The State of Georgia is trying to get homeowners to replace the “clunkers” in their homes. It’s called the Georgia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, or simply, “Cash for Appliances.”

As of today, just under $7 million in rebates are available to pass on to residents who buy an eligible Energy Star replacement appliance. Georgia residents can apply for one rebate per category, and up to $1,200 per household.

“Unlike ‘Cash for Clunkers,’ where you had a given time period in which to use the incentive, when the funding runs out, the program will be over,” said Fred Elsberry with the Georgia Better Business Bureau.

Major appliances such as washer-dryers, refrigerators and heating and air units qualify for the stimulus-funded rebate program. The program also requires recycling of old refrigerators and freezers. For more information on the cash for appliances program, go to www.georgiarebate.com.

The following is a release from the Office of Georgia State Senator Ralph Hudgens (R-47)

“We are all painfully aware of the tough economic times our state and country are experiencing. There are very few pocketbooks that have not been hit by this recession.  As a small business owner, I can attest to the deep tentacles of this economic downturn.  We in business as well as individual families have been forced to make cuts in our spending habits and find creative ways to make a dollar go further.  There is no reason that government should not be forced to do the same.  

“This year in the Georgia General Assembly, we as legislators face a daunting task. We have seen state revenues fall month after month, resulting in a major shortfall in the state's operating budget. Passing a budget is the biggest thing legislators are tasked with each session and when we are faced with a major deficit it makes our job all the harder. In order to solve this problem, my colleagues and I in the Senate and House have been working overtime. There have been many options laid on the table this year to address these issues. We have asked state agencies to look at every dollar they spend and see if they can do without it for the next twelve months. While cuts are everyone's first place to start, the conversation inevitably turns to ways to increase revenue.  So far this session there have been three proposals to raise taxes. One is a tax on hospitals, another is a tax on HMOs and the third is a tax on cigarettes. As a conservative, I do not think raising taxes in a recession is a smart idea. These taxes have been sold as a tax on people and businesses who can afford to pay them. However, the first two of these proposals would increase costs on healthcare and  insurance premiums , which are already a great burden on businesses and families. Georgia families are under incredible strain right now and cannot face more taxes.

“I will not vote for any of these tax increases. We must find another way. Families have been forced to cut and cut and cut and the government must be forced to do the same.” 

Hudgens is the Senator from the 47^th district which includes Barrow, Madison, Oglethorpe, and parts of Elbert Clarke and Jackson counties.  He is also running for the Insurance Commissioner post being vacated by Gubernatorial Candidate John Oxendine.

Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $1.3 billion are awaiting nearly 1.4 million people nationwide who failed to file a 2006 federal income tax return. In Georgia more than $42 million in unclaimed refunds awaits nearly 46,000 individuals. However, in order to collect the money, a return must be filed with the IRS no later than Thursday, April 15, 2010.

The IRS estimates that the median unclaimed refund for tax-year 2006 in Georgia is $560.

“Time is running out if you want to get your refund,” said IRS Spokesman Mark Green. “Taxpayers should review their 2006 statements for refundable credits and withholdings. We want all taxpayers to get the refund they’re due.”

Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments.

“In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund,” said Green. “If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.”

For 2006 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2010. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund. Though back-year tax returns cannot be filed electronically, taxpayers can still speed up their refunds by choosing to have them deposited directly into a checking or savings account.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2006 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2007 or 2008. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS and may be used to satisfy unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than refunds of taxes withheld or paid during 2006. For example, most telephone customers, including most cell-phone users, qualify for the one-time telephone excise tax refund. Available only on the 2006 return, this special payment applies to long-distance excise taxes paid on phone service billed from March 2003 through July 2006. The government offers a standard refund amount of $30 to $60, or taxpayers can base their refund request on the actual amount of tax paid. For details, see the Telephone Excise Tax Refund page on IRS.gov.

In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds, which in 2006 were $38,348 for those with two or more children, $34,001 for people with one child and $14,120 for those with no children. For more information, visit the EITC Home Page.

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2006, 2007 or 2008 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by calling 1-800-829-1040, or by filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS.

Elbert County Sherriff’s Deputies are investigating the theft of two commercial lawn mowers. According to reports, between the hours of midnight and 8 AM Sunday, someone took the two mowers and their trailer from an address on the Bowman Highway.

The value of the mowers and trailer is an estimated $16,900. The case is being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division.

