Entries from February 2016

Lady Wildcats win meet with WBHS, Gainesville

Posted by
MainStreetNewsSports
in Sports Headlines
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
The Apalachee High School girls track team took first in a tri-meet last Thursday at W. Clair Harris Stadium competing against Winder-Barrow High School and Gainesville High School. AHS compiled 79 points to win somewhat comfortably while WBHS edged Gainesville for second place 48.5 to 44.5. Analee Bradach, who earlier in the week signed to run ... [Full Story »] 

Audit shows BCSS ends 2014 in red

Posted by
Staff Writer
in Education Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
Comments (4)
The Barrow County School System finished the 2013-14 school year in the red. The Barrow County Board of Education received an update on its audit at its Feb. 23 work session.

Property tax revenues were still down from 2007-08, as were total revenues. Revenues totaled at $107.5 million in 2013-14, compared to $109.9 million in 2007-08. But the district’s expenses were up $4.1 million from 2007-08.

Revenues and expenses both increased over the previous year. The district was $3.6 million in the red, with revenues totaling at $107.5 million and expenses totaling at $111.1 million.

The district still has large reserves of $11.6 million ($8.4 million is unassigned).

AUDITOR’S FINDING

The auditor reported one finding, saying it is a “significant deficiency.” The auditor said the district’s accounting procedures were insufficient to provide adequate internal control procedures over cash and cash equivalents.

Assistant superintendent of business services Jennifer Houston said the district’s bank reconciliations had not been done since September 2013. She said the mistake could have been from changes in personnel.

Chairman Mark Still said the issue has been addressed.

“It’s been fixed,” said chairman Mark Still. “She’s taken care of it.”

Houston said the total amount has been reconciled.

Diane Roberts (02-19-16)

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
Diane Kinney Roberts, 66, died Friday, February 19, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospice House in Athens, following a long illness. She was a long time resident of Athens and was actively involved in the Classic City Pilot Club, serving as a member and treasurer. Diane loved her family and friends, often expressing her love through cooking and baking ... [Full Story »] 

Two locals arrested during multi-state drug ring

Posted by
Staff Writer
in Public Safety Archives
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
Comments (0)
Two Winder residents have been arrested for suspected participation in Horace Mayfield’s drug trafficking ring.

Horace Mayfield III, 31, and Audreona Scott, 24, both of 714 Baskins Circle, Winder, were arrested following a massive drug bust last week in Stephens County.

The bust is part of a 10-month investigation into Mayfield’s alleged drug trafficking ring, which covered Northeast Georgia and South Carolina. During the investigation, officers linked $9.5 million worth of drugs to the ring including 72 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of methamphetamine and 50 pounds of marijuana.

Mayfield is originally from Stephens County and officers say he had been operating out of the county and surrounding areas for several years.

The bust lead to the arrest of 23 other suspected ring members and suppliers. [Full Story »] 

Big distribution center in Braselton lands tenant

Posted by
Mark Beardsley
in Braselton Archives
Wednesday, February 24. 2016
Comments (0)
Williams-Sonoma will operate a distribution center from a 1.1-million-square-foot building in the Braselton Commerce Center, thanks in part to tax abatements on the $70 million project.

The Jackson County Industrial Development Authority voted last Friday to begin the process of issuing two sets of bonds for the project. A $58 million bond issue will cover the real property, and a $12 million bond will finance the personal property.

The company has not officially announced its location in Jackson County, but it has advertised a job fair to help the company find some 250 employees.

The financing deal will include a 10-year abatement on all property taxes except school taxes. In the first year, the company will get a 65-percent abatement, and that number will fall by five percent a year for 10 years before being phased out.

“This way, we get more money earlier,” pointed out IDA chairman Scott Martin.

Attorney Daniel Haygood said the company will pay a fixed amount “based on the millage rate as of the day we close.” [Full Story »] 

Charles Cochran (02-22-16)

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Tuesday, February 23. 2016
HOSCHTON - Charles Edward Cochran, 85, passed away Monday, February 22, 2016. He was a member of the Winder First Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Charles retired as a buyer with Sears and Roebuck after 45 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Ham and Sara Elizabeth Grey Cochran; and a ... [Full Story »] 

PACE: Real beauty isn't plastic

Posted by
Staff Writer
in Column Archives
Saturday, February 20. 2016
Comments (0)
Barbie has evolved. Mattel, the company that creates the iconic toy, recently revealed new options for the doll’s appearance.

Barbie is now available with 24 eye colors, new hairstyles and with seven skin tones. And she can now stand up on her own feet. The new design removes the permanent arch of Barbie’s foot, allowing her to stand up without her plastic heels.

But the more notable change to the doll’s form - or at least, the most talked about - is the addition of three new body types. Those on the market for a new Barbie can now find one with a petite, tall or curvy frame. The original doll frame is still available to purchase, but the new bodies add diversity to a toy that is popular among young girls in the country.

The change reflects a larger cultural shift towards body acceptance, as a new wave of women push back against the idea that beauty is confined to a certain size. [Full Story »] 

Lady Doggs advance to Elite Eight

Posted by
MainStreetNewsSports
in Sports Headlines
Friday, February 19. 2016
The historical season continues for the Winder-Barrow High School Lady Bulldoggs. WBHS (24-6) ventured to Columbus Friday and defeated Carver-Columbus 49-43 in the second round of the Class AAAAA state tournament. The Lady Bulldoggs held a nine-point lead at halftime but had to survive a second half which saw the host Lady Tiger regain the ... [Full Story »] 

‘Ginny’ Barron (02-18-16)

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Friday, February 19. 2016
WINDER - Virginia Lou “Ginny” Barron, 96, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2016. A native of Erwin, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late C. D. and Bessie Lou Woods Morgan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Bill Barron on July 3, 1995. Mrs. Barron served in the United States Army during World War II as a nurse, and received ... [Full Story »] 

Ann McElhannon (02-14-16)

Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
in Obits
Friday, February 19. 2016
DECATUR, GA - Ann Pierce McElhannon, 82, formerly of Winder, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016. A native of Barrow County, Mrs. McElhannon was the daughter of the late Ernest and Mamie Kesler Pierce. She was preceded by her husband, Walter S. McElhannon, Sr., on September 23, 2009. Mrs. McElhannon was a member of The Winder First United ... [Full Story »] 
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