Grapplers earn 8th at Metro
Banks County wrestlers were back on the mats this past weekend at the East Metro tournament. The East Metro tourney is the final tournament on the schedule before the Leopards turn their attention towards singles competition as the traditional area, sectionals and state tournament approach. The area 8-AA traditional tournament is next weekend, ...
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Road hazards and panhandling among incidents reported
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office responded to a number of incidents reported last week, including reports of road hazards and panhandling. The incidents reported include:
•road hazard on Damascus Road at Keesee Road. The responding deputy reported he removed a deer from the roadway.
•removal of a person from the Travel Centers of America, Highway 441, Commerce. The responding officer reported he located a male who was hanging around the Travel Centers of America asking for rides. The male advised the officer he was headed to Alabama. The officer reported he escorted the male to the Flying J Truck Stop at Exit 147 on Interstate 85.
•panhandling at the Interstate 85 south bound off ramp and Highway 15/441. The responding deputy reported he located the people and spoke with one of the men who advised they were taking donations for a church. The man showed the deputy proper permits to be collecting donations at this location.
•livestock in the roadway on Highway 326 at Carson Road. The responding officer reported he assisted the livestock owner with resecuring the livestock.
•livestock in the roadway on Caudell Road at Pace Road, Homer. The responding deputy reported he put the cows back in the pasture.
•dog problems at a West Coker Road, Alto, residence. The responding officer reported the complainant stated three Pit Bulldogs had been chasing her cats. The officer advised the dogs were not on the scene when he arrived. The complainant stated she didn’t know who the dogs belonged to. The officer
reported he advised the complainant there was no leash law in Banks County and there was nothing he could do.
•juvenile problem at a Highway 51 North, Homer, residence. The complainant came to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office to report that her 13 year old son would not obey her when she told him to do something. The complainant stated her son would also raise his voice to her. The complainant stated she wanted her son taken into custody. An officer advised her that was not an option.
•road hazard on Chatham Road at Galloway Drive, Homer. The responding deputy reported he spoke with the owner of a vehicle blocking the roadway and the owner advised he would move the vehicle. The deputy advised he cleared the roadway and all was O.K.
•criminal trespass and simple battery at a Cotton Tail Lane, Baldwin, residence. The complainant advised the responding officer that a 14 year old male came to his residence and started an altercation with his 15 year old son. The complainant stated the altercation was physical and the 14 year old brought a golf club to his residence. The complainant stated he did not want the 14 year old to return to his property.
For more crime news, see this week's issue of The Banks County News.
•road hazard on Damascus Road at Keesee Road. The responding deputy reported he removed a deer from the roadway.
•removal of a person from the Travel Centers of America, Highway 441, Commerce. The responding officer reported he located a male who was hanging around the Travel Centers of America asking for rides. The male advised the officer he was headed to Alabama. The officer reported he escorted the male to the Flying J Truck Stop at Exit 147 on Interstate 85.
•panhandling at the Interstate 85 south bound off ramp and Highway 15/441. The responding deputy reported he located the people and spoke with one of the men who advised they were taking donations for a church. The man showed the deputy proper permits to be collecting donations at this location.
•livestock in the roadway on Highway 326 at Carson Road. The responding officer reported he assisted the livestock owner with resecuring the livestock.
•livestock in the roadway on Caudell Road at Pace Road, Homer. The responding deputy reported he put the cows back in the pasture.
•dog problems at a West Coker Road, Alto, residence. The responding officer reported the complainant stated three Pit Bulldogs had been chasing her cats. The officer advised the dogs were not on the scene when he arrived. The complainant stated she didn’t know who the dogs belonged to. The officer
reported he advised the complainant there was no leash law in Banks County and there was nothing he could do.
•juvenile problem at a Highway 51 North, Homer, residence. The complainant came to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office to report that her 13 year old son would not obey her when she told him to do something. The complainant stated her son would also raise his voice to her. The complainant stated she wanted her son taken into custody. An officer advised her that was not an option.
•road hazard on Chatham Road at Galloway Drive, Homer. The responding deputy reported he spoke with the owner of a vehicle blocking the roadway and the owner advised he would move the vehicle. The deputy advised he cleared the roadway and all was O.K.
•criminal trespass and simple battery at a Cotton Tail Lane, Baldwin, residence. The complainant advised the responding officer that a 14 year old male came to his residence and started an altercation with his 15 year old son. The complainant stated the altercation was physical and the 14 year old brought a golf club to his residence. The complainant stated he did not want the 14 year old to return to his property.
For more crime news, see this week's issue of The Banks County News.

OPINION: A little bio info goes a long way
One of my favorite things about vintage football media guides is that they often would give you insight into a player that regular fans would not have known otherwise.
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BOC approves job description for economic position
A job description for the new county position to oversee economic development was approved by the Banks County Board of Commissioners Thursday.
The job has been named “community developer” and it will include economic duties, as well as planning work.
The vote to approve the job description was unanimous but commissioner Danny Maxwell spoke on his concerns about including the planning job duties.
