Two accidents in Summerville Friday afternoon kept law enforcement personnel busy. The first accident occurred in front of the studios of AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio close to First National Bank. No injuries were reported in that accident, however it did slow traffic down on Commerce Street while the accident was being worked. The second accident occurred around 5:40 PM at the intersection of Commerce and Kelly Streets in Summerville close to the Dollar General. According to reports from the scene a red sedan and a green Jeep Cherokee were involved in the accident and there were 3 people transported to the hospital by Chattooga County EMS.
If you have been waiting to trade in an old gas guzzler to take advantage of the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program, it’s probably time to make a move. That is one of the main messages for consumers from Friday’s confusion over whether the initiative had burned through its original $1 billion budget in just one week. Washington’s Clunker Follies present consumers with both great opportunities to save money, and also many occasions to repeat the mantra "caveat emptor." Here are some questions about the program, and answers based on interviews with dealers, government officials and the rules of the incentive program.
Q: How much longer will the cash-for-clunkers program last?
A: That’s the problem: As of Friday, nobody appeared to know, including Congress or the Obama administration officials running the program. But many dealers say they plan to keep making cash-for-clunkers deals through the weekend, and the White House has assured consumers and dealers those transactions will be honored. That means dealers should get paid $3,500 or $4,500 for vehicles they scrap under the program, and deduct that amount from the price of a qualifying new car.
Q: Will there be more money put into the program to extend it?
A: The House of Representatives on Friday acted with unusual speed to approve a bill adding $2 billion to the program. Senate action is pending. Even with another $2 billion, the speed with which the first $1 billion was claimed suggests that the cash-for-clunkers well could run dry long before the program’s original Nov. 1 end date.
Q: Won’t the rush slow down? Why not wait a little and shop closer to the end of the model year when deals are better?
A: The production cuts auto makers ordered after sales collapsed last fall have left dealers with the skinniest inventories of unsold vehicles in years. That doesn’t mean there aren’t vehicles to buy — but the chances of finding what you want at a year-end clearance appear to be slimmer than they have been in years. There are also signs that car makers are intent on reducing discounts and raising prices headed into the new model year that starts officially Oct. 1.
Q: What qualifies as a "clunker?"
A: Shoppers looking to take advantage of the clunker deals have to sort through a series of requirements — and they’ll find that dealers are being meticulous about all of them — and the attendant paperwork — especially in light of the uncertainty about the amount of money left in the pot. The clunker-program rules require that shoppers show proof that they have owned, registered and insured their clunker continuously for a year. It doesn’t matter how many miles are on the vehicle’s odometer, or whether the vehicle is a sedan, a sport-utility vehicle, a minivan or a truck. What does matter is that a vehicle has to have been rated when new at 18 miles per gallon or less in combined city and highway driving, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Q: How do I determine my vehicle’s mileage rating?
A: The easiest way is to go to the EPA’s www.fueleconomy.gov site. But the figures printed on the old window sticker probably aren’t correct. The EPA late last week released revised mileage figures that changed the eligibility—pro and con — for more than 150 models.
Q: What if I made a cash-for-clunkers deal with a car that isn’t eligible because of the EPA mileage changes?
A: The Transportation Department said this week that people who made clunker deals on or before the July 24 date of those EPA revisions will be allowed to go forward, even if their car is no longer eligible. But it appears to be tough luck for those who had one of the now-ineligible cars and didn’t make a deal by that date.
Q: Do I have to pay sales taxes on the amount of the cash-for-clunkers voucher?
A: That depends on the state. Some states are charging sales tax on new vehicles as if the value of the clunker voucher had not been deducted from the price.
Q: Could Congress change the program again, if it adds new money?
A: That is one fear among auto dealers, car makers and their allies. Some members of Congress have said that to make a bigger impact on U.S. oil consumption and help the environment, any new clunker money should come with new rules that compel consumers to buy higher-mileage new vehicles. Currently, the rules require that a new vehicle purchased with the help of a government voucher average at least 22 miles per gallon if it’s a passenger car, and at least 18 miles per gallon for light trucks — pickups, minivans and SUVs.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Consumers can find details about the cash-for-clunkers program — including the 136-page formal rules governing such issues as whether customers have to pay sales taxes on the clunker-voucher amounts (that varies by state) and how dealers have to disable vehicles and scrap them to receive their money — at the government’s www.cars.gov site.
