FEBRUARY 2005 NEWS STORIES

WINTERFEST AND ART SHOW DRAWS ART LOVERS DOWNTOWN SATURDAY
February 28, 2005

Birdhouses, woodcarving, and painting were all part of the ingredients of the first annual “Winterfest” event in downtown Toccoa this weekend. The creative artistry showcase was sponsored by many of the downtown mall businesses and was the idea of Dream Givers Art Gallery owner Diane Lawson.

Over a dozen homemade birdhouses were entered in the contest, but the winning design kind of looks like Travelers’ Rest. It’s a three-story, cedar and stone extravaganza that would make any bird proud to call home. Morris Hicks came up with the idea while recovering from a recent illness. “I couldn’t work and had a lot of time on my hands, so this became kind of a hobby of mine,” he explained Saturday.

Second place winner was Ronnie Turpin whose birdhouse looks like a tree complete with a nest in the branches. “I got the idea from seeing a tree in my yard. There’s a nest in it and there’s an old pine tree where the woodpeckers have made a hole in the trunk,” he said. The birdhouse is made out of some unusual items as well. “The body of the birdhouse is made out of part of the goal post from N. Hall County High School where the students tore it down after a game. I made the branches out of wire from an old bakers rack we were going to throw out. The leaves made out of old computer frames, and the stand is old rebar. Everything is made from recycled material,” Turpin said.

Both birdhouses are for sale and on display at Dream Givers Art Gallery, however, Turpin says he plans to enter his design in another art show before he lets it go.

And if you followed the colorful footprints on Doyle Street, they would have taken you to Thacker Hall where the Currahee Artists Guild held their annual “Meet the Artists” art show Saturday. Over a dozen local artists working in various media displayed their work. According to Guild founder Deborah Hartley, the show gives members an opportunity to show and sell their work, and gives the community an opportunity to meet the artists in person.

STATE LAWMAKERS TO RESUME CONGRESSIONAL REMAPPING EFFORTS THIS WEEK
February 28, 2005

State senators will try again Wednesday to amend a measure that would change Georgia’s Congressional districts. The senate adjourned Friday without coming to any kind of consensus. Senate Resolution 166 would set guidelines for redrawing the State’s 13 congressional districts, eliminating what the resolution calls, “bizarre shapes.”

The State House version, House Bill 168 is very similar, calling for “contiguous territory and no bizarre district shapes.” Local Republicans in Stephens County are urging Democratic Representative Jeanette Jamieson to work to protect U.S. Republican Congressman Charlie Norwood’s 9^th district. Jamieson says she is already doing just that. “I recently spoke with Congressman Norwood and assured him that I would do all I can to ensure his district remains the same,” she explained. “I have a very good working relationship with Congressman Norwood and his office,” Jamieson said. So far, House Bill 168 has had two readings, but has not been brought to a vote.

Sandie’s Pet storeowner Evelyn Nelson will appear in court later this week to answer multiple charges of ill treatment of animals. Oconee County Magistrate Judge Will Derrick tells WNEG that Nelson is expected to enter a guilty plea to three counts of ill treatment of animals in his office on Thursday. In addition to thousands of dollars in fines, Nelson could face jail time.

Earlier this month, Oconee County, South Carolina Animal Control officers removed over 200 dogs, cats and birds from Nelson’s Westminster home. Officer Dan Gerrard said the animals were living in squalid conditions with no food or water. “I plan to ask the judge to bar her from ever breeding or owning animals in Oconee County,” Gerrard recently told WNEG. 103 dogs and puppies and 15 cats were adopted out over the past two weeks or went to other pet rescue groups. The birds were sent to a bird sanctuary for rehabilitation

THREE STAR STUDENTS CHOSEN AT STEPHENS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
February 25, 2005

Not one, but three stars came out Thursday afternoon at Stephens County High School. For the first time ever, Stephens County High had three “STAR” students selected from this year’s senior class. The students included Justin Collins, Stephen Pinkerton, and Hayley Cox. To obtain a STAR nomination, students must have the highest score in one sitting on the scholastic achievement test or “SAT’s” and be in the top 10% of their class.

Senior Stephen Pinkerton says he was honored to be chosen. “It’s really cool, but I really want to thank Mr. Magee for encouraging me and getting me here,” he said. Pinkerton chose teacher Robert Magee as his STAR Teacher. Pinkerton will be going to Georgia Tech next fall where he plans to major in either mechanical or aerospace engineering.

Each student also selects a STAR Teacher, and Justin Collins surprised his mother by choosing her as his STAR teacher. Collins credits her encouragement with helping him achieve good grades. “She really pushed me to do my best,” Collins remembered. Collins plans to go to UGA in the fall and hopes to one day go to law school.

