THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER WILL HAVE A FREE CLASS ON STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS THIS THURSDAY AT DALTON STATE. THE TWO HOUR WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE MARKET RESEARCH, LEGAL STRUCTURES FOR BUSINESS, ESTIMATING STATE-UP COSTS AND MORE. HOURS ARE 4-6 PM THIS THURSDAY. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED… FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 706 272 2700.
WQCH
Ft Payne Mayor Bill Jordan said he feels that 2010 holds a great deal of promise, in terms of economic growth for the City.
Jordan says economic development is the Number 1 goal for the New Year with one particular goal, being the placing of a new industry, at the site of the old Sara Lee Bakery. The City had bought the building, which has been empty for some time, with the hope of re-selling it at cost to an industrial prospect.
Jordan also stated that he believes the completion of a new interstate interchange, located near 49th Street, could be a major factor in helping recruit industry to the area.
WEIS Radio
More than one-fifth of residential fires are related to the use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood- and coal-burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters, and electrical heaters. You can reduce the chances that your family will experience a home fire by following simple guidelines on the installation and use of these appliances.
Install Safely
Most of the fires related to supplemental heating appliances are caused by improper installation, maintenance, or use of the appliances. Every appliance should have a complete set of installation instructions and should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wood stoves should sit on a non-combustible surface or on a code-specified or listed floor protector. Fireplaces should have noncombustible materials around the opening and hearth. Space heaters should be placed on a firm surface out of the way so that they won’t be tipped over and spill fuel or have hot surfaces come in contact with combustible flooring. Many space heater fires are caused by the heater being tipped over by children or pets. Combustibles such as curtains, chairs, firewood, and even walls should be at least three feet away from the appliance.
Vents and chimneys for heating appliances must be installed with proper clearances to combustible materials. Typically, 18 inches of air space is required between single-wall connector pipes and combustibles and 2 inches between insulated chimneys and combustibles. A common fire problem exists where chimney pipes pass through exterior walls and are too close to combustibles within the wall. Unvented gas-fired space heaters should not be used in small enclosed areas, especially bedrooms, because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Use Safely
Careful operation is crucial to occupant safety. Use only fuels appropriate for the appliance. Use coal only if specifically approved by the stove manufacturer. Gasoline or other flammable liquids should never be used to start a wood fire since it might explode or flare up. Never use gasoline in kerosene heaters. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire. The directions on artificial logs made from wax and sawdust say they should be used one at a time in fireplaces and never used in wood stoves. This is because the heat can melt the log causing it to flare up or leak burning liquid from the appliance. Pressure-treated wood should not be burned in stoves or fireplaces because it contains toxic chemicals that can make you sick. Always use a fireplace screen to keep sparks from igniting materials in the room. Keep a window ajar or the door open in a room where an unvented heater is in use. Avoid the use of extension cords with electric heaters. Never use heaters to dry clothing or other combustibles. Do not leave fireplaces or most space heaters unattended. Young children should be kept away from any appliance that has hot surfaces that can cause burns.
Maintain Carefully
Chimneys and vents should be inspected and cleaned annually. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned when necessary by a professional chimney sweep. Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Creosote builds up in connectors and chimney flues and can cause a chimney fire. Don’t burn newspapers or other trash in a fireplace because they burn too hot and can ignite a chimney fire. Kerosene heaters should be cleaned and wicks replaced annually. Electric heaters with frayed or damaged cords should never be used.
Source: FEMA: US Fire Administration
A planned Catoosa County campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College is scheduled to open in mid-2012, the school said today.
An architectural firm will be selected early this year to develop all plans relevant to the construction of the facility.
GNTC received $3 million from the Georgia General Assembly last year to begin planning the proposed 65,000-square-foot facility, and the college anticipates receiving the balance of the funding — about $10.65 million in capital outlay bonds —during this year’s session.
