Entries by Susan Norman

July 4 fireworks a public safety concern

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in Public Safety Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Monday, July 2. 2012

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Barrow County Emergency Services is urging local residents to enjoy July 4 fireworks at sponsored public events.

“Many people want to see fireworks as they celebrate," said Lt. Scott Dakin, the department's spokesman. "The best and safest way to do this is to go to a professional show.”

[Full Story »]

Extreme heat taking a toll; three alerts issued for Barrow County

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Susan Norman

in Public Safety Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Sunday, July 1. 2012

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The dangerous heat wave under way in North Georgia has taken a toll on some Barrow County residents.

Barrow County Emergency Services on Saturday had responded to nine heat-related emergencies as of 10:30 p.m., and five of those patients were transported to area hospitals.

"We also had approximately seven other citizens approach firefighters in Auburn during their Independence Day celebration requesting just to be checked out as they were feeling the heat," said Lt. Scott Dakin, department spokesman. [Full Story »]

State issues public health warning for North Georgia

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Susan Norman

in Public Safety Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, June 29. 2012

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In addition to the scorching heat, North Georgia is experiencing poor air quality, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

The state agency issued a warning Friday afternoon, noting that the conditions are particularly hazardous to the elderly and to children.

"We're sounding the alarm now and we're sounding it loudly," said Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, who is a physician. [Full Story »]

Dangerous heat wave under way

Posted by

Susan Norman

in Public Safety Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, June 29. 2012

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Barrow County, like the rest of north and central Georgia, is in the throes of a heat wave with high temperatures expected to break the 100-degree mark for several days.

The National Weather Service before dawn Friday issued a special weather statement to alert residents that temperatures could reach 105 degrees today, which due to dry air in the region could pose a “fire danger” this afternoon and evening.

“Maximum temperatures this afternoon will climb into the low to mid 100s across north and central Georgia,” the advisory notes. “The heat indices will increase to 105 to 110 for Saturday and Sunday.” [Full Story »]

Stolen bulldozer found in Indiana

Posted by

Susan Norman

in Public Safety Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Thursday, June 28. 2012

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The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that it has been notified that the $78,000 bulldozer stolen six months ago from a county work site has been found in Indiana.

The 2007 John Deere Bulldozer, rented by the county's road department from a Bogart company, was stolen near the intersection of Highway 81 and Hoyt King Road on Dec. 12, 2011. [Full Story »]

First of three GOP forums tonight; Farm Bureau also hosting political event

Posted by

Susan Norman

in County Government Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Monday, June 25. 2012

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The first of three Barrow County Republican Party forums for candidates in the party’s contested July 31 primaries is tonight at 7 at the Colleen O. Williams Theater in the Winder Cultural Arts Center.

Candidates tonight will include 10th U.S. District Rep. Paul Broun and those in the races for Georgia House District 114, Georgia Senate District 47, District 2 and District 3 of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, the At-Large District 8 of the Barrow County Board of Education, and Chief Magistrate.

[Full Story »]

Winder officials look at amending codes

Posted by

Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Thursday, June 21. 2012

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Nine months after businessman John Perkins bowed out of a Winder City Council race because of a local law prohibiting city officials — or their spouses — from holding alcohol licenses, the city council is taking steps to change the law.

Perkins is a co-owner of a property appraisal company, but his wife, Lee, owns the popular Constance Manor event venue blocks from downtown. [Full Story »]

First candidate forum of 2012 elections produces no sparks

Posted by

Susan Norman

in County Government Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, June 15. 2012

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Republican candidates seeking their party’s nominations in this year’s local races had an opportunity to size up their competition on June 13.

The forum was sponsored by the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce and featured candidates in contested school board, county commission and chief magistrate races. Since the event was not a debate, there were no major sparks. But the forum allowed the candidates to introduce themselves to the 30 or so people in the audience and also to hear their opponents’ campaign talking points.
[Full Story »]

Legal expenses exceed budgeted amount for year

Posted by

Susan Norman

in County Government Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, June 15. 2012

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For the second year in a row, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night agreed to spend $200,000 more than what it had budgeted for the year’s legal expenses.

CFO Rose Kisaalita said the county exhausted its full appropriation for attorneys’ fees by the end of the seventh month of services, which was April. That leaves another five months of expenses to fund in the FY2012 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

“The attorney’s budget is right now in the red by about $10,000,” Kisaalita said. [Full Story »]

Regional JDA to market Hwy. 316 as 'Georgia's Innovation Corridor'

Posted by

Susan Norman

in County Government Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, June 15. 2012

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At its second quarterly meeting of 2012, the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority on June 13 voted to rebrand the Highway 316 corridor as “Georgia’s Innovation Corridor.”

The departure from the single focus on attracting “bioscience” companies to the largely undeveloped corridor is primarily the result of Caterpillar Inc.’s ongoing development of a large but, more traditional, manufacturing facility in Oconee and Athens-Clarke counties near the eastern end of the highway.

[Full Story »]

Entries by Susan Norman

Barrow Journal