STAR student Haley Cox also credits her STAR teacher Jennie Clifton as her constant support. “I could always go to her for advice and support. If I ever needed anything, she was there,” noted Cox. Cox is undecided as to where she will go in the fall, but STAR teacher Clifton says Cox is an outstanding student. “She’s an outstanding student,” Clifton said. “Really top notch,” she said.

Principal Jerry Carroll says he was initially shocked to learn that the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation nominated three students at Stephens County High School. The winners will now go on to Atlanta to compete against other region winners for the state star awards.

State Representative Jeanette Jamieson is one of the 139 state lawmakers who voted this week for House Bill 197, also called the “Women’s Right to Know” Bill. Earlier this week, the Stephens County Coalition for Life held a rally on the steps of the old County Courthouse in support of the bill. Member Kellie Austin said the group had written Jamieson numerous letters and had also phone her to urge her to vote in favor of the bill, but had received no reply. Jamieson says she did not receive the phone messages and only received the letter Thursday – a day after the vote. “For whatever reason, I did not receive their letter until Thursday,” she explained. “We are short staffed here in Atlanta and I never did receive their phone messages,” Jamieson said.

Jamieson says she was happy to vote for the bill that, for her, simply put into law what is just common sense. The bill calls for doctors to fully explain to women the risks of having an abortion. It also requires minors under 17 years old to have permission from their parents to get an abortion and for doctors to notify parents of a minor’s intention to have the procedure.

WINTERFEST AND LOCAL ARTISTS TO GATHER ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL SATURDAY
February 25, 2005

There are a number of activities taking place Saturday in downtown Toccoa. Among them, a new arts and crafts festival designed to celebrate winter, and look forward to spring. Winterfest is the brainchild of photography artist and arts shop owner Diane Lawson. Among the activities taking place tomorrow include a birdhouse-building contest. Entries are already on display at Lawson’s shop, Dream Givers Art Gallery on the downtown mall. The festival will also bring together at least seven downtown businesses for good food, fun and local artists.

Also on the mall this weekend, the Currahee Artists Guild is sponsoring a “Meet the Artists” open art show at Thacker Hall. The event begins tonight with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. About a dozen local artists working in various media will present their work and be available to meet with the public.

To the cheers of students and faculty alike, Stephens County School Superintendent Gary Steppe announced Thursday morning that veteran educator and current assistant high school principal George Sanders was selected as the new school’s new principal. Sanders will take over the job July 1^st from Jerry Carroll, who announced his retirement last December.

Steppe says the School Board took input from the community as well from the student body in making their decision. “We are excited to have Sanders as the new principal of Stephens County High,” Steppe said. “He has a lot of vision for the school and knows where he wants to take it and we believe that’s going to happen,” he said.

Sanders told the students Thursday morning that he’s humbled by the appointment and he feels the students and faculty at Stephens County High are the best of any in the area. “I’m looking forward to guiding the school to new heights,” Sanders explained. “A lot our students don’t believe they can achieve things I know they can and I want to improve their expectations,” he concluded.

Sanders has been in the Stephens County School system for some 26 years. He has been a faculty member at Stephens County High School for the past 11 years.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR GRAVES DISCOVERED IN HAYESTONE-BRADY INDUSTRIAL PARK
February 24, 2004

A tract of land owned by the Stephens County Development Authority in the Hayestone Brady Industrial Park contains a bit of history that could stop a plan to log the site for its timber. Members of the Stephens County Genealogy Society recently uncovered two gravesites along Rumsey road. Howard Farmer is a member of the society. When news of the impending logging was released, Farmer decided to check out the property himself. “I went over there with Lamar Davis and we found two of the graves,” he explained. “Everything was covered in Kudzu. We cleared that away and put yellow tape around the area,” Farmer said.

According to Farmer, a Revolutionary War veteran, Jessie Holbrook, Sr. and his grandson, Jessie are buried there. There is also supposed to be the grave of another child known only as, “Infant Moss.” “We found Jessie’s grave, which is still marked with a headstone and the grandson’s grave, which is only marked with a rock,” he said. “But we couldn’t find the third grave.” The third grave’s existence and the existence of the Holbrook graves are known because of information given by the Hayes family, who once owned the land, to Kathryn Curtis Trogdon for her book, “The History of Stephens County 1719 – 1972.”

The Stephens County Development Authority is planning to log the tract of land and sell the timber. However, work has stopped temporarily until a decision is made about what to do with the graves. For now, the Genealogical Society is looking for descendents of Holbrook to be a part of a ceremony in which a new head stone marker will be placed at the location.

For more information on the history of Stephens County and other historical family cemeteries, visit the Genealogical Society’s Web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~gasteph2/index.htm.

