BanksNewsTODAY

Members of Flat Creek Baptist Church found food and electronics taken by a burglary at the church.
The burglary apparently gained entry through an unopen window, according to the incident report filed with the Banks County Sheriff’s Office. Someone ate a lemon pie and some pickles, as well as drinking soda. A lapel microphone and amplifier were taken by the burglar.
Other reports filed at the sheriff’s office include the following:
•damage to property at a Boling Road, Homer, address when someone reported that a car was damaged.
•custody dispute at a Vaughn Road, Homer, location.
•suspicious person when a woman reported that she has spotted a man following her. She said she doesn’t know him but he has a granddaughter in her daughter’s class at school.
•threats made during a dispute at a Highway 441, Commerce, business.
•verbal domestic dispute at a Culpepper Road, Commerce, location.
•domestic dispute at a Yonah-Homer Road, Alto, address.
•dispute between neighbor’s at a Burma Road, Alto, location over a dog harming chickens.

For more crime coverage, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

BY ANGELA GARY
It can cause family feuds, lead to problems in marriages and end long-time friendships.
Social media disputes are becoming more and more common and are usually listed every week in the incident reports filed at the local law enforcement offices.
The disputes can be pretty serious with devestating allegations being made. Unfortunately, some people believe if you read it “on the Internet,” it must be true.
Of course, that isn’t true as gossip and lies spread a lot faster than the facts will spread.
While social media can be an evil part of your society, like anything else, it all depends on how you use it.
As for me, I use it for good instead of evil. I think I’ve only listed two negative things and I didn’t name anyone. Just ranted about situations that disappointed me.
Most of the time, I’m posting photos of my precious family, especially my two nephews and the milestones in their lives.
I also love sharing a fun trip or delicious meal I want to share with my friends and family.
Or maybe I’m asking for prayers for myself or my loved ones or offering prayers to those who ask for them.
Just a few things I enjoy about social media include keeping up with family members who live both nearby and far, far away.
I can know immediately what my cousin, a missionary in Bulgaria, and his family are up to.
I can find out the latest success of my smart cousin, who is in college in New Mexico, or the latest adventures of our friends who live in Pigeon Forge.
I have many friends who live across the country and social media really is the best way to keep up with them.
I also feel blessed to be able to stop what I’m doing and pray for those who ask for prayer. Social media really is the fastest way to let those people you care about know about trying times and the need for prayer.
Just this past month, I’ve asked for prayer for my mother (who is recovering nicely from her recenet surgery) and for myself and the tension headaches I can’t seem to shake (thanks for all of the suggestions.
I’ve tried several and am going to try a few more). Ive also prayed for many, mamy people who have medical issues of their own, as well as other serious problems going on in in their lives.
So while social media can certainly be negative, I choose to look at the good it can bring. I hope you do as well so that we don’t have any more crime reports to cover that started with a social media post.

Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.

The Homer City Council and members of the Georgia Model Aviators last week agreed on conditions for rezoning property on Baker Street from residential to agriculture so the group can begin work on an airstrip for its members.
The conditions include no planes flying during church hours – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday – except for electric planes that make no noise, planes with gas or diesel engines may not fly at night between 6:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. from November to February and 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. from March to October and all events of club will be on the property or airspace above it, including parking.
The model airplane club approached the town in June about a facility on 103 acres along Baker Street. A club member, Pedro Sanchez, owns the property.
Representatives went to the city planning commission in July and asked for the rezoning last week.
Club members asked the council to amend the condition about church hours, which first forbid all flying. They said the electronic planes, which most members have, make little to no noise. Council agreed to soften that condition.
Members told council that people who visit the facility will travel considerable distance and would want to fly planes on Sunday morning before returning home that afternoon and evening.
Members of the airplane club have said they would like to host some competitions at the new facility this fall.
The club members who attended the council meeting assured council it will be a regular recipient of information from the airplane group. They also said they would like to come back to the council after the facility is open and demonstrate some gas engines, which they said also created little noise. The club members said they hope to demonstrate that the times in the evening can be relaxed to allow for flying a bit later, particularly in the summer months.
“We would come to you all in advance” if the club wanted to change any of the conditions or if a large competition were to be held.

For more news from the Homer City Council, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that SELIT North America, a German manufacturer of polystyrene foams, will create 100 jobs and invest $45 million in a new manufacturing facility in Banks County. New jobs will include manufacturing and administrative positions.
“In choosing Georgia, SELIT North America will enjoy the benefits of the No. 1 state for business, including our logistics infrastructure and a climate conducive to manufacturing,” said Deal. “This facility in Banks County will provide the company with access to a robust workforce and close proximity to the Southeastern market for ideal production conditions and shorter delivery times. I am encouraged to see yet another leading European company locate here, as our efforts to build international relationships continue to translate into real investments. I welcome SELIT North America to Georgia’s growing community of manufacturing companies and wish them great success.”

See this week's issue of the Banks County News for more details on the project.