the finest hospitals around and we are constantly making improvements. In fact, this year, there will be a major job that we’re undertaking when we renovate all of the old rooms that have not been renovated since the construction back in 1967. This is the major project that we have for the coming year. You can look around the campus and see all of the facilities that we have and it’s something that we are proud of and all of the community is proud of, also."

Many hospitals in cities the size of Toccoa are floundering in red ink and having trouble keeping it’s doors open. Stephens County Hospital has been a very viable part of the community, self sufficient and Gregory said it is because of the administration and the employees that the hospital is successful. "It has always been one of the best hospitals in the state. The location of a number of doctors, the employees that we have and a very good operation here make it a great hospital. We have a good administrator that keeps everything in line and we have great numbers of outstanding employees…that’s what make it a great hospital and we’re proud to be authority members of Stephens County Hospital".

Gregory is a retired agriculture teacher at Stephens County High School and has served on the board for over 20 years.

Northeast Georgia’s classroom teachers are endorsing democratic candidate for State Senate in the 50th District, Carol Jackson.

The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), the state's advocates for classroom teachers, which has a political action program, notified Mrs. Jackson last week.

Jeff Hubbard is the GAE president.  "Carol Jackson supports quality teachers in every classroom, programs for greater student achievement, safe schools and buses, fair evaluation systems and preparation for our students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow."

Teachers are advocates for their students, in the classroom and on Election Day; they will help elect a friend of education in Carol Jackson," he added.

Jackson added, "I am thrilled with the support and encouragement of classroom teachers.  I believe that, in my three previous terms in the Senate, teachers understood they had a real friend in me, and I will work hard to maintain that friendship."

If you are looking for a way to plug into the community, the Toccoa-Stephens County Literacy Center could use your help. Volunteer coordinator Karen Ledford says they are looking for about a dozen people to serve as reading and math tutors. Ledford says the fall tutor training sessions are about to get underway.

"We will be beginning our fall tutor training sessions and they will be held on October 23rd, 30th, November 1, 6th and 13th. These last from 6p.m. to 8:30p.m. Each of those sessions. All materials are provided free of charge," she said.

At the end of the training, volunteer tutors will receive their certification from Pro-Literacy America. Ledford says volunteers are asked to make a six-month commitment.

"I ask my tutors to make a commitment to our students for a period of six months, and usually they meet once a week for an hour session," she explained. "However if they choose to meet more than that, they can. Whatever it takes to learn the coursework," she said.

Toccoa Stephens County Literacy center is accredited by Pro-Literacy of America and is a United Way Agency. To get more information, contact Ledford at 706-282-5171.

The Toccoa chapter of the Salvation Army is once again preparing to help low-income families make the holidays a little brighter. Next week, the Army will be taking applications for their Christmas Assistance Program.

Sign up will take place October 25, 26^th, and 27^th, at the Salvation Army Church on E. Franklin Street. Captain Kim Grimes says people wanting to sign up need to remember to bring some important documentation.

"The person making the application needs to bring their photo ID, they have to have a social card for everyone in the household, they have to have proof of their income, if they get disability, saying how much they get a month, and if they get food stamps they have to print their print-out of foods stamp eligibility showing how much they get," she said.

Applicants should also bring proof of residency in the form of a lease, mortgage payment, or utility bill. This year, Grimes says they hope to help about 300 families.

"Some of our children are selected to be on the Angel Tree, which gives them an opportunity to get clothing and possibly shoes, coats and things," she explained. "Then we also do the toys for the children and food for the whole family," Grimes concluded.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Salvation Army at 706-886-5293.

Authorities in Westminster, SC are trying to determine the cause of an early morning fire yesterday that destroyed a house. The three-alarm blaze at the martin street home broke out in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Fire firefighters from Walhalla and Seneca, SC also assisted in putting out the blaze. Westminster Fire Chief Chris Smith tells WNEG the homeowners were at the hospital when the fire broke out about 1 a.m. Monday morning and no one was injured.

Thousands of visitors from around the country and the world descended on Toccoa this weekend for the fourth annual Camp Toccoa R