Former Governor Ernest Vandiver will be laid to rest Thursday morning in his hometown of Lavonia. Funeral services for Vandiver will be held at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Lavonia.

Vandiver passed away Monday night at his home in Lavonia after a long illness. He was 86.

Yesterday, his flag-draped coffin lay in state in the Capital Rotunda in Atlanta. The Georgia General Assembly recessed from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for state lawmakers to pay their respects.

Governor Sonny Perdue and his wife paid tribute to the late governor, who served the State of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. During his administration, Vandiver allowed the University of Georgia to be integrated.

Perdue said Vandiver did much to lift up Georgia and its people and called him an agent of progress and an example of moral courage during a difficult period.

Vandiver will be buried in the Lavonia-Burgess City Cemetery with full military honors. Perdue issued an executive order to have all state flags fly at half-mast until sundown Thursday in honor of Vandiver.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in memory of Vandiver are made to the Lavonia First Baptist church or to the Lavonia Carnegie Library.

It’s a bizarre and horrific crime and it happened Wednesday inside the Wal-mart on Big A Road. A shopping cart containing the carcass of a dog was found by a shopper inside the store about 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Toccoa investigator Ginger Currans says the dog had been beheaded, its feet cut off and skinned. Currans says they are hoping store surveillance video will turn up some leads. However, that still doesn’t answer the question why would someone torture and kill a dog and leave it in such a public place?

One theory police are looking at is some sort of satanic ritual against a local church that is in negotiations with Wal-mart to buy the property once the Super Wal-mart opens later this year. Pastor Scott Collett says they don’t know who would do such a thing, but they forgive them. Collett says the non-denominational church hopes to use the property as a multi-faceted ministry similar to one already open in Dawsonville, GA. “In addition to our church, we plan to have a Christian school, and a family fun center that will have video games, a NASCAR derby, go-carts, a skateboard park and an inside and outdoor restaurant,” he said.

Currans says they hope to make an arrest based on information from the videotapes. If caught, the suspect faces felony animal cruelty charges as well as other charges.

The old Stephens County Courthouse and its grounds are getting some much-needed repair work. Commissioners this week voted to spend $5,200 for an arborist to prune and treat the trees growing on the grounds. Two of the trees are dying according to a report from a local arborist who took a look at them recently. One of those, a water oak located across from the Simmons-Bond Inn, can be saved, according to County Administrator Darrell Hampton. Hampton says the Commission decided it’s better to try and save the trees rather than remove them as they have historic and sentimental value.

And the Courthouse itself is getting some patchwork done on its roof. Cobb Roofing is doing patching up the leaks in the roof that have allowed water to run down into the walls, threatening their stability. Also, all of the windows are being boarded up in order to save them from vandals and other possible damage. The Stephens County Courthouse Restoration Authority is working to raise money to do some immediate re-enforcement on the building until a full renovation can be done.

“Are you going to look at the proposed old Middle School location?” “No, I’m not.” “Why not?” “Because my opinion is not wanted.” E-911 Communications Director Paige Crocker commenting on events of Tuesday morning’s called County Commission meeting. Commission chairman Steve Chitwood promised citizens a decision on a location for the new dispatch center on Tuesday, but the vote has been delayed for at least another week. That’s because a third site is now being considered.

The Stephens County School Board is offering two buildings at the old middle school property in Eastanollee. They are the old band and old library buildings. Chitwood told the gathering he learned of the old school property’s availability last Friday when School Superintendent Gary Steppe approached him about it. Chitwood says of the three properties proposed, these would be the cheapest to renovate.

The total cost for each site being considered breaks down to $1.5 million for the old Hilltop training center – the original site voted on by the commissioners last summer; $992-thousand for the West Doyle Street site and $802-thousand for the middle school buildings.

Problems, however, exist at all three locations. Four Letourneau buildings on the Hilltop site contain asbestos and lead paint and would have to be removed by certified HAZMAT teams at an additional cost to the County. Chitwood says it would cost taxpayers around $450,000 to remove and clean up the property and bring the existing metal building back up to a condition where it could be improved and renovated.

The West Doyle Street property also has more than its fair share of environmental issues. In a report to the County last July, the State Environmental Protection Division, cited the ground and groundwater at the West Doyle St. location, an office building on the old Coats & Clark property, contains high levels of chemical contaminates such as, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, chloroform, carbon disulfide, dichloroethlene, and tetrachloroethene. It also needs asbestos removed, a new HVAC system and new carpet, which according to Chitwood would cost about $75,000. Another drawback, the location runs along the railroad tracks. EMS Director Ray Willis told Commissioners he doesn’t want the dispatch center in that building and pointed to a parked rail tanker containing propane.