Once the bonds are sold, probably late in 2010, a general contractor will be selected and construction will begin on the project. Construction on the facility will take 12 to 16 months and the college anticipates occupying the new campus in mid 2012.
Since this is a state funded bond project, the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission will manage the project. A GSFIC project manager has been assigned to the project and will be involved in the selection of the architect and general contractor and every facet of the project through its completion.
The campus would be built on 37.4 acres of land donated by the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners. The land sits at the intersection of Cloud Springs Road and Dietz Road and is approximately one mile west of I-75.
There has been some controversy surrounding the proposed campus, as Catoosa Commissioner Bobby Winters has tried to halt the project, saying the land is in a flood plain. In a statement today, GNTC said:
“The college is aware that portions of the property lie in the flood zone. There is sufficient land outside the flood zone to construct the facility. All local, state, and federal codes and regulations will be complied with during the development and construction of the facility.”
Rome News Tribune
IN THE YEAR JUST PAST, GEORGIA HAD THE THIRD-HIGHEST RATE IN THE NATION FOR PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY. ONE IN 50 GEORGIA HOUSEHOLDS DECLARED BANKRUPTCY DURING THE YEAR… SURPASSED ONLY BY NEVADA AND TENNESSEE. ALABAMA COME IN 4th HIGHEST. GEORGIA’S 2009 RATE OF BANKRUPTCY FILINGS WAS UP BY 22 PERCENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
WQCH
From the National Weather Service
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 37. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.
The Chattooga County Head Start Program is currently taking application for the 2009-2010 school year. Call 706-859-3233 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Head Start is an income-based program that serves 3-4 year old children. Services to families include: free child care; free breakfest and lunch for enrolled children; qualified teaching staff; and parent involvement activities. Special consideration is given to children who are disabled or homeless.
Families interested in applying will be asked to supply the following items:
A copy of the child’s birth certificate; Proof of income for 2007( or the past 12 months); TANF and SSI information (where applicable); Shot record (form 3231); Social security numbers for family members; Insurance, PeachCare, or Medicaid numbers (where applicable)
call 706-859-3233 to learn more.
NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY PERIOD
6 p.m. Thursday – midnight Sunday, January 3, 2010
78 Hours
|
HOLIDAY COUNT |
CRASHES |
INJURIES |
DEATHS |
|
Final Count |
2,116 |
475 |
10 |
|
Estimates |
2,330 |
1,004 |
16 |
|
2008-09 Experience* |
2,998 |
1,222 |
22 |
*102-hour holiday period
NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY PERIOD FATALITIES
By GSP Troops
Troop A (2): GSP Cartersville; Cherokee Co. Sheriff’s Dept.
Troop B (2): Winder Police; GSP Gainesville
Troop C (0):
Troop D (1): Bibb Co. Sheriff’s Dept.
Troop E (3): GSP Madison (2); Elbert Co. Sheriff’s Dept.
Troop F (0):
Troop G (1): GSP Thomasville
Troop H (0):
Troop I (1): Savannah-Chatham Metro Police
The holiday traffic count is updated periodically each day of the holiday period and is a safety initiative of the Georgia State Patrol and the Crash Reporting Unit of the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Brad Dene Johnson, age 50 of Rome, Charged with DUI / Alcohol, Speeding
Michael Dewayne Tapp, age 38 of LaFayette, Charged with Failure to Appear
Isaiah Hughston Bagle, age 18 of Summerville, Charged with Underage Consumption
Matthew Shane Elrod, age 33 of LaFayette, Charged with Pedestrian under the Influence
The blast of frigid weather that has pushed through the midwest into the south has upped area snow chances to 40% on Thursday according to the National Weather Service.
Lows will be in the teens and highs barely above freezing for the first part of the week. As result, the chances for snow peak at 50% on Thursday night, bracketed by a 40% chance during the day on Thursday followed by a 30% chance on Friday.
If there is a significant snow, the weather is expected to be cold enough to keep it around into next weekend.
