An armed robber held up the clerk at the Express Mart Valero Convenience Store at Banks Crossing Sunday night.
Sheriff Charles Chapman said a call came in to the Banks County E-911 dispatch at 10:05 p.m. of an armed robbery at the Express Mart Valero Convenience Store, 30581 Highway 441 South.
“The clerk on duty stated that a black male wearing a ski mask, a dark colored or black shirt, and blue jeans entered the store, came behind the counter and robbed her at gun point,” Chapman said.
A search was made of the area for the person whom the clerk stated left the store on foot, Chapman added.
“The clerk at the Best Western told officers that a white SUV had pulled into the parking lot at the motel, but no one came in and, in about 10 minutes, the vehicle left,” Chapman said.
Believing this could be the vehicle used by the robber, a lookout was given out on the vehicle with a description of the robber.
“Several minutes later a Braselton police officer stopped a vehicle on Interstate 85 fitting the description of the vehicle and the person,” Chapman said.
A Banks County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the 126-mile marker on I-85 and met with Braselton police officers and took Jumarkes Lee Miller, 30, 2843 McDuffie Street, Anderson, S.C., into custody.
“Items in the vehicle were recovered, along with the ski mask, that Miller wore during the armed robbery,” Chapman said.
Miller was transported to the Banks County Jail where he is being held on charges of armed robbery.
“Our thanks go out to the surrounding agencies who assisted with this and brought about the quick apprehension of this person,” Chapman added.
Entries by Staff Writer
Updated: Armed robbery suspect caught
Banks officials don’t attend meeting called by towns
Banks County officials were no-shows at the called meeting of the cities of Baldwin, Lula, Gillsville, Maysville and Alto on Tuesday night to negotiate the allocation of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenue.
The town leaders had asked for the meeting but Banks County officials asked for additional information before a negotiating meeting be held. BOC chairman Milton Dalton sent a letter to Mayor Milton Turner stating that the commissioners would not be in attendance at the meeting Tuesday night.
“I stated the county would contact the cities to schedule a meeting once the requested information was received,” Dalton wrote. “That has not changed and we look forward to receiving the information so we may be better informed of city services and qualifications toward the LOST negotiations….As soon as we receive the requested information, we will be happy to schedule the joint meeting but due to conflicting schedules, some of the commissioners will not be able to attend the May 1 meeting. We feel it is the best interest of all the citizens of Banks County for the entire board to be present at the joint meeting.” [Full Story »]
The town leaders had asked for the meeting but Banks County officials asked for additional information before a negotiating meeting be held. BOC chairman Milton Dalton sent a letter to Mayor Milton Turner stating that the commissioners would not be in attendance at the meeting Tuesday night.
“I stated the county would contact the cities to schedule a meeting once the requested information was received,” Dalton wrote. “That has not changed and we look forward to receiving the information so we may be better informed of city services and qualifications toward the LOST negotiations….As soon as we receive the requested information, we will be happy to schedule the joint meeting but due to conflicting schedules, some of the commissioners will not be able to attend the May 1 meeting. We feel it is the best interest of all the citizens of Banks County for the entire board to be present at the joint meeting.” [Full Story »]
After almost two years, still no news on missing Banks woman
Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman said on Monday there is no news on Brenda Mashburn, who has been missing for almost two years.
“It has been one year and eight months since the family has heard from her,” Chapman said.
Chapman said in the past few weeks Mashburn’s family has met with authorities at the Banks County Sheriff’s Office to talk with them about the case.
Chapman said, according to Mashburn’s mother, she never would go over a month or two without contacting her and she has not talked with her since Aug. 25, 2010.
“Mashburn was last seen by family members on Aug. 25, 2010, in Habersham County,” Chapman said. [Full Story »]
“It has been one year and eight months since the family has heard from her,” Chapman said.
Chapman said in the past few weeks Mashburn’s family has met with authorities at the Banks County Sheriff’s Office to talk with them about the case.
Chapman said, according to Mashburn’s mother, she never would go over a month or two without contacting her and she has not talked with her since Aug. 25, 2010.
“Mashburn was last seen by family members on Aug. 25, 2010, in Habersham County,” Chapman said. [Full Story »]
Baldwin to further discuss allocation of power to Neace, Degges at May 10 meeting
The Baldwin City Council discussed the administrative policy for the city administrator Monday night but decided to postpone any action and further discussion until the May 10 meeting.