At the old middle school property, the band building’s roof will need to be replaced. Additionally, a high fence needs to be constructed on the west side of the property for security. There’s also the question of erecting a radio tower at the site. Some attending the meeting thought residents across the street might object to the dispatch center and the tower. However, County attorney Rusty Smith said the cell tower ordinance, as it exists, exempts the County from having to get approval from residents.

Tuesday’s meeting consisted mainly of EMT’s, City and County workers, and local business leaders. Liberty Bank & Trust vice president Clay Fisher told Commissioners it’s time to get e-911 moving, and he asked why at the 11^th hour, Commissioners are looking new sites. That was the consensus of most who attended Tuesday’s meeting. Afterwards, Chitwood said he’s looking at new properties because constituents called and asked him to. “Citizens are paying for this and we have an obligation to make sure we’re choosing the best place possible,” he said.

After an hour of discussion, Commissioner Rex Anderson motioned to hire a local structural engineer as soon as possible to survey all three sites, get an exact cost figure for each, and report back before next month’s regular meeting. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned by 10:30 a.m. with no decision on when Commissioners would meet on the issue next.

Former Georgia Governor Earnest Vandiver passed away Monday night surrounded by family at his Lavonia home after a long illness. He was 86.

Lavonia mayor Ralph Owens credits Vandiver with helping to make Lavonia the thriving community it is today. “He was instrumental in getting I-85 built in Franklin County, and the interstate has certainly played an important role in growing our community, Owens says. “I will definitely miss him.” Owens says Vandiver continued to take an interest in local politics and would often call his office with advice or questions.

During his term as Governor, Vandiver is credited with making significant improvements to Georgia’s mental health system.

Governor Sonny Perdue issued an Executive Order directing all state flags be lowered to half-staff for a period of mourning lasting until sunset on the day of Vandiver’s funeral.

Funeral arrangements for former Governor Ernest Vandiver are set for Thursday. The late Governor’s body will lie in state at the state capital rotunda Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. His body will then be taken back to Hamby Funeral Home of Lavonia where the family will receive friends tomorrow evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Lavonia First Baptist Church.

Burial will be in the Lavonia Burgess City Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials in memory of former Governor Vandiver may be made to the Lavonia First Baptist Church or to the Lavonia Carnegie Library.

Nehemiah Austin spent over two weeks in Sri Lanka working with a group called, “global crossroads” helping to clean up a small town devastated by December’s tsunamis. Austin says he worked with volunteers from all over the world. “My team had volunteers from Britain, Canada, the U.S., and South Africa,” he said. “But we had people from Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain,” he concluded.

Originally, Austin thought he would be helping to rebuild a school, but soon after he got there he was assigned to another task. “I was told on the third day that I would be part of the ‘deconstruction team,’ Austin explained. “We cleaned away debris and cleaned out a canal,” he said.

Austin says the Sri Lankans he met were grateful to the Americans for their help and hard work. “I was cleaning up after a long day’s work and a local man came up to me and asked, “Are you an American?” I said I was and he said, ‘I’ll be right back, don’t move.’ A little while later he came back carrying a tray with food and some water. He shoved it at me and said, ‘This is for you, eat, eat,’” Austin said.

Austin is studying to become an EMT at North Georgia Tech and says he would like to use those skills on an international level helping others in need around the world.

County Commission chairman Steve Chitwood promises to keep commissioners, engineers, and staff in a called session all day Tuesday, if necessary, in order to iron out exactly where the e-911 dispatch center will be located. The called meeting is set for 9 a.m. tomorrow. Chitwood and Commissioner Kenneth Peeples now want the e-911 dispatch center moved from the planned Hilltop Training center site to an old Coats and Clark building on West Doyle Street. However, except for Toccoa City Commissioners, who see it as an economic advantage, they appear to be the only two in the county who do.

Last week, two hours of heated discussion between the two commissioners, EMS staff, e911 Communications Director Paige Crocker, concerned citizens, and staff ended with no decision. Citizens, Crocker, and EMS Director Ray Willis are angry about the sudden decision to move the site with so little time left to implement the system. Chitwood contends the Hilltop center was chosen without his consent by the previous administration. Minutes from the July 9^th meeting when the vote was taken show Chitwood present, but abstained.

Immediately following tomorrow’s called session, City Commissioners will convene their own called session to vote on a request by the County to support the Doyle Street location. Tuesday’s meeting takes place in Commission Meeting Room of the County Courthouse Annex. Tomorrow night, both the City and County Commissions will meet for an informal joint dinner session at the T-60 Grill.

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia and Stephens County will be participating in several events designed to increase awareness of the importance of being prepared in the event of an emergency.

Citizens in Stephens County and across the state are encouraged to practice emergency preparedness and response procedures for severe weather events.

