The new CEO of Erlanger at Hutcheson sounded a positive not this week saying he expects the hospital's finances to "stabalize over the coming months. Roger Forgey said the hospital has cut $800,000 in monthly expenses since late 2001. He gave the hospital's staff a pat onthe back for their efforts to turn the ailing hospital around. He said significant improvements in operations and expenses are being made, but they are overshadowed by billing and collection issues. A government mandated  change has given the hospital headaches in teh process of collecting millions of dollars it is owed. That has required a draw on the Fort Oglethorpe hospital's line of credit from Erlanger in order to maintain cash flow. The CEO said those issues are being addressed. An advisory committee to the board is working with hospital administrators to resolve issues with the billing software and to implement a new electronic medical records system as required in the new federal standards. Forgey said the hospital's monthly financial statement would have read much differently in recent months, if the billing and collections issues had not occurred.  

It's only been two months since Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a new law banning synthetic pot and the products are already back and available for sale.

GBi Chemist Nelly Miles said the new products have been reconfigured to get around the law by changing the molecular structure. She added that the side effects of the new composition can be worse and include rapid hart beat, tremors, seizures and loss of consciousness.  The products are composed of plant material that is sprayed with chemicals that mimic the active ingredient in Marijuana. It is marketed as incense or potpourri. State legislators have vowed they will try again in next year's legislative session to ban the products in Georgia. 

Georgia DNR Wildlife Division is now accepting applications on line for Quota Hunts. They include alligator season with a deadline of July 31st, dove season with a deadline of August 15th, and deer season with a September 1 deadline. There are also special opportunities such as adult and child hunts. Get an email confirmation that your application was received when you visit wwww.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/quota/ 

Walker County's School Superintendent has announced his retirement. Craig Davoulas has served as superintendent since the retirement of Melissa Mathis from the position last November. Douvalas has been an education since 1972 and came to Walker County as a teacher in 1992. He also served as a principal, curriculum specialist and director of personnel in the Walker County School System. A replacement has already been named by the school board. Damon Raines will start his new job as superintendent on July 1. He has been employed by the Catoosa County School System. 

A Walker county man has been charged with shooting at a Rossville resident Tuesday night.

William Ronald Warren was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

Warren Got in a fight with Alvin Horton over money, supposedly owed and three of four shots were fired. Sheriff Steve Wilson said the shots missed Horton and the manhunt began. It happened in the parking lot of a Rossville apartment complex. Warren was later booked at the Walker County Jail. 

Less than half the cities, counties and school districts in the state are following a new state law aimed at making the budget process more transparent.

Morris News Service reports that any local government with a budget totaling more than $1 million to submit copies of their taxes and expenses to the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

All government entities have until the end of June to comply with the law, but so far just 117 of 535 cities are following the rule.

Of the 180 school districts, 169 are in compliance. 76 of 159 counties follow the law.

Some of those not complying could be exempt because their budgets are too small.

To view local government documents online, visit https://ted.cviog.uga.edu/financial-documents.

If you are planning to travel Ga. 140 near Ga. 53 this week you need to be aware of construction going on.

The roadway was reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 4 while Floyd County Public Works crews continue work on a turn lane. The work, weather permitting, is expected to last until June 7. 

Please avoid travel in this construction area if possible.

Read more: RN-T.com – Ga 140 near Ga 53 reduced to one lane for road work starting June 4 

A Whitfield County Family struck by tragedy Friday night when their 11-year-old daughter was  accidentally shot and killed by her 12-year-old brother.

The Culpepper family was on an outing, driving on Old Ringgold Road in Whitfield County around 10:45 P.M. Friday night. The parents were in the cab of the family truck, with the children playing in the back. The boy had snuck a 28-calibre revolver out of the house. 

According to Whitfield Sheriff Scott Chitwood, the boy thought the gun was unloaded and pointed it at his sister Cassie, shooting her in the face. The girl was dead by the time help arrived. The GBI is assisting Whitfield County with the investigation.