The Hall County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit arrested a Gillsville man on Monday afternoon, August 5, as the result of child molestation investigation.
Deputies took Michael Anthony Maxwell, 45, into custody at his residence on Turning Leaf Drive. Investigators obtained warrants for the arrest of Maxwell earlier Monday.
Maxwell committed immoral and indecent acts against the victim, a 12-year-old boy, between May17 and May 18, 2019, at Maxwell’s residence, according to the preliminary investigation. Maxwell and the victim were acquainted with one another.
The abuse was initially reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office by a family member of thevictim. The case was referred to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in late June after Jackson County authorities determined the crimes had occurred in Hall County.
Maxwell is charged with two counts of aggravated child molestation and remained in the Hall County Jail without bond on Tuesday afternoon, August 6.
The case remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Thousands of Habersham County students will return to school on Wednesday, Aug. 7, and local law enforcement will be out in force making sure they get there safely.
“The first few weeks of every new school year can certainly be the most hectic as it relates to traffic,” explains Clarkesville Police Chief Brad Barrett. “During this time, more parents choose to transport their children to and from the facilities before making the decision for bus riding. Due to this, we always see a much higher volume of traffic as opposed to later in the school year.”
To handle the increased congestion, Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies and local police will be monitoring traffic and stepping up their patrols.
“Because we haven’t had school traffic on our roadways the past few months, we hope that our presence, along with the buses will remind everyone to slow down and be mindful of the children,” says Mt. Airy Police Chief Tim Jarrell.
Jarrell says last year several accidents occurred in the curve on Chase Road near the Habersham County E-911 Center. He says all of the accidents were the direct result of speeding. Chief Jarrell urges drivers to pay attention to posted speed limits and reminds them that the speed limit on Chase Road is 35 mph and drops to 15 mph in the curve.
If you do break the rules of the road, don’t expect leniency.
Source: HCSO
On Tuesday, Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell took to social media and posted a stern notice to drivers. “Consider this your warning. We will be out tomorrow monitoring school zones for speeders and unsafe drivers. No warnings will be given and you can be cited for any speed over the posted school zone speed.”
Terrell reminds drivers that if school zone lights are flashing, the speed limit is reduced. If they’re not flashing the speed limit is normal “but you can still be cited for speeding in a school zone.”
The sheriff also reminds drivers to watch for school buses and to never pass a stopped bus on two-lane or multi-lane roads.
“Avoid distractions such as talking on the phone and absolutely NO TEXTING AND DRIVING,” adds Chief Jarrell. “Not only should motorists be mindful of their own driving behaviors, but be cautious of others, too.”
Planning and patience
Habersham’s top cops encourage drivers to plan for the increased traffic congestion and bus stops as they make their morning and afternoon travel plans.
“The main thing is to be patient because it is the first day of school and there is an increase of traffic during this time,” stresses Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum.
“Our first priority is the kids and getting them into the school and home safely,” adds Cornelia Police Chief Chad Smith. “My biggest suggestion is give your self more time to get to where you are going or find another route.”
Alto Police Chief Josh Ivey sums it up saying, “Leave early, allow extra time, do not rush, and be safe.”
A recently published analysis of hospital prices shows Georgia in the top third among 25 states studied.
The Rand Corp. data uses prices paid by health insurers under employer-based coverage, and compares that spending to what Medicare pays at the same facilities.
The sampling is limited, with claims studied representing only a small share of the employer-based insurance market, the authors acknowledge. The Georgia Hospital Association called it “cherry-picked’’ data intended to be used by employers and insurers to negotiate lower payments to hospitals.
The price analysis was presented at the conference of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners last weekend, as the hospital industry was feeling the jolt of a Trump administration proposal on pricing.
The White House proposal, announced last month, would require hospitals to post the prices they negotiate with insurers for just about every service, drug and other resource they supply to patients. Hospitals and insurers are fighting the plan, which is supposed to take effect in January.
