A lawsuit that has been ongoing for several years has been resolved with R&B Landfill to pay Banks County $1 million and the host fee paid to the county increasing.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners met in closed session for 10 minutes Tuesday night and then opened the meeting to discuss the settlement with R&B Landfill.
[Full Story »]
Jimmy Hooper to run for BOC chairman seat
Jimmy Hooper has announced that he plans to run for chairman of the Banks County Board of Commissioners.
In a letter to citizens announcing his intentions, Hooper wrote: “Many of you will ask why I am announcing my intentions so early. My answer is that I want to have enough time to meet every person living in Banks County. I intend to shake your hand and ask about your concerns. I want to be able to do this before the Republican primary on July 31.”
Hooper worked for three decades as a principal in the Banks County School System. [Full Story »]
In a letter to citizens announcing his intentions, Hooper wrote: “Many of you will ask why I am announcing my intentions so early. My answer is that I want to have enough time to meet every person living in Banks County. I intend to shake your hand and ask about your concerns. I want to be able to do this before the Republican primary on July 31.”
Hooper worked for three decades as a principal in the Banks County School System. [Full Story »]
Pet photo contest planned
The Banks County News is sponsoring a “cute pet photo” contest over the next month.
Readers are encouraged to send in their favorite pet photo.
Photos may dropped off at The Banks County News office in Homer. Photos may also be mailed to: Angela Gary, The Banks County News, 33 Lee Street, Jefferson Ga., 30549.
Be sure to include the name of the pet, the name of the person who took the photo, an address (for prizes to be sent to) and a phone number.
The photos should not have any people in them — pets only.
The prizes will be: $50 first prize; $30 second prize; and $20 third prize. There will also be free subscriptions to the newspaper given to any honorable mention photos. All winning photos will be published in the paper.
The deadline to send in photos is Feb. 18. The photos will be printed in the Feb. 29 issue of The Banks County News.
Readers are encouraged to send in their favorite pet photo.
Photos may dropped off at The Banks County News office in Homer. Photos may also be mailed to: Angela Gary, The Banks County News, 33 Lee Street, Jefferson Ga., 30549.
Be sure to include the name of the pet, the name of the person who took the photo, an address (for prizes to be sent to) and a phone number.
The photos should not have any people in them — pets only.
The prizes will be: $50 first prize; $30 second prize; and $20 third prize. There will also be free subscriptions to the newspaper given to any honorable mention photos. All winning photos will be published in the paper.
The deadline to send in photos is Feb. 18. The photos will be printed in the Feb. 29 issue of The Banks County News.
State Route 59 bridge across Grove River open with new weight limits
The State Route 59 bridge over Grove River, which was closed for emergency inspection and repairs on January 4, opened to traffic today (Friday, Jan. 13).
The bridge now has posted weight limits allowing only trucks complying with legal state load limits to utilize the bridge. Overweight trucks will not be allowed to use the structure.
Overweight loads must be permitted and the Georgia Department of Public Safety will monitor the bridge and ensure the posted weight restrictions are enforced.
Georgia Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews worked around the clock to inspect the bridge, develop a repair plan and complete the repairs as quickly as possible, DOT officials report.
“In less than one week, our engineer’s poured two new concrete supports or caps for the bridge beams,” said interim district engineer Kenny Whitworth. “Scott Whatley, Don Worley and Darrell White led the team that worked around the clock to make the repairs needed swiftly and efficiently. These teams did an outstanding job and I am proud of their diligent work.”
Georgia DOT engineers will continue to monitor the bridge’s structure as needed. A project to replace the bridge is in development now.
The bridge now has posted weight limits allowing only trucks complying with legal state load limits to utilize the bridge. Overweight trucks will not be allowed to use the structure.
Overweight loads must be permitted and the Georgia Department of Public Safety will monitor the bridge and ensure the posted weight restrictions are enforced.
Georgia Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews worked around the clock to inspect the bridge, develop a repair plan and complete the repairs as quickly as possible, DOT officials report.
