Walter Lee Whiting, age 91 of Demorest, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, from the Hillside Chapel with Rev. Kenneth McEntire & Dr. Charles Holland officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest with Rev. Doug Porter officiating at the graveside.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Here’s the latest arrest report from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
DISCLAIMER
The arrest records available through this website are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Easton Foundation will host its Seventh Annual Battle of the Heroes football game in Raider Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 10th. Pre-game festivities begin at 7 p.m.
Come watch as first responders from Habersham and Banks County take on Hall County in a friendly game of flag football. This year’s contest will feature entertainment for all ages, including a free fireworks show and a chance to win $100 in cash at halftime.
Money raised from the event will benefit the Easton Foundation which provides post-secondary educational scholarships and financial assistance to area youth.
In the past, the foundation has charged to get into the game but not this year; admission is free.
“While generating money for our scholarship fund to support local students is important, we see this as a public event that should involve the entire community without regard to financial well-being,” Lizama says.
People may donate at the gate if they choose.
Special guests and presentations
Addi Ghanes of Toccoa will serve as co-grand marshal of this year’s event along with Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper. In August of 2018 when she was just 2 years old, Ghanes was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. Since then her story has touched countless lives. The Facebook page dedicated to sharing her journey through cancer has more than 230,000 followers.
There will also be a special presentation before the Battle of the Heroes in memory of Habersham County Deputy Patrick Mayfield and Hall County Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon who both recently passed away.
ROTC cadets from Habersham Central High School will participate in pre-game festivities and the HCHS Band of Blue will perform throughout the contest.
Fireworks will cap off the evening approximately ten minutes after the football game ends and will appear on the east side of Raider Stadium toward GA 197 South. This year’s fireworks display is sponsored by Casa Bariachi in Cornelia.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. All donations are tax deductible. For more information contact Glenn Ingram at 770-533-2056 or email him at theeastonfoundation@yahoo.com.
About the Easton Foundation:The Easton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity located in Habersham County, Georgia. After losing a beloved friend and teen, Easton Singleton, to a car accident in 2012 our community gathered together to turn tragedy into triumph. Casey Lizama, a friend of Easton, wanted to help other teens with pain and loss but, at the same time encourage other youth to connect with their community and become leaders. Each year the foundation gives out numerous scholarships around the northeast Georgia community to enable teens to pursue their dreams of post-secondary education and provide assistance in times of need.
Shelia Annette Mitchell Reed, age 59 of Cornelia, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Born in Griffin, Georgia on January 9, 1960, to the late Curtis Benjamin Mitchell. She worked in the Deli department at Ingles and was of the Baptist faith. Shelia enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister and will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ann.
Surviving are her husband, David Reed of Cornelia; sons and daughters-in-law, Andy & Crystal E. Tench of Alto, Jonathon & Crystal Tench of Baldwin, Christopher Reed of New Mexico and Bryan & Tiffany Reed of Arizona; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; brother, Terry George Mitchell of Griffin; sisters, Linda Dodd, Brenda Mitchell, Jean McCurry and Joyce Whitmire.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 pm, Friday, July 19, 2019, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart with Rev. John Umberhant officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Thursday and from 10 am until the service hour on Friday at the funeral home.
Kathy Ruth Patton Williams, age 54 of Mt. Airy, Georgia passed away on Monday, July 15, 2019.
Born in Jefferson, Georgia on February 02, 1965, she was a daughter of the late Benny & Betty Willis Patton. Kathy was a 1983 graduate of Habersham Central High School and a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Degree in Early Childhood Development. She later attended North Georgia Technical College where she received a Degree in Business & Accounting. Kathy was the founder of Heart 2 Heart Connections, a ministry of helping others. She was the owner of Wilco Tax, International Manager of Xooma World Wide, as well as many other entrepreneurial endeavors.
Kathy never failed to meet the needs of those less fortunate than herself. She was well known for her compassion and care of others. Her faith was beyond measure and her love for Christ was always at the forefront of her life. Kathy worked with many ministries throughout several counties with the Church of God. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her biological father, Foster Potts, sister, Maxine Murray, brother, Rocky Potts, and grandmother, Matilda Willis.
Survivors include her loving husband, Bobby Lee Williams; children, Heath Williams, Gabby Williams, & Josiah Williams; brothers-in-law & sister-in-law, Stanley & Robin Williams, James “Cotton” Williams; various aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, & nephews.
Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, from the Hillside Chapel with Rev. Johnny Willis & Pastor Gilbert Howard officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour on Friday.
Medical Assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country and northeast Georgia boasts two of the best colleges where students can train for it. North Georgia Technical College was recently named the number one college in the state for Medical Assisting by medicalassistantadvice.com. Lanier Technical College ranks second on the top ten list of best MA Programs in Georgia for 2019.
The rankings are based on many factors including program requirements, courses, employer satisfaction rate, graduation rate, and license exam pass rate.
“NGTC is very proud of our Medical Assisting students and faculty,” says NGTC’s Dean for Academic Services Christy Bivins. “This distinction reinforces the type of graduates North Georgia Technical College produces.”
Growing demand and employment opportunities
Medical assistants are allied health professionals who function as members of the health care delivery team. They perform both administrative and clinical procedures.
Medical assisting continues to be one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its ten-year projected employment growth rate (2016-2026) is 29%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
The Bureau say the growth of the baby-boom population will increase demand for preventive medical care, placing greater demands on doctors. “As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients,” the Bureau says on its website.
NGTC offers medical assistant training at its Clarkesville and Blairsville campuses. Lanier Tech offers MA programs at its campuses in Hall, Barrow, and Forsyth counties.
At 2:53 p.m., Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Clarkesville to 9 miles west of Homer and moving east at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include Toccoa, Clarkesville, Carnesville, Walhalla, Cornelia, Baldwin, Westminster, Demorest, Mount Airy and Alto.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible in these areas.
Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage such as ditches and underpasses. The National Weather Service urges motorists to avoid these areas. Do not cross flooded roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek higher ground if threatened by floodwaters.
Hot, rainy forecast ahead
Thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the evening hours Wednesday across North Georgia. Localized flooding may occur in areas where heavy rainfall persists for longer periods of time.
The forecast calls for scattered storms to continue across the region Thursday through Tuesday. Scattered thunderstorms are possible each day with the greatest chances during the afternoon and evening hours.
Strong to isolated severe storms will be possible and could produce strong gusty winds, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall.
Heat indices are forecast to be around 100 to 105 degrees in several areas through the weekend with the highest heat indices forecast on Friday.
With the 2019 high school football season rapidly approaching, BLITZ Sports takes a look at North Georgia teams to see which teams have had the richest history. Habersham Central comes in at number five on the list.
#5 – HABERSHAM CENTRAL
RECORD: 261-254-2
WIN %: .501
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
REGION TITLES: 5
STATE PLAYOFFS: 8
STATE PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-8
BEST STATE FINISH: SEMIFINALS (1973)
10-WIN SEASONS: 5
HEAD COACHES: 9
ALL-STATE PLAYERS: 22
AJC STATE RANKED: 43 TIMES
50 years of football has been played at Habersham Central going back to 1970, which equates to 517 games. The Raiders have gone 261-254-2 overall, and have laid claim to five region titles (’73, ’84, ’90, ’06, ’07). The school has had few head coaches, and perhaps one of the greatest was Larry Black, who from 1984-94 went 75-45 and winning two region titles. However, Habersham made the playoffs just once in that span (prior to the current format). In 1990 they made the quarterfinals, and Black orchestrated a pair of 11-plus win seasons (’84, ’90).
Habersham has five 10-win seasons and a 7-8 playoff record across eight playoff appearances. Perhaps the most thrilling three-year span was the 2005-07 run under Gene Cathcart, where All-State players Tavarres King and Bo Hatchett led the Raiders to three straight playoff trips, including 21 wins from 06-07 alone (winning region titles in both of those seasons) and making the quarterfinals both times.
King, Kevin Ellison, and Anthony King are some of the most dominant in program history. All told, there have been 22 All-State players and the team has been state-ranked in the top-10 on 43 occasions.
To see how Central stacks up historically against other teams in the region, click HERE.
Last week, my sister, Carla, came for her longer summer visit. She was able to stay from Tuesday through Saturday and we spent some precious time together as sisters. She was also able to see a bit more of the day to day with Mom and get a better sense of where Mom is on her journey. I think it was hard for her.
Since I see Mom so often, it’s a bit like watching your children grow. It’s hard to notice the day to day changes, but a week or more away and some things become crystal clear. We keep a daily diary of Mom’s ups and downs which makes it easy to look back a month or 6 months to see the subtle changes in her care. Most days, I’m just focused on her care for that day and I rarely reflect on where we have been or speculate about the future.