Today is “Family Protection Day.” County EMA Director Joe Anderson says this is a good day for families to rehearse what they would do during the first 72 hours of any severe weather related event or disaster. And if you don’t have one, today is a good day to come up with a family emergency disaster plan.

On Wednesday, there will be an unannounced statewide fire drill. The National Weather Service will initiate the drill sometime Wednesday morning.

Two teenagers and one woman remain hospitalized after a head-on collision Saturday afternoon. It happened about 4:30 p.m. Saturday when a Ford pick up truck driven by 25-year old Christy Bray of Toccoa slammed into a Toyota Camry driven by 17-year old Kurt Patterson of Martin. A 13-year old passenger in Patterson’s car was also injured. All three were life-flighted to hospitals in Greenville, SC and metro Atlanta.

Georgia State Patrol trooper Brian Roberts says it may be some time before they know exactly what happened. No word on whether any charges will be field.

Joan Allen with the Stephens County Humane Society, a private pet rescue group, is fostering three sets of mother dogs and their puppies, taken from the Westminster home of Sandies’ Pets owner Evelyn Nelson, but Allen says it will be mid-March or later before any of them are ready for new homes. That’s because all of the dogs are sick.

Allen says the two Jack Russell and one Pomeranian adult females have been diagnosed with bronchitis, and the Pomeranian also has heartworms. “The dogs got sick from being out in the cold,” Allen said. “I have them all on antibiotics and I’m treating the Pomeranian for heartworms,” she said. Allen says the seven puppies are also sick. “They were lying on a cold cement floor at the shelter. It’s not the shelter’s fault, it’s just not a good place for nursing puppies because they’re not equipped to handle puppies that small,” she explained. That’s why the Oconee County Animals Shelter let her take the puppies and adult females last week.

Hundreds began lining up at the shelter as early as 4 a.m. last Thursday and Friday hoping to adopt one of the 103 rescued dogs. Many went away disappointed and were referred to Allen. However, Allen is charging considerably more than the $48 Oconee County is asking and that has some upset. They say it’s not fair. Allen says, however, the extra adoption fee is covering the extra vet bills and medicine needed to bring the dogs back to health. “All of the dogs and puppies will be getting spayed and neutered March 9^th if they’re healthy enough,” Allen said. “But I’m not getting any kind of discount for those spays and neuters, like the Oconee County Animal Shelter is getting and that’s another part of the adoption fee,” she continued. In Georgia, state law requires all animals adopted from public and private humane societies be spayed or neutered within 30 days of adoption. Most groups, like Allen’s simply have the procedure done before adopting so as to eliminate follow up paperwork.

“When these dogs are adopted from me, those who get them will be assured of a healthy, happy pet,” Allen concluded.

Dozens lined up once again Friday morning at the Oconee County Animal Shelter hoping to adopt one of the many dogs taken from the home of Sandies’ Pets owner Evelyn Nelson last week. One woman, identified only as “Kelly” came all the way from West Union, SC. “We were here at 6 a.m. to get in line for a number,” she explained. “We were hoping to adopt a bird, but they’re not letting them go so we’re going to get small dog,” Kelly said.

Only 28 dogs per day are being adopted because that is as many as the veterinarian can spay or neuter at a time. On Monday, another 28 – 30 dogs will be available and the procedure will begin all over again, according to Animal Control Officer Dan Gerrard. Some who came late Thursday took their disappointment out on the shelter workers. “We’re doing the best we can,” said shelter worker Bonnie Wulff.

On Thursday, Oconee County Administrator Ron Rabun said all 93 birds will go to a bird sanctuary. Only six of the birds were examined by a veterinarian at a cost to the County of over $1,000. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is concerned the birds, which were found living in filth with no food or water, may be carrying diseases that could be transmitted to humans. “The bird sanctuary has the resources and experience to nurse these birds back to health,” noted Gerrard. “They will make sure they go into excellent homes,” he concluded.

So far, no trial date has been set for Evelyn Nelson. Nelson is charged with three counts of ill treatment of animals after authorities found 103 dogs, 15 cats and 93 birds living in cramped, filthy conditions at her Westminster home last week. If convicted, Nelson faces stiff fines and possible jail time.

But for awhile there, Dan Dorsey of Dorsey & Associates in Commerce had people attending Thursday’s Senior Luncheon believing there might be. Dorsey told the crowd he a client from Louisiana who wants to build an alligator farm, RV park, amphitheatre and adult entertainment club along Oak Valley Road or East Silver Shoals Road as a multi-faceted tourist attraction. So convincing was Dorsey with his deadpan delivery, he even had the mayor of Toccoa going. Ken Davis said there were some in Stephens County who would welcome an alligator farm as an economic boon.