Elbert County will be joining the City of Elberton, in deploying a Geographical Information System.

“It allows you to map the locations of objects,” County Administrator Bob Thomas said, “such as roads, hydrants, streams, houses, gas lines and so forth.”

The GIS system, once fully implemented should quicken emergency response time, and allow the sharing of critical data, between the city and county, as well as the general public. The cost of the program will be split through an intergovernmental agreement, and will run on the City’s fiber-optic network.

The cost for the entire system is $75,000.

Elbert County is one step closer to a comprehensive weather warning system. Monday night the Elbert County Board of Commissioners approved a proposal to purchase an additional weather siren.

Elbert Emergency Services Director Chuck Almond says that he’s asking the City of Elberton, the County, the City of Bowman and the School system to each purchase a siren. He says that an active couple of years mandates a better warning system.

“Over the last two years we’ve had 12 wind events that exceeded 60 miles per hour,” Almond said.  “That included an F-2 [tornado].”

SPLOST funding will be used to purchase the $13,000 siren.

The Elbert County Board of Commissioners Monday night approved a list of limited access county roads. No thru trucks over six wheels will be allowed on these roads.

“Most of these roads are 20 feet or less,” County Commissioner Frank Eaves said.  “That’s where the danger is coming in, when we have these trucks meeting traffic on these roads.” 

At Monday night’s meeting, County Administrator Bob Thomas said that this master list of restricted roads will allow better enforcement by Elbert County Sherriff’s deputies.

Here’s the list of county roads that are restricted to through trucks

1. Hudson Road
2. Golf Course Road
3. Thirteen Forks Road
4. Sanders Road
5. Harmony Road
6. Ruckersville Road
7. Montvideo Road
8. Guy Wilson Road
9. Brewers Mill Road
10. Nickville Road
11. Deep Creek Road
12. Pulliam Mill Road
13. Hoot Owl Road
14. Five Forks Road
15. Parhamtown Road
16. Jones Ferry Road
17. Mineral Springs Road
18. River Road (17 end)
19. Country Club Road
20. James Bailey Road
21. Chastain Road
22. Bell Ferry Road
23. Bakers Ferry Road
24. Edison Road
25. Wahatchee Road
26. Sam Tate Road
27. Corinth Road
28. Rehoboth Road
29. Robinwood Lane
30. Brad Dixon Road
31. Hester Road
32. Cherokee Road
33. Welcome Church Road
34. Consolidated Road
35. Bobby Brown Road
36. Balchin Road
37. Longstreet Road
38. Drake Road
39. Old Middleton Road
40. Jenkins Road
41. Petersburg Road
42. Mobley Hill Road
43. Ruckersville Road (368 end)
44. Rock Branch Road
45. Hendricks Street
46. Fork Creek Circle
47. Hewell Road
48. Willie Black Road
49. Flatwoods Road
50. River Road (77 end)

The Elbert County Sherriff’s Office is investigating a gun that turned up at Elbert County Middle School on Thursday.  School Resource Officers were notified by administrators that they had located the Smith and Wesson .38 caliber handgun after a tip that they had received.  It is believed that the weapon was brought to the school on Monday by a juvenile who had planned to sell it to someone.  The investigation has led to three individuals who had possession of the gun between Monday and Thursday.

All three juveniles have been charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Property and are being held at a youth detention facility.  No ammunition was found in or with the gun.  Sheriff Barry Haston says the investigation is ongoing.

In light of recent allegations surrounding Embattled House Ways and Means Chariman Charlie Rangel, and other lawmakers, U.S. Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) introduced an ethics training resolution on Thursday. House Resolution 1135 would require members of Congress to fulfill the same ethics training requirements that senior Congressional staffers complete. 

Broun said, “The American people expect their Representatives to play by the same rules, but in order to do so, they must first learn them.” He said The House rules already require senior staff to complete ethics training, “so it only makes sense that their bosses should too.”

Three people are facing charges today after a search warrant turned up a suspected meth lab at a home on Bellew Drive.

According to Sherriff Barry Haston, investigators had been monitoring the residence for some time due to complaints of drug activity, including the frequent presence of a known “meth cook.”

Surveillance teams also spotted several people coming in and out of the house, some of which were carrying children.

Deputies raided the house late last week and found what Sherriff Haston called a considerable amount of drug-related paraphernalia, along with marijuana and finished methamphetamine. Deputies also found meth-making equipment in a large carry bag.

