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 NEWS
When you see news in the making, contact News Director Nathan Dunham by email
Gas Prices Still CLimbing 02/22/2012 Gas prices are back in the news across the country as prices continue to rise. Rabun County is no different, as we’ve seen prices jump almost 50 cents in just two months.
Currently, motorists in Rabun pay on average $3.55 for a gallon of regular, which is up from late December prices, which hovered slightly above $3.00, and up from last week by about 4 cents.
Analysts expect prices to steadily rise over the next few months, as tensions with Iran continue. Commissioners Back $400K Water and Sewer Authority Loan 02/22/2012 The Rabun County Board of Commissioners voted yesterday to back a loan with the Water and Sewer Authority. The loan was for purchasing capacity for sewage on a line extension north of Mountain City into the Rabun County Business Park. Vice Chairman of the Water and Sewer Authority, Sam Beck spoke to the Commissioners during their called meeting yesterday saying that the loan would only be temporary. Beck said the money would be paid off in a few months after funds from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority are released for the project, but that the bank that is holding the note just wants a guarantor, and the County wouldn’t actually put up any money. Commissioner Jimmy Loudermilk said he didn’t think there would be a problem and put forth a motion, which was approved unanimously.
The project is expected to be completed early next year DOL Moves into Employment Center 02/22/2012 The Department of Labor has moved into their new offices here in Rabun County. Those that are unemployed in the County can call and set up an appointment to visit their new offices at the Employment Center. Appointments are still being taken through the Welcome Center, and no set office hours are set for the Department of Labor. The next time they will be in the office to assist with filing unemployment or job searches will be next Friday, March 2nd. An official ribbon cutting and open house for the employment center will be March 19th. You can call the Welcome Center to schedule an appointment at 706 782 4812.
The employment center is located next to the Health Department on South Main Street in Clayton. No texting while driving in Walhalla 02/22/2012 (Dick Mangrum WGOG-AM Walhalla)
Walhalla has given preliminary approval to a law forbidding motorists to text while driving. Highway 64 Backed Up on Monday 02/22/2012
(Keith Giles WFSC-AM Franklin) Cullasaja Fire Department responded and routed both east and west lanes of traffic onto Buck Creek Road while the accident was cleared. According to 911 calls, the truck driver phoned 911 and informed him he was using GPS and had got “stuck” in the mountains on 64/28. “I need some help bad,” the driver told dispatchers.
The Highway Patrol and Macon County Sheriff’s Office were also dispatched to the incident. Multi-Trade Requests 75% Water Discount 02/21/2012 The Rabun County Board of Commissioners met yesterday morning for a special called meeting. Of the four items on the agenda, perhaps the most important involved Multi-Trade, the company in the Rabun County Business Park that produces electricity using recycled wood chips. The company has been in some rough financial waters as of late, according to Chairman Butch Darnell, who said that the company requested a 75% decrease in their water bill, that Darnell said was currently delinquent for over $200,000. Commissioner Will Nichols proposed a plan to temporarily discount their water bill for 50% retroactive to September of last year. Tom Garrison said it was a tough spot for the County, as 21 jobs were on the line, but said he felt the county was doing everything in their power, given the situation.
The commissioners voted unanimously to cut the rate in half, and will send it back to Multi-Trade. Clayton City Council Meeting Today 02/21/2012 The Clayton City Council will hold their monthly meeting this evening. Celebrate Clayton is a topic on the agenda, with the hopes of the Council allowing the celebration to serve beer and wine this year. Other events, such as the Clayton Crawl currently serve wine, provided the area of the street is closed off. Also on the agenda, a decision by the City as to whether or not to take in consideration dropping some fines and fees that relate to delinquent taxes that Mountain Lakes Medical Center currently has.
The Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Administrator of the Hospital, Cheryl Hayes went before the Council last Tuesday saying that she is trying to remedy some of the past financial miscues that had plagued the hospital, but needed the help of the City. Sandra Deal Impressed with RCMS 02/21/2012 Last week, Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal as well as State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge visited Rabun County Middle School. Deal and Barge have been touring schools in the area for the past few weeks. During last week’s Board of Education meeting, superintendent Matt Arthur said that the two had nothing but good things to say about the school. Arthur praised Principal Charles Wright and his staff at the middle school, and said that Deal commented on how clean the school was. Arthur said that they visited classrooms and were pleased with the focus that the students had as they conducted their studies. Arthur closed his report saying that the visit was one of the best ones they’ve had in several years. Stephens Co. Hospital Offers Discount for Prompt Payment 02/21/2012
(Charlie Bauder WNEG-AM Toccoa) The Stephens County Hospital Authority unanimously approved changes in the fee schedule at its regular meeting Monday. Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said the changes will implement a discount policy. To uninsured patients, Gambrell said the hospital will offer a 25 percent discount if they pay at the time they are treated. In addition, Gambrell said the hospital will offer a 20 percent discount to either a private pay patient or to any insured patient if they can pay within 30 days after treatment or their insurance pays. He went on to say that the hospital, as part of this effort, will be offering a discount to those who already owe money who pay their bill in the coming months. “Anyone that owes us money, if they pay us the balance no later than April 30, they get a 20 percent discount,” said Gambrell. Gambrell said the hospital hopes the policy will accomplish several things. “(We are) trying to help patients pay their medical bills at the hospital and at the same time, trying to get bills paid quicker,” said Gambrell. “(The hospital is) trying to make it a win-win situation.” According to Gambrell, the hospital will provide information about the payment policy and the discounts to patients in several ways. He said the hospital will provide the information on the program to patients at the time they register and it will be on patient bill as well.
