Chattooga County Sheriff's Deputies were sent to an India Drive residence concerning a vehicle that was malisiously damaged as it sat in the driveway. According to the report, someone during the night of January 10 damaged a 2010 Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicle was left with deep scratch makes on both sides, the hood was scratched and there was damage to three tires. The complainant reported that a similar incident had occurred in December which she had not reported. She said someone had poured five gallosn of water into her fuel tank at that time. The investigation reportedly is ongoing.
A Walmart employee was transported to Floyd Medical Center January 11, after he said he was hit by a vehicle while collecting shopping carts in the parking lot. Justyn Pless said just before 8 p.m. that evening he was working when a dark colored SUV backed into him. He reportedly complained of pain in his right thigh and knee. A video of the parking lot was reviewed by deputies from when Pless first exited the store. The video reportedly shows Pless traveling across the parking lot at about 7:30 p.m. and into the side lot where he said the incident occurred. According to the report, the video shows Pless collecting the carts and returning to the store. The report says at no time does it show a vehicle making contact with Pless. The report does not indicate if Pless was hospitalized or treated and released.
A Gadsden man reported to the Chattooga County Sheriff's Department on January 12, that he was having issues with a gunsmith company in Menlo. According to the report, Ashley Thomas Colvin said he had taken his gun to the gunsmith back in March 2012 to havve the scope painted green. He said he has tried to contact the company about the scope several times and the company does not return his calls and will not come to the door. The value of the scope is estimated at $590, according to the report. Colvin was advised of the Magistrate Court procedures concerning the incident.
A Farmersville Road woman reported that a theft occurred at her home on January 12. According to the report, Carolyn Martin said someone took three chainsaws: a Poulan, a McCulloch, and a Craftsman; as well as a Craftsman table saw. No further information and an estimated value was not provided. According to the report, there was no forced entry involved in the incident, which was turned over to investigators.
It was announced on Friday that the state is in the midst of a flu epidemic. Here are some things you need to know.
THE SITUATION: The annual flu season hit about a month early this year, and illness is now widespread in 47 states. Many cases are caused by a flu strain that tends to make people sicker. But so far experts say it’s too early to know whether this will end up being a bad season. Maybe not: There are signs the flu may have already peaked in a few states, though it’s too early to tell for sure, health officials say.
THE VACCINE: This season’s vaccine is well matched to the circulating strains, and there’s still some available. It is 62-percent effective, according to government study results released Friday, which is pretty good for a flu vaccine. Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated; it’s recommended for everyone 6 months or older.
THE DEFENSE: Besides getting a flu shot, wash hands with soap and warm water, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Keep away from sick people.
THE TREATMENT: Most people will get a mild case and can help themselves and protect others by staying home and resting. But people with severe symptoms should see a doctor. They may be given antiviral drugs or other medications to ease symptoms.
COLD OR FLU?: Influenza is not the only bug making people sick. The cold virus and a nasty stomach virus are also going around. It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference, but cold symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat and sneezing. Flu usually involves fever, along with chills, headache and moderate-to-severe body aches and tiredness. Symptoms can come on rapidly, within three to six hours.
Chattooga County Deputies Saturday evening responded to an incident at the Trion Walmart concerning the wife of the former Sheriff, John Everett.
According to Sheriff Mark Schrader, he is aware of an incident concerning the former sheriff's wife, but he is not sure exactly what occurred. He said he thinks the incident was a verbal one involving the former sheriff’s wife and others and deputies did respond.
Sheriff Schrader said he will be briefed on the incident Monday morning. AM1180 will have more information as soon as it is available.
The former sheriff is believed to have been present when the incident occurred.
Both members of Chattooga County's three-person state legislative delegation will be taking their first oaths of office when the 40-day session convenes on Monday.
State Sen.-elect Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, beat out two other Republicans in the July 31 primary to appear unopposed on the November general election ballot.
The battle was over the new District 52 seat, left vacant when redistricting shifted state Sen. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, east to District 14. Hufstetler’s district covers all of Floyd and parts of Chattooga, Gordon and Bartow counties.
State Rep.-elect Eddie Lumsden, R-Rome, unseated Democrat Barbara Massey Reece in November. The district, also newly aligned, covers all of Chattooga and a greater portion of Floyd than in previous years.
Office and committee assignments are expected to be made by each chamber’s leadership in the coming week.
The session unofficially kicks off tonight with the 51st annual Wild Hog Supper, a $20-a-plate barbecue near the State Capitol where lawmakers and other elected officials mingle with lobbyists and corporate donors.
Both Lumsden and Huftsteler signed a pre-election pledge to support a $100-per-day cap on the amount a lobbyist can spend on each legislator. Hufstetler said he expects the Senate to take up the ethics issue almost immediately.
