WSGC News

Just a mere four hours away from death, convicted killer William Mark Mize was granted a brief stay of execution yesterday, but the state now plans to carry out his death sentence at 7 p.m. tonight.

The Supreme Court agreed to delay the execution to clear up a technical issue, giving Oconee County Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens an opportunity to rule on Mize's motion for a new trial.

Following the stay, Stephens explicitly denied Mize's motion late Tuesday afternoon. Previously, the judge had denied his request for a hearing on the motion but had not ruled on the motion itself.

Mize was to be put to death by lethal injection yesterday evening for the 1994 murder of Eddie Tucker in Oconee County. Tucker was a perspective member of a white supremacist group Mize ran. The murder stemmed from a failed order by Mize to burn down a house in Athens.

According to the prosecution, Mize killed Tucker with a shotgun blast to the back of the head.

The execution will take place at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson.

Elbert County Man Charged with Multiple Car Thefts Following a Weekend Crime Spree

An Elberton man recently charged with two counts of theft by taking a vehicle and first degree criminal damage by the Elbert County Sheriff’s office after an SUV is found in a quarry is now charged by Elberton Police for more vehicle thefts.

Authorities identified the individual as 19 year old Jonathan Childs of Allen Logan Road in Elbert County. Childs reportedly began the thefts on the weekend of April 17, 2009 taking a Toyota truck from a residence on Elm Street.

It was later found damaged and abandoned only a short distance away. A speaker box was removed from that particular vehicle and found in the road. Childs later stole a Dodge truck from another address on Elm Street and later abandoned the Dodge at a residence on Highway 77. It had been rummaged through and was also found to have several items the owner stated were not his.

Through investigation it was determined that Childs drove an individual in the stolen Dodge truck to a residence where it was then burglarized. It was later revealed that Childs did not participate in the actual burglary, but drove the stolen vehicle used to transport the stolen items leaving some in the stolen vehicle and taking others to his mother’s home on Allen Logan Road. This resulted in a charge of theft by receiving stolen property for Childs.

Following these events are when Elbert County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Child’s home where a truck belonging to Southern Well Drilling was found in his yard damaged and a Ford Explorer was found in a water-filled abandoned quarry.

Charges for Childs in connection with these incidents are 4 counts of theft by taking a motor vehicle, misdemeanor and felony theft by receiving stolen property, 1st degree criminal damage to property, tampering with evidence and hit and run.

Man Sought by Authorities for Leaving the Scene of an Accident that Injured n Elberton Woman

Warrants have been taken for an Elberton man in reference to fleeing the scene of an accident Thursday evening.

Around 6:00 pm a call was dispatched in reference to the one car accident that occurred on Peachtree Road which is a dirt road in Rock Branch in Elbert County.

All local agencies responded due to the extent of the accident. Senior Trooper Robbie Turner from Washington State Patrol Post 17 reports that a woman identified as 21 year old Candace Sanders of Elberton, a passenger in the front seat, was ejected from the vehicle.

Trooper Turner determined that the vehicle rolled over twice and upon landing, ended up on top of Sanders. The car was lifted off the woman to free her from underneath. Sanders receive serious injuries to the head and chest. She was taken to Elbert Memorial where she was life flighted to Greenville, SC.

Two other passengers in the back seat of the car refused treatment.

The driver of the vehicle identified as Mark McGarity, 21, fled the scene and is being sought by authorities.

Warrants for McGarity having been taken for 6 offenses including Failure to maintain lane, Too fast for conditions, Driving while license are suspended, Leaving the scene of accident, Serious injury by vehicle and Open container violation.

No Cases of Swine Flu in Elbert County

Elbert Memorial Hospital CEO Tom Brown issued a statement reassuring the people of Elbert County that the Hospital along with Mary Champion, County Nurse Manager for the Elbert County Health Department and Chuck Almond, Director of the Elbert County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) are in frequent contact with each other.

As of Tuesday morning, April 28, 2009, there have been no confirmed cases of the Swine Flu in Elbert County or the State of Georgia.

Elbert Memorial Hospital recommends the following to help prevent the spread of swine flu:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash can after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Influenza is thought to be spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. If you get sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

For more information, please go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Burglary of Local Business Under Investigation

A local business is burglarized in Elberton.

Early yesterday morning Elberton Police Officers were called to Sidestreet Soul Food on McIntosh Street in reference to a broken window. Upon arrival of officers it was discovered that the business had been burglarized and a flat screen TV had been taken from the restaurant.

The investigation into the burglary is being conducted by the Elberton Police Investigators.

Woman Critical After Being Shot in Elberton

A woman is critically injured by a gunshot wound yesterday morning on Beechwood Drive in Elberton.

Elbert County EMS Director Chuck Almond reports that 23 year old Kayleigh Henderson was transported by EMS to Elbert Memorial Emergency Room from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. She was then shortly life flighted by helicopter to the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

We are currently awaiting word from Elbert County Sheriff’s investigators on the shooter and the events surrounding the incident.