Gambrell said the discounts will take effect as soon as the information is provided and programmed into the computer systems in order to be implemented. Duke Energy Reports Lower 4th qtr earnings 02/21/2012
(Keith Giles WFSC-AM Franklin) Duke made the announcement Thursday, saying earnings dropped over 33 percent in the final quarter of 2011. In a press release, Duke Energy officials said:
“In 2011, earnings from the company’s ongoing modernization program and favorable Too help offset the tepid fourth quarter Duke Energy got some help during the year from increases in its power rates for customers in the Carolinas. However, despite a slower fourth quarter Duke Energy continued to increase the quarterly per share dividend payment to shareholders. Banks, Post Office Closed Today 02/20/2012 If you have any business to attend to, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow, as several organizations will be closed in honor of Presidents Day. Most banks will be closed on Monday, as well as Post Offices across the country. Locally, several city halls will be closed in observance, including Clayton and Rabun’s students will have a four day weekend after a holiday on Monday, and Teacher in service day Tuesday. Not everyone gets a vacation though, as County Offices will remain open. Man Charged with Firing a Gun into home 02/20/2012 A Rabun County man is being held without bond after firing a gun at a home as well as attempting to throw an incendiary device at a man’s home. According to Rabun County Sheriff’s Office reports, the incident occurred early Wednesday morning when a man said that 91 year old Victor Franks shot at his door with a shotgun. Sheriff’s Officers stated that there may have been a prior domestic incident that may have been a motivating factor. Franks allegedly also threw what appeared to be similar to a “molotov cocktail” in the lawn of the residence, though deputies were able to extinguish the fire quickly. Franks was charged with Criminal Damage to Property, Aggravated Assault, as well as Discharging a Firearm on or near a public road. Franks was booked into the Rabun County Detention Center and is currently being held without bond. 2 Clayton Businesses Cited With Underage Alcohol Sales 02/20/2012
Two Clayton businesses face underage alcohol sales violations after a sting operation was conducted last week. Seneca Daycare worker arrested 02/20/2012
(Chad Dorsett WSNW-FM Seneca) N.C. Farmers Markets Get Boost From State 02/20/2012
(Keith Giles WFSC-AM Franklin) Starting March 1, farmer’s markets can begin submitting applications to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to receive assistance with advertising. The Ag department says they’ll pay up to half the cost of placing ads for these markets as long as they meet certain guidelines. Some of the qualifications are at least half of the vendors are North Carolina residents, the willingness to conduct surveys, and also use state logos as part of the advertising. Last year in Macon County, there were two farmers markets with one in Franklin and one in the Holly Springs community. School Board Discusses Fuel Costs, Awards 02/17/2012 The Rabun County Board of Education met early today due to the Lady Wildcats regional tournament basketball game tonight. A transportation budget was proposed and discussed by Transportation Director Katrina Williams. Williams said she and Superintendent Matt Arthur discussed that the new proposed budget would be higher this year than in past years. Most of that had to do with the cost of gas and Arthur said he recommended a 20% increase in the fuel budget in anticipation of much higher gas prices over the summer. The meeting wasn’t all financials and budgets, though. Director of Student Services Charlie Cleere announced that the Special Education program was announced a winner of the Pacesetter Award for their performance on things such as CRCT testing, as well as graduation rates and the freedom students are allowed to learn. Cleere said that only 5 systems across Georgia received the award, which is the highest honor for Special Education in Georgia. New GED Scholarship To Help Low Income Students 02/17/2012 Georgia Adults who can’t afford the cost of getting their GED, but desire to do so are getting some help. In a press release from North Georgia Technical College and the Technical College System of Georgia it was announced that AT&T has donated $50,000 to the the Technical College System to create GED testing scholarships. Georgians currently pay $95 to take all of the tests required by the GED, but that cost is expected to rise this year when a new computer based system is implemented. A $65 voucher is expected to be given to low income applicants who score 500 or higher on each of the GED practice exams. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a high school or GED diploma earns approximately $10,000 more than those without them. Clayton Women Celebrate Arbor Day 02/17/2012 It’s Arbor Day in Georgia and the Clayton Women’s Club will commemorate the day planting a tree in memory of a club member. The Women’s Club will team up with the Rabun County Historical Society and the tree honors the life and memory of former club member Mary NeSmith.
Festivities kick off at 2pm and run until 4pm at the Rabun County Historical Society on Church Street in Clayton. Oconee Traffic Death 02/17/2012
(Dick Mangrum WGOG-FM Walhalla) Ingles Experiences sales increase 02/17/2012
(Keith Giles WFSC-AM Franklin) According to a report from the Asheville-Citizen Times, Ingles sales were up 5 percent in the last fiscal year and up over 5 percent for the most recent quarter. The continued growth means expansions of stores as well as the distribution center in Black Mountain, creating more jobs. Last year the company remodeled or opened four stores; but, annual revenue still isn’t quite on par with the numbers Ingles had in the mid-2000s. |
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SKY 104 · WRBN-FM · P O Box 1149, 18 Radio Lane, Clayton, Georgia 30525 · (706) 782-1041 · Fax (706) 782-4252 · Email · Terms of Use |
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