The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair held its first day of festivities yesterday!

The inaugural Fair hosted an enormous display of carnival rides shipped in from Atlanta, including a ferris wheel, carousel, and many more! Vendors covered a large area of the fairgrounds, which varied from political booths to barbecue vendors to trampoline jumps.

The concert area was used for two different concerts: first, Appalachian Voodoo, a recently developed band out of Gainesville, Georgia, who brought southern rock to Chattooga County by covering several classics; Chris Janson also appeared on stage and also performed several classics, but stuck with more country influences. Janson also performed contemporary country covers as well as original pieces. 

As the weekend continues, so does our County Fair! Be sure to bring your loved ones out to celebrate our county's history and current practices. Not only can the little ones enjoy themselves, but there's fun for the whole family! Don't forget to also bring the younger family members on Saturday, when Radio Disney will be joining the Fair!

The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair is held at 34 Middle School Road in Summerville, Georgia off of Highway 100. Visit www.chattoogafair.com for more information! 

After taking questions from some of the club members, Rome International Film Festival Executive Director Ryan Simmons posed a question of his own to the Rome Rotary Club.

“When are we going to build our film studio?”

While Simmons didn’t expect an answer immediately, he did provide evidence that Georgia has become a power player in attracting film and television productions, thanks largely to a hefty tax credit.

In its 11th year, the Rome International Film Festival will be Sept. 4-7 with all entries shown at the DeSoto Theatre downtown on Broad Street.

“As long as productions use local talent for crew and services, and spend a certain percentage of the budget in the state, they get a 30-percent tax credit,” Simmons said.

The film industry generated an economic impact of $5.1 billion in Georgia during fiscal year 2014, according to the state’s Department of Economic Development.

“We’re the third-biggest filming state in the country,” Simmons said. “It’s great as far as the economy, but it’s also why supporting the arts matters.”

(http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/lifestyles/local/rome-international-film-festival-director-talks-up-state-s-booming/article_7e9f7b1a-29b0-11e4-91a2-0017a43b2370.html) 

Blood supply levels are still low across the country, including at Blood Assurance, the regional blood center. With the busy Labor Day weekend fast approaching, the blood supply levels need to be increased in order to handle any trauma situation that might occur.

 In our area, there is always a need for O negative blood donors and platelet donors. Donors of all types are urged to come in. Supplies can be depleted at a rapid pace, especially when blood donations are down. Refrigerated red cells just last 42 days, but volunteer blood donors can only give every 56 days. Donated platelets can be stored for 5 days, while donors can give every 7 days.

 To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and t-shirt. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids – avoiding caffeine – and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

These blood centers will be open on Monday, September 1 – Labor Day – from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Hixson, Downtown Chattanooga, and Tullahoma in Tennessee; Fort Oglethorpe and Rome in Georgia; and Abingdon, Virginia. For more information about how you can help, please call Blood Assurance at 1-800-962-0628 or go to www.BloodAssurance.org.

 (http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/blood-assurance-blood-supplies-low-holiday-weekend-approaching/article_cfefa56e-286e-11e4-9260-001a4bcf6878.html)

This program will cover integrated pest management ideas for identifying and controlling problems encountered in the small commercial vegetable garden. Disease, insect and cultural issues will be discussed. Both organic and non-organic practices and solutions will be covered. Participants will learn how to correctly identify common problems in the vegetable garden and how to select the best control measure. While designed for small market vegetable growers, this program will also appeal to home gardeners and Master Gardeners alike.

Dr. Kris Braman, UGA Entomologist, Bob Westerfield, UGA Horticulturist and Dr. Elizabeth Little, UGA Plant Pathology Extension Specialist, are coordinating the program.

Wade Hutcheson, UGA Spalding County Extension Coordinator, Dr. Frank Hale, University of Tennessee Entomologist and Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Alabama Extension Entomologist, will also be program speakers.

 Date:  Friday, September 19, 2014

Time:  8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: UGA Griffin Student Learning Center room 104

                1109 Experiment Street

                Griffin, GA 30223

Cost:  $20.00 – Lunch, refreshments and workshop supplies included

Visit the Cooperative Extension on Commerce Street or call 706-857-0744 to register for this workshop! 

A new development from Ag Technologies can allow farmers to monitor their produce much easier than before.

AgView Irrigate is a new way to be able to use electronic devices to turn on irrigation equipment or check the process of irrigation. 

"With AgView, a farmer can turn equipment on and off, get a warning if the system encounters any trouble and even get a text when the cycle is complete. He can collect information that he may have missed before about how the pivot is running."

With this new technology, farmers are able to focus their time and energy to other areas.

For more information, visit http://www.southeastprecisionag.com/. 

Chattooga County officers were called to Back Berryton Road after receiving a call about an altercation.

 Upon arrival, officers met with the victim, who was receiving attention for injuries to his hands and head.

The victim said that he was in his home when he heard his ATV being cranked. When he went to investigate, he found a male around thirteen years of age attempting to kick start the vehicle. The two began fighting immediately, and the homeowner received a strike to his temple that left him dizzy and unable to see where the suspect went.

 No sign of the suspect was found. The case is still under investigation.

The Community Shop Convenience Store in Gore experienced a gas drive off on August 18th.

A woman driving a gold or silver four-door car drove up to a gas pump, put over $50 worth of gas in her car, and attempted to leave without paying. When an employee tried to tell her that she needed to pay for the gas, she simply replied "I know," and continued to drive off towards Floyd County on Highway 27.

Video surveillance caught the car on film, and a lookout was given to Floyd County. 

On August 15th, Chattooga County officers received a report of theft. 

Officers traveled to Virginia Drive and were informed that someone had stolen scales from the home. The complainant believed that his roommate, Mr. Tucker, returned them to the store he bought them without asking permission. After Chattooga County officers looked into Mr. Tucker's file, they discovered that he had an outstanding warrant.

Mr. Tucker was taken to the Chattooga County Jail. 

On August 17th, a man met with Chattooga County officers to inform them of a theft.

The complainant had reason to believe that his ex-wife had taken his lawn mower, washer and dryer, weedeater, and chainsaw.

The man also mentioned that he asked his ex-wife to cash his paycheck, and he only received part of the check afterwards. The man noticed that his pill bottle was almost empty when he had not taken them.

The theft case is still under investigation. 

Chattooga County officers were called to Harrell St on August 10th after receiving a report of a domestic dispute.

 A married couple had allegedly been arguing about each other's parenting abilities when the argument became physical. Mr. Justin Rhodes kicked his wife in the left knee in front of a witness. 

Mr. Rhodes was taken to the Chattooga County Detention Center for Simple Battery.