A new opportunity for our service disabled veteran-owned construction companies to do contract work with the U.S. Army. A potential $72 million contract over the next five years to build General Instruction Buildings at Army bases. One particular project included is at Fort Benning, GA, which is a $4 million project.

Charlie Hopkins of the Department of Veterans Services Elbert County office encourages all service Disabled Veteran construction workers to get involved. He stated that “this sounds like it would be a great opportunity for our service disabled veterans to participate in. Visit www.fbo.gov for more information on this.”
For more information on how to take part in this job opportunity or any other opportunity for Veterans, call or go by the Department of Veterans Service in the Elbert County Government Complex, 45 Forest Avenue. Its exact location at the Complex is in the breezeway that leads from the back parking lot to the front. The phone number is 706-213-2040. They are open from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm 5 days per week

Efforts from local and state law enforcement agencies continue year round and lately in Elberton several license checks around the city are finding citizens with improper safety belt restraints and license violations.

Captain Jeff Hunt of Elberton Police Department reports that there were 10 cases from a check in the city during mid afternoon on Wednesday. One driver with no driver’s license, one suspended license, five with no seatbelts and four child safety seat violations. Those without child safety seats had to be detained until they could have someone bring proper restraints for the child passengers.

Law enforcement officials encourage everyone to be on the lookout for random checks and please have your license and registration up to date and available.

A Washington woman is behind bars after a home invasion and attempting to smother an elderly man. I
n the early hours of March 25th, 82 year old Charlie Stephens of a McGuire Street address was roused from his sleep by a woman putting a pillow over his face.

He struggled with the suspect, who was demanding money. Stephens handed the woman $35.00 out of his pocket, and told her to get out.

After the woman left the residence, Stephens called Washington Police. While officers were processing the crime scene, the suspect was spotted in the area of the crime.

Officers arrested the woman, who was identified as 44 year old Patricia Milton of a Peachtree Street address. Stephens identified Milton as the woman who had robbed him. Milton was charged with armed robber and burglary; she is currently in the Wilkes County Detention Center awaiting bond.

A relocation hearing for a Madison County man charged with murdering his cousin was postponed Wednesday because of a scheduling conflict.

Prosecutors have asked Judge John H. Bailey to reconsider a senior judge's decision last year to move Jason Jerome Moon's trial from Madison County because pretrial publicity has tainted the jury pool.

The 31-year-old Moon is charged with fatally shooting 35-year-old Edouardo Monrico Barnett in January 2007. Moon reportedly lured Barnett to Bellow Drake Road in eastern Madison County on the promise that he'd take him to a stash of crack, but when the two arrived at the site, Moon shot him with a shotgun, authorities said.

Back in February, Superior Court Judges ruled to kick out a video tape of Moon confessing to the crime, stating investigators with the Madison County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation violated Moon's Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

Moon’s case is being heard by the Northern Georgia Judicial Superior Court, which consists of Elbert, Hart, Franklin, Madison, and Oglethorpe Counties. Judge Bailey is the circuit’s Chief Judge.

Two important meetings with new Washington-Wilkes Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Lee Hutto are on the slate for this month.

On Thursday, April 23, the WWCHS will host a community-wide "meet and greet" with Hutto beginning at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The fund-raising event sponsored by the Tiger Club will offer barbecue plates for sale at a cost of $8 each. Tickets can be purchased from football players and coaches.

Then, the following Thursday, April 30, also in the cafeteria at 7 p.m., Hutto will meet with the parents of any athlete playing football for the 2009 season.
Hutto has also announced that the Tiger football team will attend the University of Georgia Bulldogs spring football game in Athens on April 11.

Move Over! Georgia’s Move Over Law became effective in 2003 and is still not exercised by some drivers in our area. This has raised serious concerns for safety with our local law enforcement. The law requires motorists to move over to the next lane if safely possible or slow down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop to avoid a crash with an emergency vehicle.

Sgt. Sam Hill of the Elberton Police Department reports that citizens seem to be disregarding the law which can be fatal. He advised motorists to please observe the law if the lights are activated on a police cruiser, ambulance, fire truck, wrecker, DOT vehicle or hero unit.

Thirty percent of all crashes occur as the result of another crash.

Violations of the Move Over Law in Georgia can result in a fine of up to $500 for the first offense.

For more information on Georgia’s Move Over Law you can visit www.gahighwaysafety.org

An investigator from the Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office is scheduled to be in Elberton next Thursday, April 9th from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm at Elberton City Hall. Please call 706-283-5321 to confirm the investigator’s schedule.

In addition to receiving assistance with insurance problems or questions, the insurance commissioner’s office offers complimentary homeowner, automobile and life insurance policy reviews.

This service is offered to citizens at no cost.

