The Canada goose is an adaptable bird and can live in a variety of locations, including open farmland and rural reservoirs to suburban neighborhood ponds, office complexes, parks and other developed areas.  According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, an increase in the goose population, especially in urban areas, typically brings an increase in nuisance complaints. 

“Geese that have adapted to people, either because they are being fed or because they are so close to humans on a daily basis, can become aggressive,” says Greg Balkcom, State Waterfowl Biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division.  “When you have resident geese nesting near developed areas like office complexes or apartment buildings, the geese will defend their nest against all intruders, and that includes chasing or charging people.” 

PREVENTION METHODS 

·         Harassment: Landowners who don’t want geese on their property should first try a variety of harassment techniques, including chemical repellents, mylar balloons, wire/string barriers, and noise makers.  These methods are proven to help reduce goose problems.  However, they do require consistency from the property owner and are not always 100% effective.  Now is the best time to act because geese are just beginning to select their nesting sites.  Scaring the geese away now will reduce problems in the future. 

·         Reduce Goose Reproduction: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued regulations that allow for additional control measures, apart from harassment techniques and traditional hunting, to help address nuisance goose problems.  One of those regulations is a permit for reducing goose reproduction through nest and egg destruction OR egg addling or oiling which prevent the eggs from hatching.  

“A permit is easy to attain, and can be useful in certain situations – such as a homeowner that may have geese nesting close to home” says Balkcom.  “Additionally, it is a way to keep a minimum number of adult geese on the property without the population growing too large through years of unchecked reproduction.” 

The permits are available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website at www.fws.gov/permits.  The website also contains useful information on the methods for addling or oiling the eggs or destroying the nests and when each method may be appropriate. 

The nesting season for geese is just getting underway, and landowners and land managers who have problems with geese (homeowners, golf course managers, city/county managers, etc.) – especially during the summer molting season – may be able to act now and reduce their nuisance problems later this year. 

It is important to remember that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Canada geese except according to Georgia's migratory bird regulations or other federal permits. 

For more information, visit the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/permits.  For a brochure on a variety of methods of dealing with nuisance geese, visit www.georgiawildlife.com (Select “Hunting”, “Game Management” and “Nuisance Canada Geese”).   Also visitwww.youtube.com/georgiawildlife and search that page for “nuisance” for a Wildlife Resources Division produced video. 

On Tuesday, Jimmy Ray Steed was sentenced to a prison term of 105 years by Circuit Judge Brian Howell in Alabama for the 2009 murder of Carla Cook Fuqua. 

Fuqua was last seen October 4th that year (2009), and her remains were finally discovered on December 4th of 2012, in a wooded area just south of Piedmont off of Alabama Highway 21.

Investigators learned that the last call made from Fuqua’s cell phone was logged at 9:21pm and she had told her roommate that she was going to meet someone; she was reportedly dropped off at Steed’s home that night by a friend, however Steed claimed he never saw her that night.

That same roommate was later charged with using Fuqua’s debit card at several locations, following her disappearance.

Over time investigators developed evidence which led to Steed’s arrest and he was indicted in August of 2013, in connection with Fuqua’s death. He entered a guilty plea in December (2014) to murder charges; he also pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance and Manufacturing Methamphetamine.

Steed, age 55, was sentenced to 75 years on the murder charge and to 30 years on the drug charges.

Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson said he hopes this conviction will open up new leads in three other missing persons cases where Steed remains a suspect.

WEIS Radio 

With historic low temperatures expected across the state over the next several days, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens wants to remind Georgians of some important home heating safety tips.

• Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires in Georgia. Portable space heaters, open fireplaces and wood stoves can be dangerous if misused. Keep them away from curtains, draperies, and other flammable material. Make sure heaters have adequate ventilation, and always follow the manufacturer`s operating instructions.
• Make sure all fuel-burning appliances and fireplaces are properly vented. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, leave immediately and call the gas company from elsewhere.
• If you use kerosene space heaters, make sure each heater has an automatic shut-off in case it tips over. Use only K-1 kerosene in a space heater; gasoline can cause an explosion. Wait until the heater has cooled and take it outside before refueling.
• Install an adequate number of smoke alarms. Most fatal fires start between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., while the family is asleep. The advance warning of a smoke alarm may mean the difference between life and death. Nine out of 10 fire victims are already dead before the fire department is even called, mainly from smoke and toxic gases.
• Each household should have a well-rehearsed family escape plan. All rooms, especially bedrooms, should have two escape routes. Have a predetermined meeting place outside the house so you can be sure everyone is out safely.

In 2015, fire has claimed the lives of twenty Georgians.

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With the coldest temperatures in more than a year expected to arrive overnight Wednesday, the Tennessee Valley Authority and North Georgia EMC are working to ensure the availability of safe and reliable electricity.

“As we have done through the last several rounds of cold weather, TVA will use all of our available generating sources to meet the expected high power demand, which will likely peak on Thursday morning,” said Jacinda Woodward, senior vice president of TVA Transmission and Power Supply.

Consumers are encouraged to assist in maintaining a stable electric system by avoiding non-essential power use during the extreme temperatures.  Saving power in cold weather doesn’t require drastic actions. Simply turning down the thermostat even a single degree can make a difference.

Additional tips for reducing electric demand can be found at www.ngemc.com or www.energyright.com, and include:

• Opening the blinds on the south side of your home during sunny days, but keeping the blinds closed on cloudy days and at night.
• Postpone using electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and cooking equipment during peak power use times early in the morning and early in the evening.
• Turn off nonessential lights, appliances, electronics and other electrical equipment.

TVA’s electric system remains secure and stable at this time. The biggest peak demand will likely occur early Thursday morning with electric loads across the valley reaching nearly 33,000 megawatts. In comparison, TVA’s demand was 32,751 megawatts during the height of the cold wave on Jan. 7, 2015. 

North Georgia EMC’s record peak demand was set in January, 2014.  However, Thursday’s demand may surpass the previous all-time system peak.

North Georgia EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative and delivers TVA power to members in Catoosa, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Walker and Whitfield counties.