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***              LAFAYETTE'S SEWER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON A SPILL AT THE SHATTUCK INDUSTRIAL BOULEVARD LIFT STATION.   AN ESTIMATED 50 TO 60-THOUSAND GALLONS OF SEWAGE SPILLED INTO CHATTOOGA CREEK, WHEN THE LIFT STATION FLOODED ON MONDAY.  ASSISTANT WATER AND SEWER DIRECTOR WALLY MEEKS TOLD WQCH THAT A PORTABLE PUMP HAS BEEN SET-UP AT THE LIFT STATION... AND WASTE WATER IS BEING PUMPED BACK INTO THE MAIN, TO PREVENT FURTHER OVER-FLOWS.
    GEORGIA'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SPILL... AND REQUIRED STREAM MONITORING IS NOW IN PLACE.  INITIAL TEST RESULTS INDICATE NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.  CHATTOOGA CREEK IS A TRIBUTARY TO THE COOSA RIVER... WHICH WINDS INTO ALABAMA'S LAKE WEISS.   1/27/12

***              WALKER AND CATOOSA COUNTIES REGISTERED LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER.  THE REST OF THE AREA COUNTIES HAD INCREASES IN JOBLESSNESS, OVER THE MONTH.
    IN WALKER COUNTY, THE RATE FELL FROM 7.6 TO 7.5 PERCENT... THAT REPRESENTS 27 FEWER PEOPLE ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT ROLES.
    IN CATOOSA COUNTY, THE RATE FELL FROM 6.7 TO 6.4 PERCENT.
    CHATTOOGA COUNTY HAD THE BIGGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT, MOVING FROM 10.6 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER TO 11 PERCENT IN DECEMBER.   DADE COUNTY WAS UP FROM 6.3 TO 6.6 PERCENT.   WHITFIELD MOVED UP FROM 11.6 TO 11.8 PERCENT OVER THE MONTH.    1/27/12

***               WALKER COUNTY IS GETTING READY FOR A TAX SALE ON THE COURTHOUSE STEPS... SET FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7th... AT 10 AM. 
    TAX COMMISSIONER CAROLYN WALKER SAID AT PRESENT, THERE ARE NEARLY 100 PROPERTIES IN THE SALE... ALL FOR DELINQUENT TAXES.
    HOME AND PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE UNTIL THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 7th TO CATCH-UP THE BACK-TAXES... AND AVOID HAVING THE PROPERTY SOLD.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE TAX COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 706 638 2929.    1/27/12

***             A LOCAL CHILDREN'S MINISTRY RECENTLY HELD A DINNER IN HONOR OF THEIR VOLUNTEER STAFF, FOR SERVICE DURING 2011.
    KIDS 4 CHRIST PRESENTED SUMMER LOUGHRIDGE WITH THE ANNUAL "JOYCE FLETCHER SERVICE AWARD".   MS. LOUGHRIDGE GAVE MORE THAN 100 VOLUNTEER HOURS TO THE MINISTRY IN 2011.   THE AWARD IS NAMED IN MEMORY OF JOYCE FLETCHER... A FAITHFUL VOLUNTEER AT THE MINISTRY, WHO DIED IN 2008. 
    VOLUNTEERS GAVE KIDS 4 CHRIST MORE THAN 2,800 UNPAID HOURS DURING THE YEAR... IN THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, BIBLE CLASSES AND YOUTH MENTORING.  1/27/12