Sherriff Haston said that process to make the one-pot meth had not been started, and that none of the chemicals had been combined.

41-year old David Saxon is charged with possession of marijuana and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Also, 41-year old Christopher Ogle of Watkinsville was charged with meth posession, conspiracy to manufacture meth, and posession of drug related objects.

A female, tentatively identified as Robin Michelle Drake is believed to be from Alabama. Sherriff Haston said she has an extensive criminal history and numerous aliases. She is charged with meth posession, conspiracy to manufacture meth, and posession of drug related objects.

All three are being held at the Elbert County Detention Center.

Elberton Mayor Larry Guest was in Washington last week representing the American Public Power Association Policy Makers Council. 

The council took up the issue of utility pole attachment fees.  Currently, private companies who wish to attach a line to poles of public utilities are requires to pay a pole attachment fee of $18 each to the municipal utility.  Those companies, mostly private broadband and cable providers wish to go to the Public Service Commission to reduce that rate to 1986 levels, roughly $6.

“We are not regulated by the PSC, and neither are the EMC’s,” Guest said.  “We don’t need another bureaucratic agency telling us how to run our facilities and utilities.”

Guest said that the pole attachment fee was an agreed-upon level, and that the fee was levied because of the because of the costs involved in maintaining pole lines.

“You’ve got more wires hanging on poles.” Guest said.  “If somebody hit a pole, or it gets knocked down for some reason, then you’re responsible to get all those wires reattached, for safety purposes.”

Guest joined Executive Vice President Walter West from Electric Cities, as well as officers and board members of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.

“Eight people from Georgia were up there.” Guest said.  “We went in and talked to our congressmen, as well as the other congressmen in our state.”

The council is made up of 40 members nationally who either serve on utility boards or are elected officials in public power communities.

US Congressman Paul Broun of Athens says he’s deeply concerned about the possibility of the US Senate using a procedural maneuver called reconciliation to pass the Healthcare reform plan.

In his weekly radio address, he cites a recent CNN pole that says only 25% of Americans support this healthcare legislation.

“That means that an overwhelming majority of people want an entirely new bill,” Broun said, “or want Congress to stop working on health care altogether.”

By calling for budget reconciliation, the Senate can get past the 60 vote requirement normally required to pass legislation, and pass a bill with 51 votes.

Broun says that members from both sides of the aisle, saying that reconciliation was never designed for passing major legislation.

“The man who helped craft the process, Democratic Senator Robert Byrd,” Broun said, “called the misuse of this process, ‘an undemocratic disservice to the American People.’”

Broun says Congressional leadership should support, “commonsense, market-based solutions for healthcare.”

State Representative Tom McCall (R-Elberton) is speaking out about the Board of Regents recommendation to lawmakers to cut 11.6 million dollars from the Cooperative Extension Service.

He says that anyone who proposes such a move has forgotten the mission of the University of Georgia when it was founded as the Nations first Land-Grant College back in 1785.

McCall, the Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, says the Extension Service plays a crucial role in the original mission of the University as an Agricultural Research System.

“The whole of the research at the University of Georgia isn’t worth a flip without the Cooperative Extension Service,”  McCall said, “because it can’t get it to people like you and me, who use it for farming, or home and garden, or whatever they use it for.”

McCall says that the Board of Regents requested proposed cuts from each President in the University System. As a result…

“Michael Adams put 4-H and the Cooperative Extension Service on the chopping block.”  McCall said.

Mc Call says that Capitol switchboards have been lit up ever since the news came out about the cuts, which would abolish the entire Georgia 4-H program.

“People are upset about whether we’re cutting 4-H or the Extension Service,” McCall said, “and [calling your Congressman] is what you’re supposed to do.”

Mc Call says he wants to assure people that the message has been heard in the entire legislature.

“It ain’t gonna happen.”  McCall said.  “Everyone of us [in the legislature] is upset about it.  I have talked to the speaker [David Ralston of Blue Ridge] about it, and he basically says it’s not going to happen in the way they want it to happen.” 

Georgia lawmakers face a billion dollar budget shortfall.

The City of Elberton has thrown its weight behind the 2010 Census.

On Wednesday, Mayor Larry Guest proclaimed next week “Georgia Census Week.”
Laura Evans with the Community Partnership of Elbert County says you’re
going to be hearing a lot about the Census in the coming weeks.

 
“We’re hoping that all citizens in Elbert County will fill out their Census form and mail it back.”  Evans said.