“In less than one week, our engineer’s poured two new concrete supports or caps for the bridge beams,” said interim district engineer Kenny Whitworth. “Scott Whatley, Don Worley and Darrell White led the team that worked around the clock to make the repairs needed swiftly and efficiently. These teams did an outstanding job and I am proud of their diligent work.”
Georgia DOT engineers will continue to monitor the bridge’s structure as needed. A project to replace the bridge is in development now.
Downed trees reported in county due to heavy winds
The heavy winds in North Georgia Thursday night led to trees being down on several Banks County roads.
Trees are reported blocking two state routes in Banks County, SR 105 and SR 63, at multiple locations. A downed tree has also been removed from SR 51 at Gillespie Road in Banks County.
Reports started coming in at 9 p.m. Georgia Department of Correction trees were out Thursday night clearing the roads.
Georgia DOT officials urge travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org. For information on the Department of Transportation, visit (www.dot.ga.gov); you also may follow Georgia DOT on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaDOT) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/gadeptoftrans).
Trees are reported blocking two state routes in Banks County, SR 105 and SR 63, at multiple locations. A downed tree has also been removed from SR 51 at Gillespie Road in Banks County.
Reports started coming in at 9 p.m. Georgia Department of Correction trees were out Thursday night clearing the roads.
Georgia DOT officials urge travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org. For information on the Department of Transportation, visit (www.dot.ga.gov); you also may follow Georgia DOT on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaDOT) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/gadeptoftrans).
BOC approves contract for historic courthouse repairs
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday night to spend $10,633 for repairs to the historic courthouse in Homer.
The BOC approved the contract with Jeffrey Alan Construction Co., Gillsville, to do the work. The repairs will include the columns on the front of the courthouse and the roof edge above the gutter on the main roof of the building.
In other business at the meeting Tuesday night, the BOC:
•approved a contract with Wanda Eubanks to provide probation services for the probate and magistrate courts.
•approved a maintenance contract with Traylor Business Services for the tax assessor’s office.
•appointed Charles Turk as vice chairman.
•set the qualifying fees for the 2012 election.
•approved insurance providers for employee benefits offered by the county, including the following: Lincoln National — life, accidental death and short term disability (a savings of $16,068 annually to the county); United Healthcare — dental (four percent savings to employees on their premium); and Reliance Standard — vision ($6.60 savings to employees).
•met in closed session for 35 minutes to discuss “potential litigation and personnel.” No action was taken when the meeting was opened to the public.
The BOC approved the contract with Jeffrey Alan Construction Co., Gillsville, to do the work. The repairs will include the columns on the front of the courthouse and the roof edge above the gutter on the main roof of the building.
In other business at the meeting Tuesday night, the BOC:
•approved a contract with Wanda Eubanks to provide probation services for the probate and magistrate courts.
•approved a maintenance contract with Traylor Business Services for the tax assessor’s office.
•appointed Charles Turk as vice chairman.
•set the qualifying fees for the 2012 election.
•approved insurance providers for employee benefits offered by the county, including the following: Lincoln National — life, accidental death and short term disability (a savings of $16,068 annually to the county); United Healthcare — dental (four percent savings to employees on their premium); and Reliance Standard — vision ($6.60 savings to employees).
•met in closed session for 35 minutes to discuss “potential litigation and personnel.” No action was taken when the meeting was opened to the public.
Animal complaints continue to be issue in Gillsville
Reports of two people getting bitten by dogs in the downtown area are the latest animal complaints reported to the Gillsville City Council.
At the city council meeting last week, Mayor Larry Poole asked the council to re-consider implementing the Hall County Animal Control ordinance due to dog problems in the city.
Council member Roy Turpin said: “I think we need to re-visit it. The city is eventually going to get sued over that dog biting somebody.”
Turpin said he had been told that two people had been bitten at a downtown business.
Council member Todd Dale pointed out some of the issues the council had when Hall County’s ordinance was considered the first time.
Dale said, “We need to look at the ordinance again before we vote on it.”
Poole said he would get each council member a copy of the Hall County ordinance for review and a decision would be made at a later date.
