An “economic development blueprint” that outlines how growth should be planned for in Banks County pinpoints four “growth nodes” where development should occur.
The “economic development blueprint” was presented Monday morning at a meeting at the Banks County Annex Building with representatives of the board of commissioners, development authority, Town of Homer and school system in attendance.
The plan was developed, at the request of the board of commissioners and the development authority, six months ago with Thomas & Hutton, Three Points Planning and NextSite compiling the information.
Among the findings are that the county is “well-positioned to take advantage of economic development opportunities.” The recommendation is that it is “essential to plan growth around development nodes” with a balance of industry, commercial, retail and housing.
The vision statement created by the “blueprint team” includes the following: “Banks County will be the best of both worlds. We will be a place to locate modern commerce and a place to celebrate rural heritage. We will be home to industries that can utilize our strategic location, engage our labor force, conserve our natural resources and contribute a high quality of life in Banks County.”
The “blueprint team” listed four areas where growth should be focused, including: the Martin Bridge interchange, Highway 441 at Banks Crossing, Highway 441 at Homer and Highway 52 at Maysville. The plan encourages growth in these key areas with the rural character of the county remaining in place in the majority of the county.
For more information on this story, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
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Deputy struck by vehicle while pursuing suspect
Right before 9:00 p.m. Friday, a Banks County deputy conducted a traffic stop on Steve Reynolds Industrial Parkway at Highway 441. During the traffic stop, two suspects were arrested. One male arrestee then began to flee the scene on foot to which the deputy pursued him. In foot pursuit of the suspect, the deputy was struck by a vehicle.
The deputy was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional and is currently being treated for his injuries. He has been listed in stable condition.
The fleeing suspect was apprehended and is currently being housed at Banks County Law Enforcement Center.
Georgia State Patrol SCRT is investigating the incident.
The deputy was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional and is currently being treated for his injuries. He has been listed in stable condition.
The fleeing suspect was apprehended and is currently being housed at Banks County Law Enforcement Center.
Georgia State Patrol SCRT is investigating the incident.
Four injured in wreck
A woman and three children were injured in a two-vehicle wreck on Wednesday, May 1, at Hwy. 441 and Historic Homer Highway.
The accident reportedly occurred when Marcia Batten, Commerce, who had three children in her vehicle, was attempting to turn left from Hwy. 15 onto the Historic Homer Highway failed to yield and struck a vehicle driven by Chanda Leigh Cornwell, Carnesville.
Banks County Fire/EMS responded to the scene and found found a two-vehicle accident with multiple injuries. Batten reportedly had serious injuries and she was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. In the same vehicle there were three juveniles, two were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in stable condition. The third child, a young male, was entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by fire/EMS personnel. He was listed in critical condition and transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. The male child was later transferred by helicopter to Atlanta Children’s Hospital.
Cornwell had minor complaints. She reportedly refused transport by EMS.
The incident is under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.
The accident reportedly occurred when Marcia Batten, Commerce, who had three children in her vehicle, was attempting to turn left from Hwy. 15 onto the Historic Homer Highway failed to yield and struck a vehicle driven by Chanda Leigh Cornwell, Carnesville.
Banks County Fire/EMS responded to the scene and found found a two-vehicle accident with multiple injuries. Batten reportedly had serious injuries and she was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. In the same vehicle there were three juveniles, two were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in stable condition. The third child, a young male, was entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by fire/EMS personnel. He was listed in critical condition and transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. The male child was later transferred by helicopter to Atlanta Children’s Hospital.
Cornwell had minor complaints. She reportedly refused transport by EMS.
The incident is under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.
$1 million in damage to roads in recent flooding
The recent storm that brought flooding across Banks County is estimated to have caused $1 million in damage to roads.
Twenty-three roads were damaged during the storm. The only road still closed is Peyton Road and is expected to be open this week.
The funds to repair the road will come from the county contingency fund and grant money. Local legislators, including Rep. Chris Erwin, are looking for funding avenues from the state to assist the county.
“Legislators have assured they are watching for funding avenues and will let us know should they find any monetary aid,” county officials state.