***              THE HUTCHESON BOARD HAS APPROVED ERLANGER'S APPOINTMENT OF THE FORT OGLETHORPE HOSPITAL'S NEW CEO.  ROGER FORGEY WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE BOARD OF ERLANGER AT HUTCHESON, AT A MEETING WEDNESDAY. 
    THE NEW CEO WAS MOST RECENTLY EMPLOYED AT ERLANGER AS A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER.  DAVID ASHBURN SAID FORGEY IS AN "OLD-TIME EMPLOYEE" OF HUTCHESON... HAVING RISEN THROUGH THE RANKS FROM HIS DAYS AS AN EMT THERE.   HE HAS ALSO SERVED ON THE CATOOSA COUNTY CHAMBER.
    THE HUTCHESON BOARD THANKED DEBBIE REEVES FOR HER INTERIM-LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE HOSPITAL'S TRANSITION INTO THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH ERLANGER.   HAVING BEEN PROMOTED FROM HER POSITION AS DIRECTOR OF NURSING AT HUTCHESON... SHE WILL REMAIN AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE ERLANGER SYSTEM.    1/26/12

***              WALKER COUNTY FARM BUREAU IS THE LOCAL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH, ACCORDING TO THE LAFAYETTE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.  THE DDA NOTED FARM BUREAU'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND EFFORTS TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURE, IN GIVING THE HONOR.
    THE FARM BUREAU OFFICE ALSO SUPPORTS THE YOUNG FARMERS, AG DAY, FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA... AND PROMOTES AN ESSAY CONTEST FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS... AN ART CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOLS... AND CAPITOL DAY WITH THE FFA.  FARM BUREAU WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1940.    1/26/12

***               DALTON STATE COLLEGE IS GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT THE RETURN OF COMPETITIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS.  THIS WEEK, THEY HIRED DEREK WAUGH AS "DIRECTOR OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS".   WAUGH HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT STETSON UNIVERSITY IN FLORIDA... AND COACHED MEN'S BASKETBALL FOR 11 SEASONS.
    DALTON STATE PRESIDENT JOHN SCHWENN SAID "WAUGH IS AN INTELLIGENT, HIGH-ENERGY INDIVIDUAL WHO WE BELIEVE IS EXACTLY THE RIGHT PERSON TO LAUNCH OUR ROADRUNNER ATHLETICS PROGRAM". 
    WHILE IT'S NOT YET DETERMINED WHAT SPORTS WILL BE PART OF DALTON STATE'S NEW PROGRAM... WAUGH EXPECTS TO MAKE A PUSH FOR THE RETURN OF BASKETBALL.    1/26/12

***              TWO INSTRUCTORS FROM GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN'S ROCK SPRING CAMPUS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE "RICK PERKINS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION".   THEY ARE RONDA COX, AN ENGLISH AND MATH TEACHER... AND COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, RONNIE CARR.
    THE AWARD IS DESIGNED TO RECOGNIZE TECHNICAL COLLEGE INSTRUCTORS WHO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION, THROUGH INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP IN THEIR FIELDS.
    A SCREENING COMMITTEE OF ADMINISTRATORS AT GNTC WILL REVIEW EACH OF THE NOMINEES... AND A WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THE SCHOOL IN THE REGIONAL COMPETITION.  THE STATE-WIDE WINNER WILL BE NAMED IN APRIL.  1/26/12

***              THE JOBLESS RATE IN THE NORTHWEST GEORGIA REGION HAS GONE UP SLIGHTLY.  THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REPORTS THAT THE RATE ROSE FROM 9.6 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER, TO 9.7 PERCENT FOR DECEMBER.  THAT'S STILL DOWN MORE THAN A FULL PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO, WHEN THE RATE HERE WAS 10.9 PERCENT.  
    METRO DALTON CONTINUES WITH THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE, AT 12.1 PERCENT.   1/26/12

***           STATE SENATOR JEFF MULLIS OF CHICKAMAUGA... HAS BEEN WORKING ON TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS IN METRO ATLANTA. 
    A TASK FORCE, SET UP TO RE-ORGANIZE MASS TRANSIT THERE... TURNED A DRAFT OF IT'S BILL OVER TO THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.  MULLIS, WHO CHAIRED THE GROUP, SAID THE BILL WON'T BE INTRODUCED UNTIL IT HAS MORE SUPPORT.  
    THE TASK FORCE MEASURE WOULD DISTRIBUTE POWER OVER "MARTA" AND OTHER ATLANTA TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS... BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE CITIES AND COUNTIES INVOLVED.    1/26/12