Other recent research, meanwhile, has pinpointed metro Atlanta as being in the top third of urban areas on health care pricing.
In the Rand analysis, the states ranked with higher combined inpatient and outpatient costs than Georgia, among the 25 studied, are Indiana, Wyoming, Maine, Wisconsin, Montana, Colorado and Texas.
The report outlined a large discrepancy between prices that Medicare pays and those paid under private insurance. And the analysis said outpatient care costs are a big driver of spending growth.
Bill Custer, a health insurance expert at Georgia State University, said the new Rand analysis, while limited, shows a tremendous variation in the prices of outpatient services in Georgia and elsewhere. Such services include imaging and diagnostic services and minor surgeries, Custer said Monday.
“Similar services are being priced very differently for outpatient care,’’ he said.
Higher prices in some areas of the nation have been linked partly to medical provider consolidation, and in some areas to the presence of hospitals with very high consumer appeal, so that insurance networks feel obliged to affiliate with them.
Hospitals say they pursue mergers to reduce their costs of doing business and to increase their bargaining power when they negotiate with insurers about reimbursement. Georgia has seen widespread hospital consolidation in recent years, as health systems Piedmont, Northside, Emory, WellStar and HCA have added facilities.
Colbert
Laura Colbert, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, said Monday that health care spending growth has been squeezing patients.
“We hear from consumers that they feel like premiums are uncontrollable,’’ she said. “People are feeling this in their pocketbooks.’’
Ethan James of the Georgia Hospital Association said the Rand report is “not a study.’’
He said it does not address the underlying cause of the shift toward insured patients paying higher rates for treatment. Those rates, he said, stem largely from the fact that Georgia has one of the nation’s highest rates of people without health coverage. The private insurance reimbursements are helping cover the cost of care for nonpaying patients, he said.
James said that problem is why GHA supports Gov. Brian Kemp’s waiver proposal that could increase the number of adults covered by Medicaid in the state.
Earlier this year, an analysis by the Health Care Cost Institute ranked Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Roswell No. 32 among the 112 local areas studied in terms of overall health care prices, or 8 percent above the national median level. It studied prices for hospital inpatient admissions, outpatient visits and professional services.
And a 2017 report from health care data firm Amino ranked U.S. metro areas according to how expensive their hospital outpatient services were.
That study ranked 53 metro areas. Buffalo, N.Y., was No. 1, with the least expensive outpatient hospital services, and Milwaukee was 53rd, with the most expensive. Metro Atlanta came in 43rd.
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 Raiders got hot at the right time in 2018, making the second round of the state playoffs after not getting into the postseason in the previous six years. The 7 wins last year was the most since an 11-win 2007 season under now-Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart. Expectations are now heightened for coach Benji Harrison and Habersham Central, but many questions have to be answered. Gone are playmakers Tre Luttrell, Donovan Curry, Dontarius Bailey, Tracy Lowery, Luke Wilson, Tarin Westbrook, and Daniel Matkovic to name a handful. For the fourth consecutive season, we will see a new starting QB. It was Cole Wilbanks in ’16, AJ Curry in ’17, and Luttrell in ’18.
7 Things To Know About the Raiders
1. Shadows to Spotlight for Clouatre & Curry
Obviously, some guys will have to step up in 2019 for the Raiders to have a shot to repeat last year’s success. A couple of those guys are Jackson Clouatre, who emerged as a viable threat in the backfield before suffering a season-ending injury. Arian Curry also played a lot last year, but was often overshadowed by Luttrell, Donovan Curry, Bailey, Lowery, and others. Clouatre will be a two-way star in 2019 at both RB and LB, while Curry will be featured in much the same way.
2. Strength is Up Front
The Raiders will be led by the O-Line this season. Every single starter on that front line is back, and that’s a HUGE plus! These guys are a year stronger, a year better, and a year more experienced.
