BanksNewsTODAY

Football: Weather wins out between Banks Co., East Jackson; game postponed until Saturday

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 21:11:42 -0500

Players, coaches and fans showed up Friday night at East Jackson expecting to see a football game between the 1-1 Banks County Leopards and the 2-0 Eagles.
But what everyone expected and what became reality were two separate things. Heavy rain and lightning won out over football Friday night and forced the postponement of the ...

Lady Leopards take control of Region 8-AA after 1-0 win over Union Co.

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 09:51:37 -0500

For Banks County, Tuesday’s game at Union County carried a lot of weight.
Both teams entered the matchup 4-0 in Region 8-AA. The winner of the game sat in the driver’s seat to host the Region 8-AA tournament at the end of September.
The Lady Leopards were up to the challenge and pressure. Banks County downed Union County 1-0. ...

Lula looking at options to provide sewer service to Mar-Jac

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 07:53:55 -0500

The Lula City Council is considering options available to provide sewer service to the Mar-Jac Poultry facility. During a meeting on Sept. 9, Mayor Jim Grier said Mar-Jac is looking to invest $15 million in upgrades at the Lula Road facility.
“They are looking to make some decisions about expanding and that expansion would require sewer service,” Grier said. The current facility is connected to a septic system.
City Manager Dennis Bergin said Hall County officials told him Mar-Jac had expressed an interest in connecting to the county sewer line on 365.
“That’s in our service area,” Bergin said.
Bergin said the city would need to conduct an analysis of what it would take for Lula to provide service to Mar-Jac versus what the county can provide, and try to come up with a compromise that will be in the best interest of Mar-Jac, Lula and the county.
“Our intentions are to provide service to a customer where it is feasible for us financially as well as for the customer,” Bergin said.
But, if Mar-Jac connects to the county sewer system, is there a possibility of the city regaining service area somewhere else?
“Maybe there is an opportunity that this opens a door to revisit where they (Hall County) have service in another geographical area,” said Bergin.
One option the council would like Hall County to consider is the possibility of allowing Lula to provide services to the area north of Highway 52 with the county providing service to the southern portion of the highway.
“I think there is some opportunities here for both the county and the city to find a solution that will be economically beneficial for both of us,” Grier said.
In other business, Bergin reported the city has submitted Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan applications for the Highway 365 well and water line project and the Sewer Line I project.
According to Bergin, GEFA has a new rule that would require the city to restart the application process from the beginning if all bids come in ten percent higher than the loan application.
The city is applying for $1.6 million to complete the sewer line project and an additional $625,000 for the Highway 365 well and water line project.

For more news from Lula, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

Elderly man gives $62,000 to phone scammer

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 07:51:16 -0500

An elderly Lula man sent $62,000 to a phone scammer because he believed he had won money but first had to pay the taxes on it.
The man’s son called the Banks County Sheriff’s Office and reported that his father was the victim of a scam.
The man’s son reported that his father received a phone call from a man who indicated that he had won money. His father was told that in order to receive his winnings he would have to first pay the taxes. The man said his father withdrew the money from his bank and sent it to the person who made the phone call.
In another report of a scam, a woman said she received a Facebook message from someone stating that she would receive a money grant for $130,000 if she paid a fee.
She purchased $900 in gift cards and sent them to the person who called. She said the person has stopped calling and she can’t get in touch with them.

For more crime coverage, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

Memories and music at church homecomings

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 07:50:28 -0500

BY ANGELA GARY
Memories and music. Those are the highlights at most church homecomings, and this was true Sunday at Antioch United Methodist Church.
We gathered in the brick church set in the countryside in the spot where people have met for 220 years to worship.
Singing, preaching and a covered dish meal were on the agenda for homecoming Sunday.
The congregation was filled with current members of the church, past members and visitors who were in attendance to see the East Jackson Comprehensive High School Chorus, under the direction of Todd Chandler, perform.
Homecomings are a tradition in churches that goes back many years. In the south, church homecomings have been held since Colonial times. They typically are planned in small southern towns and rural areas.
It’s a time for current and former church members to gather and recall times from the past and reflect on what is ahead.
Often, the worship service is led by a former minister of the church. That was the case Sunday at Antioch United Methodist Church where the Rev. Blair Boyd Zant, a youth minister from 10 years ago, spoke about her time at the church.
She told “her story” of taking the job as youth minister at the church, where only two sixth grade boys were in the youth group. She would be moving out of Georgia in seven months, so everyone knew it was basically a temporary position for her.
The young woman didn’t let a temporary position and only two boys in the youth group stop her. By the end of her term, 20 youth attended her last event at the church.
Her time at Antioch is now part of her story and she has often shared it as she speaks in churches across North Georgia.
We attended homecoming at Antioch to see the EJCHS Chorus perform. We have visited at Antioch several times since my nephew has been in chorus. It’s his senior year so we weren’t going to miss Sunday’s performance.
We also know many of the members of Antioch and it’s always good to see them and catch up on what is going on in each other’s lives.
The chorus did a wonderful job. I loved all of the selections but “Sit Down, Servant” was my favorite. It was so beautiful.
If the performance Sunday at Antioch was a preview of what is to come when the chorus visits Washington, D.C., during fall break to perform, we are in for a real treat.
The chorus will be performing at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as well as at Mount Vernon. I will be tagging along as a chapherone.

Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers. She can be reached at angela@mainstreetnews.com.

Patricia Ann Poole Aaron (8-29-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 14:44:03 -0500

TOCCOA - Patricia Ann Poole Aaron, 74, Toccoa, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2019.

Born on December 1, 1944, in Commerce, she was the daughter of the late John Bruce and Jennie Lou Bellamy Poole. Mrs. Aaron enjoyed word searches, crossword puzzles, reading, and shopping. She was a member of Nails Creek Baptist Church.

Dale Francis Meyer (9-7-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 09:22:13 -0500

HOMER - Dale Francis Meyer, 83, Homer, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.

Mr. Meyer was born on January 25, 1936 in Wilkin County, Minn., son of the late Emil Meyer and the late Bernice Anderson Meyer. He was retired as the owner and operator of Meyer Mazda and was a ...

Dale Francis Meyer (9-7-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 07:24:25 -0500

HOMER - Dale Francis Meyer, 83, Homer, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.

Mr. Meyer was born on January 25, 1936 in Wilkin County, Minn., son of the late Emil Meyer and the late Bernice Anderson Meyer. He was retired, having worked as owner and operator of Meyer Mazda ...

Harold Leon Lord (9-5-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 07:03:11 -0500

MAYSVILLE - Harold Leon Lord, 83, Maysville, entered into rest Thursday, September 5, 2019.

Mr. Lord was born in Jefferson, a son of the late Price and Annie Lou Stockton Lord and was retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lord is preceded by two wives, Doris Eloise Lord and Ruby ...

Ferd Bradley Elrod (9-2-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 06:52:26 -0500

MAYSVILLE - Ferd Bradley Elrod, 44, Maysville died Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at his residence.

Mr. Elrod was born in Commerce to the late Morgan Edward and Gladys Ann Turpin Elrod. Mr. Elrod was a warehouse laborer.

Mr. Elrod is survived by his brother, Danny Elrod (Jimmie), Gillsville; sisters, Melissa Coleman ...

Robert Eugene Huff (8-31-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:34:54 -0500

COMMERCE - Robert Eugene Huff, 52, Commerce, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2019.

He was born August 8, 1967 in Jacksonville, Florida. Robert was a construction worker by trade. Preceding Mr. Huff in death are his father, Ervin G. Huff; and brothers, Ervin Brammer and Raymond Brammer.

Surviving Mr. Huff are his mother, ...

So many changes in journey to college

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:09:58 -0500

BY ANGELA GARY
I was ending my college career 30 years ago as I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism.
My oldest nephew is just starting his college journey as he starts to apply for colleges. So many decisions for him to make. Where to apply? What to major in?
It’s amazing to me how much things have changed over the years. I don’t remember it being that difficult to get into UGA when I applied.
That’s not the story today as 29,000 people applied last year and 5,000 were admitted. I still can’t believe those numbers!
The odds certainly aren’t in your favor to get accepted. I’m sure all 29,000 of those applicants had great grades and test scores and lists of honors, community service and extra curricular activities.
I do remember getting that envelope in the mail from UGA with “letter of acceptance” across the front of it. Certainly exciting times but not nearly as exciting it must be today when you get that letter in the mail knowing how many thousands are getting a different letter.
The application process has also changed a great deal since my college days. I just filled out a simple form and sent my transcripts.
Today, you have to write two essays, with one topic being about a funny episode in high school, and include letters of reference. What an odd topic to write about a funny thing that happened in high school. What if nothing funny happened.
You also have to list every honor or acheivement you had during your high school years, all the clubs you particiapted in and how many hours of community service you volunteered each year. If you have a job, you have to list how many hours you worked each year. It’s certainly more involved than the application I filled out.
After two years of college, you apply to the department of your major. So, I applied to get into the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia.
You now have to go to a classroom and write a two-page paper on “why you would flourish” in the journalism department. I certainly didn’t have to write why I would flourish as a journalist.
I took a typing test on a typewriter (you know those things you see in antique shops). I remember thinking we were doing a practice round and it was the actual test. No worries though. I passed the typing test and became a member of Grady College at UGA.
Another thing shocking to me is the price of college. It was $1,500 a year when I went. That was as a communter who lived at home. Today, that number is well over $20,000.
My how things have changed in the college world.

Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at angela@mainstreetnews.com.

Counterfeit bill used to purchase tomatoes

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:08:32 -0500

A man reported that someone paid for two baskets of tomatoes at his produce stand with a counterfeit $50 bill.
The man said he took the bill and gave the man the change. He told a deputy with the Banks County Sheriff’s Office that the next day he noticed that the bill didn’t look legitimate. He took it to a bank and it was confirmed to be counterfeit.
Other recent incidents reported to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office includes the following:
•a man stopped by the sheriff’s office to file a fraud report on behalf of his daughter. He said that someone obtained a debit card in his daughter’s name. Since his daughter is in another country now, she asked her father to file the report.
•a woman reported that a man she has a protective order against violated it.

For more crime coverage, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

Casting set for Historic Homer Walking Tour

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:06:22 -0500

A casting meeting for the 2019 Historic Homer Walking Tour, “The Talking Dead,” will be held on Sunday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse. There are individual parts available for men, women, and children, as well as a few parts for groups.
The tours will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 5, with start times of 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. each night.
The Banks County Historical Society hosts the event annually.
Call 678-971-9390 or visit BanksCountyHistoricalSociety.org for more information.

Dwane David Ivey (9-3-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 10:32:00 -0500

CARNESVILLE - Dwane David Ivey, 67, Carnesville, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at his home.

A son of the late R.D. and Mattie Lee Ivey, he was born on February 2, 1952 in Commerce, where he lived in the Banks County area his entire life. He retired as a department head at Mount Vernon Mills, Alto, after 47 years of ...

Tommy Dorsey Denton (9-3-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 10:22:29 -0500

MAYSVILLE - Tommy Dorsey Denton, 72, Maysville, died Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Mr. Denton was born in Commerce to the late Buford and Floyce Drake Denton. He was retired from the heating and air industry. In addition to his parents, Mr. Denton was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Pace ...

Stella Mae “MeMaw” Scott (9-1-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 07:52:16 -0500

HOSCHTON - Stella Mae “MeMaw” Scott, 75, Hoschton, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Mrs. Scott enjoyed going to the beach, watching butterflies, her pets and life itself. She adored her children.

Survivors include her sons, Robert Shelnut and wife Deborah, Hoschton, and Jesse Haney Jr. and Brenda, Braselton; ...

Talmadge Savage (9-2-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 07:29:29 -0500

MAYSVILLE - Talmadge Savage, 91, Maysville, died Monday, September 2, 2019 at Habersham Home.

He was born in Maysville to the late Joe and Eurek Smith Savage Sr. He was a member of Maysville Baptist Church and was retired from Jefferson Mills. In addition to his parents, Mr. Savage was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Harris ...

Terrance Landis “Lanny” Kidd (8-30-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 06:49:37 -0500

CARNESVILLE - Terrance Landis “Lanny” Kidd, 64, Highway 63, Carnesville, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019, at his sister’s home in Lincoln County.

Lanny was born in Elberton on July 16, 1955, son of the late Henry Dorsey Kidd and Joyce Naomi Rosser Kidd. He was a stone cutter having worked in the granite industry and ...

Football: Leopards’ defense comes through in the clutch; downs Franklin Co. 15-7

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 00:19:15 -0500

When the game got tense in the closing seconds in Homer Friday, the Banks County Leopards roared louder than the Franklin County Lions. And the Leopards held off a final push by the Lions to win 15-7.
“Victories in this game don’t come easy,” said Banks County coach Jay Reid. “And hats off to Franklin. They got a good squad. But ...