No word yet on Henderson’s condition.

Mize Execution Under 24 Hours Away

Atlanta native and former Madison County resident William Mark Mize is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at 7 p.m. tonight at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson.

Mize will be executed for the 1994 shooting death of Hull resident Eddie Tucker, a prospective member of the National Vastilian Aryan Party, a white supremacist group Mize ran.

Last week, the state board of paroles and pardons denied Mize clemency, or pardoned him for his crimes.

For his last meal, Mize has requested steak, fried chicken breast, baked potato, salad, garlic bread, a pint of butter pecan ice cream, half of a pecan pie and soda.

Media witnesses for the execution will include Blake Giles, The Oconee Enterprise; Adam Thompson, Athens Banner-Herald; Greg Bluestein, The Associated Press; and Matt Johnson, 105.1 WSGC.

Since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1973, 44 men have been executed in the state of Georgia. If executed, Mize will be the 22nd inmate in Georgia to die by state-administered lethal injection. There are currently 106 men and one woman on death row in Georgia.

660 Coalition to Focus on Lake Management Changes

Story courtesy of 92.1 WLHR in Lavonia, GA

Another group of concerned citizens living around Hartwell Lake has formed to ensure the future of the lake and the economy that depends on it.

It’s called the “lake Hartwell 660 coalition” and they plan to hold their first meeting on Saturday may 9th in Hartwell.

Pamela Camp is one of the members of the newly formed group. She said the primary goal for the 660 Coalition is to work towards changing how the lake is managed.

“The management program for Lake Hartwell has been in effect since the lake was formed and it’s never been altered or changed. What we’re trying to do is research that and find a better way to manage the water level. And with that process, educate stakeholders around the lake and hopefully go to the federal government and try to get some things changed,” Camp said.

Congressman Paul Broun (R-10th) agrees there’s a need for a revised lake management plan. The problem, according to Rep. Broun is that too many government agencies are trying to control the Savannah River District.

“You’ve got three government agencies involved in how the entire river district is handled. Not only is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers making decisions, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), which is causing a lot of the mismanagement. Then you have the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, dealing with the Endangered Species Act, trying to protect the short-nosed sturgeon. That’s why I say it’s time to understand that people are more important than fish,” Broun said.

One of the biggest complaints last year from people living around Hartwell Lake was how the U.S. Corps of Engineers managed the lake levels during the extreme drought.

The Corps was criticized for continuing to take water out of Hartwell to balance out Thurmond and to send it down stream to Augusta and Savannah, dropping the level at Hartwell Lake to 17feet below full pool at one point.

That management tactic virtually killed last summer’s tourism and vacation industry on the Georgia side of Hartwell Lake.

“With the devastation of the lake last year, it was incredible the businesses that were affected. I work for Catechee Golf Club in Hartwell. When there’s no water, people don’t vacation on the lake and people who own lake homes, don’t come up and use them. So if the tourists don’t come up, no one plays golf and no one comes to our restaurant,” Camp said.

Camp said her group is working closely with the Congressman and other legislators to stop that kind of policy from happening again.

“We are working with all of the legislators, Broun (at the federal level) and Sen. Jim Butterworth (at the state level) and even Ron Stephens, who chairs the Georgia Dept of Economic Development and Tourism. Tourism and economic development go hand in hand,” she said.

At the first meeting of the Lake Hartwell 660 Coalition, citizens will learn facts about the future of the lake and what can be done to prevent the problems experienced last year.

The 660 Coalition meeting will take place May 9th at 10 a.m. at the Lonnie Burns Fine Arts Center at Hart County High School at 59 5th St., Hartwell.

Trying to Matter Coming Up This Weekend

Performances of Trying to Matter will begin this weekend. Performances will be Friday, May1 and Friday May 8 at 8:00 pm, Saturday, May2 and Saturday, May 9 at 8:00, Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 pm and Sunday May 10 at 2:00. A balcony dinner is available before the Saturday performances.

Trying to Matter is about a Grandmother trying to control the lives of her children. Jeff Fields best selling author and playwright says that the inspiration for his play came from his own mother who raised him after his father’s death when he was eleven.

Tickets are available in advance for $10.00 and at the door for $15.00. Dinner & a show tickets for the Saturday performances are $30.00. Dinner reservations must be requested by Wednesday the week of the show date.

Advance Tickets are available at JC Pool Company and Stan's Music on the square in Elberton.

Reserved Seating, Dinner Tickets, and Advance Tickets may be purchased at the Elbert Theatre Office in City Hall (located at 203 Elbert St.) or by calling 706-283-1049.

Swine Flu Outbreaks in America

Human cases of swine influenza virus infection have been identified in Mexico, France, Hong Kong and 20 cases have been reported so far here in the United States.

Tom Skinner with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta says that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

“CDC is working with state officials across the country to investigate this outbreak of human swine influenza. So far, we’ve had 20 cases reported in 5 states. We’re just doing what we can do investigate these cases and doing what we can., along with advising people the steps they can take to avoid getting the flu.”