Well it was all a joke orchestrated by guest speaker and Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce member Bill Wheeler. Wheeler, Director of the Georgia Baptist Conference Center, used Dorsey’s spoof to illustrate what could happen here if the County does not soon come up with some sort of land use policy.

Wheeler is part of a Chamber subcommittee called, “People with Passion.” “We quickly realized that if we want to sustain the quality of life we all enjoy in Stephens County, we must have even a simple property protection plan in place so that an outside developer can’t just come in and put up whatever he wants,” explained Wheeler.

Wheeler cited the problems nearby Lavonia is having with adult entertainment clubs. “If Franklin County has instituted land use and property protection laws early on, they would not be having the problems they are today,” Wheeler said. “It’s better to have a plan in place which will prevent those kinds of issues, than to have to deal with them after they’re already here,” he said.

It will be next Tuesday before Stephens County Commissioners say they will make their decision on where to put the e-911 dispatch center. At last week’s regular meeting, Commission Chairman Steve Chitwood promised Herb Saunders of Saunders & DiSimone Construction he would approve the management plan for the old Hilltop Training Center site at a called meeting this week.

However, instead of making good on that promise, Chitwood announced he favored a new location.

Just before Tuesday’s called meeting, Chitwood took the other two Commissioners and others on a tour of one of one of the old Coats & Clark office buildings on West Doyle Street. The building is owned by former judge Alton Adams. Adams is offering to sell the building to the County for $100,000, according to Commissioner Kenneth Peeples. “This building is more centrally located,” Peeples said. “It is 1,200 feet from a Toccoa fire station and 1,500 feet from the Toccoa Police station,” he said. Peeples said the Hilltop Training Site, chosen by the former County Commission last summer, contains asbestos and lead paint which would cost the County thousands of dollars to remove. “The Doyle Street building is a bargain and will not need as much renovation as the Hilltop site,” he concluded.

The County has until the end of the year to have the e911 system up and running or risk losing the money Alltel has been collecting for the project. Peeples says the West Doyle St. property would allow the County to implement e911 faster than if the Hilltop site were used. Yet another called meeting on the subject is set for Tuesday, the 22^nd at 9 a.m. in the Courthouse Annex.

According to e-911 Communications Director Paige Crocker, Commissioners can change sites for the dispatch center so long as they have the center up and running by December 31, 2005. Otherwise, Alltel will cease collecting the $1.50 fee from customers, and Commissioners will have to call for a new referendum to begin collecting the funds again. That process, says Crocker, could delay the e-911 implementation at least six months. Stephens County is the only county in Georgia that still does not have e-911.

The Toccoa Nursing Center raised $1,728 this year during its annual Rock n’ Roll a-thon for the American Heart Association.

Those residents who raised the most money included Kenneth Moore, voted King of Hearts; Dora Johnson, voted Queen of Hearts; and Lutrelle Whiton who was voted the winner of the Hug a Resident contest. Whiton garnered 58 hugs or $58 dollars.

There has been yet another delay in the start of construction on the 911 Emergency Communications Center at the Hilltop location and it might not even be at that location.

The Stephens County Commissioners, still at odds over the location, delayed their decision Tuesday night until next Tuesday, when they will have a day-long conference with their engineer.

Commissioner Rex Anderson made a motion to put the project management plan into effect, but the motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Kenneth Peeples said he wished to have a more central location for the center. Commission Chairman Steve Chitwood said that he didn't care where the center was, he just wanted to get the best building for the money and he had some questions. Chitwood said that a decision will be made at next Tuesday's meeting.

The county is facing a deadline of January 1st when the funding from telephone fees expires. Currently the county is getting $1.50 per month from each telephone customer to help pay for the system. Once it runs out, it would take 4-5 months to re-install it.

The project engineer, Herb Saunders of Saunders and DeSimone in Atlanta, told the commissioners he was two days late already in getting at the demolition of some existing buildings on the hilltop property and the county faced a critical deadline to finish the building by Thanksgiving.

E-911 Communications Director, Paige Crocker, must still have her staff trained so that the center is ready to go January 1, 2006.

County attorney, Rusty Smith, strongly urged the commissioners to make a decision on a location "in short order".

An expected day-long conference with the commissioners, the engineering firm, Paige Crocker and interested citizens is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 22nd, starting at 9 a.m. at the county Courthouse Annex.

Commission Chairman Steve Chitwood stated to the audience that the building will be built on time and the project would be ready on schedule. He emphasized that a final decision will be made next Tuesday.

Engineer Herb Saunders said that with a great deal of effort, he thinks that even with another week's delay, he might be able to meet the schedule.