Georgia law requires lobbyist spending reports to be filed every two weeks while the Legislature is in session, and once a month otherwise. Reports covering December were filed last week.
Lobbyist spending
George L. Bowen III of the Georgia Association of Manufacturers listed pro-rated amounts of $100.58 each for a Dec. 12 dinner that and Hufstetler, whose spouse also attended.
No spending was reported on Lumsden.
When your child comes home from school crying and depressed because the cool kids in school were mean to him, do you know what to do?
When you sense your child is being pressured by the classroom clique and may be being driven down the wrong path, do you know how to handle it?
Do you yourself feel sometimes targeted in the work environment, but think you’re just being paranoid? Do you worry about setting a good example for your kids and others around you?
The Vision & Voice Family Engagement Conference will tackle these and many more issues on Feb. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West Rome Baptist Church. Vision & Voice is a youth bully prevention conference for parents and educators, and it’s completely free.
There are 19 workshops being offered at the conference that range from bullying, mental illness, how to teach kids to save money and helping children with special needs, to talking to kids about substance abuse, teen pregnancy, recognizing child neglect, child abuse, developing literacy skills and saving energy.
Amy Weaver, director of the Hospitality House for Women, will present a workshop about safe dating, tackling issues like dating violence and abusive relationships, as well as appropriate use of social media.
Another huge, relevant topic that affects nearly everyone is bullying and the effects of bullying. Lisa Drake, counselor at Midway Primary School, will be presenting a lesson about how to protect yourself and your children from bullies.
Drake said the class will dispel many myths about bullies and dealing with them.
Anyone and everyone is invited to attend the free conference, but those interested must register since lunch will be provided. Registration forms are available on the Floyd County Schools homepage on the left hand part of the screen under “Direct Links.”
For questions about the conference call 706-232-0703 or at carol.willis@comcast.net.
In last week's meeting of the Lyerly Town Council, Mayor Josh Wyatt detailed examples of the projects the town will include in the 2013 SPLOST Projects.
The proposed SPLOST ballot language says the funds will be used for "expansion, modernization, and improvements of roads, streets, bridges, sidewalks, and trails; Capital outlay projects for recreational, historical or cultural facilities or any combination thereof, including but not limited to renovation of existing acquisition, acquisition, and improvements; water and sever expansion, modernization and improvements; public safety facilities and related capital equipment.
Wyatt said he kept the language broad in case something comes up later. The county must approve the list and language used for the ballot.
Examples of the projects include:
–Recreational Facilities: New concession stand and bathrooms, new fence on big field, new bleachers on the big field; resurfacing of walking/biking trail, the purchase of property at the adjoining park
–Roads & Streets: Sidewalk to park, repair/replace existing sidewalks and bring into ADA compliance; crosswalks, paving streets.
–Cultural Facilities: Community Center, repairs to donated building on Alpine Street.
–Water & Sewer Expansion: Oakhill/Alpine Road area water expansion, other needed expansions, continue modernization and improvements of existing.
–Public Safety Facilities & Related Capital Equipment: Make town facilities and fire department capable of responding to disasters, install backup generator at town hall capable of powering all operations, purchase 4X4 Rescue truck for fire department.
Right now Lyerly receives 1.92 percent of SPLOST funds collected in the county for an estimated $46,080 annually, or an estimated 276,480 in six years.
If the SPLOST passes in March, the town will receive 3.80 percent..
The brunt of a predicted severe flu season appears to be taking its toll on Georgians, and pharmacies are struggling to meet the demand for vaccinations.
Officials with the Georgia Department of Public Health released a statement Friday confirming that the state is in the midst of a flu epidemic, the likes of which hasn’t been felt in nearly a decade.
The department said flu activity is widespread throughout the state, and the number of flu-related hospitalizations is high.
So far, two adult, flu-related deaths have been reported in Georgia.
Meanwhile, pharmacies are seeing numerous people come in to get a flu shot, which officials said it is not too late to get.
Redmond Regional Medical Center has seen an influx of patients with flu-like symptoms in recent weeks and both Floyd Medical Center and Harbin Clinic have reported a similar situation at their facilities.
Officials stressed the importance of taking preventive measures now to minimize the effects of the flu and stay healthy. Every healthy individual older than 6 months should get a flu vaccine.
The predominant strain of flu circulating in Georgia and around the country is H3N2. This year’s vaccine is a close match making it effective in preventing the flu or minimizing its symptoms and duration.
Other things to do to keep from getting the flu include frequent and thorough hand washing with warm water and soap, avoiding touching your face, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.