***               NEARBY CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK WILL BE FEATURED IN A SPECIAL ON GEORGIA PUBLIC TV THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.  THE EPISODE OF "GEORGIA OUTDOORS" IS CALLED "GRAND CANYONS"... AND WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE GEOLOGICAL EVENTS THAT BROUGHT THE CANYONS OF GEORGIA TO LIFE.   THE PROGRAM STARTS AT 8:30 PM FRIDAY... AND AIRS AGAIN ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT 6, ON GEORGIA PUBLIC TV.   1/26/12

***              THE USDA HAS EXTENDED THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR THE CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, TO JANUARY 27th.  PRODUCERS WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CONSERVATION ON THEIR LAND... AND WHO AGREE TO ADOPT HIGHER LEVELS OF STEWARDSHIP... ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CSP PAYMENTS.
    ADMINISTERED BY THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES BENEFITS INCLUDING IMPROVED WATER AND SOIL QUALITY AND ENHANCED WILDLIFE HABITAT.  CONTACT THE NRCS OFFICE AT 208 NORTH DUKE STREET IN LAFAYETTE, FOR DETAILS.   1/26/12

***             THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN DRUG TASK FORCE HAS SEIZED A HUGE QUANTITY OF SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA IN LAFAYETTE... THIS TIME, FROM A WAREHOUSE.
    LARRY BLACK, TASK FORCE COMMANDER, SAID HE BELIEVES THE SYNTHETIC DRUG WAS BROUGHT HERE FROM ALABAMA... WHERE THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING THE PRODUCTS FROM HIS STATE.
    FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION AND SEARCH OF WAREHOUSES IN SOUTH LAFAYETTE OVER THE WEEKEND... AGENTS SEIZED NEARLY 30-THOUSAND PACKAGES OF THE TREATED HERBS.  BRAND NAMES INCLUDE "GOOD TIMES, POW AND SERENITY FOREVER."   BLACK SAID SOME HAVE BEEN TESTED... AND CONTAIN A BANNED CHEMICAL.  WHILE THEY ARE SOLD AS POTPOURRI OR INCENSE... BUYERS OFTEN SMOKE THE HERB TO GET HIGH.
    THERE WERE NO ARRESTS... THOUGH ONE PERSON OF INTEREST IS COOPERATING WITH THE TASK FORCE INVESTIGATORS.  BLACK SAID ARRESTS MAY COME LATER, AFTER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS REVIEWED RECORDS IN THE CASE.  "WE DON'T WANT ANY OF THIS ON THE SHELVES," BLACK SAID. 
    A QUANTITY OF THE "GOOD TIMES" PRODUCT WAS SEIZED BY THE TASK FORCE AT THE ALPINE NUMBER 2 ON SOUTH CHATTANOOGA STREET, LAST WEEK.   1/25/12

***          HOPE PRODUCTIONS OF LAFAYETTE WILL BE CASTING FOR TWO SHORT FILMS, THIS SATURDAY.  AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD FROM 1 'TIL 3 PM AT HOPE PRODUCTIONS STUDIO... 407 VILLANOW STREET IN LAFAYETTE.  
    EXTRAS OF ALL AGES, RACES AND BOTH GENDERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE FILMS, WHICH WILL BE SHOT IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN WALKER COUNTY... DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.   FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL VINCE STALLING AT HOPE PRODUCTIONS, 423 364 7801.     1/25/12

***             THE WALKER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR 4 SUSPECTS IN AN ARMED ROBBERY AT A ROSSVILLE CONVENIENCE STORE LAST SATURDAY NIGHT.
    STORE VIDEO AT THE DISCOUNT MARKET ON WILSON ROAD - CAPTURED THE EVENTS:  ONE SUSPECT WIELDS AN ASSAULT RIFLE... THE OTHERS HOLD HAND GUNS.  THE ARMED ROBBERY OCCURED AT 8:45 PM ON JANUARY 21st.  THE WALKER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE WERE 3 CUSTOMERS PLAYING LOTTO AT THE COUNTER, WHEN THE CRIME OCCURED... AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THOSE WITNESSES.
    ANYONE WITH INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT DETECTIVE SERGEANT MIKE HINCH WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE - 706 638 1909... EXTENSION 253.   FOR A LINK TO THE YOU-TUBE VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

