WQCH local radio for LaFayette Georgia

WALLIS-WILBANKS FUNERAL HOME is the WQCH feature of the week.
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TOP LOCAL NEWS STORIES:

*   FIRE FIGHTERS ARE ATTACKING A BRUSH FIRE IN THE ARMUCHEE VALLEY AREA OF WALKER COUNTY. IT’S IN THE MANNING MILL ROAD AREA, BETWEEN EAST AND WEST ARMUCHEE… AND WAS FIRST REPORTED EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
    THE FOREST SERVICE, WALKER AND CATOOSA COUNTY UNITS ARE RESPONDING… AND A STATE PATROL HELICOPTER IS ALSO ASSISTING.

*   A RIFT BETWEEN SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES HAS SURFACED, SINCE THE RETIREMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE BO WOOD LAST FRIDAY.
    JUDGE WOOD APPOINTED KRISTINA COOK GRAHAM AS CHIEF JUDGE OF THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT SUPERIOR COURT.   BUT THE TWO OTHER REMAINING JUDGES DECIDED THAT THE CHIEF JUDGE SHOULD BE SELECTED BY VOTE.   RALPH VAN PELT AND BRIAN HOUSE VOTED VAN PELT AS THE NEW CHIEF JUDGE, IN AN ORDER POSTED ON THE CIRCUIT’S WEBSITE MONDAY.
    A NEW JUDGE IS EXPECTED TO BE APPOINTED SOON BY THE GOVERNOR… BRINGING THE TOTAL BACK TO FOUR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES.
    APPARENTLY EXPECTING HARD FEELINGS, JUDGES VAN PELT AND HOUSE ALSO ISSUED A NOTICE THAT THEY WILL RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM ANY CASE INVOLVING THE LAW FIRM OF COOK AND CONNELLY… HEADED BY JUDGE GRAHAM’S FATHER, BOBBY LEE COOK.
    IN ADDITION, THE CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS IS REPORTING RECEIT OF A LETTER FROM VAN PELT TO GRAHAM, SAYING THAT “HE HAS BEEN SECRETLY REPORTING HER TO STATE INVESTIGATORS FOR YEARS”. HE SUGGESTS IN THE LETTER THAT “SIMILAR TRAIN WRECKS IN OTHER CIRCUITS HAVE RESULTED IN A REQUIREMENT THAT SOME FORM OF CASE ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM” BE CREATED, TO AVOID FURTHER CONFLICTS.

*   IF WALKER COUNTY’S LEGAL COUNSEL STUART JAMES IS RIGHT… A REQUEST FOR BRIEFS IN THE ERLANGER VERSUS WALKER COUNTY CASE MAY INDICATE THAT THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS NO JURISDICTION TO HEAR IT.
    JAMES WOULD PREFER TO BYPASS THE COURT OF APPEALS AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT, BASED ON HIS CONTENTION THAT ERLANGER HAD NO LEGAL STANDING TO SUE WALKER COUNTY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
    ERLANGER IS SEEKING 8.7-MILLION DOLLARS UNDER AN AGREEMENT IN WHICH WALKER COUNTY AGREED TO BACK A LOAN MADE TO HUTCHESON MEDICAL CENTER. ERLANGER WON A JUDGEMENT IN THE CASE IN FEDERAL COURT IN ROME.
    JAMES SAYS THAT WALKER COUNTY’S APPEAL IS BASED ON TWO POINTS… FIRST, ERLANGER CANNOT SUE WALKER COUNTY, AS THE HOSPITAL IS NOT A GEORGIA ENTITY.   SECOND, JAMES CONTENDS THAT WALKER COUNTY HAS SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY… AND ERLANGER HAS FAILED TO SHOW WHY THAT SHOULD NOT APPLY IN THIS CASE.
    “WALKER COUNTY BELIEVES BOTH OF THESE ISSUES SHOULD RIGHTFULLY BE DECIDED BY THE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT”, JAMES SAID.
    IN THE MEAN TIME, THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS ASKED BOTH SIDES TO FILE BRIEFS ON THE ISSUE OF JURISDICTION, WITHIN 14 DAYS.
    IN THE PRESS RELEASE, WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL ADDED: “WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO FIGHT FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TAXPAYERS OF WALKER COUNTY”.