This was Carla’s first visit since the first week of April. She tries to talk to Mom on Sundays, but it’s unusual for Mom to understand the concept of phones enough to communicate with Carla. Many Sundays, she doesn’t even get to hear Mom’s voice. When Carla first arrived, Mom didn’t talk much those first couple of days and it was hard for Carla to see Mom in that state.
Lately, Mom has become somewhat erratic in her movement. She has been sitting down before she reaches her chair or collapsing backwards instead of sitting. Although she’s lost a lot of weight, we caregivers have been startled by her sudden change in direction. Thankfully, we’ve only had close calls and near misses without any injury to Mom. Dad did get a pretty severe bruise and abrasion on his wrist last week while Carla was here.
Much of the time, I keep my worry to myself. Occasionally, I’ll discuss it with Carla over the phone, but she’s usually too far away to stress. Although I know she’d drop everything in a minute to come if I truly needed her, the daily worries are mine to bear alone. Having her here brought everything up – she lived the daily stress for five days, too. It was both easier and more difficult for me.
Alan, my oldest brother, came on Friday for a few hours. Mom really perked up for him – the best we’d seen her all week. They talked and sang and had a great visit. It is really amazing how she’ll liven back up when she has company. Visits do her so much good. She crashes afterwards, but it is great while it lasts!
I think Mom’s favorite visitor is Lolo. She is the younger sister of two of my piano students and she comes each week for an hour and plays with Mom. They had a tea party last week. Mom is so enamored with Lolo she dreams about her during the rest of the week. It’s so sweet. I think Carla even played tea party with them.
My hours are limited for visiting with other friends who are housebound, but I wish I had more time for them. If you have free time on your hands, I know a visit would be much appreciated.
Students from North Georgia Technical College recently competed in Phi Beta Lambda’s national student business leadership conference in San Antonio. They are front row left to right: Nicole May, Rachael Waldrep, Ashley Hill, Carlie Russell, Mona Williams, Melissa Klopschinski, Kimberly Wingertsahn, Ashley Stephens, Sherri Karr, Heather Wells, and Susie Berry. Back row, from left, are Tim Green, Charlie Russell, Jesse O’Dell, Ryan Fountain, Dustin Emhart, Daniel Hill, and Victoria Williams. (NGTC)
The North Georgia Technical College Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Clarkesville and Blairsville chapters recently competed in various contests and networking events at the PBL National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this month.
Thirteen NGTC students competed, and the college brought home four national awards.
Students competing were Susie Berry of Cleveland; Rachael Waldrep of Blairsville; Heather Wells of Copperhill, Tenn.; Nicole May of Blairsville; Melissa Klopschinski of Blairsville; Sherri Karr of Ellijay; Daniel Hill of Rabun Gap; Ashley Hill of Dillard; Carlie Russell of Young Harris; Kimberly Wingertsahn of Blairsville; Ashley Stephens of Blairsville; Charlie Russell of Young Harris; Jesse O’Dell of Clarkesville; Ryan Fountain of Clayton and Victoria Williams of Dahlonega.
Karr, May, and Wells placed fifth in small business management plan. Klopschinski placed seventh in justice administration. Waldrep placed ninth in management concepts. Ashely Hill, Daniel Hill, and Fountain finished in the top 15 for website design. Father/daughter team Charlie and Carlie Russell also finished in the top 15 for marketing analysis and decision making. The entire group placed ninth overall in local chapter annual business report.
Karr, Klopschinski, May, and Wells were each awarded the President’s level of the Career Membership Achievement program.
Wells and Berry were recognized as 2019-2020 state officers, and Karr was recognized as an outgoing Georgia PBL state officer.
The NGTC Blairsville chapter received the National Gold Seal Award for its achievement and also received Georgia Chapter of the Year. NGTC instructor Mona Williams was recognized for being State Advisor of the Year.
Daniel Hill and Victoria Williams represented the virtual chapter, placing eighth in integrated marketing campaign.
Walter Lee Whiting, age 91 of Demorest, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
A life-long native of Habersham County, he was a son of the late Walter Lee Whiting, Sr. & Beulah Bell Clark Whiting. Walt was a United States Navy veteran and worked in management in the textile industry for many years. He loved his Lord and his family, especially the grands and the great-grands. Walt’s favorite treat for the great-grands was to give them a one dollar bill that he might just give to them or have them look for in the “mailbox.” The greats thought they were rich and they truly were because of the quality time spent with him. It did not matter how he was known, whether it be Walt, Daddy, Papa, or Papa Walt, he made an impression on everyone he met. Even at Stoney’s Family Restaurant, Walmart, Ingles, or wherever, Walt always enjoyed a good conversation. The lives of those he touched will never forget him. He was a faithful member of Habersham Baptist Church and the last surviving member of his immediate family.