Council members Jeff Parrish, Joe Elam and Theron Ayers said they favor the policy that provides that the mayor remains the chief executive officer of the city and provides that the mayor can delegate certain executive and administrative powers to the city administrator. Council members Robert Bohannon and Dustin Mealor were against the policy. Bohannon asked that the policy be carried over to the May work session for further discussion.
The policy also provides that in the event of a conflict between this administrative policy and the city charter, that the city charter shall control.
Council member Parrish started the discussion on this issue several months ago.
At the council meeting on April 9, Parrish passed out information defining the authority of the mayor as outlined in the city charter and that of the city administrator.
On Monday, city attorney David Syfan explained that the administrative policy codifies what Karen Deggs, city administrator already does.
“It outlines her authority to run the city and provides the vehicle for her to do that,” Syfan said.
Parrish has made it known from the start that his wish was to clarify the mayor’s authority and that of the city administrator.
“Twice the mayor and council have fought over this,” Parrish said. “Now is the time to write the policy, while we have good employees in these positions.”
Syfan said, “I sort of see this (policy) as a Band-Aid to sort of get us through until next year when the council can put more time and thought into a new charter.”
The city’s current charter is over 20 years old and does not provide for a city administrator’s or city manager’s position.
Degges voiced her opposition to the change.
“This takes some things that I do away from me and gives them to the mayor,” she said. “This should have been done when the position was vacant.”
Council member Bohannon said several times during the discussion the city needs a new charter.
Parrish said, “Right now, the charter is the law.”
Finance director Audra Payne said, “Why wouldn’t you write a resolution that goes along with the way things are being done? We have been operating as a city manager model.”
Parrish and Mayor Jerry Neace both said Baldwin is not to the point of needing a city manager.
Degges said, “Every since the day I was hired, I have viewed all six of you as my bosses. I view each one of you equally.”
Parrish said, “But you shouldn’t. You should report directly to the mayor.”
SPLIT ON AGENDA
The council was also split on action taken defining how the agenda is set ech month. In a 3-2 split vote, with Bohannon and Mealor opposed, the council approved the following agenda procedure: reasonable efforts will be made to set the agenda one week before the meeting, unless there is an emergency or urgent issue that needs to be added to the agenda; the city clerk will be responsible for compiling, distributing and posting the agenda as required by law. The city clerk will communicate with the mayor and city council before a final agenda is published; each council member and the mayor have the privilege to add items to the agenda; the city administrator may add items to the agenda, but coordinate with the mayor for items added unless the issue is an emergency or is urgent; and the mayor has the right to move or delay items on the agenda to another meeting in order to help maintain orderly and well managed meetings. The mayor will make every reasonable effort to communicate with the council member or staff that placed an item on the agenda, if the Mayor feels a need to delay an item put on the agenda by that particular council member or staff.
Parrish said, “The council needs to have final approval of the agenda and ultimately that should be the mayor. We need to know what is on the agenda before the meeting.”
Degges said it is not always possible to get in touch with the mayor.
Parrish said, “If the council doesn’t have final approval of the agenda then things are going on that we don’t know about.”
Council members Jeff Parrish, Joe Elam and Theron Ayers said they favor the policy that provides that the mayor remains the chief executive officer of the city and provides that the mayor can delegate certain executive and administrative powers to the city administrator. Council members Robert Bohannon and Dustin Mealor were against the policy. Bohannon asked that the policy be carried over to the May work session for further discussion.
The policy also provides that in the event of a conflict between this administrative policy and the city charter, that the city charter shall control.
Council member Parrish started the discussion on this issue several months ago.
At the council meeting on April 9, Parrish passed out information defining the authority of the mayor as outlined in the city charter and that of the city administrator.
On Monday, city attorney David Syfan explained that the administrative policy codifies what Karen Deggs, city administrator already does.
“It outlines her authority to run the city and provides the vehicle for her to do that,” Syfan said.
Parrish has made it known from the start that his wish was to clarify the mayor’s authority and that of the city administrator.
“Twice the mayor and council have fought over this,” Parrish said. “Now is the time to write the policy, while we have good employees in these positions.”
Syfan said, “I sort of see this (policy) as a Band-Aid to sort of get us through until next year when the council can put more time and thought into a new charter.”
The city’s current charter is over 20 years old and does not provide for a city administrator’s or city manager’s position.
Degges voiced her opposition to the change.
“This takes some things that I do away from me and gives them to the mayor,” she said. “This should have been done when the position was vacant.”
Council member Bohannon said several times during the discussion the city needs a new charter.
Parrish said, “Right now, the charter is the law.”