***              COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL SET THE QUALIFYING FEES FOR LOCAL OFFICES, IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.  THE FEES ARE REQUIRED TO RUN IN THE PRIMARY AND NON-PARTISAN ELECTION ON JULY 31st... AND THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 6th, 2012.
    CANDIDATE QUALIFYING OPENS ON MAY 23rd... AND CLOSES AT NOON ON MAY 25th.  LOCATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES.  NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES MAY QUALIFY AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICE IN THE COURTHOUSE.
    THE FEES INCLUDE:  COUNTY COMMISSIONER, $2,290.
    SHERIFF - $2,275.
    FOR JUDGE OF PROBATE COURT, CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT, MAGISTRATE JUDGE AND TAX COMMISSIONER... THE FEE IS $1,900.
    FOR JUDGE OF STATE COURT AND SOLICITOR OF STATE COURT, THE FEE IS $1,800.
    FOR CORONER, $836.
    FOR SCHOOL BOARD, POSTS 1, 4 AND 5, THE FEE IS $36.
    AND FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR, THE FEE IS $20.    1/24/12

***              AN INVESTIGATION BY THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION HAS REVEALED THAT NEARLY 2,500 DAY CARE PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA, HAVE FAILED TO MEET THE STATE'S STANDARDS FOR CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY... AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PAST 4 YEARS.  ONE OF THE WORST OFFENDERS IS STILL OPEN, AFTER RACKING UP 191 VIOLATIONS.
    CHECKING STATISTICS FOR LOCAL COUNTIES... WQCH NEWS FOUND THAT NONE OF THE WALKER COUNTY DAY CARE CENTERS FAILED AN INSPECTION IN 2010 OR 2011.
    IN CATOOSA COUNTY, ONE CENTER IN RINGGOLD WAS FOUND "IN NON COMPLIANCE" FOR 2010 AND 2011.  IN CHATTOOGA COUNTY, A CENTER IN LYERLY AND ANOTHER IN MENLO FAILED TO REACH COMPLIANCE FOR 2011.
    THE SCORES COME FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CARE AND LEARNING.  THEY KEPT THE SCORE FROM THE PUBLIC UNTIL THE AJC OBTAINED THE DATA THROUGH AN OPEN RECORDS ACT REQUEST.  IN RESPONSE TO THE PAPER'S REPORT, THE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT A PROCESS WILL BE DEVELOPED TO IDENTIFY AND TRACK DAY CARES THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY FAILED TO MEET STATE STANDARDS.   FIND THE STORY - AND LOOK UP ANY DAY CARE CENTER... AT AJC.COM.         1/24/12

***              THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE IS GETTING A HALF-MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE ONE GEORGIA AUTHORITY... FOR A NEW TERMINAL AT THE LOCAL AIRPORT.  GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK.  THE GRANT IS ONE OF 9 ACROSS THE STATE... AIMED AT JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
    THE CITY WILL TEAR DOWN THE EXISTING AIRPORT TERMINAL, AFTER MOVING THE HEADQUARTERS INTO A TEMPORARY TRAILER.  THEN A NEW TERMINAL BUILDING WILL GO UP ON THE SAME SITE.   THE TOTAL PROJECT COST IS ESTIMATED AT 700-THOUSAND DOLLARS.  MOST OF THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION IS "IN KIND" LABOR AND EQUIPMENT USE. 
    THE ONE GEORGIA GRANT COMES THROUGH A TOBACCO COMPANIES SETTLEMENT WITH THE STATE... WHICH WILL TOTAL 1.6-BILLION DOLLARS OVER 25 YEARS.  THE ONE GEORGIA AUTHORITY WAS CREATED TO ASSIST ECONOMICALLY-CHALLENGED AREAS WITH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.  1/23/12

