One of the most unique fitness events of the area will be coming up next weekend. The Hart County Running Club announces the “Lake Hartwell Dam Run” that will take place on May 2, 2009 at 8:30 am.

The run is expected to bring around 1,000 participants from Hart and surrounding counties This is one of the few times the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows runners over Hartwell Dam, said president of the Hart County Chamber of Commerce Michele Dipert. She advised “Registration tables actually open at 7:00 am. This will be at the Big Oaks Recreation area on Highway 29 just north of Hartwell and its right there by the Corps of Engineers office. There’s plenty of free parking. This event is hosted by the Hart County Running Club and we call it The Best Dam Run Anywhere. It is a USATF certified, so again it’s the kind of race you can definitely count towards credits if you are trying to keep track of those.”

The “Dam Run” is for people of all ages and includes a 5k run, a 10k run and a 1 mile Fun Run. Trophies will be handed out to the winners of the races in each age category.

Registration for the event is $15 before April 26 and $20 on registration day. To register for the fun run call the chamber at (706) 376-8590.

Officials of the nonprofit running club are looking for people to volunteer to help with many tasks such as working at the registration table and handing out water to the runners. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt for extended help.

“We also need volunteers to come help us. Anybody who volunteers and helps out the whole time from 7:00 am until 11:00 am Saturday, May 2 will receive a free t-shirt. The t-shirts are going to look really nice this year. I’ve seen them and they look really great.” Dipert commented.

Volunteers need to arrive at the run at 7:30 a.m. on May 2 and can call Lillian Wysong at (706) 376-3220 for more information.

An Elberton man faces assault charges after a woman was stabbed last week.

Early Friday morning, officers were dispatched to an address on McKinley Street in Elberton in reference to an assault.

At the residence, officers met with the complainant Connie Coleman who stated that her friend Stanley Ashmore argued with a woman who’s name has not been released at the residence then stabbed her. Coleman advised officers that both Ashmore and the victim had both left her house and gave them her address.

Elberton Police and Elbert County Emergency Medical Services were then dispatched to the victim’s address where they found her there bleeding from cuts to her neck and face. EMS transported the victim to Elbert Memorial Hospital.

Ashmore was arrested that day by Elberton Police and charged with aggravated assault.

Elberton’s first Dancing with the Stars competition is coming up in May. The event is presented by the Elberton Kiwanis Club. Richard Campbell of the Kiwanis Club and participant in the fundraiser announced “This is a fundraiser for the club. We’re raising money for all our scholarships and other philanthropies. The event is going to be May 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Elbert Theatre. It’s going to be hosted by Kim McCrea from WYFF Channel 4 out of Greenville and of course WSGC’s Carl Pundt.”

Campbell also announced some names you may recognize will be participants in the fundraiser. “Phil Pitts, the C.F.O. of the Elbert County Board of Education is going to be one, Rick Higginbotham, Principal at the Elbert County Comprehensive High School, Police Chief Mark Welsh is going to be one of the Stars as well as Stephanie Guest. She is with the Probate Court and Jennifer Long WSGC’s own advertiser and on air personality will be representing the radio station. She will be dancing with Derrick Walters who is the number five rated Fox Trotter in the United States. David Brown is representing Pinnacle Bank. Donna Seymour who is with Brayco Co., that’s Heardmont and Nancy Hart Nursing Home. Kelly Daniel is a senior at the high school and of course the President of the Kiwanis club Amy Bond will be dancing. She has challenged Chief Welsh, the President of the Rotary and of course I will be one of the Stars.”
Elberton’s Dancing with the Stars will be held at the Elbert Theatre.

Kiwanis Club President Amy Bond advised “Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from any Kiwanian and at the City of Elberton’s Administrative Offices. They may also be purchased at Phelps and Campbell Law Offices and Northeast Georgia Bank. The $10 ticket also comes with one free vote and you may also buy additional votes during the performance for $1.00 a piece to vote for your favorite.”

For more information call 706-283-1049 or 706-213-3182.

A driver failing to yield causes a two car wreck and sends five people to the hospital.

On Elbert Street Wednesday afternoon around 4:40, a car turned from Elbert Street to the soap box car wash at a high rate of speed when it was hit by a car heading East of Elbert Street.

The driver of the car that was hit was identified as William Brittain of Elberton, upon a license check; he was revealed to have a suspended license.

The five occupants of the two cars were sent to Elbert Memorial Hospital for their injuries and Brittain was charged with driving with a suspended license and failure to yield.

May 1st the Imagination Library in Hart County will have a Low-Country Boil Fundraiser Dinner at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fellowship Hall on Benson Street in Hartwell, GA from 6:30-8pm on May 1st.