UPDATED: A COMPLETED REPORT WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY LAFAYETTE POLICE ON A HIT AND RUN THAT OCCURRED ON NORTH MAIN AT STANFIELD ROAD, MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE MAN WHO WAS HIT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BLAIN EUGENE PHELPS... WHO TOLD POLICE HE IS LEGALLY BLIND AND RELIES ON HIS HEARING WHEN CROSSING STREETS.
    THE DRIVER WHO WAS CHARGED HAD PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT IN NORTH LAFAYETTE WHEN POLICE FOUND HIM... STILL AT THE WHEEL OF HIS RED JEEP. 18 YEAR OLD RICHARD LEVI HENDERSON TOLD THE OFFICER "I'M SORRY... I HIT AN OLD MAN". HENDERSON SAID THE VICTIM WAS IN THE MIDDLE TURNING LANE AND WALKED INTO THE SIDE OF HIS JEEP AS HE DROVE BY.
    PHELPS SUFFERED NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES TO HIS ARMS AND LEGS... AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THE FIRST 9-1-1 CALL WAS RECEIVED AT ABOUT 5:20 PM MONDAY.
    HENDERSON WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH HIT AND RUN RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

*   TWO LAFAYETTE RESIDENTS WERE CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT OVER THE WEEKEND, IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS.
    POLICE SAY 56 YEAR OLD CARLA JEAN MARSHALL WAS ARRESTED FOLLOWING A REPORT THAT SHE HAD TAKEN PILLS AND WAS THREATENING TO CUT HERSELF. SHE DENIED BOTH CLAIMS… BUT WAS INTOXICATED AND STRUGGLED WITH THE ARRESTING OFFICER.
    IN THE OTHER ARREST, 21 YEAR OLD TAYLOR BROOKE CAUSEY WAS ARRESTED IN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN STREET NEAR THE FOOD CITY SHOPPING CENTER. THE POLICE REPORT SAYS SHE APPEARED TO BE HALLUCINATING AND TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT PRESENT.   SHE WAS TAKEN TO JAIL IN PART, FOR HER OWN PROTECTION.

*   HERITAGE HEALTH AT SHEPHERD HILLS HAD THE LOW SCORE… A “C”… IN LAST WEEK’S RESTAURANT AND KITCHEN INSPECTION.
    LOS GUERRERO’S IN LAFAYETTE HAD THE HIGH SCORE WITH A “99”.   ALSO SCORING AN “A” WERE THE DARI-DIP, HARDEE’S AND KRYSTAL.   TWINS PIZZA SCORED A “B”.

*   THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS A WEEK FROM TODAY… OCTOBER 11th. REGISTER AT THE VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICE IN THE COURTHOUSE… ROOM 110.

*   THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT HAS A NEW JUVENILE COURT JUDGE. STEVEN M. ELLIS… WHO HAS BEEN SERVING AS JUVENILE JUDGE IN WALKER AND DADE COUNTIES, WILL NOW ALSO ADD CHATTOOGA COUNTY TO HIS AREA-SERVED.   THAT’S BECAUSE THE TERM OF CHATTOOGA’S JUVENILE COURT JUDGE, WILLIAM JERRY WESTBROOK, HAS EXPIRED.
    THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT INCLUDES WALKER, DADE, CATOOSA AND CHATTOOGA COUNTIES… AND UNDER GEORGIA LAW, JUVENILE JUDGES NOW HAVE CIRCUIT-WIDE JURISDICTION.
    JUDGE ELLIS RESIDES IN WALKER COUNTY… AND IS QUALIFIED LEGALLY TO ASSUME HIS NEW CIRCUIT-WIDE POSITION ON THE JUVENILE COURT.
    THE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES SET JUDGE ELLIS’ PAY AT $104,400 PER YEAR… SPREAD AMONG THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS OF WALKER, DADE AND CHATTOOGA COUNTIES. WALKER COUNTY IS TO PROVIDE HIS INSURANCE BENEFITS, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER.