Pruitt Corporation is denying a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle that says the company plans to move its headquarters from Toccoa to new offices in Norcross. In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Neil Pruitt Jr. said, “The Corporate Services and Community Services Divisions of UHS-Pruitt Corporation will continue to be based out of the Toccoa offices, and the Ancillary Services Division will continue to be based out of the Atlanta offices.” According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle article dated January 21-27, UHS-Pruitt, “is expected to pack up its belongings in its Toccoa, GA headquarters and make the 104,900 square foot 1626 Jeurgens Court in Peachtree Corners its new home.” The article goes on to say Pruitt purchased the facility from “an unnamed institutional investor. Bill Buist and Bruce Logue with Colliers Cauble & Co. in Atlanta brokered the deal for the seller while Sam Lord, an associate broker with Jessee & Associates, Inc. represented UHS-Pruitt.”

Over a hundred dogs and cats taken from Sandies’ Pets store owner Evelyn Nelson’s Westminster home last week will be put up for adoption beginning Thursday. Nelson yesterday voluntarily released ownership of the animals in a deal with Oconee County authorities. In exchange, Nelson is charged with three counts of ill treatment of animals—one count for each group: dogs, cats, and birds, that were taken from her home. Had she not accepted the deal, Nelson would have been charged with more than 200 counts of mistreating animals. She also faces jail time, fines, veterinary fees, and boarding costs. Dogs will be adopted out 25-30 a day, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The birds are being held in quarantine until a vet can finish examining them. 103 dogs, 15 cats, and 93 birds were found living in filthy conditions without food or water at Nelson’s home.

Construction is expected to begin within the month at the old train depot on Alexander St. As expected, City Commissioners this week approved the final scope of the renovation project at their regular meeting Monday. The City has been working to find ways to cut the initial construction budget of $681,000, which some Commissioners called, “gold plated.” The amount estimated by Bowen & Watson Construction of Toccoa far higher than the $450,000 in grant money Toccoa received from the State Department of Transportation.

At a work session last month, Commissioners managed to cut about $100,000 off the original amount, and City Manager Billy Morse later found another $30,000 in cuts, bringing the budget down to $551,000.

Mayor Ken Davis says he expects Bowen & Watson to start turning dirt within the month. Under the terms of the grant, construction must be completed by the end of the year. Once finished, the train depot will house the new offices of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce and the Toccoa-Stephens County Historical Society.

It’s up to the County now to finalize plans for the Super Wal-Mart by agreeing to extend Toccoa’s city limits to include the new property on Highway 17 and the 17 Bypass. City commissioners signed off on their agreement with Bright-Meyers Construction Monday night. Under the agreement, the Wal-mart will connect its sewer system to the school system’s sewer and lift station off Memorial Drive. The City will then take over operations of both systems provided the new Wal-mart property is inside the City limits.

County commissioners will meet tonight to vote on the issue. Last week, county commissioners approved the plat of land for the new Wal-mart as well as an easement for the sewer and water lines.

Utility customers on a fixed income now have more time to pay their bills and will not have to pay any late fees. City commissioners voted to waive the late fee for those customers at their regular meeting Monday night. The problem, according to City Manager Billy Morse is that the 20 day window to pay utilities without facing a late penalty does not always coincide with when fixed income customers get their government checks.

Under the new amendment, those on a fixed income will have 35 days to pay their utility bills before risking cut off, and will not have to pay the late charge.

Morse says when they implemented the new utility bill collection system, they did not intend to place a hardship on the elderly.

Still no word from UHS-Pruitt regarding a reported move to Atlanta. Late last month, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported that the Toccoa-based company was moving its headquarters to new offices in Norcross. According to that article, Pruitt recently purchased a 104,000 square foot warehouse/office facility in Peachtree Corners off I-85 and Indian Trail. The sale was brokered by Colliers Cauble & Company of Atlanta for the seller and by Jessee & Associates for UHS-Pruitt. A sale price was not disclosed. The article, however, did not say when Pruitt was planning to move. So far, the company has not responded to calls by WNEG.

Robert Eugene Thomason will be back in Stephens County Superior Court Tuesday morning to enter another “not guilty” plea. Thomason is accused of murdering his estranged wife, Debra Lynn Thomason in October 2003. Authorities say Thomason waited for her to come home late one Sunday night and shot her multiple times in the driveway of her DeFoor Road home. He later turned himself in to authorities.

Thomason, who is using public defenders, has been waiting all this time for two death penalty certified attorneys to be appointed to represent him. The two attorneys appointed are Walter Harvey and Chris Elrod, both of Jackson County, according to Stephens County Assistant District Attorney Richard Bridgeman.

Thomason was to have been tried last May on the murder charge alone, but four additional charges were added just before the trial. They include three counts of aggravated battery and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Charges are expected to be filed as early as today against Sandies’ Pet Store owner Evelyn Nelson, according to Oconee County Animal Control officer Dan Gerrard. Nelson faces 200 counts of ill treatment of animals after authorities in Oconee County, SC found more than 200 dogs, cats, and birds living in filthy conditions in her Westminster, SC home last week.