Town elections set

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 08:25:41 -0500

When qualifying ended last week, an election was set in Baldwin. Elections won’t be needed in Maysville, Alto, Lula and Gillsville where only one candidate qualified for each race on the ballot.
The city election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The last day to register to vote in the city election is October 7. Advanced voting will begin on October 14.
MAYSVILLE
The incumbent mayor and Ward 2 councilman in Maysville will be facing opposition on the Nov. 5 ballot.
In the mayor’s race, incumbent Richard Presley will face Lynn Villyard.
In the Ward 2 city council seat, incumbent Junior Hardy and Susan Cooley will be on the ballot.
In Ward 4, incumbent Scott Harper was the only one to qualify.
For those who are not already registered to vote, the last day to register is Oct. 7.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, for the General Election.
BALDWIN
In Baldwin, the Post 3 seat will be the only race on the ballot. Stephanie Almagno and Ray Holcomb qualified for the vacant Post 3 seat. Holcomb has served on the city council in the past.
Incumbent Larry Lewallen was the only one to qualify for the Post 1 seat; and incumbent Theron Ayers was the only one to qualify for the Post 2 seat.
ALTO
In Alto, those to qualify were: Mayor, incumbent Audrey Turner; Post 3 council seat, John Allen Fox Jr.; and Post 4 council seat, incumbent Eddie Palmer.
No one qualified for the vacant Post 2 council seat.
Qualifying was re-opened this week for candidates for Post 2. This position has been vacant for two years, with no one qualifying for it.
LULA
In Lula, only the incumbents qualified for the three council seats up for election
Matt Hamby qualified for the District 1 seat; Garnett Smith qualified for the District 4 seat; and Lamb Griffin qualified for the District 5 seat.
City manager Dennis Bergin said the city will not need to hold an election since only the incumbents qualified.
GILLSVILLE
In Gillsville, those to qualify were: Post 2, incumbent Jeffery Todd Dale; Post 4, Rickey Gaylon Sutton II; and Post 5, incumbent Samuel Wade Dale II.

Enjoys tea time

nospam@example.com (Angela Gary) — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 08:23:05 -0500

BY ANGELA GARY
I remember going to an estate sale many years ago. There was a collection of hats being sold and I was so excited. Unfortunately, the bid went too high for me and I stopped bidding. The man who got the bid had a junk store in Nicholson, near where I live. I called him and he agreed to sell me all the hats for what he paid.
That started my hat collection. I’ve added many hats over the years. Buying some in antique stores with others being gifts from people who know I collect hats. It’s always a special treat to get the story of the hat. Who wore it. Where they bought it. These details make the hat an even more special item to me.
As a collector of hats, it only makes sense that I also love going to “tea.” As author Henry James stated, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
Anna the Duchess of Bedford held the first afternoon tea sometime around 1840 as a light meal to fill the gap between lunch and dinner. Since then, it’s been a statement of fashionable relaxation and fine socialization.
For years, my mother, sister and I went to the Madison Tea Room where we tried on hats they had on display and enjoyed the delicious sandwiches and sweets. Sad to say, that tea room closed. It does open on special occasions and we had a fun tea there last year at Christmas where we posed with Santa with our festive hats on.
I also am excited when I find tea offered when I’m on vacation. I have been to tea rooms in Greensboro, Destin (Fla.) and on cruise ships. If there is a tea room any where near, I’m going to check it out.
We were so excited to find out a tea room is located in Jackson County. We have celebrated birthdays and other special occasions at Ferguson’s on the Square in Hoschton. Several years ago, an Alice in Wonderland themed tea was held and I convinced my nephew to go. I also love going to Ferguson’s with family and friends whether it’s a birthday or just because we want to go.
The annual Victorian Tea in Jefferson is also always a wonderful event to attend. It’s at the top of my list of favorite tea experiences.
A few reasons I love tea time so much is that I get to wear one of my hats, I love a scone with lemon curd on it, it’s fun to try all of the sandwiches and sweets on the tray and it’s a great time to relax and enjoy a special treat.

Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at angela@mainstreetnews.com.

Lawson Brady (8-23-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:32:54 -0500

CORNELIA - Lawson Brady, 90, Cornelia, formerly of the Auburn-Carl Community, went to heaven August 23, 2019.

Lawson was born January 25, 1929, to the late Lucius and Ruthie Kilcrease Brady. He was preceded by his first wife, Sandra Brooks Brady in 1962. He was an educator with the Gwinnett County Board of Education. Lawson was a ...

Phyllis Ruth Patchen Staples (8-24-2019)

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsObits) — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 07:21:17 -0500

MAYSVILLE - Phyllis Ruth Patchen Staples, 87, Maysville, entered into rest Saturday, August 24, 2019.

Mrs. Staples was born in Stoudsburg, Penn., a daughter of the late Richard Hiram Patchen and Iona Marvin Patchen, was a retired Registered Nurse with Pocono Medical Center and a member of Maysville Baptist Church. In addition to her ...