 
The proclamation says that Elberton is committed to partnering with the
Georgia Complete Count Committee, to help insure a full and accurate
count in 2010, and encourages people in the community not only to be
counted, but also to participate in initiatives that raise awareness of
the upcoming headcount.

 
Evans says that, for most of us, the Census will consist of ten
questions, although some might get a more extensive questionnaire.

 
“It is completely confidential.”  Evans said.  “By Law, none of the information in the Census can be shared with any other entity.”

Census data helps to determine seats in Congress and the state
legislature, as well as determines the allocation of 400 billion per
year in federal and state funds.

“So, it’s very important,” Evans said, “that everybody completes their Census form and mails it back.”

 
Evans says anyone with questions about the 2010 Census can call the
Community Partnership - the number is (706) 283-8838.

The former Bowman city Clerk was convicted stealing from the city that employed her.

Selina Partain Jones, was found guilty on Tuesday of three counts of
theft by taking. The guilty verdicts stem from three separate incidents
between September 9th and October 24th, where Jones took over $1000
dollars out of city coffers.

Superior Court Judge John Bailey ordered a pre-sentence investigation to
determine proper punishment for Jones. No word on when the sentencing
will be handed down.

When you peel an onion, you get down to the part that’s good; when you
peel a golf ball, you get to the part that unravels. Last Wednesday, the
State House and Senate Higher Education Appropriation Subcommittees
instructed the State Board of Regents to come up with $300 million
in budget cuts for the University System for fiscal 2011.

 
Set to unravel is the UGA Cooperative Extension Program, who stands to
receive a proposed $11.6 million cut.

That would be the death blow of the Georgia 4H Program, as well as the
closing of half of the State’s County Extension offices, and a half a
dozen agricultural research facilities. Clay Talton of the Elbert
County Extension Office was preparing for the Annual Cotton and Soybean
meeting, when he spoke to WSGC about the proposed bloodletting.

 
“i have about 35 producers from the area that are coming in to hear from UGA specialists, about what to expect this growing season.”  Talton said.  “If these kinds of cuts happen, we’re going to lose that aspect, as well from the ag end, the consumer science end, and also the 4-H end.  So there’s a lot at stake here.”

At stake are meetings such as Wednesday’s Cotton and Soybean Meetings
and other services in support of Georgia’s largest industry, as well as
life skills training for 156,000 Georgia children - 1,100 in Elbert
County alone.

“It’s all over.  I mean every county.”  Talton said.  “There’s going to be a much greater impact than just the budget for that year.”

The Georgia State Patrol reports an accident-free February.

According to their monthly report, the GSP investigated no traffic crashes for the month.

Post 17 issued 81 citations in February in Elbert County – 11 DUI, 13 speeding tickets, 11 seat belt tickets, and 5 child restraint violations. Troopers also issued 34 warnings.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has named a new maintenance foreman.

Larry Evans of Danielsville has worked with DOT since 1996. He began his career as a maintenance employee and has served in the Maintenance Division throughout his career. Most recently, he was the Assistant Highway Maintenance Foreman for Elbert County. Evans was named Highway Maintenance Foreman on February 16, 2010.

As the Highway Maintenance Foreman, Evans and his crew are responsible for the maintenance of all state routes in Elbert County.

Since Sunday, there have been no less than four auto vs. deer motor vehicle accidents in Elbert County.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, Georgians have 50,000 deer/car wrecks every year.

There are several factors responsible for this. According to the DNR, deer and people are living closer together, as the human population expands into traditionally urban areas.

Deer also tend to be most active during the dawn and dusk hours, the two times of the day when there are the most cars on the road.

The DNR says the best way to avoid a deer collision is to take it slower during those dawn and dusk commute times. Deer are often unpredictable, especially when spooked by set of headlights. The sooner you see a deer , or a group of deer on the side of the road, the more time you have to avoid it.

The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the states seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.4 percent in January, topping the previous record high of 10.3 percent reported in December. The January jobless rate was up 2.0 percentage points from 8.4 percent at this same time last year.

Georgia’s unemployment crisis is deepening, said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. He says he’s concerned that thousands of pending state government layoffs will further cripple Georgia’s struggling private job market. “Our elected leadership must come together to develop a bi-partisan plan that will balance the state budget and jumpstart private sector hiring,” the Commissioner said.