***                 WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL SIGNED A DEED TRANSFER AND BILL OF SALE TO THE WALKER COUNTY WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY, AT LAST THURSDAY'S MEETING.
    COUNTY COORDINATOR DAVID ASHBURN SAID WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER 6.5-MILLION DOLLARS... WERE BUILT BY THE COUNTY FOR JUST 2.7-MILLION. 
    THE PROJECTS WERE PUT OUT FOR BID... BUT ALL THE OFFERS FROM CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WERE DEEMED TO BE TOO HIGH.  "WE TOOK ON THE PROJECT WITH COUNTY LABOR," ASHBURN SAID... IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE HAVE SAVED THE TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY BY DOING THESE CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN-HOUSE".  CUSTOMERS WILL NOW BE SERVICED BY THE WALKER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY... AND NO FEE INCREASES ARE ANTICIPATED.
    ASHBURN SAID THE 2.7-MILLION DOLLARS HANDLED SEWER AND WATER PROJECTS IN DRY VALLEY, HAPPY VALLEY, MOUNTAIN VIEW, WILSON ROAD... AND INTO THE MOUNTAIN COVE AREA ON WEST COVE ROAD.  THE COSTS WERE RECENTLY INCLUDED IN A 10-MILLION DOLLAR BOND SALE... WHICH WILL ALSO FUND THE FUTURE WATER SYSTEM IN THE ARMUCHEE VALLEY AREA.   1/23/12

***              GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN'S 2012 "EAGLE" WINNER, IS FROM WALKER COUNTY.  HELLEN CONALLY WILL REPRESENT THE COLLEGE AT THIS YEAR'S "EAGLE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE" IN ATLANTA.
    MS. CONALLY WAS CHOSEN FROM A FIELD OF 6 EXCEPTIONAL ADULT GEORGIANS IN LITERACY EDUCATION... OR "EAGLES".  SHE ATTENDED THE ADULT EDUCATION CENTER IN ROSSVILLE TO COMPLETE HER GED... AND IS CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT GNTC, WORKING TOWARD A DEGREE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.  SHE SAID "MY GOALS BECAME BIGGER WHEN I EARNED THE GED DIPLOMA".
    THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE PROVIDES FURTHER TRAINING FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.    1/20/12

***              NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT TOOK A DISTURBING RISE FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER... THE LATEST FIGURES AVAILABLE. 
    HERE IN WALKER COUNTY, NEW CLAIMS ROSE TO 1,016 IN DECEMBER... THAT'S UP BY 603 DISPLACED WORKERS OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
    WHITFIELD COUNTY'S NEW CLAIMS WERE UP BY 580 PEOPLE... CATOOSA COUNTY, UP BY 184...  AND DADE COUNTY, UP BY 53. 
    ONLY ONE AREA COUNTY WAS DOWN IN NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS:   CHATTOOGA COUNTY WAS DOWN BY 11, OVER THE MONTH.    1/20/12