The dinner includes Low-Country Boil, Cole Slaw, Bread and Dessert. There will also be entertainment and Cajun story-telling by Gary Purvis and a Silent Auction.

Michelle Dipert of the Hart County Chamber advised that “The Imagination Library provides free books to children in Hart County, from birth to age five. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance for $12.50.”

You can buy your tickets at Hart Partners (706) 376-7449, which is next to the Library or the Hart County Chamber Office.

If you were traveling through the west side of Elberton on College Avenue or Railroad Street from dusk until almost midnight on Friday, you went through the annual Governors Office of Highway Safety yearly PATEN road block.

PATEN which stands for Piedmont Area Traffic Enforcement Network had representatives from nine agencies working the road block as well as Quality K-9 Concepts from Evans GA with dogs that participate in several search efforts.

Agencies that participated in the effort were Elberton Police Department, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol Post 17 from Washington, GA, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Comer Police Department, Winder Police Department, Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and Jeff Harris, Law Enforcement Coordinator who is from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

There were a total of 18 citations issued and eight arrests and one felony drug arrest reported by The Elberton Police Department who hosted the event, the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol Post 17.

There will be more efforts soon initiated by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety including programs such as “Click it or Ticket” and “Operation Zero Tolerance.”

A former fabric manufacturing plant in Elberton declared a total loss after fire broke out inside the building yesterday afternoon.

Elberton Fire Department, Elbert County Fire Station One and other fire units along with Elberton Police responded to the blaze around 2:00 pm yesterday. Upon arrival of the units on the scene, it was observed that the building formerly known as Fibers and Fabrics of Georgia was fully engulfed in flames.

Owner of the facility Abdul Hafeez informed officers that he had an electrical restoration company working on the building yesterday morning.

Co-owner Suraiya Razzak stated “I was informed by my brother that the building was on fire. I came straight over and by that time the fire had been extinguished, but there was a lot of smoke coming out. Practically everything is burnt inside, the furniture, the papers and equipment. I don’t know. I haven’t been inside much just briefly. We really don’t know anything right now.”

Razzak said they use the offices, but the plant area is no longer in operation although many machines, now charred still remain.

City Fire reports that there were no immediate signs or suspicions of arson. The incident however is under further investigation.

The Elbert Theatre needs your help. Volunteers are being sought for Encore Productions' next show in the 2009 season, Trying to Matter. The production will be running the first two weekends in May.

The Elbert Theatre will need help in the front-of-house with taking tickets, handing out programs, working in concessions and working in the box office. All these positions are relatively easy - and, best of all! - if you decide to volunteer, you can see the show free of charge!
Please call 706-283-1049 to volunteer or for more information.

On Friday night, The Gary Motley Quartet is returning back to Elberton for another performance on McIntosh Street.

The concert on Friday will start at 8 with a dinner before at 6:30 at McIntosh Coffee.

The concert is free to the public, but tickets to the dinner will be $35.

The money earned on Friday will go to fundraising.

“The proceeds are to benefit the Jim-Ree African American museum that’s located in the old jail across from the theatre.” Said Elberton Mainstreet Director Sissy Herring.

A critically acclaimed jazz musician, Gary Motley has been featured on many jazz albums since the early 90’s. Motley tours with his band across the country while holding the position of Director of Jazz Studies at Emory University.

If you’d like tickets to the dinner, you can call Sissy Herring at 706-213-3204 or the Jim Ree African American Museum’s director Jimmy White at 706-283-6851. Tickets area also on sale at Tena’s Jewelry, J.C. Pool Company, and Phelps Grocery.

The forecast for Friday is for clear skies, so bring your lawn chairs.

Next Tuesday, April 28th, University Health Care will have a Mobile Mammography Unit at the Lincoln County Health Department all day in an effort to screen women over the age of 40.

“All women age 40 to 64 should be getting a mammogram every year, and not every other year.” Said Emma Smith, who is with University Health Care.

“I encourage every woman, every woman, age 40 to 64 and I ask that their family encourage them also because a mammogram will save their life.” She added.

The mammography unit will be at the Lincoln County Health Department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April the 28th, its next stop will be in Wilkes County at Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington all day on Monday, May 4th.

Today is Earth Day.

Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the planet's environment.

In accordance with Earth Day, the Elbert County Library will have a special story time session held at 3:30 that will feature members of the City of Elberton’s recycling program.

Phil McLanahan with the recycling center on what to expect out of the library’s Earth Day presentation.

“We’ll be discussing Earth Day and have a short presentation on recycling and how we can show everybody in the community how we can make the community a little bit greener and not to throw out trash that can be recycled.”