“I think we are spreading it a little too thin,” Maxwell said. “We’re giving them so many objectives. Are they really going to be able to focus on what we want them to do as an economic developer.”
The approved job description includes the following: “This position will help develop and coordinate strategies, policies and initiatives for economic growth in Banks County. This position will also perform administrative and supervisory work responsible for directing the daily operations of the planning department to administer and maintain the county’s zoning, subdivision and other development related ordinances.”
The job has been named “community developer” and it will include economic duties, as well as planning work.
The vote to approve the job description was unanimous but commissioner Danny Maxwell spoke on his concerns about including the planning job duties.
“I think we are spreading it a little too thin,” Maxwell said. “We’re giving them so many objectives. Are they really going to be able to focus on what we want them to do as an economic developer.”
The approved job description includes the following: “This position will help develop and coordinate strategies, policies and initiatives for economic growth in Banks County. This position will also perform administrative and supervisory work responsible for directing the daily operations of the planning department to administer and maintain the county’s zoning, subdivision and other development related ordinances.”
BOC denies business license for Sam's Food Mart
The Banks County Board of Commissioners voted Thursday to not reinstate a business license for a Banks Crossing business after “fake pot” was found at the convenience store.
Kevin Tallent, the attorney for the business owner (Junaid “J.D.” Hameed), said a store clerk removed the K-2 from the counter after being informed it was illegal and had planned to return it to the vendor. The attorney also said the business owner had a letter from the vendor stating that the items sold did not contain illegal substances.
“If my client did anything wrong, he didn’t do it intentionally,” Tallent said.
Commissioner Charles Turk questioned why the business owner never tested the items to find out if the items contained illegal substances instead of only relying on the vendor.
“If I had the slightest idea any of this was illegal, I would not have carried it,” J.D. said.
The attorney added that J.D’s intent was not to break the law.
“He knows now he can’t trust all of his suppliers,” Tallent said.
Banks County Sheriff’s Office investigator Brian Lord testified about the items removed from the store after a search warrant was executed following a tip.
Some of the items, which were labeled as incense, were removed from behind the counter and others were removed from a back office and storage area in the store. The K-2 was found in the back office and not behind the counter.
Adam Rudolph, a forensic chemist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, spoke on the items he tested and listed which ones contained illegal substances.
Kevin Tallent, the attorney for the business owner (Junaid “J.D.” Hameed), said a store clerk removed the K-2 from the counter after being informed it was illegal and had planned to return it to the vendor. The attorney also said the business owner had a letter from the vendor stating that the items sold did not contain illegal substances.
“If my client did anything wrong, he didn’t do it intentionally,” Tallent said.
Commissioner Charles Turk questioned why the business owner never tested the items to find out if the items contained illegal substances instead of only relying on the vendor.
“If I had the slightest idea any of this was illegal, I would not have carried it,” J.D. said.
The attorney added that J.D’s intent was not to break the law.
“He knows now he can’t trust all of his suppliers,” Tallent said.
Banks County Sheriff’s Office investigator Brian Lord testified about the items removed from the store after a search warrant was executed following a tip.
Some of the items, which were labeled as incense, were removed from behind the counter and others were removed from a back office and storage area in the store. The K-2 was found in the back office and not behind the counter.
Adam Rudolph, a forensic chemist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, spoke on the items he tested and listed which ones contained illegal substances.
Helen Thompson
BURLINGTON, N.C. – Helen Thompson, 86, died Monday, January 24, 2011, at the Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, N.C. Born in Sumter, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Frank Cross and Lizzie Mae Bradwell Cross Forester. Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Thompson. Survivors include three daughters, ...
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Judy Arlene Pethel
TALMO – Judy Arlene Shaw Pethel, 63, died Friday, January 21, 2011. Born on July 26, 1947, in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Jimmy and Lounette Hayes Shaw. She was retired from the Jackson County School System as a Para pro and was a member of Talmo Baptist Church. Mrs. Pethel was preceded in death by a brother, Darrell ...
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Elizabeth Griffin
ROYSTON – Elizabeth Irvin Griffin, 84, formerly of Homer, died Thursday, January 20, 2011. Born on May 5, 1926, in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late James and Ida Tanner Irvin. She was a member of Bethany Christian Church in Homer. Mrs. Griffin was preceded in death by her husband, Marlin D. Griffin; a son, James Ralph Griffin; ...
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BCHS in a rough start in sub-region
Banks County’s basketball teams were forced to make some changes to the schedule due to last week’s weather. The Leopards and Lady Leopards played a rescheduled East Hall game on Saturday. Saturday’s original game against Oglethorpe County has been postponed until Jan. 29 at home starting at 4 p.m., Jan 29 will also be Senior Night for ...
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Snow/ice forces state duals postponement
After an outstanding performance at the 8-AA Area Team Duals, Jan. 7-8, the Banks County mat Leopards were set to turn the momentum from the second place finish at Jefferson into a high finish at the state duals in Macon last weekend - except the weather had other plans. A snow and ice storm that paralyzed the state forced a delay in the action ...
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