The Wall Street Journal
Joseph David Wilson, Theft By Deception, Burlary
Jessica Diane Eaves, Driving with Suspended / Revoked License, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, State Court Probation Violation, Superior Court Probation Violation
Cinday Ann Gall, VGCSA – Possession of Meth, Possession of Meth with Intent to Distribute, Use of Communication Facility in Committing Act of Felony
Eric Michael Hoffman, VGCSA – Possession of Meth with Intent to Distribute, Use of Communication Facility in Committing Act of Felony, Possession of Meth
Larry Gwyne Williams, Superior Court Sentence
Martin, G. Dominguez, Permitting Unlicensed Person to Drive
Martin Gayton Dominguez, Driving Without a Valid License
Roy Ellito Hugins, Probation Violation
Bambi Marie Lewis, Battery – FVA
Nathan Dewayne Noles, DUI / Multiple Substances, Failure to Maintain a Single Lane
There has been an accident in front of the Dollar General Store at Kelly Street and Highway 27 in Summerville. According to eyewitness reports on the scene, it is a 3 vehicle wreck. There do not appear to be any serious injuries.
Mrs. Verna Mae Bryant Aters 76, of LaFayette passed away Friday at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband J.W. Aters, parents Milton and Lillie Mae Harris Bryant, a brother Elmer Bryant, grandson Anthony Shipp…She is survived by daughters and sons-in laws, Debbie and Gordon Allen, Summerville, Vicki and Terrell Anderson, Calhoun, Tammi and Rodney Collins, LaFayette, Kim and Bud Bohannon, Freeport, Fl. Sisters Mary Hamilton, Sarah Green, Charlene Arnold, and Helon Thompson all of LaFayette.. granddaughters Shayne Parker, Airagee Hamby, Elizabeth, Broadrick, Laura Kiger, grandsons Alan Shipp, Chip Cook, Step grandchildren, Allison Allen, Lisa Mosteller, Alan Bohannon, 15 great Grandchildren, several nieces and nephews…Funeral from the Wallis Memorial Chapel Sunday at 3:30 with Minister David Dixon.. Pallbearers Sonny ARnold, Dr. Chip Levie, Sheriff Steve Wilson, Dewayne Morgan, David Millican and Randy Green. Interment in LaFayette Memory Gardens..The Family will receive friends Saturday from 5 to 9 at the funeral home…..
The Chattooga Century Bike ride will be held August 15th. Registration will begin at 6:30 am at the Chattooga High School gym. The ride will accomodate riders wanting to ride 15, 30, 62, 100 and 125 mile treks. Registration is $25 before August 5th and $30 after August 5th. For more information check out their website:
The fall sports program picture day is scheduled for Saturday at the Trion Football Field. The THS Band will get pictures made starting at 8 AM. Those getting pictures made at the Football Field are urged to park the football field or the shopping center. Do Not Park at the Tavern.
Fans of the Chatttooga Indians will be able to meet and mingle with the players at an event that will be held tommorrow at the Little Big Horn in Summerville at Chattooga High School.
The event will be held from 10 AM until 1 PM Saturday. The Indains will also have their first practice in pads tommorow starting at 7 AM.
Starting today the CHS Atheltic Department will be selling the official Chattooga vs. Trion Rivalry Renewed T-shirts for $10 each.
The State of Georgia Dpartment of Human Resouces has announced that a colling program will officially open on Monday with the beginning of the Homebound / Elderly application intake period. All households participating in the program must meet income criteria and be responsible for paying the cost of energy for home cooling directly to the supplier and be a U.S. citizen or aliens admitted to the U.S. for lawful permanent residence.
Any low income residents of Chattooga County who feel that their household would qualify should contact the North Georgia Community Action Inc.’s Community Service at 8:30 AM this coming Monday. The number to call is 706-857-0729.
Summerville Elementary School’s Student – Teacher "Meet and Great" is scheduled for next Tuesday, August 4th from 4 PM to 7 PM.
Each family is encouraged to come meet your child’s teacher and tour the school. The PTO will have a table in the lobby allowing parents to join and sign up to be a school volunteer.