In addition to his parents, Walt was preceded in death by his son, Jerry Lamar Whiting.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Arlene Carlan Whiting of Demorest, GA; daughter, Kay Whiting Stephens of Demorest, GA; sons & daughters-in-law, Johnny & Debbie Whiting of Turnerville, GA; Rick & Pam Whiting of Mt. Airy, GA; grandchildren, Shane & Misty McEntyre; Wendy & David Newsome; Casey & Lori Whiting; Julie & Nelson Wilkinson; Niki & Bradley Smith; great-grandchildren, Alex & Lauren McEntyre, Wyatt & Lana Turner, Nelson, Sarah, & Jacob Wilkinson, Rylee & Hallee Smith, Lily & Addie Whiting; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, & friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, from the Hillside Chapel with Rev. Kenneth McEntire & Dr. Charles Holland officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest with Rev. Doug Porter officiating at the graveside. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy, Grant Reeves VFW Post # 7720, Habersham County American Legion Post #84, & the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry at Habersham Baptist Church, 506 Old Habersham Mills Road, Demorest, GA. 30535
Five more teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with the investigation into the shooting death of Hall County Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon.
Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon
The suspects were arrested Wednesday, July 17, as the result of an ongoing joint investigation by the GBI, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and Gainesville Police Department. The GBI says the suspects have ties to four other teens already charged in connection with Dixon’s murder.
The GBI identifies the suspects as Jiovanny Castillo, 17, Antony Macias, 18, Adrian Gonzalez Verduzco, 18, Rodolfo Rodriguez Puentes, 17, and Jorge Rodriguez, 19, all of Gainesville, Georgia. All five were charged with tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension of a criminal.
Macias, Verduzco, Puentes, and Rodriguez were also charged with theft by receiving stolen property.
“I take heart in the spirit of cooperation this multi-agency investigative team has shown in its successful work.”
Dozens of stolen firearms recovered
The GBI says the suspects are connected to a burglary at the Double Deuce Pawn Store in Gainesville on July 6.
GBI spokesperson Nelly Miles says state and local law enforcement officials “have worked tirelessly to recover the weapons and other property stolen” during the pawn shop burglary. Twenty-five of 27 guns stolen have been recovered along with a large cache of ammunition and two crossbows. “Additional crimes were identified as having been done by this group,” adds Miles.
“As a result of the joint investigation, an additional firearm and seven stolen vehicles have been recovered.”
In all, authorities have solved a total of six burglaries, two stolen vehicle and three entering auto cases as a result of their investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding the death of Deputy Dixon.
A total of nine teenagers from Gainesville, GA are charged with crimes tied to the murder of Hall County Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon. These four were arrested within hours of the shooting on July 7, 2019. Five more were arrested on July 17, 2019.
Hector Garcia-Solis, Brayan Cruz, Eric Velazquez and London Clements, all 17 years old and from Gainesville, were arrested within hours of Dixon’s shooting and charged with felony murder. Authorities say the alleged gunman, Garcia-Solis, and Velazquez will face additional charges related to the burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and car burglaries.
Police say Garcia-Solis gunned down Dixon during a foot chase after he and several other suspects wrecked and ran from a stolen vehicle that deputies suspected was used in the burglaries. Deputies returned gunfire and shot Garcia-Solis multiple times. He remains in critical condition at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch says personnel within the HCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) have spent approximately 1,200 hours investigating the case since Officer Dixon was killed.
The shooting happened outside a residence at 43 Highland Avenue near Jess Jewell Parkway in Gainesville. (HCSO)
“This investigation was a collaborative effort. Members of the Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation worked side-by-side, around the clock at times, to bring the case to this point,” Couch says. “I take heart in the spirit of cooperation this multi-agency investigative team has shown in its successful work.”
Officials say once the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the Hall County District Attorney’s Office.
Clarkesville will host a live concert and fireworks on July 19 at Pitts Park. The evening will also include a cruise-in on the town square and a duck race on the Soque River. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
Clarkesville is making final preparations for its big after-the-Fourth Red, White & Tunes celebration. The event takes place Friday, July 19, at Pitts Park. The evening will include a variety of free, family-friendly activities including a classic car cruise-in on the town square, rubber duck race on the Soque River, live concert, and fireworks.