Earth Day is a yearly tradition that started in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson and has since become world wide, with many countries taking part in conservationism and preserving the world.

Last week, an Elberton man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after stealing thousands of dollars from an Elberton finance company.

Calvin Lorenzo Hill Junior, of 165 South Oliver Street was convicted of armed robbery by a jury on February 18th for the November 27th 2007 robbery of Consolidated Credit on McIntosh Street.

According to Senior Assistant District Attorney Leon Jourolmon, the prosecutor representing the state in the trial, Hill went into the business with an accomplice, both of them wearing ski masks and brandishing handguns and demanded money from manager Lewis Brown. Brown gave the masked robbers everything he had in the cash drawer. The men then fled east towards Heard Street on foot.

“Hill and his accomplice took $2,020 dollars from the finance company.” Said Jourolmon.

On December 10th, 13 days after the robbery; Hill turned himself into Elberton Police without incident.

Hill’s associate, identified as Dantavious Fortson, was picked up by Elberton Police three days earlier. Fortson, who was 16 at the time of the robbery, plead guilty to armed robbery and was tried as an adult. Fortson was sentenced to 10 years in jail and 10 years probation for his crime. As part of a plea deal, Fortson agreed to testify against Hill at the trial.

Hill was sentenced to 15 years in jail, with five years of probation for his crimes.

Sergeant Darin Rucker with the Elberton Police, the investigator who was in charge of the case, said that he was glad the case was finally closed and that the community can have some form of closure.

A Washington convenience store became one of the many targets as two people tore through multiple counties on a robbery spree.

Between the hours of 5 and 6 a.m. on Friday morning, a white male entered the TPS truck stop in Washington and approached the store clerk. The male handed her a note stating that he was robbing the store. The suspect fled the store with $190 dollars and jumped into a car driven by a black female.

Around 1:30 on Friday afternoon, the male and female were spotted in Athens and arrested. The male was identified as 25 year old Brandon Allman of an Athens Address and 22 year old Amber Johnson.

According to Lt. Joe Nelson with the Washington Police Department, Allman and Johnson went through multiple counties, robbing stores in Watkinsville, Oconee County, Athens and Clarke County, Barrow County, and Oglethorpe County.

“They just went on a spree.” Said Nelson.

The motives behind the robberies were drug related.

“They were robbing these stores to fuel their drug habit.” Said Lt. Nelson.

“They had been on a crack binge for about two days, so they were doing these robberies to feed that crack habit.” He added.

Allman was charged with multiple counts of armed robbery while Johnson faces charges of accessory to a crime.

Both are currently in the Athens-Clarke County Detention Center awaiting bond hearings and charges from the other counties the robbery’s took place are pending.

This Saturday, T&J Friends will be hosting a golf tournament at Cateechee Golf Course in Hartwell. The tournament registration starts at 8:00 AM, with a shotgun start at 9:00 AM on April 25th.

The tournament will be played in a two-man “Texas Lauderdale” style with men using white tees, and women using red tees. First 40 teams to register will be allowed to play, with a cost of $190 a team. The tournament features special guests Billy Shaw, Sam Wyche, Mike Dooley, and Willie Martinez. First place wins $500, with second place earning $300, and third place will nab $200. Cateechee Country Club will also feature door prizes and a silent auction to raise money

According to the events coordinator, Blake Thompson, all the money raised will stay in the area.

“100% of the proceeds will go to cancer patients in all seven counties.” Said Thompson.

The Foundation services the areas of Elbert, Wilkes, Franklin, Hart, Oglethorpe, Lincoln, and Madison Counties.

If you need information or would like to take part in this event, you can call Blake at 706-319-2237 All checks should be made payable to TJ & Friends Foundation, Inc.

The TJ & Friends Foundation has given away $20,000 in the last 10 months to cancer patients in this area.

In 4-H news, the Elbert County 4-H BB Rifle Team participated in their region competition this weekend, placing first among the 11 counties competing with an overall team score of 1,864.

In individual scoring, Elbert County’s Matthew Slay placed 3rd overall in prone shooting, and placed 2nd overall in the standing shooting. Tyler Stovall was 1st overall in the kneeling shooting, while Hunter Vickery was 2nd in kneeling.

In the overall individual scores, Elbert County placed in the top three. Tyler Stovall was first, Matthew Slay was 2nd, and Coral Okey was 3rd.

All the members of the Elbert County squad qualified for the state competition this summer.

In 2007, the BB Rifle team managed to make it to state and placed in the state competition. Their head coach is Dennis Bellew.

Even though rain is in the forecast for today, the pollen count is still predicted to be high in Elbert County.