The 20 cases have been reported in the states of Texas, New York, Ohio, California, and South Carolina, where seniors from Newberry Academy felt flu like symptoms after returning from a class trip to Mexico.

Skinner also offers some tips on how to avoid falling victim to swine flu.

“Best way to avoid it is frequent hand washing, making sure you don’t go into crowded places if you don’t feel well, not going to work if you’re sick, not sending your child to school if they’re sick. Those are some steps we know go a long way to protect people.”

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

There have been no fatalities from the 20 reported US cases of swine flu. In Mexico, there are 1,600 suspected cases of swine flu that have resulted in 103 fatalities.

Madison County Man To Be Executed Tomorrow

A Madison County man was denied clemency and will now face the death penalty tomorrow night.

William Mark Mize is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at 7 on Tuesday night. The execution comes 14 years after an Oconee County jury convicted him for the 1994 murder of Eddie Tucker, a prospective member of the National Vastilian Aryan Party, a white supremacist group Mize ran.

Tucker’s death at Mize’s hands stemmed from a failed order from Mize to burn down a house in Athens in October of that year.

Mize shot Tucker execution style with a shotgun a few days later along with Chris Hattrup and Terry Mark Allen, members of Mize’s group. Hattrup and Allen pled guilty to murder and were sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility until twenty years.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles conducted their clemency hearing last week, and denied Mize clemency or pardoned him for his crimes.Mize has filed several unsuccessful state and federal appeals since his December 1995 sentencing.

Most recently, the U.S. Supreme Court refused on March 23 to review the case.

If executed tomorrow night, Mize will be the second person executed in the state of Georgia this year and the 45th person executed in Georgia since the US Supreme Court resumed capital punishment in 1976.

Currently there are 107 inmates on Georgia’s death row.

Coming up this Saturday, May 2nd is a chance to protect your pets and yourself at several rabies clinics that will be held all over Elbert County. With recent rabies outbreaks in this area and a case affecting a horse and exposing a family in Franklin County, the County Extension office is proud to announce that you can get your dog or cat vaccinated for only $7.00.

Clay Talton, County Extension Director stresses the need to get your pets vaccinated especially now since there have been so many cases in the area. He advised that from what he has been told of the human treatment for rabies, “it is a very painful series injections if you are ever expose and have to go through treatment. Not something you want to participate in.”

Several clinics will be held throughout Elbert County to make it easier for pet owners. They will be held at all the Volunteer Fire Departments and at the I.V. Hulme 4-H Center. For times please see below or for more information call the County Extension Office at 706-283-2037.

Talton wishes to thank sponsors for the clinics. They are Elbert County Board of Commissioners and Dr. Ed Phillips.

Rabies Clinic Schedule for Saturday, May 2, 2009 $7.00 per animal.

Team #1 Bowman Fire Dept 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Deep Creek Fire Dept 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Team#2 Centerville Fire Dept 9:00 am-10:45 pm
Rock Branch Fire Dept 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Team#3 Fortsonia Fire Dept 9:00 am-10:45 pm
Wyche Fire Dept 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Longstreet Fire Dept 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
Petersburg Fire Dept 2:45 pm-3:30 pm
Team#4 I.V. Hulme 4-H Center 9:00 am-12:00 pm
I.V. Hulme 4-H Center 1:30 pm-3:30pm

Elbert County Chamber of Commerce and Elberton Police Department Host Business After Hours

The Elbert County Chamber of Commerce and The Elberton Police Department hosted a very successful Business After Hours Thursday evening at the newly renovated Elberton Police Department. Citizens were able to enjoy food, fellowship and a tour of the facility.

Elberton's Police Chief Mark Welsh wished to thank all citizens who came out appreciation for showing their support.

The Chamber of Commerce is an advocate on behalf of the business community. It not only creates a strong local economy, but promotes the community, but provides networking opportunities throughout the world.

If you would like to boost your business in these tough economic times or maybe even host a Business After Hours at your business, please call the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce at 706-283-5651. The number to the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce is 706-678-2013 and the Lincoln County Chamber is 706-359-7970.

Elberton Man Hits The Jackpot

Michael Harp, A 61 year old cardiopulmonary therapist from Elberton, is one of two players each to match the first five winning numbers in the March 24 Mega Millions drawing and win a second prize of $250,000.

Winning numbers from the March 24 Mega Millions drawing were: 4-25-34-43-44 and the Mega Ball was 45. The second Mega Millions ticket worth $250,000 was purchased in Atlanta.

Harp purchased his ticket at 72 Marine Sales, 3336 Calhoun Falls Highway in Elberton. He later checked his numbers online on the Georgia Lottery’s Web site.

Harp anticipates an early retirement with his wife, Barbara. The couple has one adult son, who is a cameraman for WRDW News Channel 12 in Augusta.

Harp declined to comment to WSGC about his winnings.

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned more than $10.8 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K program. More than 1.1 million students have received HOPE, and more than 940,000 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary pre-kindergarten program.

Elbert BOE Meet Tonight