While putting it all together is a lot of work, Clarkesville Main Street Director Trudy Crunkelton says she’s excited about the event. “This is a community favorite and everyone is looking forward to being there with family and friends.”
This will be Crunkelton’s first Red, White & Tunes since taking over as Main Street Director in January and she doesn’t want anything to spoil it, least of all rain. “Don’t even breathe the word!” she says when asked if there’s a rain date. “No, no rain date. In the event we had to reschedule the fireworks, we will let you know.”
Of course, the fireworks are a big draw and this year they’ll be shot from inside the park instead of outside as in year’s past. “The best viewing area will be inside the park,” Crunkleton says. “That’s where the fun is anyway!” Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets so you’ll have a place to sit.
You should also bring your wallet. While admission is free, there will be food and duck race tickets for sale in Pitts Park.
The Kiwanis Club and Kona Ice will be selling concessions. And if you want to get in on the VFL Duck Race with a top prize of $1,000 you can buy tickets between 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Evening line-up
4:30 p.m. – VFL Duck Race tickets on sale
5:00 p.m. – Registration for Red, White & Cruise-In on the Clarkesville square
5:30 p.m. – Red, White & Cruise-In begins on the Clarkesville square
Kona Ice & Clarkesville Kiwanis Club open concessions in Pitts Park
Kids area opens with pre-entertainment activities in Pitts Park
6:30 p.m. – Final judging for Red, White & Cruise-In
VFL Duck Race ticket sales close
7:00 p.m. – VFL Duck Race on the Soque
7:30 p.m. – The Masterpiece Band brings its high energy brand of Motown, soul, and modern pop hits to the stage
It’s always an exciting start to the race as thousands of yellow rubber ducks are dropped from the bridge near Pitts Park into the Soque River. (photo submitted)
The 8th Annual Volunteers for Literacy (VFL) Rubber Duck Race will take place Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m. prior to Clarkesville’s Red, White, and Tunes.
Thousands of yellow rubber ducks will be dropped into the Soque River for a race to the finish line. Top prize is $1,000. The second and third place winners will receive $500 and $250, respectively.
Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Race organizers say there’s still time to get in on the action!
Tickets may be purchased online at vflhabersham.com and are also available at Elizabeth & Co., Rahab’s Rope, Sweet ReLeaf, and the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) office in Clarkesville and at the Cornelia Library.
Tickets may also be purchased at Pitts Park from 4:30-6:30 p.m. prior to the race on July 19.
Proceeds will go to support literacy programs in Habersham County.
Low enrollment combined with a lack of funding and faculty has forced a Habersham County school to close its doors just weeks before the start of the new school year. Faith Christian Academy in Mt. Airy announced on Wednesday that it is closing after four years.
The school, which is housed in facilities at Central Heights Christian Church, could not meet its financial obligations, according to the school’s resource director Cassandra Laws.
She says Faith Christian Academy has been struggling financially for some time and this past January had to restructure and re-budget. In April, she says parents were notified the school was going through the process and says some parents were already looking at other options.
“We were going out to the community getting donors and fundraising. We did all that we could do in those four months to meet the school’s needs and to keep the doors open,” says Laws.
By the end, student enrollment grew stagnant and the school was unable to recruit new teachers.
During a called meeting on July 15, the FCA Board of Directors voted to close the school. “The members of our board have huge, huge hearts,” Laws says. “It was the hardest decision that they’ve ever had to make.”
Board member Leigh Stallings Wood says it was with “a heavy heart” that they made the decision to close. “It was not for the lack of devotion and love…we simply did not have enough returning students and staff. It broke my heart but looking at it from a business standpoint we had no other choice.”
FCA administrators sent out a mass email to parents and students on July 17 notifying them of the decision. Laws says they chose to do it that way in order to avoid overlapping phone calls and to make sure everyone was notified at the same time.
What now?
There were 21 students enrolled in FCA for the upcoming school year. Those students and parents will now have to make other plans. The school office will remain open for the time being so that students may obtain their transcripts. Administrators will also be available to help guide families as they consider their educational options.
Laws says she’s grateful to the community for all that it’s done to support FCA through the years. “When we were struggling, you would not believe how the community rallied to support us. This is an amazing community and amazing parents and we’re going to miss them so much.”
