A Chattooga County resident reported to the sheriff’s department that a woman had opened a Victoria’s Secret credit card account in his name and now bill collectors are threatening a law suit if he doesn’t pay the bill.

Robert Morgan told a deputy that his daughter told him who had opened the Victoria’s Secret account in his name and also told the deputy that the same woman had taken pictures of his social security card and other identification in the past and used his information to borrow money. 

Morgan made the report late last week and his daughter said that she would be bringing more information to the sheriff’s department about the alleged illegal activity.  The investigation is ongoing into the identity fraud case.

The Georgia Forestry Commission office in Summerville reported a burglary to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Department over the weekend. 

Brandon Cornett called the sheriff’s department when he discovered that the office had been broken into.  According to deputies the front office door of the Georgia Forestry Commission office located at 7465 Highway 27 in Summerville was the point of entry for the burglary.

Cornett said that his assigned State of Georgia laptop computer was stolen from the front office of the building.  The laptop was stored in a black bag beside Cornett’s desk in the office.  The value of the computer and computer equipment stolen were listed at $1371.99.  The serial number of the laptop was provided to the sheriff’s department and the investigation into the theft is ongoing.

Neighbors at Flinstone are giving conflicting accounts of the fatal shooting of neighborhood dog last week.

The dog's owner, William Stahl, says the dog was shot while still in his yard.

But Daniel Phillips said the dog had jumped  Stahl's  fence and was in his yard, acting aggressively.

The Walker County Sheriff's Department is still investigating the case, but 53-year-old Phillips was arrested Friday charged with cruelty to animals. He was released quickly on bond.  

A Walker County man was stabbed to death in Whitfield County and a suspect is in custody.

 According to reports, 28-year-old Ricky Grice, Jr. was slumped in the front seat of his Dodge pickup truck at a house when sheriff's deputies arrived. 22-year-old Jonathan Durden reportedly was standing nearby in a driveway with blood on his hand, holding a knife. The call came in at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. 

Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood says his investigators believe the victim, Grice, had driven to Durden's house early Tuesday morning to pick up a woman who was staying there that reportedly wanted to leave. Durden is alleged to have become angry, walked over to the truck and stabbed Grice several times through the open truck window.  

 Grice was pronounced dead at Hamilton Medical Center; and Durden is in the Whitfield County Jail, charged with his murder.

The woman, 22-year-old Alexa Blubaugh, of Rocky Face, was also charged with possession of meth and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.  

Lyerly celebrates Severe Weather Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fire Department.

It's a fundraiser for the fire department, who has been pre-selling Boston butt roasts. Roasts can be picked up at the time. They will also be selling barbecue plates for $6 and barbecue sandwiches for $3. 

In its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night the Lyerly Town Council discussed it's Recreational Trails Grant.

The  grant for $99,700  will be used for a kayak and canoe launch at Lyerly Dam and trail to Chattoogaville, as well as a launch at Talieferro Springs. Mayor Josh Wyatt said a state review will take about one and a half months and a required federal review will take about two months. No work is expected to begin on the project until fall. 

The council also approved annual employee pay raises. Sally Kerse and Michael Cabe will receive two percent and Jimmy Long will receive three percent.

A visitor to the meeting discussed his concern with the town putting in a sidewalk leading to the park. he said it seems foolish since there has never been one. He said the park needs a concession stead worse than a sidewalk. Wyatt said a new concession stand will be provided by SPLOST funds in 2014.

It was also announced at the meeting that the Fire Department will provide CPR classes for firefighters, council members and city employees on April 22.

Georgia legislatures signed a bill into law that would help returning veterans transition back into the civilian workforce.

House Bill 188 will help to expedite the licensure process for select in-demand occupations for Georgia's returning veterans.

Governor Nathan Deal signed the bill Monday.

The new law creates a committee that will determine whether waivers should be provided for veterans based on their skills and training. Among the licenses are those for electrical contractor class I, journeyman plumber, conditioned air contractor class I, residential-light commercial contractor,and utility foreman.

The committee will also determine whether veterans' spouses can obtain a license in these areas if they hold a license from another state.

"Georgia is a military state, with more than 770,000veterans living here, but many of our veterans returning from deployment face challenges finding employment," said Deal. "The licensure bill will better serve our returning heroes by ensuring that they move into qualified trade positions more quickly upon their return.

The working group will be comprised of the division director of the Licensing Boards, members of the relevant boards, and members from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development. The legislation does not change requirements for certification, including testing and applying to the board for a license.

DeSoto State Park has received a grant that will enable them to hire a person on a temporary basis to assist the Park Naturalist. The job is from April thru September, 30 to 40 hours a week, $7.25/hour.

Job duties will consist of manning and interpreting DeSoto’s Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, researching the local history of DeSoto State Park, and developing a PowerPoint program around the history of the CCC to present to the local community (i.e. schools, scout groups, civic groups, etc.).

Computer skills are necessary.

Other job duties include assisting staff with planning and conducting of interpretive programs and events, help to keep DSP’s Nature Center and Museum in proper order, etc. To apply, call Brittney Hughes at DeSoto State Park-256.997.5025 or email Brittney.Hughes@dcnr.alabama.gov for the job description and goals.

For details on the Museum, see the DSP blog at More Info Here

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is soliciting bids for hay harvesting permits for three historic fields on the Chickamauga Battlefield.  

The park has three parcels of land for lease—North Dyer, South Dyer and West Dyer Fields—consisting of a total of approximately 149 acres of hay fields that are open for agricultural leasing.

Local farmers can pick up a bid packet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitors Center and visually inspect the three parcels. Bid forms should be turned in by 2 p.m. April 24. 

For more information about the park’s Agricultural Land Use Program, please contact Jim Szyjkowski, chief of resource management at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, at 423-752-5213, extension 121.

Do you know what to do if your company faces harassment accusations? Do you know how to protect your company from costly litigation? Do you understand recent changes in labor laws? One thing is certain: labor laws can be confusing. However, for anyone involved with hiring and employing workers, a keen understanding of these laws is crucial. 

During an Employment Law and Legislative Issues Summit set for Thursday, April 25, in Calhoun, the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is teaming up with the State Employer Committee and Georgia Northwestern Technical College to offer a crash course on how to handle these and other management challenges. 

The summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Northwest Georgia Technical College, located at 1151 Highway 53, N.W., in Calhoun. It will feature a number of expert speakers, including Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, GDOL Employment and Training Consultant Cherry Rizer, employment law attorney Joe Murray, and Don Betts of Georgia Tech.

Supervisors, managers, human resource professionals and business owners are encouraged to attend this unique summit designed to help them meet, understand and conquer compliance challenges in the workplace. 

Commissioner Butler, who is beginning his third year as Georgia’s labor commissioner, will provide attendees with an update on local, state and federal legislative issues impacting employers and business in 2013, as well as challenges that could affect them in the next few years. 

Rizer, who is recognized state-wide for assisting employers in resolving unemployment insurance (UI) issues, will offer advice on best practices in UI claims and appeals representation. Murray, a representative of Constangy, Brooks and Smith, LLC, will speak on “Fighting Through the Storm – The Top 10 Things Employers Need to Know in 2013.” And, Betts will address “Employers Like Me – Sustainable Healthcare Innovations.”

Seating will be limited and pre-registration is encouraged. The cost is $60 per person for one person per company, and $50 per additional attendee per company. Payment at the door is $75. This fee includes a light breakfast and lunch. For more information on registration, contact Lisa Adkisson at lisa.adkisson@gdol.ga.gov, or call 404-852-0424.

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