*   THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION HAS NARROWED THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES FOR A NEW JUDGE IN THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN SUPERIOR COURT.
    FROM THE ORIGINAL FIELD OF FOUR, THE COMMISSION HAS NARROWED THE LIST TO “BUZZ” FRANKLIN AND DON THOMPSON. THEIR NAMES WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE… AND INTERVIEWS WILL BE SCHEDULED. GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL WILL PICK THE NEW JUDGE, WHO WILL FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RETIREMENT OF JUDGE JON “BO” WOOD.
    FRANKLIN IS CURRENTLY SERVING AS DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT… AND DON W. THOMPSON IS A PARTNER IN THE LEGAL FIRM BRUCE AND THOMPSON.

*   A LAFAYETTE RESIDENT WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE BATTERY UNDER THE FAMILY VIOLENCE ACT, FRIDAY NIGHT. A JUVENILE FAMILY MEMBER MADE THE CALL WHEN SHE HEARD FIGHTING INSIDE THE HOME ON COOK STREET.
    AN ADULT FEMALE HAD A BLACKENED AND SWOLLEN EYE AND A BLOODY LIP, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.
    43 YEAR OLD JAMES BARREN WALKER WAS ARRESTED.   POLICE FOUND RECORDS OF TWO SIMILAR ALTERCATIONS IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD. BOTH ADULTS ADMITTED TO DRINKING VODKA, BEFORE THE FIGHT.

*   BEGINNING THIS WEDNESDAY… WILDLIFE SERVICES WILL DISPERSE RABIES BAITS BY HELICOPTER… TO IMMUNIZE THE WILDLIFE POPULATION.   TARGET AREAS INCLUDE PARTS OF WALKER, DADE, CATOOSA, CHATTOOGA AND SEVERAL OTHER AREA COUNTIES.
    IF YOU FIND ONE OF THE PACKAGED BAITS, THEY ASK THAT YOU LEAVE IT WHERE YOU FIND IT.   THE RABIES BAITS ARE NOT HARMFUL IF INGESTED BY DOGS AND CATS.

*   SOMEONE ENTERED A HOME ON SOUTH CHATTANOOGA STREET DURING THE NIGHT LAST THURSDAY… AND TOOK CASH FROM THE VICTIM’S WALLET.
    THE RESIDENT SAID HE DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING DURING THE NIGHT. WHEN HE WENT TO THE BATHROOM AT AROUND 6 AM, HE FOUND HIS WALLET ON THE FLOOR WITH $130 MISSING.
    POLICE FOUND EVIDENCE OF SLIGHT DAMAGE TO A DOOR FRAME… AND DUSTED FOR FINGERPRINTS.

*   LAFAYETTE POLICE CHARGED A COUPLE WITH FELONY THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, AFTER BUDGET RENTAL REPORTED THEIR MOVING TRUCK STOLEN, FROM ATHENS, GEORGIA.
    38 YEAR OLD JOHNATHAN DEAN STOUGH AND 29 YEAR OLD JANEEN MARIE STOUGH WERE FOUND IN THE TRUCK ON THE FOOD CITY PARKING LOT LAST THURSDAY.   THEY WERE REPORTED BY A DFCS WORKER WHO WAS ON A CASE IN WHICH THEY WERE INVOLVED.
    MR. STOUGH TOLD POLICE HE KNEW THE VEHICLE WAS PAST-DUE FOR RETURN TO THE COMPANY… AND HE HAD BEEN TRYING TO “WORK OUT A DEAL” TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM.

*   THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WILL HELP NISSIN BRAKE RECRUIT ABOUT 30 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR PLANT AT ROCK SPRING, THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8th.
    IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NISSIN PLANT ON THACKER DRIVE, FROM 8 AM UNTIL 1 PM. THEY’RE HIRING CASTING TECHNICIANS, COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL, MACHINE OPERATORS AND METAL BORING EQUIPMENT TECHNICIANS.   MUST BE ABLE TO LIFT 40 POUNDS, STAND FOR 8 HOURS AND CLIMB STAIRS.
    SALARIES RANGE FROM $11 TO $24 PER HOUR.   DRESS FOR AN INTERVIEW.
    FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAFAYETTE CAREER CENTER AT 706 638 5525.

