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***             WITH SEARCH HELICOPTERS BUZZING OVERHEAD... TWO ESCAPEES FROM WALKER STATE PRISON WERE RE-CAPTURED IN THE NOBLE COMMUNITY TUESDAY AFTERNOON.  THE MEN WERE LOCATED ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE PRISON... ON L.V. BROWN LANE - THAT'S OFF CENTER POINT ROAD IN NOBLE.
     THE PRISONERS GOT OVER THE FENCE AT THE ROCK SPRING PRISON ON MONDAY NIGHT.  AUTHORITIES SAY THE TWO FASHIONED A DEVICE THAT ALLOWED THEM TO BREACH THE FENCE AROUND 9:15 MONDAY EVENING. 
    CAPTURED WERE BUELL DAVID EMBERSON... 42... SERVING 20 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT IN GILMER COUNTY AND FRED DALTON BROOKS, 63... SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR KIDNAPPING AND OTHER CONVICTIONS IN DOOLY AND MACON COUNTIES.     2/7/12

***             LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL'S LAST REGULAR SEASON BASKETBALL MATCH-UP AT DALTON TONIGHT... IS IMPORTANT FOR BOTH TEAMS.  THEY ARE TIED AT NUMBER 1.
    THE WINNER WILL HAVE THE SUB-REGION TITLE... AND THE NUMBER-1 SEED IN THE REGION TOURNAMENT.  BUT THE LOSER WILL STILL BE THE NUMBER-2 SEED... AND BOTH WILL DRAW A "BYE" IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE TRIPLE-A TOURNAMENT... THAT STARTS NEXT WEEK.
    THE LAFAYETTE BOYS BEAT DALTON BACK IN JANUARY.   IT WAS THE CATAMOUNT'S ONLY REGION LOSS THIS SEASON.    2/7/12

***          THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WILL HAVE WORKERS ON GEORGIA HIGHWAY 2 IN WALKER COUNTY, TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY.  THE EMPLOYEES WILL BE SEALING CRACKS IN THE ROADWAY SURFACE... WORKING FROM 7:30 AM UNTIL 5:30 PM DAILY.  MOTORISTS USING HIGHWAY 2 IN WALKER COUNTY ARE URGED TO SLOW DOWN AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE WORKERS.    2/7/12

***          THE FAMOUS PENNSYLVANIA GROUNDHOG PREDICTED MORE WINTER WEATHER LAST WEEK... BUT HERE IN GEORGIA, GENERAL BEAUREGARD LEE DIDN'T SEE HIS SHADOW:  HE'S PREDICTING AN EARLY SPRING.
    SO FAR, THAT'S EASY TO BELIEVE... WITH DAY AFTER DAY HI's IN THE 50's BRINGING THE EARLY SPRING FLOWERS TO BLOOM... AND POLLEN SUFFERERS TO THEIR YEARLY BOUT WITH SYMPTOMS.   THERE'S SURE TO BE MORE COLD WEATHER ON THE WAY... BUT GENERAL LEE HAS A 94 PERCENT ACCURACY RATING... WAY BETTER THAN PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL.   2/7/12

***           THE GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN "YOUTH SUCCESS ACADEMY" WILL HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE COMMUNITY, THIS THURSDAY. 
    THE YOUTH SUCCESS ACADEMY PROVIDES G.E.D. PREPARATION CLASSES, WORK EXPERIENCE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM 16 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE.  THE ACADEMY AT GNTC IS FUNDED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COLLEGE AND THE GEORGIA REGIONAL COMMISSION.
    THE OPEN HOUSE WILL BE HELD AT THE ROCK SPRING CAMPUS OF GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE THIS THURSDAY FROM 10 AM UNTIL 1 PM.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE "YOUTH SUCCESS ACADEMY"... CALL 706 764 3783.   2/7/12

***             FREE BASIC DIABETES MANAGEMENT CLASSES START THIS FRIDAY AT THE WALKER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN LAFAYETTE.  LINDA LONG, CERTIFIED DIABETES INSTRUCTOR, WILL CONDUCT THE CLASSES THE NEXT TWO FRIDAYS... FEBRUARY 10th AND 17th... FROM 10 AM UNTIL 2:30 PM.   TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DIABETES CLASSES, CALL THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 706 638 5577.   2/7/12