Administrators are now in the process of officially closing the school and that includes contacting vendors, accreditation, and licensing agencies.
FCA will honor its current teacher contracts and the remaining 15 faculty members will be paid through the end of July.
Although it’s been a difficult, heartrending process, Laws remains positive. “We started this process prayerfully and trusted God through this process,” she says. “He’s got every one of us in his hand and he’s going to guide each and every one of us where he wants us to go.”
David Tracy Jackson, age 57 of Alto, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska on March 12, 1962, to Philip Nathaniel Jackson, Sr. of Demorest and the late Margaret Evelyn Watkins Jackson. Mr. Jackson was a self-employed diesel mechanic. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating, camping and was creative and enjoyed working with his hands.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his son, David Tracy Jackson, Jr.; brother, Steve Mitchell Jackson.
In addition to his father, survivors include his wife, Charlene Beasley Jackson of Alto; daughter, Tyne Nicole Jackson of Gainesville; step-daughter, Stephanie Chelea Pursley of Clarkesville; step-mother, Mary Lou Taylor Jackson of Demorest; grandchildren, Sarah Surls and Hunter Surls; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry Phillip Jackson (Denise Jean) of Alto and Philip Nathaniel Jackson, Jr. (Misty Denise) of Hoschton; nephews, Jason Jackson, Jerry Lee Jackson, Chris Jackson and Logan Jackson; niece, Cody Harkins; several other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 pm, Friday, July 19, 2019, at River Point Community Church.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.
William H. “Bill” Blalock, age 82, of Cornelia, Georgia passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
Mr. Blalock was born on April 2, 1937, in Sylvester, Georgia to the late Willie Frank and Alma Elizabeth Rutherford Blalock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Darrell Blalock. Mr. Blalock was retired from the United States Marine Corps as Gunnery Sargeant with 22 years of service. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was an Ordained Minister. Mr. Blalock was also a member of the American Legion Post #84. W.H. was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Lindia Kimbrel Blalock, of Cornelia; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Danny Jimenez, of San Antonio, TX; son, William Rodney Blalock, of Cornelia; sister, Dorothy Suggs, of Omega, GA; brother, Roy Blalock; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 20, 2019, at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Austin Kelley officiating and full military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps.
Public survey will be used to help shape the Statewide Transit Plan
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking public input through a statewide transit survey, which is open through August 14, 2019, and is available at www.GDOTtransitsurvey.org.
The objectives of the survey are to:
Identify needs and priorities of public transit users and potential users
Understand the public transit customer experience
Identify issues and barriers to using public transit
The survey website is available in multiple languages. Paper versions of the survey are being distributed to rural transit providers across the state. The survey results and findings, along with input from other stakeholder groups, will help shape the GDOT Statewide Transit Plan (SWTRP).
GDOT is developing the SWTRP in coordination with local governments, Regional Commissions, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and transit providers to quantify public transit needs across the state and document strategies to ensure all Georgians have access to public transit.
The SWTRP will incorporate existing local and regional transit plans and will support GDOT’s multimodal long-range planning efforts.
David Haynes of Lula was the winner of the $500 grand prize awarded at Habersham EMC’s 81st annual meeting on Thursday. He’s joined by (l-r): HEMC Vice President of Technology Glenn Purcell; Vice President of Finance Kelly Wilkins; and Vice President of Engineering Jim Cox.
More than 1,100 members and visitors participated in the Habersham EMC Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 18, at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy. The co-op treated attendees to a free meal and live entertainment and updated them on HEMC’s performance and future plans.
During the business session, David Wall, Dustin Hulsey, and Dan Thurmond were re-elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors.
Wall, the incumbent in the East District, won with 386 votes to challengers Teresa Shirley’s 334 and Hugh Rucker’s 331 votes.
For the two open positions in the West District, incumbents Hulsey and Thurmond won, receiving 704 and 512 votes, respectively. Challenger Tim Kinsey had 478 votes.
HEMC President & CEO Brad Hicks gave an update on the co-op. The Triumphant Quartet provided the entertainment for the evening.
Door prizes were given out including a grand prize of $500 cash which was won by David Haynes of Lula.
The Board of Directors met immediately following the meeting and elected officers for the upcoming year. Jeff Ferguson was elected chairman, Wall will serve as vice-chairman, and Billy Cantrell will serve as secretary-treasurer.
HEMC serves approximately 25,000 members in its six-county service area which includes Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, and White counties.