3. Stop the Run
The primary focus for Habersham this offseason has been on the defensive side of the ball, specifically looking to stop the run. This has been largely problematic for years now, and Harrison and the staff are zoning in on this. “Defensively, we have to do a better job of consistently stopping the run,” says Harrison. “We have done some things defensively to hopefully help us be more consistent against the run.”
4. Keeping the Defense Off Balance
The Raiders will continue to run the no-huddle spread, which proves hard for defenses to adjust and keep up with. Like last season, Habersham will continue to throw and run the ball. The old run n’ gun offense means lots of excitement. However, with a significant group of talent lost from last season, the Raiders will be forced to use more personnel this time around. Ryte Woodruff will take over at QB, and will be the first non-SR starter since Cole Wilbanks in 2015. Clouatre, Curry, and Garrett Heaton will get the primary carries at RB, and Joshua Pickett will be the go-to receiver.
5. Aggressive On Defense
See above on the big focus for the Raiders. The alignment will be a 3-5, loading the box to stop the run. Pickett, Curry, Tanner Wade, and Patrick Tedder will all be heavily relied upon. The secondary will need to also have fewer missed tackles than last season.
6. Unsung Heros
Get to know these guys: Pierce Vickery, Lincoln Wright, Joshua Wade, Greg Wiley, and Ethan Tomlin. They are the starting O-Line, and are all returning from last season as starters. “These guys don’t get nearly enough credit,” states Harrison. “They are all the unsung heroes.” Harrison says the depth is decent in the trenches, but one injury could change all that.
7. Higher Expectations
With winning comes expectations for more wins. This season, the expectations are clearly laid out by Harrison: “They are high. We want to compete for the Region Championship and get back to the playoffs.”
The Raiders open their 2019-20 season on August 23 in an away game against Dawson County. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Video by: Daniel Purcell
For more local high school football previews visit BLITZ and the links below
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is counting down the hours and putting the finishing touches on preparations for the fifth annual “Sheriff’s Show & Shine” car show.
The event is this Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters at 2859 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville.
Each year the show features an impressive display of hot rods, exotic vehicles, classics, restorations, factory hot rods and motorcycles.
Participants may register right up until show time. The entry fee is $25.00. Awards will be presented from 1:30 – 2 p.m.
The Show & Shine car show is free for spectators and will feature a number of family-friendly activities including:
Door prizes
Games and bounce house
Music
Plenty of food
Public safety demonstrations
Vendors
While the show is a great time, it’s not just for fun, according to Hall County Sheriff’s spokesman Derreck Booth. “Proceeds raised during this annual event go to support the Sheriff’s Christmas Bicycle Program for less-fortunate families,” he says. “Help us break records at the show so we can break records in bicycle donations.”
To register contact Sandy Garrett at sgarrett@hallcounty.org. You may also download a registration form here.
North Georgia Technical College recently announced the creation of a new community traveling club called the Mountain Doers, an organization coordinated by the college’s Economic Development department.
The Mountain Doers is open to anyone who is interested in traveling, experiencing adventures throughout the southeast and continuing education classes or other opportunities at North Georgia Technical College.
Benefits of joining include: special events and discount offers from area partners and businesses, special discounts on NGTC continuing education classes and EdVenture tours, special activities and events, special ID and parking pass, and bi-monthly meetings.
Membership for the year is $35 for an individual or $50 for a couple.
“Being part of this group, you get to meet likeminded individuals with similar interests,” said Vicky Frankum, NGTC Economic Development Coordinator. “Members will be able to bring their skills, talents and knowledge to the table and share with others while making new friends, exploring new areas and having tons of fun.”
Anyone interested in joining or receiving more information can contact Frankum at 706-754-7716 or by email at vfrankum@northgatech.edu.
North Georgia Technical College is the first technical college in the state of Georgia and is part of the Technical College System of Georgia. Its main campus is in Clarkesville, with additional campuses in Toccoa and Blairsville. For more information, visit northgatech.edu or call 706-754-7700.