***              THE RAMBLER WRESTLERS FINISHED THE 7-TRIPLE-A TRADITIONAL TOURNAMENT IN THIRD PLACE, SATURDAY.  GILMER COUNTY WAS FIRST, FOLLOWED BY HERITAGE.  TEAMS SCORES WERE 253 1/2 FOR GILMER... 220 FOR HERITAGE... AND 160 FOR LAFAYETTE HIGH.   BRADY HART WON THE 152 POUND CLASS FOR LHS.  CALEB MARIAKIS AND SAM LEMONS WERE RUNNERS-UP.
    GORDON LEE'S WRESTLERS FINISHED IN 2nd PLACE BEHIND HOLY INNOCENTS... IN THE AREA 3-A TOURNAMENT.     2/6/12

***              A FAILING SCORE TO REPORT FROM WALKER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LAST WEEK.  NUMBER 1 CHINESE IN THE WALMART SHOPPING CENTER, SCORED AN UNACCEPTABLE 56 ON FRIDAY.  THAT WAS A RE-INSPECTION... BECAUSE THE RESTAURANT HAD SCORED A "C" ONE WEEK EARLIER.   THE FAILING REPORT FOUND NUMBER 1 CHINESE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FOOD CONDITION, STORAGE, HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES AND EMPLOYEE CLEANLINESS... AMONG OTHER CITATIONS.
    OTHER LOCAL SCORES WERE GOOD... TRIANGLE PARK SCORED AN "A"... AND SUBWAY ON NORTH MAIN SCORED A "B".
    IN A MOTEL INSPECTION... THE ECONO LODGE IN CHICKAMAUGA SCORED A 98... FOR AN "A".    2/6/12

***              THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE BUILDING INSPECTORS OFFICE ISSUED ONE MAJOR PERMIT DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.  A COMPANY CALLED PSI FIBERS... LOCATED AT 1129 SOUTH CHATTANOOGA STREET... GOT A PERMIT FOR ELECTRICAL UPGRADES AT THEIR FACILITY.   THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROJECT WAS 132-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
    3 OTHER RESIDENTIAL REMODELING PERMITS IN THE CITY TOTALED 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS, DURING THE MONTH.    2/6/12

***             THIS IS "SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK" IN GEORGIA, AS PROCLAIMED BY THE GOVERNOR - AND GEMA... THE GEORGIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.
    MONDAY IS "FAMILY PREPAREDNESS" AND NOAA WEATHER RADIO DAY... TUESDAY'S THEME IS "THUNDERSTORM SAFETY"... ON WEDNESDAY, THERE WILL BE A STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL, ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.  THURSDAY SERVES AS "LIGHTNING SAFETY DAY"... AND FRIDAY WILL CONCENTRATE ON "FLOOD SAFETY".
    GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL SAID THAT "BY TAKING A FEW SIMPLE STEPS, YOU COULD BECOME YOUR OWN FIRST-RESPONDER" IN THE EVENT OF A WEATHER EMERGENCY.
    VISIT THE "READY GEORGIA" WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON A FAMILY OR BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS PLAN... IT'S AT WWW.READY.GA.GOV.

***         CUT-BACKS IN THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP ARE STARTING TO AFFECT LOCAL COLLEGE ENROLLMENT.  GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN'S STUDENT BODY IS DOWN ABOUT 10 PERCENT... AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THAT "HOPE" IS LARGELY TO BLAME.
    STEVE BRADSHAW, GNTC'S ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS, SAID "STUDENTS ARE MORE LEERY OF TAKING THAT FIRST STEP OF GOING INTO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION... BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE EXTRA EXPENSE IS THERE".
    THE PERCENTAGE OF GNTC STUDENT RECEIVING THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FELL FROM 95 PERCENT LAST YEAR... TO 81 PERCENT IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL SESSION.  2/6/12

***             THE WHITFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS CHARGED A DALTON STATE COLLEGE PROFESSOR WITH CHILD MOLESTATION.  58 YEAR OLD MONTE SALYE... AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE... IS CURRENTLY OUT ON BOND.  ONE SOURCE REPORTS THAT THE ALLEGED VICTIM IN THE CASE, IS AN 8 YEAR OLD GIRL.   2/3/12