*   HOW TO RESPOND TO AN “ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION”: 42 YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER JOHNNY BASS SPOKE ON THE SUBJECT AT THE LAFAYETTE ROTARY CLUB’S WEEKLY MEETING. HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS CHIEF INVESTIGATOR FOR THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE.
    HE SAID “WE’VE ALL HEARD OF ‘FIGHT OR FLIGHT’… BUT THERE IS ONE MORE RESPONSE: TO ‘FREEZE’”.   BASS SAID “THE PEOPLE WHO FREEZE IN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION ARE USUALLY THE ONES WHO DIE”.
    HIS ADVICE… BE VIGILANT EVERYWHERE YOU GO. LOOK TO LOCATE THE EXITS IN EVERY BUILDING AS SOON AS YOU ENTER.”
    “IF YOU HEAR SHOOTING… DON’T FREEZE… GET YOUR FACE OUT OF YOUR PHONE AND RUN. IF YOU CAN’T RUN, SEEK COVER OF ANY KIND TO CONCEAL OR SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE SHOOTER.   IF YOU CAN’T RUN AND CAN’T HIDE… DO WHAT EVER IS NECESSARY TO DEFEND YOUR LIFE”.
    ANOTHER TIP… WHEN POLICE ARRIVE, GET YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR SO THEY CAN SEE QUICKLY THAT YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE THREAT.
    BASS CONCLUDED, “ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS… WHO’S AROUND YOU AND HOW YOU CAN LEAVE QUICKLY IF NECESSARY… THAT’S YOUR BEST DEFENSE”.

*   THE WINTER “HEAT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM” WILL BEGIN MAKING APPOINTMENTS IN NOVEMBER, FOR HOUSEHOLDS WHERE EVERY MEMBER IS AT LEAST 65 OR MEDICALLY HOME-BOUND. YOU’LL NEED A STATE-ISSUED PHOTO ID, PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOME, POWER AND GAS BILL AND PROOF OF INCOME FOR THE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO APPLYING. THE COMMUNITY ACTION OFFICE IS AT 201 SOUTH MAIN IN LAFAYETTE.

*   THE BARWICK FIRE CLEAN-UP HAS MISSED ANOTHER DEADLINE… BUT IS STILL ON-TRACK. THE EPA CONTACT, DAVID ANDREWS, HAD TOLD WQCH THAT WORK ON THE PROJECT WOULD BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER…
    BUT THIS WEEK, HE SAID SOME WORK WILL PROBABLY BEGIN NEXT WEEK… THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER. SPECIFICALLY, ANDREWS SAID THAT IF ALL THE PAPERWORK IS COMPLETED ON TIME, REMOVAL OF THE WATER USED IN FIRE-FIGHTING WILL BE TRUCKED-AWAY FROM THE SITE IN LAFAYETTE… AND FROM STORAGE AT THE OLD ARCHER PLANT IN KENSINGTON. THE CONTAMINATED WATER WILL BE SHIPPED TO THE ATLANTA AREA FOR TREATMENT.
    “THAT’S THE EASY PART”, ANDREWS SAID.   “THE DEMOLITION WILL COME LATER… AFTER THE WATER HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SITE”.
    ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE FORMER CARPET PLANT WENT UP IN FLAMES LAST NOVEMBER. EPA HAS FULLY APPROVED THE OWNER’S PLANS FOR THE CLEAN-UP AND DEMOLITION.

*   THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WILL HELP AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FIND 50 EMPLOYEES FOR THREE WALKER COUNTY BUSINESSES, ON OCTOBER 12th.
    IT WILL BE HELD AT THE LAFAYETTE HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING AT 300 OAK STREET, FROM 9 AM UNTIL NOON THAT DAY.
    THE COMPANY IS RECRUITING ASSEMBLERS, OPERATORS, PACKERS AND PRODUCTION WORKERS FOR TWO BUSINESSES IN ROCK SPRING AND ONE IN LAFAYETTE.
    FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAFAYETTE CAREER CENTER AT 706 638 5527.
    AGAIN, THE RECRUITING WILL BE AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12th FROM 9 ’TIL NOON.