***               NEARLY TEN YEARS AFTER NEWS OF CORPSE ABUSE AT THE TRI-STATE CREMATORY BROUGHT NOBLE, GEORGIA TO THE WORLD'S NOTICE... A PERMANENT MEMORIAL IS BEING PLANNED.
    WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL HAS BEEN HOLDING A 45-THOUSAND DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION FROM THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY... EARMARKED FOR A MEMORIAL.  SHE SAID COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS KEPT THE MONEY IN A SPECIAL LINE-ITEM ON EACH YEAR'S BUDGET... SO THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SPENT ON ANYTHING ELSE.
    "THE REASON IT'S TAKEN SO LONG IS THAT EVERY TIME WE'VE ANNOUNCED A PLAN FOR THE MEMORIAL... I GET COMPLAINING CALLS, EMAIL AND LETTERS", THE COMMISSIONER SAID THURSDAY.  "MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID THE MEMORIAL SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED IN THE NOBLE COMMUNITY".
    NEAR THE END OF THE CLEANUP PROCESS AT TRI-STATE CREMATORY, HEISKELL SAID COUNTY EMPLOYEES MADE A SIMPLE, WOODEN CROSS.  THOSE WHO WORKED IN THE PROCESS... FROM CREWS WHO EXCAVATED BODIES TO THOSE WHO MET WITH FAMILY MEMBERS TO DETERMINE IDENTIFICATION OF BODIES... ALL SIGNED THAT CROSS.   HEISKELL SAID IT HAS BEEN KEPT IN STORAGE AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION.  PLANS NOW CALL FOR PLACING THE CROSS AT THE TENNESSEE-GEORGIA MEMORIAL PARK AT ROSSVILLE, WHERE THE UNIDENTIFIED BODIES WERE BURIED.
    "45-THOUSAND DOLLARS REALLY WON'T DO THAT MUCH," HEISKELL SAID.  THE AREA IS LOW... AND PLANS ARE TO FILL IT IN WITH DIRT... PLANT NEW SOD... AND TO PLACE THE SIGNED-CROSS IN A PLEXIGLASS CASE TO PROTECT IT FROM THE WEATHER.  A MEMORIAL PLAQUE... BENCHES AND POSSIBLY A WALKING TRAIL ARE ALSO PART OF THE PLAN.
    HUNDREDS OF UN-CREMATED BODIES WERE FOUND ON THE PROPERTY AT TRI-STATE CREMATORY... AND THE OWNER IS STILL SERVING TIME IN PRISON.  INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT INSTEAD OF CREMAINS... MANY FAMILIES RECEIVED CONTAINERS CONTAINING CONCRETE AND OTHER FOREIGN MATTER. 
    TENNESSEE-GEORGIA MEMORIAL PARK DONATED THE PLOTS FOR BURIALS... IT'S LOCATED ON HOGAN ROAD OFF HIGHWAY 2.     1/20/12

***         BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY AT THE ROCK SPRING ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.  IT'S HELD ON TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS AT ROCK SPRING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.  THE FEE FOR THE 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE IS $60 PER CHILD.  FOR AGES 5 THROUGH 12, COST IS $85 FOR THE FIRST CHILD... $60 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL CHILD IN THE FAMILY.
    REGISTRATION CONTINUES THROUGH FEBRUARY 18th... TUESDAYS FROM 6 - 8 PM... AND SATURDAYS FROM 10 AM 'TIL 2 PM.   1/20/12

***              THE WALKER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS GETTING 'DOWN TO BUSINESS' IN THE NEW YEAR... SELECTING PATTY HART AS THE BOARD CHAIR... AND PHYLLIS HUNTER AS VICE-CHAIR, FOR 2012. 
    AT THIS MONTH'S PLANNING SESSION, A NEW CALENDAR WAS APPROVED FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR... IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE CURRENT-YEAR CALENDAR.  NEXT SCHOOL YEAR WILL, AGAIN, START AFTER LABOR DAY IN 2012... AND SPRING BREAK WILL BE EARLY - THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH IN 2013.
    INCLEMENT WEATHER CONTINUES TO SLOW PROGRESS AT THE SITE OF WALKER COUNTY'S NEW K THROUGH 8th GRADE SCHOOL, NEAR THE CIVIC CENTER.  GROUND-BREAKING HAS BEEN PUT-OFF UNTIL EARLY SPRING, DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.  IN THE MEAN TIME, DIRT IS BEING HAULED TO THE SITE FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION... AND NGEMC IS MAKING PLANS TO INSTALL UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC SERVICE TO THE SITE.  
    THE SCHOOL SYSTEM MAY ISSUE BONDS IN MARCH OR APRIL... TO BE RE-PAID WITH SALES TAX REVENUES FROM THE RECENTLY-RENEWED "E-SPLOST".   RENOVATION AND ADDITION PROJECTS AT LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL ARE HIGH ON THE LIST... INCLUDING A NEW ROOF... THE ADDITION OF UP TO 6 CLASSROOMS AND A NEW HVAC SYSTEM.   1/19/12