Twenty-three roads were damaged during the storm. The only road still closed is Peyton Road and is expected to be open this week.
The funds to repair the road will come from the county contingency fund and grant money. Local legislators, including Rep. Chris Erwin, are looking for funding avenues from the state to assist the county.
“Legislators have assured they are watching for funding avenues and will let us know should they find any monetary aid,” county officials state.
Water line to be costly to repair
The washing away of a bank at Banks Crossing and the breaking of water, sewer and natural gas lines from Commerce were not the most devastating damages from the storm Friday.
The county still faces repairs to a major water line in the Hudson River at Hebron Church Rd.
Horace Gee, Banks County public works director, said crews knew a water leak existed but it took while to find it because it was in the river. He said about 1,100 feet of four-inch fire hose connecting two fire hydrants restored water service to the area. The water service was restored about midnight Saturday.
He said Banks County remained under a boil water advisory Monday because it was waiting on test results from the water.
Before the service was restored, Gee said, contractors and public works employees were “working line a bunch of bees.”
A valve was installed on either side of the Hebron Church Rd. bridge, Gee said.
That isolated the portion of the line that is buried in the river.
It will be several days until a permanent fix can be repaired, he said. Crew will have to bore another line under the river.
Gee said the Banks Crossing work may cost $400,000 to $500,000. Crews were on site around the clock from about 4 p.m. Friday until Monday. Utility services from Commerce was interrupted Friday into Saturday.
The water, sewer and natural gas lines were broken when the bank collapsed during the storm.
Commerce was under a boil water advisory from Saturday afternoon until Saturday evening.
All utility service was restored by Saturday evening.
James Wascher, Commerce city manager, said a sewer lift station was underwater at the site and only one pump was working at the site Monday.
He said crews were trying to learn whether the second pump could be repaired and what it would take.
Work was still moving Monday as crews added more dirt to rebuild the bank that washed away. After that is completed, rip rap must be installed to control soil erosion.
He estimated it might take 150 to 200 dump truckloads of dirt to rebuild the bank. Crews could get the dirt at the Banks Crossing Industrial Park and had to haul it only a short distance.
He said four culverts were under the road and in Crooked Creek. One of those could be salvaged and reinstalled. The other three were new.
“Mother nature just dropped, not a 100-year rain event, but what they would consider a 500-year rain event,” Gee said.
The county still faces repairs to a major water line in the Hudson River at Hebron Church Rd.
Horace Gee, Banks County public works director, said crews knew a water leak existed but it took while to find it because it was in the river. He said about 1,100 feet of four-inch fire hose connecting two fire hydrants restored water service to the area. The water service was restored about midnight Saturday.
He said Banks County remained under a boil water advisory Monday because it was waiting on test results from the water.
Before the service was restored, Gee said, contractors and public works employees were “working line a bunch of bees.”
A valve was installed on either side of the Hebron Church Rd. bridge, Gee said.
That isolated the portion of the line that is buried in the river.
It will be several days until a permanent fix can be repaired, he said. Crew will have to bore another line under the river.
Gee said the Banks Crossing work may cost $400,000 to $500,000. Crews were on site around the clock from about 4 p.m. Friday until Monday. Utility services from Commerce was interrupted Friday into Saturday.
The water, sewer and natural gas lines were broken when the bank collapsed during the storm.
Commerce was under a boil water advisory from Saturday afternoon until Saturday evening.
All utility service was restored by Saturday evening.
James Wascher, Commerce city manager, said a sewer lift station was underwater at the site and only one pump was working at the site Monday.
He said crews were trying to learn whether the second pump could be repaired and what it would take.
Work was still moving Monday as crews added more dirt to rebuild the bank that washed away. After that is completed, rip rap must be installed to control soil erosion.
He estimated it might take 150 to 200 dump truckloads of dirt to rebuild the bank. Crews could get the dirt at the Banks Crossing Industrial Park and had to haul it only a short distance.
He said four culverts were under the road and in Crooked Creek. One of those could be salvaged and reinstalled. The other three were new.