*   SAMPLE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN RELEASED FOR THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER ELECTIONS IN WALKER COUNTY.
    MANY RACES HAVE NO OPPOSITION: INCLUDING U.S. CONGRESSMAN TOM GRAVES, STATE SENATOR JEFF MULLIS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE TARVIN, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DEFFENBAUGH, DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUZZ FRANKLIN, PROBATE COURT JUDGE CHRISTY ANDERSON, CLERK OF COURT CARTER BROWN, SHERIFF STEVE WILSON, TAX COMMISSIONER CAROLYN WALKER, SURVEYOR CHARLES WARDLAW, CORONER DEWAYNE WILSON, CHIEF MAGISTRATE SHELIA THOMPSON, AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS KAREN STOKER AND PHYLLIS HUNTER.
    VOTES WILL START AT THE TOP… THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE… WITH CANDIDATES HILLARY CLINTON, DONALD TRUMP AND LIBERTARIAN GARY JOHNSON ON THE BALLOT.
    FOR U.S. SENATOR, JOHNNY ISAKSON THE INCUMBENT… ALONG WITH CHALLENGERS JIM BARKSDALE AND ALLEN BUCKLEY.
    PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER, INCUMBENT TIM ECHOLS AND CHALLENGER ERIC HOEKING.
    FOR WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER, VOTERS WILL SELECT FROM THE INCUMBENT, BEBE HEISKELL… REPUBLICAN SHANNON WHITFIELD OR INDEPENDENT PERRY LAMB JR.
    AND FOR SCHOOL BOARD POST 4, THERE IS A RACE BETWEEN INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN DALE WILSON AND DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER VINCENT MURPHY.
    THERE ARE ALSO FOUR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE, ON THE NOVEMBER 8th GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.

*   WALKER COUNTY’S INDUSTRIES ARE IN A “BOOM PHASE”, ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
    LOCAL LEADERS TOURED THE AUDIA INTERNATIONAL PLANT AND UNIQUE FABRICATION IN LAFAYETTE LAST WEEK… AND BOTH HAD GOOD NEWS TO SHARE:
    UNIQUE IS EXPANDING, DUE TO NEW ORDERS FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.   THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS SHOWED THEM FIVE AVAILABLE BUILDINGS IN THE COUNTY… AND THEY HAVE NARROWED THE LIST TO TWO, ACCORDING TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LARRY BROOKS. “UNIQUE HAS 200 EMPLOYEES NOW… AND WITH THE NEW PRODUCTION EXPANSION, THEY’RE LOOKING AT HIRING 100 MORE”, BROOKS SAID.
    AT THE AUDIA PLASTICS PLANT, AUTHORITY MEMBERS GOT TO SEE THREE PRODUCTION MACHINES NOW “UP AND RUNNING”… AND HEARD THE NEWS THAT THE PLANT HAS PLANS FOR UP TO ELEVEN PRODUCTION MACHINES TOTAL.   AUDIA HAS 60 EMPLOYEES… AND RECENTLY BROUGHT A LOCAL HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR ON-BOARD TO HIRE MORE.
    BROOKS SAID “ANOTHER LOCAL SUCCESS STORY IS UNITED SYNTHETICS, LOCATED JUST OUT OF LAFAYETTE ON HIGHWAY 193”.   THEIR PLANT IS NOW FILLED WITH PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT… AND THEY’VE RENTED THE FORMER CONSET BUILDING ON HILLSDALE ROAD AS A WAREHOUSE.   UNITED SYNTHETICS IS UP TO 65 EMPLOYEES, BROOKS SAID. NISSIN BRAKE AT ROCK SPRING HAS ALSO BEEN HIRING RECENTLY.
    BROOKS CONCLUDED, “EVERY LOCAL INDUSTRY WE’VE TALKED TO NOW HAS PLANS TO EXPAND AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE”.

*   EARLY VOTING STARTS ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17th AT THE COURTHOUSE IN LAFAYETTE.
    ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29th, WALKER COUNTY’S SATELLITE LOCATIONS WILL OPEN FOR EARLY VOTING.
    AND ELECTION DAY THIS YEAR, IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th. CONTACT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE IF YOU WANT A MAIL-IN BALLOT... 706 638 4349.

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