Finance director Audra Payne said, “Why wouldn’t you write a resolution that goes along with the way things are being done? We have been operating as a city manager model.”
Parrish and Mayor Jerry Neace both said Baldwin is not to the point of needing a city manager.
Degges said, “Every since the day I was hired, I have viewed all six of you as my bosses. I view each one of you equally.”
Parrish said, “But you shouldn’t. You should report directly to the mayor.”
SPLIT ON AGENDA
The council was also split on action taken defining how the agenda is set ech month. In a 3-2 split vote, with Bohannon and Mealor opposed, the council approved the following agenda procedure: reasonable efforts will be made to set the agenda one week before the meeting, unless there is an emergency or urgent issue that needs to be added to the agenda; the city clerk will be responsible for compiling, distributing and posting the agenda as required by law. The city clerk will communicate with the mayor and city council before a final agenda is published; each council member and the mayor have the privilege to add items to the agenda; the city administrator may add items to the agenda, but coordinate with the mayor for items added unless the issue is an emergency or is urgent; and the mayor has the right to move or delay items on the agenda to another meeting in order to help maintain orderly and well managed meetings. The mayor will make every reasonable effort to communicate with the council member or staff that placed an item on the agenda, if the Mayor feels a need to delay an item put on the agenda by that particular council member or staff.
Parrish said, “The council needs to have final approval of the agenda and ultimately that should be the mayor. We need to know what is on the agenda before the meeting.”
Degges said it is not always possible to get in touch with the mayor.
Parrish said, “If the council doesn’t have final approval of the agenda then things are going on that we don’t know about.”
Baldwin clean up day moved to April 28
Due to the weather forecast of 60 percent chance of rain this Saturday, the clean up day in Baldwin has been postponed.
It will be held on Saturday, April 28. The headquarters will still be at the Fellowship Church, and the time will still be between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The dumpsters should be at Gailey Park Friday, April 20, and the time frame for the dumpsters will be extended through April 29. The street department will continue doing large debris pick-ups through April 26, with appointments.
It will be held on Saturday, April 28. The headquarters will still be at the Fellowship Church, and the time will still be between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The dumpsters should be at Gailey Park Friday, April 20, and the time frame for the dumpsters will be extended through April 29. The street department will continue doing large debris pick-ups through April 26, with appointments.
Town of Alto now has full council
The Town of Alto now has a full council.
At the monthly meeting in April, three council members were sworn in to their positions.
Carolyn Cabe was sworn in to fill the Post 1 seat on the council. Cabe’s term expires Dec. 31, 2013.
Kathryn (Kathy) Clark was sworn in to fill the Post 4 council seat for another term. Clark’s term expires on Dec. 31, 2015.
Greg. M. Pruitt was sworn in to fill the Post 5 council seat. Pruitt’s term will expire on Dec. 31, 2013.
At the monthly meeting in April, three council members were sworn in to their positions.
Carolyn Cabe was sworn in to fill the Post 1 seat on the council. Cabe’s term expires Dec. 31, 2013.
Kathryn (Kathy) Clark was sworn in to fill the Post 4 council seat for another term. Clark’s term expires on Dec. 31, 2015.
Greg. M. Pruitt was sworn in to fill the Post 5 council seat. Pruitt’s term will expire on Dec. 31, 2013.
Homer OKs rezoning former fire station
A divided Homer City Council approved rezoning its former and now vacant firehouse for commercial use as a small warehouse/distribution facility.
The council’s 3-2 vote at the April 10 meeting in favor of Pest Control Insulation’s request followed a public hearing on reclassifying 963 Historic Homer Highway from institutional to restricted industrial.
The council’s nod during its regular meeting last week went against the planning and zoning board’s recommendation that the request be denied.
The approval also cleared the way for a rental contract to be negotiated between the business and Homer’s downtown development authority. Mayor Doug Cheek will help negotiate the terms before council reviews the final agreement as early as next month. [Full Story »]
The council’s 3-2 vote at the April 10 meeting in favor of Pest Control Insulation’s request followed a public hearing on reclassifying 963 Historic Homer Highway from institutional to restricted industrial.
The council’s nod during its regular meeting last week went against the planning and zoning board’s recommendation that the request be denied.
The approval also cleared the way for a rental contract to be negotiated between the business and Homer’s downtown development authority. Mayor Doug Cheek will help negotiate the terms before council reviews the final agreement as early as next month. [Full Story »]
Antiques and equipment destroyed in Sunday fire
A number of pieces of equipment and antiques were destroyed in a fire Sunday afternoon in Banks County.