Today, the pollen level is expected to be at 9.6, which is medium-high on the pollen charts. Between 7.3 and 9.6 tend to affect a large number of individuals who suffer from the pollen types of the season.

In Washington today, the expected pollen level will be a 9.6 as well. Lincolnton and Lincoln County will be in the 9.8 range, which is high on the chart.

Pollen levels between 9.7 and 12.0 tend to affect most individuals who suffer from the pollen types of the season. Symptoms may become more severe during days with high pollen levels.

The pollen levels in the three counties are expected to slack off in the coming days by a few points, and then return strong this weekend as sunny skies are predicted in the forecast.

Elberton Police discover drugs after a routine traffic stop.

Around 2:00 am Friday morning Elberton Police Officers performed a routine traffic stop for a minor violation. Upon approach of the vehicle, officers immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana. After search of the vehicle, suspected traces of marijuana were found inside. At this point, officers attempted to place the driver identified as Keba Walton in handcuffs for holding until further search of the vehicle was conducted, at the point Walton attempted a struggle with officers and shortly gave in. He was then placed under arrest for obstruction of an officer and placed in the patrol car. Upon arrival at the Police Department, while removing Walton from the car, a white powder residue was observed near where Walton was seated. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered two rocks of suspected crack cocaine were found stuffed inside the seat.

While booking Walton, a small baggie was found on the floor where Walton had been that was suspected to have fallen out of his pants.

Walton’s fingernails also tested positive for the presence of cocaine.

Walton was charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, obstruction of an officer and a tag light violation.

Attention all scrap bookers. The Non-Stop Crop is coming up in less than two weeks. All day long from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm on Saturday, May 2 at the Elberton Civic Center you can put all your special items together and get together with other scrap bookers for a full 12 hours of food, fun, and fellowship. With May 12th being National Scrapbooking day what better way to celebrate than the Non-stop Crop.

Cindy Churney says “The Non-Stop Crop is for experienced and non-experienced people. You need to bring your own supplies, but there will be a vendor there that will have supplies at discount prices. You can share your ideas. Any pages that you have completed you can share with your friends. It’s meant to be a fun time. We’re going to have door prizes going on the entire time.”

Advance registration is going on through April 27th. With the early registration you get a goody bag, catered lunch, pizza dinner, ice cream bar, sodas, water and snacks all for $30.00.
You must be 16 years old or older to participate.

Churney advised “This is the third year for the Non-Stop Crop. It’s hosted by Leadership Elberton. The purpose is to help raise funds for Adult Leadership Elberton and Youth Leadership Elberton which is conducted every year from January through March.”To register now for your spot at the event call Cindy at 706-213-3105.

On Friday, US Representative Paul Broun visited Elberton, touring Central Granite Company and giving a press conference outside Central’s front door. Representative Broun’s press secretary, Jessica Morris says that the visit to Elberton was to get a chance to hear from the business owners and people of the community.

“We just like to sit down at the table and have that open communication with business and communities in our district.” Said Jessica Morris, Broun’s Press Secretary.

“We like to hear the needs of our communities. We have twenty-one counties in our district, so we like to think we do a good job.” She added.

Before touring Central Granite, Congressmen Broun held a press conference in front of Central. In his speech, Broun said that something needs to be done about the overtaxing of Americans.

“We need to reduce everybody’s income taxes, or have a tax holiday.” Said Broun.

Broun citied Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert’s plan to have a two month tax holiday for all Americans, and the rejection of the House of Representatives Democratic majority.

“They want to drive their steamroll of socialism over American small businesses, as well as the American healthcare system and everything else.” He added.

Broun represents Georgia’s 10th congressional district, which is made up of 21 counties, including Elbert, Wilkes, Hart, and Franklin Counties.

On Saturday, The City of Bowman held the annual Big Iron Crank-up, a yearly event that is featured in the Bowman City Park.

Tractors, antique cars, and powerful engines were featured in the exhibits all through the park. This year marks the city’s 20th straight year Bowman has held the crank-up.

“In April of 1989, L.B. Berryman was the Mayor of Bowman back then.” Said Lynn Ellis, one of the men who help start the crankup.

“I was his son-in-law, and I liked to fool with farm equipment stuff, so we decided to have a little show up here and it’s always had a record crowd, regardless of rain or shine.” Said Ellis.

The crank-up is helped sponsored by the Georgia Antique Engine Club, an 800 strong group of motor enthusiast that travel all around the state of Georgia and the country showing off their antique cars, tractors, and engines.

While there are no official numbers, this year’s event is believed to have drawn more people than last year's Big Iron Crank-Up that had over 6,000 people.