On Wednesday morning, Jefferson Athletic Director Bill Navas accepted the BLITZ Cup Trophy to be housed at the school for the upcoming school year. The Dragons and Lady Dragons’ athletic programs combined to win the 2018-19 BLITZ Cup, which had previously been held at Banks County.
In this past school year, Jefferson garnered 198 total points, just two ahead of Dawson County, to win the rights to the traveling trophy. The Cup is crafted by Bob & Ted’s Trophy in Clarkesville, and has a placard with all previous winners of the award.
Fireworks will cap off the evening at Raider Stadium on August 10. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
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
Easton Foundation founder Casey Lizama throws a pass as Brandon Holcomb blocks during the Battle of the Heroes in 2017. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
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.
Photo: Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham
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.
Hall County Sheriff’s Deputies escorted the 9-year-old son of an officer killed in the line of duty to his first day of school on Wednesday.
Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon, 28, died on July 8 after being shot by a suspect during a foot chase on Highland Avenue in Gainesville.
Deputies joined Dixon’s oldest son Caden and his mother Stephanie as Caden started the fourth-grade. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook that it wanted to give extra support and encouragement to them on Caden’s first day of class.
“The Sheriff’s Office and Hall County community are proud of them both,” the post says.
Deputy Dixon was a three-year veteran of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. He also left behind an infant son.
A special presentation will be made in Officer Dixon’s memory this Saturday, August 10, during the Battle of the Heroes at Raider Stadium in Mt. Airy.
Pictured, left to right: Caden being held by Sheriff’s Sgt. Charles Hewell; Deputies walking Caden to class; and Stephanie taking photos of Caden and Sgt. Hewell. (HCSO/Facebook)
A Hall County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer (SRO) took quick action on Thursday afternoon, August 8, to assist a student who began choking during lunch.
Deputy Zack Marley routinely sits with students during lunch at West Hall High School (WHHS) where he serves as SRO. But Thursday’s lunch period turned frightening in a matter of seconds when Marley heard his name being yelled by teachers at approximately 12:10 p.m.
As Marley approached the calls for assistance in the lunchroom, he soon realized a female student needed his help. When he asked the 15-year-old if she was choking, she pointed at her throat and nodded her head yes, according to Marley.
The Deputy, who has received first aid training from both the Sheriff’s Office and Hall County SchoolDistrict, began abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, on the student. Afterbetween six and eight thrusts, the student told Marley, “it’s out.” She answered, “yes,” when he asked if she was OK.
The student was checked out by the WHHS nurse and did not require any additional treatment. According to Marley, the foreign object in the girl’s throat was a grape.
Thursday’s incident was the first time Marley had to perform the maneuver. He said his training kicked in, and despite some fear, he was able to help the student.
“It scared me because that is one of my students,” Marley says. “I look at them as my own kids, so when I see one of them is in trouble, it startles me. I go into action on helping my kids. They’re not just students, they’re my kids.”
Sean D. Allen, age 51 of Clarkesville, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, August 07, 2019.
A life-long resident of Habersham County, Sean was born in Demorest, Georgia on April 15, 1968 a son of Thelma Elaine Williams Henry of Toccoa, Georgia & the late James Loye “Jake” Allen. He was employed with Habersham Hardware & Home Center with 13 years of service. Sean enjoyed watching movies and listening to music. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Sean was a member of Providence Baptist Church.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred & Eunice Wood Allen, & great-niece, Kennedy Wright.
Survivors in addition to his mother include sisters & brother-in-law, Kay Allen of Clayton, GA; Chris & Nicky Lewallen of Commerce, GA; niece & spouse, Leah & Garrett Misencik of Clarkesville, GA; nephews & spouse, Justin & Hannah Miller of Dahlonega, GA; Matthew Miller of Clayton, GA; aunts & uncle, Lavalle & Harrison Nix, Dorothy Thompson, all of Clarkesville, GA; uncles & aunts, Thurman & Patsy Allen, David & Lynn Allen all of Demorest, GA; Donald & Pat Allen, Jeff & Toni Allen all of Clarkesville, GA; great-nieces, Mayleigh Miller & Kailee Misencik; great-nephews, Lincoln Wright, Jaxon Shreves, & Maverick Misencik; several other relatives, & friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, 2019 from the Hillside Chapel with Rev. Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment will follow in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday.