Another home invasion has been reported in the area. Jerry Heard of Woodall Court in Elbert County filed a report with the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office stating that he was assaulted at gun point in his home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Heard advised deputies that an unknown person arrived at his door, identified himself as Larry and requested water for his vehicle. Heard complied and a short time later, a second request for water was made by the same individual. At this time, heard reported that three unidentified black males with masks and armed with shotguns burst into his home asking for money and drugs. One of the males then hit Heard on the head with a shotgun. Heard reported to deputies that he never saw a vehicle. No items are reported missing from the premises.

Heard was advised by Elbert County EMS to seek medical treatment for the laceration to his head.

No evidence was found on the scene. This case is under investigation by Elbert County Sheriff’s Investigators.

On March 25th, Jeremy Owens of South Thomas Street in Elberton reported that a sound heard in the middle of the night prompted Owens to open his back door to find the source of the sound. When Owens opened the door, he was hit on the head and in the side with a pair of hedge trimmers. The assailant then ran into a wooded area.

There is no known connection at this time. Both remain under investigation.

Some things you can do to aid in preventing this from happening to you are:
Always check to see who is there before you open the door.
Do not open the door to anyone you do not know. Remember, you do not have to open the door to anyone.
Pretend there are other people in the house by calling out someone's name. Keep your radio or television on.
If you see any suspicious persons, activities, or vehicles in your area, do not be afraid to call 911.

Friday night, the Washington Tour of Homes kicks off in grand fashion with a tribute to Gone with The Wind.

A highlight of the candle light tour of homes Friday night will be Gone With The Wind stars Mickey Kuhn and Patrick Curtis entertaining with their "Hollywood Revue" at 8 p.m. at the Washington Little Theater. Kuhn played the role of Beau Wilkes, while Curtis was Melanie Wilkes’ infant child.

The two actors will also be appearing at the Washington Historical Museum Saturday afternoon from 2-5 for autographs. The Retro Cinema will have their exhibit of Gone With The Wind memorabilia on display Friday and Saturday.

The 1939 movie based on Margaret Mitchell’s book was both a critical and box office success, winning ten academy awards. When adjusted for inflation, Gone with the Wind is the highest-grossing film of all time.

We’re just starting the fourth month of the year, but already Wilkes County has reported 6 cases of rabid animals this year.

The thing all six have in common, all six rabid animals were skunks.

So far, the six cases have led to seven dogs being euthanized due to contact with the rabid skunks. According to Johnny Wassson, the Wilkes County Health Department’s environmentalist, the reason for the rabid skunks could be due to the fact that this time of the year is the skunk’s mating season, which leads to the skunks being abnormally aggressive.

Rabies, also know as hydrophobia, is a neurological disease that leads to inflammation of the brain. After being bitten or scratched by an animal with the disease, rabies infects the wound and travels through the blood system. Once the infection reaches the central nervous system and symptoms begin to show, the untreated infection is usually fatal within days. Of the rare cases of humans infected with rabies and left untreated, only four are believed to have survived the disease.
If you come across an animal you believe to be rabid, call Wilkes County Animal Control at 706-678-2287. Or if you are afraid you have been bitten by a rabid animal, call the Wilkes County Health Department at 706-678-2622

Washington Police have made another arrest in a dog-fighting and cocaine ring operating in the Baltimore neighborhood of Washington.
42 year old Avery E. Mathis was arrested on Monday and charged with felony dog fighting, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and cruelty to animals, all in relation to the March 14 arrest of Tavaris Ramsey.

According to Lt. Joe Nelson with the Washington PD, Mathis was Ramsey’s right hand man in this dog fighting ring.

Back on March 14th, Tavaris “Weasel” Ramsey and his wife, Lawanda Ramsey were arrested after a raid of their home by Washington Police. At the home, officers discovered drugs, alcohol, weapons, and nine chained pit bulls in the home suspected to be used in dog fighting. Both were charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of drug related objects; and sale of alcohol without a license, while Tavaris Ramsey was separately charged with possession of firearms by a convicted felon; theft by receiving stolen property; and possession of a firearm while in commission of a felony.

More evidence has turned up this week contained in Ramsey's cell phone, which was the subject of a police search warrant. Items found on the phone include photos of Ramsey holding a fighting dog on a leash over a dead dog, photos of weapons, cash, and drugs, and photos of Ramsey proudly wearing gold jewelry and smiling. At least one of the weapons pictured was stolen, adding to the list of charges he faces. Ramsey is currently in the Wilkes County Detention Center with a $185,000 bond. Mathis is in the Detention Center as well, his bond was set at $115,000.

Lt. Nelson says that the Washington Police will not stop until all those involved in the ring are behind bars, and that more arrest will follow.