***                 REGISTRATION FOR SPRING SPORTS IS NOW OPEN AT THE LAFAYETTE RECREATION DEPARTMENT.   THAT INCLUDES BASEBALL FOR BOYS, AGES 3 TO 12... AND SOFTBALL FOR GIRLS, AGES 5 TO 12.  
    THE REGISTRATION FEE IS $50 PER PLAYER.   BOYS MUST BE AGE 3 BY JANUARY FIRST OF THIS YEAR... GIRLS MUST BE AGE 5 BY JANUARY FIRST.  BRING THE FEE, A COPY OF THE CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND PROOF OF INSURANCE TO REGISTER.  
    SIGN UP THROUGH FEBRUARY 11th.   FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE PARK CENTER AT 706 639 1590.    1/19/12

***             AN EXHIBIT ON THE HISTORY OF WALKER COUNTY SCHOOLS IS NOW ON DISPLAY AT CHATTOOGA ACADEMY IN LAFAYETTE.  THE ACADEMY... ALSO KNOWN AS GORDON HALL, IS THE OLDEST STANDING BRICK SCHOOL BUILDING LEFT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.  AFTER THE "ACADEMY" DAYS... IT ALSO SERVED AS THE LOCATION OF LAFAYETTE'S HIGH SCHOOL.
    THE EXHIBIT FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHS OF EARLY SCHOOLS IN WALKER COUNTY... TWO DESKS FROM THE CONCORD SCHOOL... AND OTHER ITEMS OF HISTORIC INTEREST.
    A VOLUNTEER WILL BE ON-HAND TO ASSIST VISITORS AT THE EXHIBIT ON SUNDAYS FROM 1 - 3 PM.  THE BUILDING IS ALSO OPEN MOST WEEKDAYS FROM 8:30 UNTIL 5.   THE EXHIBIT ON WALKER SCHOOL HISTORY WILL CONTINUE THROUGH JANUARY 31st.  ADMISSION IS FREE.  
    CHATTOOGA ACADEMY IS AT 304 NORTH MAIN, NEXT TO THE MARSH HOUSE.    1/12/12

***         THE WALKER COUNTY GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED A FORMER LAFAYETTE VOLUNTEER FIREMAN ON 8 COUNTS OF ARSON.
    34 YEAR OLD MELVIN CHASE WAS ARRESTED IN 2010, IN CONNECTION WITH A SERIES OF ARSONS... MOSTLY IN WEST LAFAYETTE AND LINWOOD.  THE FIRES WERE REPORTED BETWEEN 2005 AND 2010 IN UNOCCUPIED HOUSES.
    AT THE TIME OF HIS ARREST, LAFAYETTE POLICE REPORTED THAT CHASE ADMITTED TO SETTING FIRES.  AS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN, HE WAS PAID FOR EACH FIRE CALL TO WHICH HE RESPONDED.  SO FAR, NO TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN SET.     1/11/12

***        ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS ARE IN, FOR THE GEORGIA PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY... TO BE HELD ON MARCH 6th.  GO BY THE VOTER REGISTRAR'S OFFICE IN ROOM 110 OF THE WALKER COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN LAFAYETTE... OR CALL 706 638 4349 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
    IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE A DEMOCRATIC BALLOT... THERE IS ONE CHOICE:  BARACK OBAMA.
    ON THE GEORGIA REPUBLICAN PRIMARY BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT... ARE MICHELE BACHMANN, HERMAN CAIN, NEWT GINGRICH, JON HUNTSMAN, GARY JOHNSON, RON PAUL, RICK PERRY, BUDDY ROEMER, MITT ROMNEY AND RICK SANTORUM.   12/27/11

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