In other business last week, the city council set the millage rate at 0 mills for city residents. The gross millage rate for 2011-12 is 3.91 mills on each $1,000 of taxable property and is reduced to 0 mills due to a rollback. The rollback is made possible due to the receipt of sales tax proceeds.
At the city council meeting last week, Mayor Larry Poole asked the council to re-consider implementing the Hall County Animal Control ordinance due to dog problems in the city.
Council member Roy Turpin said: “I think we need to re-visit it. The city is eventually going to get sued over that dog biting somebody.”
Turpin said he had been told that two people had been bitten at a downtown business.
Council member Todd Dale pointed out some of the issues the council had when Hall County’s ordinance was considered the first time.
Dale said, “We need to look at the ordinance again before we vote on it.”
Poole said he would get each council member a copy of the Hall County ordinance for review and a decision would be made at a later date.
In other business last week, the city council set the millage rate at 0 mills for city residents. The gross millage rate for 2011-12 is 3.91 mills on each $1,000 of taxable property and is reduced to 0 mills due to a rollback. The rollback is made possible due to the receipt of sales tax proceeds.
Man robbed at T/A Truck Stop
A truck driver said he was robbed in the parking lot of the T/A Truck Stop, Highway 441, Commerce, last week, according to an incident report filed at the Banks County Sheriff's Office.
A 46-year-old male truck driver stated that he was sitting in the cab of his tractor-trailer when a white male knocked on the cab and told him that someone had hit his trailer in the back, Sheriff Charles Chapman said.
Chapman said the alleged victim stated he exited his cab and went to the rear of his trailer and was approached by three other white males.
“The complainant stated they asked him if he had any money and he said yes,” Chapman said. “The complainant then stated that the males said to him, ‘I bet you don’t have any money,’ and then the complainant pulled his wallet out to show them he did have money and he stated that the males grabbed his money out of the wallet and ran off,” Chapman said. The amount of money in the wallet was reported to be $1,000.
The complainant told the deputy that the males ran across the road and then left in a van with an out-of-state license plate on it.
A 46-year-old male truck driver stated that he was sitting in the cab of his tractor-trailer when a white male knocked on the cab and told him that someone had hit his trailer in the back, Sheriff Charles Chapman said.
Chapman said the alleged victim stated he exited his cab and went to the rear of his trailer and was approached by three other white males.
“The complainant stated they asked him if he had any money and he said yes,” Chapman said. “The complainant then stated that the males said to him, ‘I bet you don’t have any money,’ and then the complainant pulled his wallet out to show them he did have money and he stated that the males grabbed his money out of the wallet and ran off,” Chapman said. The amount of money in the wallet was reported to be $1,000.
The complainant told the deputy that the males ran across the road and then left in a van with an out-of-state license plate on it.
Burglary reported at Banks church
A burglary was discovered at Nails Creek Baptist Church on Dec. 22 by a member of the church.
The burglary gained entry into the church by pushing out an air condition unit in the window. Cash was taken from a filing cabinet in the church.
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $300 reward to any person with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this crime.
The burglary gained entry into the church by pushing out an air condition unit in the window. Cash was taken from a filing cabinet in the church.
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $300 reward to any person with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this crime.
Lula Council agrees to map contracts
The Lula City Council approved several expenditures aimed at mapping out parts of the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which went online earlier this year.
The city agreed at the council meeting Monday night to have the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission use its GIS and GPS technology to chart where the mainline runs from the old pond to the new plant, as well as document the location of the relative valves. The total cost for the projects is $820.
“We know where everything is now,” Mayor Milton Turner said. “But as time goes on and everything is covered up, if we have this done, people here after us can walk right in and find it.” [Full Story »]
The city agreed at the council meeting Monday night to have the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission use its GIS and GPS technology to chart where the mainline runs from the old pond to the new plant, as well as document the location of the relative valves. The total cost for the projects is $820.
“We know where everything is now,” Mayor Milton Turner said. “But as time goes on and everything is covered up, if we have this done, people here after us can walk right in and find it.” [Full Story »]
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