***                THE "BOYNTON BANDITS" WERE RECENTLY HONORED AT THE STATE CAPITOL... FOR WINNING THE DIZZY DEAN WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP.  THE RESOLUTION, CO-AUTHORED BY STATE SENATOR JEFF MULLIS AND OTHERS... RECOGNIZED THE BOYNTON 6-YEAR OLD BASEBALL TEAM FOR THEIR "PERSEVERANCE, COUNTLESS HOURS OF PRACTICE AND UNYIELDING DETERMINATION".   2/3/12

***              A LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WILL PLAY BASKETBALL FOR BERRY COLLEGE IN ROME NEXT YEAR.  JORDAN TEEMS SIGNED THE SCHOLARSHIP PAPERS THURSDAY... SAYING A BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP HAD BEEN A GOAL OF HIS FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER.
    JORDAN IS A 2-TIME ALL-REGION PLAYER... AND HAS PLAYED POINT GUARD FOR THE RAMBLERS SINCE HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON.  COACH TOMMY SWANSON CALLED HIM "A NATURAL LEADER"... AND HE'S ALSO A STRAIGHT-A STUDENT AT LHS.   2/3/12

***               THE CHATTOOGA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED COUNTY-WIDE DRUG RAIDS, STARTING EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.  CHATTOOGA PULLED OUT OF THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN DRUG TASK FORCE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO... GOING WITH THEIR OWN COUNTY FORCE.
    SHERIFF JOHN EVERETT SAID IT TOOK 4 UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATORS MORE THAN 2 MONTHS TO PREPARE FOR THIS WEEK'S RAIDS.
    AT THE END OF THE DAY, OFFICERS HAD MADE 15 ARRESTS AND ISSUED 86 WARRANTS... WITH MORE TO GO.  AMONG THE DRUGS CONFISCATED WERE COCAINE, MARIJUANA AND PRESCRIPTION PILLS.
    ON A REGRETTABLE NOTE... THE SHERIFF SAID THAT AT ALMOST EVERY ADDRESS WHERE DRUG ARRESTS WERE MADE... THERE WERE CHILDREN ALSO IN RESIDENCE.   2/3/12

***             THE AREA LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR WALKER AND DADE COUNTIES... IS READY FOR A NEW "BRANDING".  CHEROKEE REGIONAL LIBRARY DIRECTOR LECIA EUBANKS SAID THE NAME IS CONFUSING FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE AREA, WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM'S MAKEUP.   CHEROKEE REGIONAL IS THE "UMBRELLA" ORGANIZATION OVER FOUR LOCAL LIBRARIES... LAFAYETTE-WALKER... CHICKAMAUGA... ROSSVILLE AND THE TRENTON LIBRARY, IN DADE COUNTY.
    THE SYSTEM IS NOW ACCEPTING SUGGESTIONS FOR A NEW NAME... WHICH THEY HOPE WILL BE IN-PLACE BY 2013, WHEN THE RENOVATED LAFAYETTE LIBRARY WILL RE-OPEN.
    SUGGESTION BOXES ARE SET UP AT ALL 4 LIBRARIES IN THE SYSTEM... AND MAY ALSO BE GIVEN ON THE LIBRARY'S WEB SITES.  THERE IS NO PRIZE FOR THE WINNING NAME... BUT THE CONTRIBUTOR WILL BE RECOGNIZED.   2/3/12

***             GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE HAS SWITCHED SITES FOR A FUTURE CAMPUS IN CATOOSA COUNTY.  INSTEAD OF THE FORMERLY ANNOUNCED LOCATION AT CLOUD SPRINGS AND DIETZ... A NEW SITE IN RINGGOLD IS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION.
    50 ACRES ON ALABAMA HIGHWAY, ACROSS FROM THE ROLLINS INDUSTRIAL PARK, IS THE NEW SITE BEING CONSIDERED.  IT'S CLOSE TO INTERSTATE 75.  THE CATOOSA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OWNS THE PROPOSED SITE.
    THE CATOOSA CAMPUS WOULD HAVE AN "AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY" SLANT... SPECIALIZING IN ROBOTICS TRAINING AND OTHER TECH SPECIALTIES FOR THE CAR INDUSTRY.  GNTC EXPECTS AROUND 800 STUDENTS WOULD ATTEND THE NEW CAMPUS WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO OF OPENING.  PLANS INCLUDE A 57-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT BUILDING.  THAT SHOULD TAKE 12 TO 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE... ONCE THE LOCATION IS SETTLED.     2/2/12