Meantime, the Oconee County Animal Shelter will remain closed until veterinarians can finish examining the 93 birds confiscated from their home. Shelter worker Bonnie Wulff says the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is concerned the birds may have diseases that can be transmitted to humans. So far, only seven of the birds have been examined, according to Shelter supervisor Scott Wilson. Wilson says those birds were found to be malnourished, but otherwise ok.

The shelter is still in need of donations of cleaning supplies. Wilson says they need any kind of disinfectant cleaner, except bleach, and mops, paper towels, sponges, buckets, etc.

Here in Toccoa, there are no plans to close Nelson’s pet store, according to City Mayor Ken Davis. Last week, the City inspected the store and found it to be relatively clean and Nelson’s paperwork in order. Davis says until formal charges are filed against Nelson, they will allow her to remain open, a move that has outraged many local citizens who say her store should be closed down and her business license revoked.

Once again, the Toccoa Nursing Clinic is sponsoring its annual “Rock ‘n Roll-a-thon” for the American Heart Association. This week’s activities include, “hug a resident,” bake sale, and other activities to raise money for the Heart Association. Last year, the clinic raised $5,000 for heart research.

New Ambulance

Stephens County will soon have another new ambulance on the road. This week, County Commissioners approved the purchase of the fourth of seven new ambulances to be purchased using SPLOST IV funds. According to County Administrator Darrell Hampton, this latest vehicle will be a heavy-duty ambulance designed for longer over-the-road transport to medical facilities in other cities such as Atlanta and Augusta. The new emergency vehicle brings to four the number of new ambulances purchased so far by the County.

Search Continues for Leadford

It’s been more than two years since 49-year old Gary Alan Ledford disappeared from his home on Brookhaven Circle, but Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators have not given up the search. Chief Deputy Mike Crozier tells WNEG there have been few leads in recent months, but he follows up on every one. Most recently, a woman told investigators she saw Ledford get on a Greyhound bus in Florida. However, Crozier says it was not Ledford. Ledford was last seen the night of January 27, 2003 driving a 1998 dark green Dodge Dakota pick up. He is described as 6’1”, 180lbs with blond hair and blue eyes.

Rain and fog may have played a role in the death of an Eastanollee man Wednesday night. 56-year old Gerald Sheriff died at Stephens County Hospital after his vehicle was involved in a wreck on Fernside Dr. and Colonial Dr. The accident happened about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday. The accident is still under investigation.

Arraignment Scheduled for Next Week

A STEPHENS COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH MURDERING HIS ESTRANGED WIFE IN OCTOBER 2003 WILL BE ARRAIGNED FOR A SECOND TIME NEXT WEEK. ROBERT EUGENE THOMASON IS CHARGED WITH MURDERING HIS ESTRANGED WIFE, DEBRA LYNN THOMASON OF DEFOOR ROAD AS SHE CAME HOME LATE ONE SUNDAY NIGHT IN OCTOBER 2003. THOMASON, WHO IS USING PUBLIC DEFENDERS, HAS BEEN WAITING FOR TWO “DEATH PENALTY CERTIFIED” ATTORNEYS TO BE APPOINTED TO REPRESENT HIM.

People living in the Deer Court community off Red Rock Road are evaluating their options now that a proposed cell tower will be built off Old Jarrett Mill Rd. Tuesday night, County Commissioners authorized the construction of the tower by Bell Tower LLC. Commission chairman Steve Chitwood said they had to approve it because the company had complied with the new County Cell Tower ordinance. However, Deer Court resident James Harrison says he will continue to fight it. The problem is the location of the tower, which will be built down a 200-foot slope. That means the tower lights will be eye-level with residents’ homes. “I will have to spend the rest of my life with those lights flashing me in the face,” Harrison said.

Southern Heritage members from Stephens County were in Atlanta Wednesday to rally on the steps of the State Capitol for a yet another state flag referendum. Members of the Georgia group say last year’s flag referendum was not fair because it did not include the 1956 state flag design. This latest initiative is sponsored by House Republican Tim Bearden from Villa Rica. However, members of both parties say the flag matter is settled and will not be readdressed. Last March, Georgians overwhelmingly voted for the current flag design, which references the Confederacy, but does not include the stars and bars cross.

The County will wait one more week before approving the construction plan for the new e-911 dispatch center. Commission chairman Steve Chitwood says he wanted a chance to measure the existing foundation of the metal building that will house the center on the site of the old Hilltop Training Center. Herb Saunders, president of Saunders and DiSimone Construction of Atlanta says he cannot wait more than a week or two to begin work on the site if the project is to stay on schedule.