According to Nelson, the case is on going and many other arrests are expected to follow.

In early March, Georgia Power reported that several metro Atlanta residents were victimized by a female imposter claiming to be a Georgia Power employee. Today, Chief Mark Welsh of the Elberton Police Department reports that it is now hitting closer to home as his office has been notified of the scam in this area. Georgia power is currently investigating this issue.

Chief Welsh advised citizens to “please do not give any financial information by phone and if you are contacted by someone trying this scam please contact your local police and we will take it from there.”

The individual contacts customers by phone, informing victims that their electric bill is past due and that an urgent credit card payment is needed to avoid loss of service within 24 hours.
If the scam artist receives credit card numbers from the Georgia Power customer, she then wires money from their credit card account to different locations or uses the number.

Utility companies in this area will never call a customer at home seeking personal information. Georgia Power will send a recorded message to the customer's home phone encouraging them to contact Georgia Power to discuss the status of their account.

If you receive a call of this nature, please report it to the local authorities. Collect as much information from the caller as possible.

The effects of rain may cause drowsiness, boredom, lack of exercise and many other negative feelings in us, but thinking ahead, it’s really worth the discomfort. Our recent rain in this area gave our grass and plants a nice start and have contributed to improved lake levels.

Current elevation of the lakes in the Savannah District is still below the desired and needed levels but has thankfully risen. Lake Hartwell is at 651.50 feet still eight feet below full pool. Lake Russell stands at 472.39 feet less than three feet below. Lake Thurmond is at 324.36 feet down four feet below full pool.

Predictions last year for this year were not promising, but according to Billy Birdwell of the US Army Corps of Engineers things may be looking up especially after recent rains. He stated, “We haven’t seen this level at Lake Hartwell since October 5, 2007, Thurmond since August 23, 2007. We are doing much better than we had anticipated. About six or seven months ago we were predicting much lower levels than we have now are were concerned about entering summer vacation season lower than we were last year at the same time but it looks right now that we will certainly be as high as summer last year maybe even a little bit higher particularly if we get some more rain in the next few days.”

Although the news is good, we are not out of the woods yet. “We are still in the midst of a drought and we are still running at minimum discharges from the reservoir system and that’s 3600 ft per cubic second. We will continue to do that for the predictable future but that also gives our reservoirs a chance to recover. Our reservoirs are coming up but haven’t recovered. We will continue to monitor outflows and continue minimum outflows at least for the predictable future” Birdwell says.

Although still low our reservoirs still provide water for cities, industries, utilities and waste treatment for cities from Greenville, SC to Savannah, GA. They also provide recreation opportunities to tens of millions of visitors each year.

Several day use areas and campgrounds on the lakes are opening today. You can call the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877-444-6777 or go online at www.recreation.gov to reserve your campsite.

As of this week using tobacco products is forbidden on Athens Technical College's main campus in Athens, as well as satellite campuses in Elbert, Walton and Greene counties.

College officials made just one exception: Students and staff can smoke if they are sitting in their own vehicles, and are allowed to keep a door open when they do.

Penalties for violators will be stiff - a letter of warning on a first offense, a $50 fine for a second violation and dismissal from the college for a third. Despite the stringent policy, Athens Tech officials expect the change to go smoothly today, as spring quarter classes begin.

A few people have complained by e-mail that their right to smoke has been violated, but for the most part the change has been without much controversy.

College officials began planning the ban months ago, and several weeks ago notified workers and students that, effective March 30, tobacco no longer would be allowed. Smokeless tobacco is prohibited as well.

Workers also posted no-smoking signs in areas formerly used as outdoor smoking areas.

College officials also are offering free smoking-cessation classes for students who want to quit.

This past Thursday, a burglar or burglars broke into Navas Tire on Elbert Street, stealing a Dodge Stratus and approximately $1500 worth of tires. WSGC has an update on that case.

At around 10 p.m. on Sunday night, Elberton Police Officers witnessed a black Dodge Stratus driving very erratically on Elbert Street. The vehicle turned north onto Mill Street, and then west onto Railroad Street.

Officers attempted to catch up to the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop. Police utilized their blue lights to signal the driver to stop. The vehicle stopped at the stop sign on Railroad Street and the driver jumped out of the vehicle and ran. The driver was a black male, about 6 feet tall, medium build, wearing baggy jeans, and a light color short sleeved pullover. He ran toward Mill Street, and officers were unable to catch up to him.

When the car’s license plate was run, it came back as the stolen Stratus that was stolen from Navas Tire on Thursday. While checking the vehicle for other passengers, officers noticed fresh blood on the gear shifter. Officers also noted a pair of Latex gloves with blood on them, on the passenger side floor board. The vehicle was towed to the police department for processing.