AS 2010 ends, it’s apparent that the year was one of leadership transition in Barrow County. A lot of things changed during 2010, some for the good, some not.
The demise of Peoples Bank during the year was one of the major tragic events. Although not unexpected due to the economic situation, the bank’s failure was a huge psychological blow to the community. Long a stalwart leader of Barrow County, the bank’s demise represented something much deeper than just an economic transaction. It was as if a living part of the community had died; it was a personal, not just a professional relationship many in the community had with the bank.
And the bank provided leadership. It spent both dollars and time in a variety of community leadership roles, making its employees available to serve in a variety of leader capacities.
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Entries from December 2010
Winder settles Fowler lawsuit
While admitting to no wrongdoing, Winder’s city government has paid a former accounts payable clerk and her attorneys $250,000 to settle a federal lawsuit and to bring to an end a tawdry chapter in the city’s history.
According to a settlement agreement obtained Monday from city hall, the municipal government and its insurer agreed to pay Sue Fowler of Winder $150,000 and to pay her attorneys $100,000.
The city government paid her nine weeks of pay, which amounted to a gross of $8,397 and a net of $4,938 after taxes.
In addition, the city’s insurer paid Fowler $141,603 in compensation for her claims of “mental and emotional distress and reimbursement for lost medical benefits…” The insurer — which was not identified in the 10-page settlement agreement but previously was identified as the Georgia Municipal Association’s Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency — also paid $100,000 to Fowler’s attorneys. [Full Story »]
According to a settlement agreement obtained Monday from city hall, the municipal government and its insurer agreed to pay Sue Fowler of Winder $150,000 and to pay her attorneys $100,000.
The city government paid her nine weeks of pay, which amounted to a gross of $8,397 and a net of $4,938 after taxes.
In addition, the city’s insurer paid Fowler $141,603 in compensation for her claims of “mental and emotional distress and reimbursement for lost medical benefits…” The insurer — which was not identified in the 10-page settlement agreement but previously was identified as the Georgia Municipal Association’s Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency — also paid $100,000 to Fowler’s attorneys. [Full Story »]
Man hides from police in closet
Deputies from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Hwy. 211 residence, in reference to a possible TPO (temporary protective order) violation.
While en route to the scene, officers were advised that the victim had locked herself in the bathroom and her husband, Brian Crowe, was in the living room. The victim stated that she had a TPO against Crowe, but she had to get off the phone because he didn’t know she was calling 911.
Upon arrival, the victim told officers that Crowe was not at her home. Officers then noticed that the victim began shaking and was acting very nervous.
The victim was asked why she had called 911, and she stated that she had not called 911 that day.
Officers then asked central communications to call the phone number back they had received, and the victims phone began ringing but she did not answer. Officers then confirmed that the TPO against Crowe was still active. Officers then explained to the victim, that because of the nature of the call they were going to search her residence for Crowe, even though she had told them he was not there. Officers cleared the entire home, until they got to the back bedroom and upon inspection found a white male hiding under blankets curled up in the closet.
Officers immediately handcuffed the subject and he stated that he was Crowe and he knew that he was not supposed to be at the victim’s residence.
The victim then began yelling at police and ordering them to leave Crowe alone, and that she had invited him over to the residence.
Crowe was placed under arrest for aggravated stalking and transported to the Barrow County Detention Center.
[Full Story »]
While en route to the scene, officers were advised that the victim had locked herself in the bathroom and her husband, Brian Crowe, was in the living room. The victim stated that she had a TPO against Crowe, but she had to get off the phone because he didn’t know she was calling 911.
Upon arrival, the victim told officers that Crowe was not at her home. Officers then noticed that the victim began shaking and was acting very nervous.
The victim was asked why she had called 911, and she stated that she had not called 911 that day.
Officers then asked central communications to call the phone number back they had received, and the victims phone began ringing but she did not answer. Officers then confirmed that the TPO against Crowe was still active. Officers then explained to the victim, that because of the nature of the call they were going to search her residence for Crowe, even though she had told them he was not there. Officers cleared the entire home, until they got to the back bedroom and upon inspection found a white male hiding under blankets curled up in the closet.
Officers immediately handcuffed the subject and he stated that he was Crowe and he knew that he was not supposed to be at the victim’s residence.
The victim then began yelling at police and ordering them to leave Crowe alone, and that she had invited him over to the residence.
Crowe was placed under arrest for aggravated stalking and transported to the Barrow County Detention Center.
[Full Story »]
Area groups get Jackson EMC grants
Four agencies serving area residents have been awarded a total of $22,700 by the Jackson EMC Foundation, a charity funded by the cooperative’s members through their donations to the Operation Round Up program.
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia was awarded $5,000 to help offer the “It’s Your World: Change It!” program to girls in the underserved areas of Hall, Jackson and Barrow counties, giving them the opportunity to serve their communities, explore the outdoors and build the skills needed to support themselves. Athens Urban Ministry — a grassroots organization dedicated to assisting those who need a hand up — was awarded $7,500 to help provide instruction and case management sessions, maintenance and supervision for a newly-funded computer lab.
