Barrow Journal

One man has been charged in the 2005 arson of New Life Deliverance Church in Barrow County. Maurice Arnold, 24, of Dacula, was charged last week by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office with arson, conspiracy to commit arson and vandalism to a place of worship. He is the son of the church's pastor. [Full Story »] 

The unemployment rate in Barrow County hit 7.9 percent in November, nearly double the rate from November of last year and higher than the overall state average for the month. It’s also one of the highest rates in the area as the economic slowdown is shedding thousands of jobs. [Full Story »] 

A judge’s ruling Monday has put plans for a new hospital in Braselton into doubt.

Piedmont Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Adamson ruled in favor of Barrow Regional Medical Center in a lawsuit that challenged the state’s granting of a “certificate of need” (CON) to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for a new 100-bed hospital in Braselton.

Adamson ruled that the state’s review process of the CON application had been “arbitrary and unreasonable.” Adamson said the events leading up to the state granting a CON for the Braselton facility had not been handled correctly.

“The actions of the (state) Board in affirming the grant of a CON under these circumstances is inconsistent with the rationale of the CON program,” Adamson said. He ruled that state’s process “was without adequate review” and had not allowed BRMC an opportunity to fully respond.

The judge also said the state had “recklessly” assumed that the fast growth in the North Georgia area would be enough to support the hospitals business plans.

If NGMC does pursue a Braselton hospital, it likely that the CON process will have to start all over again.