***              THE GEORGIA RECOVERY PROJECT, A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES CRISIS COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO TORNADO SURVIVORS, IS HOSTING AN EDUCATIONAL EVENT TO OFFER ADDITIONAL HELP.  THE WALKER COUNTY COMMUNITY IS INVITED THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th -  AT OAKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH IN CHICKAMAUGA... STARTING AT 6 PM.
    FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE GEORGIA RECOVERY PROJECT AT 706-225-9262.    2/2/12

***               A SUSPECT IN THE "SMASH AND GRAB" BURGLARY OF A ROSSVILLE CONVENIENCE STORE HAS BEEN ARRESTED BY CHATTANOOGA POLICE.
    WALKER COUNTY SHERIFF STEVE WILSON SAID THE SUSPECT IS 47 YEAR OLD STEVE EDWARD KIDD.  HE'S ACCUSED IN THE JANUARY 16th BURGLARY AT THE KANGAROO ON PARK CITY ROAD.   KIDD IS ALLEGED TO HAVE THROWN A LARGE ROCK THROUGH THE GLASS FRONT DOOR... TAKING OVER $2,800 IN CIGARETTES IN A LARGE TRASH CAN.
    SHERIFF WILSON SAID KIDD IS ALSO A SUSPECT IN OTHER WALKER COUNTY CONVENIENCE STORE BURGLARIES... BUT THOSE CHARGES ARE PENDING.  HE'S BEING HELD IN THE HAMILTON COUNTY JAIL.    2/1/12

***           A SUPPORT GROUP MEETING FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WILL BE HELD NEXT TUESDAY AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LAFAYETTE. 
    DENNY WHITESEL, A FAMILY COUNSELOR, WILL SPEAK ON "LASTING LOVE - MARRIAGE WHEN RAISING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS". 
    THE MEETING WILL START AT 6:30 NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT, FEBRUARY 7th, AT FIRST BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP HALL.    2/1/12

***                 WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT LONG-TIME SHERIFF PHIL SUMMERS WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION... THE CONTENDERS ARE LINING-UP FOR THE CATOOSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S ELECTION.
    THE LATEST TO ANNOUNCE IS MIKE HELTON, WHO HAS WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT... BUT MORE RECENTLY... HAS SERVED AS CATOOSA COUNTY MANAGER.  ALSO ANNOUNCED ARE DRUG TASK FORCE CHIEF LARRY BLACK... AND CATOOSA DEPUTY, GARY SISK.   2/1/12

***              THE BODY OF A MISSING CHATTOOGA COUNTY WOMAN HAS BEEN LOCATED ON TOP OF THE RIDGE NEAR HER HOME.  A FLOYD COUNTY SHERIFF'S POSSE FOUND 74 YEAR OLD DIXIE BROWN... WHO WAS LAST SEEN AROUND 4:30 AM ON SUNDAY. 
    THE BODY WAS IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA... AND THE SEARCHERS THAT LOCATED HER WERE ON HORSEBACK.  THE DISCOVERY CAME TUESDAY, AT ABOUT 11 AM.  
    MRS. BROWN SUFFERED FROM ALZHEIMERS... AND HAD WANDERED AWAY FROM HER HOME BEFORE.  SHE WAS LAST SPOTTED BY A NEIGHBOR, WHEN THE ELDERLY WOMAN KNOCKED ON HER BACK DOOR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.  WHEN THE NEIGHBOR ANSWERED THE DOOR, MRS. BROWN WALKED AWAY WITHOUT A WORD.  SHE HAD HER SMALL PET DOG SNUGGLED INSIDE HER COAT.  THE LITTLE DOG - "BABY" - STAYED WITH MRS. BROWN'S BODY UNTIL SHE WAS DISCOVERED.    1/31/12