The fire consumed an old chicken house on Brewer Road that housed tractors, lawn mowers, antiques, corn mill, shaving machine and other items, Banks County Fire Chief Brian Eubanks said.
Eubanks reported the fire call came in at 5:34 p.m. to the former chicken house owned by the parents of Banks County firefighter Blake Carlan.
“No chicken had been grown in the chicken house since the 1980s,” Eubanks said. “But it was full of equipment and antiques.”
Eubanks reported more than three dozen firefighters spent over three hours at the scene.
Banks County responded with four fire engines, a command vehicle and two ambulances, Eubanks added. The Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Team also responded.
“We put around 20,000 gallons of water of the fire,” Eubanks said.
A Banks County firefighter was treated at the scene for heat exhaustion.
Eubanks said on Monday, the cause of fire is still undetermined, but it is believed to have been an accident.
The fire consumed an old chicken house on Brewer Road that housed tractors, lawn mowers, antiques, corn mill, shaving machine and other items, Banks County Fire Chief Brian Eubanks said.
Eubanks reported the fire call came in at 5:34 p.m. to the former chicken house owned by the parents of Banks County firefighter Blake Carlan.
“No chicken had been grown in the chicken house since the 1980s,” Eubanks said. “But it was full of equipment and antiques.”
Eubanks reported more than three dozen firefighters spent over three hours at the scene.
Banks County responded with four fire engines, a command vehicle and two ambulances, Eubanks added. The Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Team also responded.
“We put around 20,000 gallons of water of the fire,” Eubanks said.
A Banks County firefighter was treated at the scene for heat exhaustion.
Eubanks said on Monday, the cause of fire is still undetermined, but it is believed to have been an accident.
Body found on Sample Scales Road; foul play not suspected
The body of a female was found in Banks County today but foul play is not suspected, according to Sheriff Charles Chapman.
Chapman said a call came in to the Banks County 911 center around 10 a.m. of a body being found on Sample Scales Road at Sample Bottom Road.
A report was filed on March 18 of a missing person who lived on Sample Bottom Road, Chapman said.
The missing person was identified as Iva Marie Ford, 52. Ford was last seen on March 15.
Chapman said the Georgia Bureau of Investigations had already been involved assisting Banks County with the case.
“Today when the body was found, the GBI Crime Scene Unit was called to the scene by our office,” Chapman said. “The preliminary investigation indicates this was the body of the missing person.”
The body has been sent to the crime lab in Atlanta and this case is under active investigation, he added.
“Right now, no foul play is suspected,” Chapman said.
Chapman said a call came in to the Banks County 911 center around 10 a.m. of a body being found on Sample Scales Road at Sample Bottom Road.
A report was filed on March 18 of a missing person who lived on Sample Bottom Road, Chapman said.
The missing person was identified as Iva Marie Ford, 52. Ford was last seen on March 15.
Chapman said the Georgia Bureau of Investigations had already been involved assisting Banks County with the case.
“Today when the body was found, the GBI Crime Scene Unit was called to the scene by our office,” Chapman said. “The preliminary investigation indicates this was the body of the missing person.”
The body has been sent to the crime lab in Atlanta and this case is under active investigation, he added.
“Right now, no foul play is suspected,” Chapman said.
Carlton Speed to run for sheriff
Calton Speed has announced that he plans to run for sheriff of Banks County.
Speed is currently in his nineteenth year of law enforcement. He is married to Kristie Bellamy Speed and they have four children, all in the Banks County School system. He is a deacon at Nails Creek Baptist Church and a former Sunday School teacher.
Speed is currently assigned to the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad where he investigates illegal drug and vice crimes. Some of his former assignments have been Gang Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force where he investigated gang crimes. Other assignments have been property crimes investigator where he investigated burglaries, thefts and other property related crimes. He investigated crimes against persons that involved murders, rapes, child crimes and all crimes against people. [Full Story »]
Speed is currently in his nineteenth year of law enforcement. He is married to Kristie Bellamy Speed and they have four children, all in the Banks County School system. He is a deacon at Nails Creek Baptist Church and a former Sunday School teacher.
Speed is currently assigned to the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad where he investigates illegal drug and vice crimes. Some of his former assignments have been Gang Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force where he investigated gang crimes. Other assignments have been property crimes investigator where he investigated burglaries, thefts and other property related crimes. He investigated crimes against persons that involved murders, rapes, child crimes and all crimes against people. [Full Story »]
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