“Mother nature just dropped, not a 100-year rain event, but what they would consider a 500-year rain event,” Gee said.
Body found in Banks County identified as missing Louisiana woman
A body found in Banks County in 2017 has been identified as a missing Louisiana woman and her boyfriend has been charged with murder in the case.
The woman was identified as Shada Esther, who was reported missing in August 2016, after she failed to pick up her three children at the bus stop.
On Sunday, February 5, 2017, a skeleton was discovered in a wooded area near New Salem United Methodist Church, at 2170 Highway 59, in Commerce. The body’s location was one mile south of I-85, Exit 154 for Toccoa/SR 63/Martin Bridge Road.
Michael Heads, 49, was charged with the murder of Esther. Heads was also charged with two counts of felony financial transaction card fraud. Heads was located in Slidell, Louisiana.
The original investigation in 2016 determined that Esther was last with her live-in boyfriend, Michael Heads. Heads left Moultrie and travelled to Atlanta within an hour of Esther’s last contact with anyone else. With the assistance of the GBI Region 10 field office in Conyers, Georgia, and the Gwinnett County Police Department, Heads was interviewed and his vehicle was processed for evidence. Heads was not taken into custody at that time. Leads in the investigation continued to be followed. Heads later moved to Slidell, Louisiana.
In April 2019, the remains were confirmed by DNA analysis to be those of Shada Esther.
The GBI and Moultrie Police Department secured arrest warrants and travelled to Slidell, Louisiana, to locate and arrest Heads. The St. Tammany’s Parish Sheriff’s Office provided crucial assistance in locating and arresting Heads. The St. Tammany’s Parish Sheriff’s Office also obtained search warrants so that additional evidence could be secured. The extradition process will begin in Louisiana to return Heads to Georgia to face criminal charges.
This investigation is still active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Moultrie Police Department at (229) 985-3131 or the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090.
The woman was identified as Shada Esther, who was reported missing in August 2016, after she failed to pick up her three children at the bus stop.
On Sunday, February 5, 2017, a skeleton was discovered in a wooded area near New Salem United Methodist Church, at 2170 Highway 59, in Commerce. The body’s location was one mile south of I-85, Exit 154 for Toccoa/SR 63/Martin Bridge Road.
Michael Heads, 49, was charged with the murder of Esther. Heads was also charged with two counts of felony financial transaction card fraud. Heads was located in Slidell, Louisiana.
The original investigation in 2016 determined that Esther was last with her live-in boyfriend, Michael Heads. Heads left Moultrie and travelled to Atlanta within an hour of Esther’s last contact with anyone else. With the assistance of the GBI Region 10 field office in Conyers, Georgia, and the Gwinnett County Police Department, Heads was interviewed and his vehicle was processed for evidence. Heads was not taken into custody at that time. Leads in the investigation continued to be followed. Heads later moved to Slidell, Louisiana.
In April 2019, the remains were confirmed by DNA analysis to be those of Shada Esther.
The GBI and Moultrie Police Department secured arrest warrants and travelled to Slidell, Louisiana, to locate and arrest Heads. The St. Tammany’s Parish Sheriff’s Office provided crucial assistance in locating and arresting Heads. The St. Tammany’s Parish Sheriff’s Office also obtained search warrants so that additional evidence could be secured. The extradition process will begin in Louisiana to return Heads to Georgia to face criminal charges.
This investigation is still active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Moultrie Police Department at (229) 985-3131 or the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090.
Water boil advisory lifted Sunday
The water boil advisory issued by the City of Commerce for all businesses and houses in the Banks Crossing area and along E. Ridgeway Road was lifted Sunday.
The boil advisory was issued water main broke around the Five Guys restaurant about 1 p.m. Friday and caused the problem. Crews had to repair the pipe and road and repave it.
Flooding reported across county
A local state of emergency was declared in Banks County Firday as a severe storm passing through Banks County on Friday led to flooded roads, trees down and school being closed.