***         AT IT'S JANUARY MEETING, THE LAFAYETTE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ELECTED NEW OFFICERS... VOTING MICHAEL LOVELADY TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN FOR 2012.  FRANCES COBB WILL SERVE AS VICE-CHAIR... AND JIM COLE AS SECRETARY-TREASURER.
    THE DDA INTENDS TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF A RAILROAD CABOOSE, BEING DONATED BY THE WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.  THE RED CABOOSE, WHICH WAS DONATED TO THE FORMER LAFAYETTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BY NORFOLK-SOUTHERN RAILWAY... PASSED ON TO THE WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER AS OWNER, WHEN THE CHAMBERS MERGED.  IT HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE TRACKS IN SUMMERVILLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS... BUT THE LAFAYETTE DDA WANTS TO BRING IT BACK TO TOWN FOR DISPLAY IN THE DEPOT AREA.
    PROGRESS WAS REPORTED AT THE PRESBYTERIAN MEMORIAL "POCKET" PARK IN DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE.  BENCHES HAVE ARRIVED... AND MEMORIAL TREES AND AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM WILL SOON BE PLACED IN THE PARK.
    THE DDA CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR A "DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT" DESIGNATION FOR LAFAYETTE - AND PLANS TO PUT THE MATTER BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN MARCH.  AT THIS TIME, THE "RULES AND REGULATIONS" AND THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN A "CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS" BY BUSINESS OWNERS FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS... WILL NOT BE A PART OF THE "HISTORIC DISTRICT" DESIGNATION.  THAT PART OF THE PLAN CONTINUES TO FACE OPPOSITION FROM SOME PROPERTY OWNERS IN PROPOSED HISTORIC DISTRICT, DOWNTOWN.    1/31/12

***                WITH A HUGE STASH OF SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA FOUND IN LAFAYETTE LAST WEEK... STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAY NEAL IS NOW WORKING ON A BILL TO OUTLAW THE PRODUCTS FROM GEORGIA STORE SHELVES.... FOR GOOD.
    NEAL AUTHORED SIMILAR LEGISLATION, WHICH OUTLAWED SOME OF THE SPECIFIC CHEMICALS USED IN THE PRODUCTS... BUT NOW, HE SAYS HE IS WORKING WITH THE U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION TO WRITE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD OUTLAW ALL OF THE SYNTHETIC POT KNOCK-OFFS.
    PRODUCERS OF THE PRODUCTS... WHICH ARE MARKETED AS POTPOURRI OR INCENSE... HAVE 'SKIRTED' THE LAW BY CHANGING INGREDIENTS IN SLIGHT WAYS.   HOWEVER, OVERDOSES ARE STILL HAPPENING, AS BUYERS... SEEKING A "HIGH"... SMOKE THE PRODUCTS LIKE POT.  ONE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER USING THE PRODUCTS.
    LAST WEEK, THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN DRUG TASK FORCE CLEARED THE SHELVES OF LOCAL STORES AND WAREHOUSES OF ALL THE SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA PRODUCTS.  THEY ARE BEING TESTED TO FIND OUT FOR CERTAIN, WHETHER THEIR CHEMICAL CONTENTS ARE ILLEGAL.   1/30/12

***               THE WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMED JUDY JACKSON, AS THE 2011 "CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR.  SHE SERVED IN A VARIETY OF CAPACITIES... INCLUDING THE CHAMBER'S 20th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION... SENIOR CITIZENS DAY... HELPING TO PREPARE MEALS FOLLOWING THE APRIL TORNADO OUTBREAK... AND WORKING WITH THE GOLF TOURNAMENT AND BALLOONS AND TUNES FESTIVAL.  SHE SERVES ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE CHAMBER, AS TREASURER.
    MS. JACKSON IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE KIWANIS CLUB... AND SERVES THE FAMILY CRISIS CENTER AND FREEDOM COUNSELING BOARD.  SHE ALSO MENTORS CHILDREN IN THE WALKER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. 
    JUDY JACKSON... THE 2011 WALKER COUNTY "CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR".  1/30/12

***             THE WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMED THE JIMMY SIMPSON FOUNDATION AS THE 2012 "SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR"... AT THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER LAST WEEK.
    THE FOUNDATION IS A NON-PROFIT, DEDICATED TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH BRAIN INJURY.  THE ROCK SPRING LOCATION PROVIDES LONG TERM CARE IN A HOME-LIKE SETTING.  THEY ALSO SERVE AS THE MEETING FACILITY FOR THE NORTH GEORGIA BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP.  DIRECTOR VICKIE HODGE ACCEPTED THE HONOR, FOR THE JIMMY SIMPSON FOUNDATION.
    THE BANK OF LAFAYETTE WAS NAMED FIRST RUNNER-UP... AND DEBBIE'S FLOWERS WAS NAMED SECOND RUNNER-UP IN THE SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY.   1/28/12

***              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

***              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

***              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

***                 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

***         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

***        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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