 
The national adjusted unemployment rate is 9.7 percent. For 28 consecutive months, Georgia’s unemployment rate has exceeded the national unemployment rate. And, since the recession began in December 2007, Georgia’s workforce has shrunk by 130,043.

The number of payroll jobs in January decreased 151,600, or 3.9 percent, from January of 2009. Statewide, the over-the-year losses came in manufacturing and construction, trade, transportation and utilities, along with professional and business services. On a positive note, educational and health services added 6,900 jobs over the year, along with leisure and hospitality which added 800.

Pilot Club of Elberton – Tonight's Meeting cancelled

Regions Bank – Closed

Medical Center of Elberton – Closed

Discovery Center of Advantage Behavioral Health – Closed

McWilliams Park:

• Photography Class – Cancelled
• Baton Class – Cancelled

Staycie’s Studio – Closed

Athens Technical College, Elberton – Closed

Elbert County Health Department – Closed

Elbert County vs. West Hall, State Tournament Game – postponed until Wednesday 7PM @ Inferno

Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Banquet – scheduled for 6:30 tonight at the ROC

Camp Harmony Gymnasium – Open normal hours

The Director of Georgia’s State Parks was on hand Monday to break ground on three new cabins at Richard B Russell State Park.
Becky Kelley said that this new construction at the park is a huge
success for the system, in a year marked by massive budget cuts.

“This is the result of a community working really hard with State legislators,”  Kelley said, “working really hard to find ways to make things happen.”

The original park plan called for 20 cabins, but budget constraints
forced the park to stop construction at 17. Labor for these cabins will
be provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections.

“They’ve built a number of the cottages in the system,”  Kelley said.  “So we’re going to be getting a great deal, getting in on time and under budget, and that’s the goal.”

The completion of the last three cabins at Russell Park means that
Elbert County stands to gain anywhere from $23-30,000 in additional
hotel/motel tax revenues, earmarked for the promotion of the park, the
Award-winning Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course, and Elbert County at large.

Those funds are to be administered by the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce.

Joining Kelley in the Groundbreaking were State Senator bill Jackson and
Representative Tom McCall, along with City and County Officials, and
representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic
Development Authority.

The Elberton Police Department has started a free calling service, to check on homebound or physically challenged residents. Elberton Police Chief Mark Welsh explains the Are You OK calling service.

“It’s a computerized system that makes phone calls at scheduled times,”  Welsh said, “to check on elderly people and shut-ins.”

The system operates 24 hours a day, and calls based on the schedule provided by the subscriber.

“The computer calls everyday on checks on you,”  Welsh said.  “If we don’t get a response, and the emergency phone numbers that we have can’t help us find out if you’re OK, then the police will come to your house and check on you.”

Chief Welsh says that this type of system has been talked about for some time, between his office and the City Council. The service is totally free of charge.

“The calendars that you see around with the police officers on them, are supported by local businesses.”  Welsh said.  “These calendars, and the businesses that fund them, are the ones that finance this operation.  So it comes to us at no cost to the City whatsoever, and therefore it’s free to the participants.”

Brochures are in place at several locations throughout Elberton. Those wishing to participate in the Are YOU OK program should fill out the questionnaire in the brochure, and return it to the Police Department.

A winter weather advisory is still in effect for Elbert County until midnight tonight, from the National Weather Service.

The threat of winter weather, however has prompted the Elbert County School System to cancel school for today, according to School superintendent Abe Plummer.

Tonight’s scheduled State Tournament game is still up in the air. Plummer says official word on the fate of that game will come around noon.

The precipitation will begin as a cold rain this morning, then change to a rain and snow mix between 1pm and 4pm, then switching to all snow after 4pm. With the temperature not getting any warmer than it is right now.

The campus of Tri-County Technical College is in mourning this week, after the passing of its long time president.

Dr. Don Garrison died Saturday morning from complications which resulted from a recent stroke.

He served as president of the college from 1971-2003. In a press release, Rebecca Edison, of the Tri-County public information office, said that Dr. Garrison was a tireless leader and a long-time advocate of technical education in the region and the state.

Services for Dr. Garrison will be held at 11 AM at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley SC.

Elbert County Sheriffs deputies are investigating the theft of a 6 wheel ATV from the pipeline construction site off the Old Middleton Road.

It happened on Sunday between 6 and 8:15 PM. A contractor for the pipeline was informed by a local resident that he spotted someone riding the Polaris Ranger 6 x 6 Sunday afternoon.

The ATV has a value of $11,500.