Twenty-three roads were reported as being flooded, including: Chambers Road at Hwy. 59, the 2200 block of Hwy. 326, Wrights Mill Road at Carlan Road, Peyton Road at Sample Scales Road, McCoy Bridge Road at Webbs Creek Road, Steven B. Tanger Blvd. at Five Guys Restaurant, Hawkins Road, Gordon Road at Stevens Road off Hwy. 59, Atlanta Dragway at East Ridgeway Road, Hwy. 441 at Commerce Factory Drive, Webb’s Creek Road at Dink McCoy Road, Moss Mill Road at Hwy. 441, Ed Reed Road, Meadow Creek Court and the entire subdivision off of Hebron Road, Industrial Park Drive, Marshburn Road just east of Marshburn Drive and west of Orica, Wells Road, Mt. Bethel Road at Hwy. 59, Hembree Road off McDonald Circle, Hwy. 441 at Harmony Church Road, Lakeview Drive off of Wilkinson Road off of Hwy. 105, Bruce Kesler Road and Partain Road. Trees down were reported on 13 roads, including: Gillsville Lake Road, Apple Pie Ridge Road at Dalton Farm Drive, Apple Pie Ridge Road at Dalton Circle, Sweetwater Way at Wildwood Trail, Brown Bridge Road at Duncan Road, Hwy. 63 at I-85, Spring Road, Fort Lamar Road at Carson Road, Hwy. 105 at Leatherwood, Hwy. 51 North, Historic Homer Hwy. and Hickory Flat Road. Power lines were down at Homer First Baptist Church and Georgia Power was contacted.
Rescue operations were performed by Banks County Fire/EMS at several locations at Banks Crossing due to flooded parking lots. Three people were rescued at the Zaxby’s parking lot, eight people at Outback Restaurant and 19 other people at other parking lots in the area.
Eleven people were taken to the Banks County Recreation Department while they waited for rides after their cars flooded at Banks Crossing.
Twenty-three roads were reported as being flooded, including: Chambers Road at Hwy. 59, the 2200 block of Hwy. 326, Wrights Mill Road at Carlan Road, Peyton Road at Sample Scales Road, McCoy Bridge Road at Webbs Creek Road, Steven B. Tanger Blvd. at Five Guys Restaurant, Hawkins Road, Gordon Road at Stevens Road off Hwy. 59, Atlanta Dragway at East Ridgeway Road, Hwy. 441 at Commerce Factory Drive, Webb’s Creek Road at Dink McCoy Road, Moss Mill Road at Hwy. 441, Ed Reed Road, Meadow Creek Court and the entire subdivision off of Hebron Road, Industrial Park Drive, Marshburn Road just east of Marshburn Drive and west of Orica, Wells Road, Mt. Bethel Road at Hwy. 59, Hembree Road off McDonald Circle, Hwy. 441 at Harmony Church Road, Lakeview Drive off of Wilkinson Road off of Hwy. 105, Bruce Kesler Road and Partain Road. Trees down were reported on 13 roads, including: Gillsville Lake Road, Apple Pie Ridge Road at Dalton Farm Drive, Apple Pie Ridge Road at Dalton Circle, Sweetwater Way at Wildwood Trail, Brown Bridge Road at Duncan Road, Hwy. 63 at I-85, Spring Road, Fort Lamar Road at Carson Road, Hwy. 105 at Leatherwood, Hwy. 51 North, Historic Homer Hwy. and Hickory Flat Road. Power lines were down at Homer First Baptist Church and Georgia Power was contacted.
Rescue operations were performed by Banks County Fire/EMS at several locations at Banks Crossing due to flooded parking lots. Three people were rescued at the Zaxby’s parking lot, eight people at Outback Restaurant and 19 other people at other parking lots in the area.
Eleven people were taken to the Banks County Recreation Department while they waited for rides after their cars flooded at Banks Crossing.
Water boil advisory issued in Banks Crossing area
Commerce has issued a water boil advisory for all businesses and houses in the Banks Crossing area and along E. Ridgeway Road.
A water main broke around the Five Guys restaurant about 1 p.m. and caused the problem.