Athens Pregnancy Center was awarded $7,000 to help provide free ultrasound screenings for women dealing with the consequences and circumstances of unintended pregnancies. [Full Story »]
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia was awarded $5,000 to help offer the “It’s Your World: Change It!” program to girls in the underserved areas of Hall, Jackson and Barrow counties, giving them the opportunity to serve their communities, explore the outdoors and build the skills needed to support themselves. Athens Urban Ministry — a grassroots organization dedicated to assisting those who need a hand up — was awarded $7,500 to help provide instruction and case management sessions, maintenance and supervision for a newly-funded computer lab.
Athens Pregnancy Center was awarded $7,000 to help provide free ultrasound screenings for women dealing with the consequences and circumstances of unintended pregnancies. [Full Story »]
Fire responded to in Bethlehem
Firefighters responded to a barn fire on Indian Shoals Road in Bethlehem late Thursday morning.
Once firefighters arrived, they saw several small explosions as two vehicles, an air compressor tank, two propane tanks and a box of shotgun ammunition were burning inside the structure.
Officials said the barn was a total loss.
No injuries were reported and a cause has not been determined.
Once firefighters arrived, they saw several small explosions as two vehicles, an air compressor tank, two propane tanks and a box of shotgun ammunition were burning inside the structure.
Officials said the barn was a total loss.
No injuries were reported and a cause has not been determined.
Lamar Ridgeway
BETHLEHEM - Lamar Ridgeway, 88, died Wednesday, December 29, 2010. Born in Winder, he was the son of the late William Asbury and Abbie Jane Kilgore Ridgeway and was the youngest of seven children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Cronic Ridgeway. Mr. Ridgeway was a retired Postmaster from the Bethlehem Post Office after 25 years ...
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Christmas shooting investigation ongoing
A lieutenant at Barrow County Emergency Services and his pregnant daughter remained hospitalized early this week following what appeared to be an accidental Christmas Day shooting in which both were maimed by the same bullet.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said a family argument between Lt. Todd Orr and two of his daughters culminated in violence shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday, when the career firefighter grabbed a loaded, .270-calibre hunting rifle in his bedroom.
Though he later told deputies he had intended to leave the house and to take his gun with him, his daughters believed he was going to commit suicide, Smith said.
As the two young women and a male relative struggled with Orr over the rifle, it discharged.
The sheriff said the high-velocity cartridge first hit the arm of Orr’s 21-year-old daughter, Tiffany Thomas, whose first baby is due in a couple of weeks. It then tore through Orr’s hand, ripping off some fingers, and entered his abdomen, traveling up and out of his chest.
“One shot was fired,” Smith said. “This was a very fast traveling bullet. So that did some damage.”
Orr and Thomas were both transported to Athens Regional Medical Center, where they underwent surgery. [Full Story »]
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said a family argument between Lt. Todd Orr and two of his daughters culminated in violence shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday, when the career firefighter grabbed a loaded, .270-calibre hunting rifle in his bedroom.
Though he later told deputies he had intended to leave the house and to take his gun with him, his daughters believed he was going to commit suicide, Smith said.
As the two young women and a male relative struggled with Orr over the rifle, it discharged.
The sheriff said the high-velocity cartridge first hit the arm of Orr’s 21-year-old daughter, Tiffany Thomas, whose first baby is due in a couple of weeks. It then tore through Orr’s hand, ripping off some fingers, and entered his abdomen, traveling up and out of his chest.
“One shot was fired,” Smith said. “This was a very fast traveling bullet. So that did some damage.”
Orr and Thomas were both transported to Athens Regional Medical Center, where they underwent surgery. [Full Story »]
Firefighter makes remarkable recovery in time for Christmas
Recently, Barrow County Emergency Services responded to a medical emergency they did not expect.
Firefighter Joe Baird was found on the scene and rushed by ambulance to Athens Regional Medical Center where he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.
“His family was told that he probably would not survive this,” said Chief John Skinner.
“With our job, you know there will be calls that are hard on you mentally,” said Chief Skinner. “On this particular call these four guys not only had to deal with a true medical emergency, but also had to deal with the fact it was one of their own co-workers. That is the type of call none of us want to run and yet the four of them remained professional and gave the best possible care.” [Full Story »]
Firefighter Joe Baird was found on the scene and rushed by ambulance to Athens Regional Medical Center where he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.
“His family was told that he probably would not survive this,” said Chief John Skinner.
“With our job, you know there will be calls that are hard on you mentally,” said Chief Skinner. “On this particular call these four guys not only had to deal with a true medical emergency, but also had to deal with the fact it was one of their own co-workers. That is the type of call none of us want to run and yet the four of them remained professional and gave the best possible care.” [Full Story »]
Holton named All-Northeast Georgia
It’s often said the players in the trenches don’t get a great deal of recognition in football. Apalachee High School’s Nate Holton has proven that theory wrong, at least on this occasion. The Wildcat senior was named to the All-Northeast Georgia football team compiled by the Athens Banner-Herald. Holton helped clear the way for the AHS ...
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Lady Bulldoggs prepare for second half
In recent days, Winder-Barrow High School girls basketball coach Brenda Gilmore has been contending with more than layups and full court presses. The coach has been trying to keep her team healthy as players have battled everything from the flu to strep throat. “We have been playing OK even though we are not at 100 percent health wealth,” ...
[Full Story »]
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