The Clarkesville City Council will soon meet to discuss plans to search for a successor for outgoing City Manager Barbara Kesler. Kesler announced her resignation earlier this week.
Kesler has served as Clarkesville City Manager for over eleven years. Her last day on the job is August 16.
Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock says the Council will meet to make plans to advertise the position. Once Kesler steps down, Aycock says the current staff, Mayor and Council members will handle day to day operations of the city until a new city manager is hired.
Aycock issued a public statement saying it was “with deep regret” that the Clarkesville City Council accepted Kesler’s resignation.
In her resignation letter, Kesler outlined a series of accomplishments that were achieved during her tenure:
Construction of an up-to-date water treatment lab
Historic reconstruction of one-fourth of Clarkesville’s downtown square after a devastating fire in 2014
Completion of a downtown streetscape design project
Major upgrades to Clarkesville’s Water Treatment Plant
Demolition of the old Garment Factory on Madison Street and creation of additional parking
Significant storm water management upgrades
Start up of a Main Street Program and a Downtown Development Authority
Successful application and receipt of grand funds in excess of $5.6 Million
Successful management of city services and staff retention during 10 years when the City tax digest decreased by 24% without any staff lay-offs, furlough days or reduced benefit contributions.
Kesler expressed her deep appreciation to her co-workers “whose commitment to excellence and betterment of the City is to be commended. They have overcome many circumstances where resources were slim and challenges were great. They are the most outstanding people with whom I have ever had the privilege to work”.
According to Aycock’s statement, Kesler now plans to spend more time with her extended family and assist her husband with his business in Toccoa.
The University of North Georgia Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis awarded a $5,000 sub-grant to the Soque River Watershed Association and Upper Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District. The funds will be used to support a grant project for educating middle school students and teachers in Habersham County on stream and streambank health in the Soque Watershed.
The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis supports grant projects that educate the public and promote cleaner waterways and healthier forests in northern Georgia. This project is expected to reach approximately 375 students in grades 4-9 with emphasis on grade 7. The purpose of this project is to help students understand how to manage landscapes and access stream and streambank health. Both SRWA and Upper Chattahoochee River SWCD will accomplish this by teaching in the classrooms, having a teach-the-teacher field day, and allowing teachers to rent stream monitoring tools for their own classrooms, according to a press release
The Upper Chattahoochee River SWCD serves Habersham, White, Lumpkin, Dawson, and Forsyth counties. SRWA serves Habersham County and the surrounding area by implementing projects to protect and improve water quality and to educate the public about the Soque River and its importance to north Georgia.
Infant Harris Mitchael Craver, of Alto, Georgia passed away to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.
Infant Craver was born on February 8, 2019 in Hall County, Georgia to Tyler H. Craver and Lindsey D. Parks of Alto, Georgia. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings, Chance Craver, Farrah Parks, Maci Craver, and Garret Parks. Harris who had pretty blue eyes, and a contagious smile was a very loved child by not only his family and friends, but the community as well. He will be deeply missed.
Funeral Services will be held at 2: 00 p.m., Monday, August 12, 2019 at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel with Pastor Saul McCoy officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to the service hour on Monday, August 12, 2019 at the funeral home.
The family request in memory of Harris to visit and worship at Baldwin Baptist Church, Shore Street, Baldwin, Georgia 30511.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, South Chapel, P.O. Box 1113, Cornelia, Georgia to assist with final expenses.
Georgia teachers and state employees got good news Thursday about their health care benefits.
Monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance will be the same in 2020 as they are this year, state officials announced.
It’s the second straight time that these health benefit costs will remain the same from one year to the next for non-Medicare members.