The water had been cut off about 4 p.m. but crews still have to repair the pipe and road and repave it before the problem is fixed.
Even after the repairs are made, a water boil advisory will be in effect, Sandra Haggard, Commerce city clerk, said.
Haggard said the city is calling all the businesses involved. She said it “basically” is everything north of Zaxby’s.
She said Tanger Outlet shops were closing.
Haggard said the advisory does not affect the cities of Commerce or Maysville.
A water main broke around the Five Guys restaurant about 1 p.m. and caused the problem.
The water had been cut off about 4 p.m. but crews still have to repair the pipe and road and repave it before the problem is fixed.
Even after the repairs are made, a water boil advisory will be in effect, Sandra Haggard, Commerce city clerk, said.
Haggard said the city is calling all the businesses involved. She said it “basically” is everything north of Zaxby’s.
She said Tanger Outlet shops were closing.
Haggard said the advisory does not affect the cities of Commerce or Maysville.
Two principals hired by BOE
Banks County Schools Assistant Superintendent Ann Hopkins has announced two new principals for the upcoming school year.
Mike Boyle was chosen as the new principal of Banks County Middle School and Mandy Dale was selected as principal of Banks County Primary School.
“All of you know Dr. Boyle and have witnessed his hard work, his innovation, his energy and his dedication to the students, staff, and the community and recognize how deserving he is of this new position,” said Hopkins in an email to faculty and staff.
“I hope that choosing Dr. Boyle as the principal will create a smooth transition for everyone and allow you all to continue all of the great work you are currently doing,” said Hopkins.
Boyle was chosen among more than 30 quality applicants for the job.
“I think the number of candidates speaks highly of the reputation of the school and the school system and your excellent work, Hopkins said.
Dale is currently serving as the assistant principal of Lula Elementary School in Hall County. She began her education career in 2005 as a teacher at Sugar Hill Elementary School and in 2012 became the instructional coach of the school. Prior to serving as assistant principal at Lula, she was assistant principal at Oakwood Elementary.
Dale is an undergraduate of Brenau University and has advanced degrees from Brenau University and Piedmont College. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction at Piedmont College.
Dale graduated high school from East Hall High School in 2000. She is married to Chad Dale. The couple has three children: Luke, 13; Marleigh, 10; and Chloe, 3. They reside near Lula on the family beef and poultry farm where she was raised.
“I think it is important for you all to know that more than 30 qualified candidates applied for the job,” Hopkins said. “I believe this speaks volumes about the excellent reputation of the school and the atmosphere you all have worked so hard to create,” she added.
For more school news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Mike Boyle was chosen as the new principal of Banks County Middle School and Mandy Dale was selected as principal of Banks County Primary School.
“All of you know Dr. Boyle and have witnessed his hard work, his innovation, his energy and his dedication to the students, staff, and the community and recognize how deserving he is of this new position,” said Hopkins in an email to faculty and staff.
“I hope that choosing Dr. Boyle as the principal will create a smooth transition for everyone and allow you all to continue all of the great work you are currently doing,” said Hopkins.
Boyle was chosen among more than 30 quality applicants for the job.
“I think the number of candidates speaks highly of the reputation of the school and the school system and your excellent work, Hopkins said.
Dale is currently serving as the assistant principal of Lula Elementary School in Hall County. She began her education career in 2005 as a teacher at Sugar Hill Elementary School and in 2012 became the instructional coach of the school. Prior to serving as assistant principal at Lula, she was assistant principal at Oakwood Elementary.
Dale is an undergraduate of Brenau University and has advanced degrees from Brenau University and Piedmont College. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction at Piedmont College.
Dale graduated high school from East Hall High School in 2000. She is married to Chad Dale. The couple has three children: Luke, 13; Marleigh, 10; and Chloe, 3. They reside near Lula on the family beef and poultry farm where she was raised.
“I think it is important for you all to know that more than 30 qualified candidates applied for the job,” Hopkins said. “I believe this speaks volumes about the excellent reputation of the school and the atmosphere you all have worked so hard to create,” she added.
For more school news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
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