The State Health Benefit Plan, with a budget of more than $3 billion, covers about 660,000 state employees, teachers, other school personnel, retirees and dependents.
The benefit offerings – from HMO through high-deductible health plan – will also stay the same. UnitedHealthcare, Anthem and Kaiser Permanente will provide the insurance choices for members.
“We’re happy to offer what I think is a good selection of plan options at an affordable price,’’ said Jeff Rickman, executive director of the State Health Benefit Plan.
For the lowest-cost Medicare Advantage plan, the premium will go up from zero to $20 per month, but to get that lowest rate, retirees will have to switch from Anthem to UnitedHealthcare. The higher-cost Advantage plan from United will have the same monthly premium as now, at $128.22.
“Quality public education is vital to Georgia’s future, and competitive salary and benefit packages are essential to the recruitment and retention of excellent educators,” said Ramona Mills of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.
“PAGE was pleased to learn today that the Georgia Department of Community Health unanimously approved a State Health Benefit Plan that contains no cost increases for current educators,” she said. “We are, however, concerned about cost increases to certain Medicare Advantage premiums, and the resulting financial impact on retired educators. PAGE encourages state leaders to ensure that current and retired Georgia educators have access to affordable health care.”
The AJC’s James Salzer points out that the premium for the lower-cost Medicare Advantage plan offered by UnitedHealthcare will fall, but the standard plan of Anthem would go from no premium to $146.15 a month. The cost of United’s premium Advantage plan would remain the same, far less expensive than the one offered by Anthem.
State agencies will pay lower contributions to the plan to cover their employees next year, while school systems will pay the same per member per month contribution.
The AJC also reported that Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration made the decision in May to save $235 million by skipping a month’s payment into the SHBP, citing a surplus and the need to make sure the state made its budget for fiscal 2019, which ended June 30.
The recent stability in the state’s health plan is in sharp contrast to the uproar five years ago, when there were widespread complaints from teachers and others and even some organized protests. In response, the state did a fast fix for that year’s benefits and more revisions on the 2015 plan.
State agencies will pay lower contributions to the plan to cover their employees next year, while school systems will pay the same per member per month contribution, Rickman said.
SHBP will retain the current Pharmacy Benefit Manager, CVS Caremark, and the current wellness vendor, Sharecare, for the 2020 plan year.
Open Enrollment will begin Oct. 21 and end Nov. 8 for plan members.
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation says some of its members have received telephone calls stating their power will be disconnected unless they make a payment through the caller or by calling a number provided by the caller.
Nicole Dover, spokesperson for HEMC said they are advising its members to hang up at once and report the call to their local law enforcement. Do not give out any personal information. If HEMC members have questions regarding their accounts, customer service representatives can be reached at 706-865-4362
BLITZ Sports just released a list of 82 area high school football players to keep an eye on this season. One of them stands a good shot at being named this year’s BLITZ Football Player of the Year.
Habersham’s Jackson Clouatre made the short list (15) of early favorites. The junior running back has a career total of 368 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 30 receiving yards. He’s joined on the short list by Rabun County’s sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton and senior wide receiver Braxton Hicks. Also on the short list for POY honors are White County junior quarterback J Ben Haynes, and Stephens County’s Gamarion Carter, Kenny Colwell, and Hudson Spurlock.
Habersham’s Arian Curry, Joshua Pickett, Patrick Tedder, and Tanner Wade made the BLITZ list of players poised for breakout roles this season. And Raider newcomers Garrett Heaton and Ryte Woodruff, a senior and expected starting quarterback, made the list of newbies to watch out for.
The kids may be back in school but it’s still summertime in Georgia!
High heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure across parts of north and central Georgia through the middle of next week.
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected each day, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. A few storms could be strong to severe with gusty winds, heavy rain and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
A Heat Advisory is in effect today for parts of south Georgia along and south of a line from Columbus to Swainsboro, where heat indices will likely near 105º.
