Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 12 A
BARROW JOURNAL • BARROW COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016
Smooth start at new RMS
By Alex Pace
Journal Reporter
The opening of the new Russell Middle
School this week ran smooth, officials
said Tuesday. The Barrow County Board
of Education received an update on the
first day of school at its Aug. 2 meeting.
The district opened the new Russell
Middle School on Monday at its property
on McNeal Road and Candler Street. The
City of Winder has been doing construc
tion on the roads, causing them to be shut
down for several months.
But students and staff were able to
make it to the new school. Assistant
superintendent of system operations Joe
Perno said the traffic wasn’t a major
problem.
“The traffic, really, I think just for an
opening day at any school is kind of
hectic,” he said. “But on day two in par
ticular, it was very smooth other there.”
Perno said he initially thought the
district may have a “trouble spot” at the
intersection of Candler and McNeal, but
most of the traffic has been on the hill
along Candler.
But Perno noted that there were many
car riders for the first day of school,
which could have increased traffic.
A ribbon cutting will be held for the
new school on Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
The district is also building a new ele
mentary school at the site. Perno said the
staggered start times at the two schools
may alleviate increased traffic.
“I really think with those different
starting times there, we’ll be ok,” said
Perno.
Construction on the new elementary
school is moving along and the district
could release a survey for its name this
week.
OTHER
BUSINESS
Also at its meeting, the BOE:
• noted its spring Georgia Milestones
results, specifically the growth seen in
each grade level. The district improved
its scores this year in all high school
subjects except physical science. Dis
trict-wide, students improved in all sub
jects in elementary and middle schools
(see related story).
• approved a wellness program policy:
professional sick leave bank policy; bid
from TechOptics for $94,000 for cabling
at the new elementary school: designat
ing Jimmy Stokes as the Tribunal Train
ing Provider: a contract not to exceed
$119,700 with Advanced Care Pediatrics
for two nurses for medically-fragile stu
dents; a funding agreement with the state
for the district to receive $6.2 million for
the new elementary school; and a copier
lease bid with RICOH Opt 2 for $14,800
a month.
• approved a recess policy and school
property disposal policy.
• approved its strategic navigational
plan.
• learned Education Local Option Sales
Tax receipts were up 1.3 percent last
month compared to the same time period
in 2015.
RECOGNITIONS
Also at its meeting, the BOE recog
nized:
• Shane Crow, Community Missions
and Outreach pastor at Bethlehem
Church. The church donated food to staff
during pre-planning.
• Governor’s Honors Finalists including
Ratislav Krylov, Apalachee High School,
mathematics; Heather Perry, Winder-Bar
row High School, social studies; and Ian
Sheppard, AHS, social studies.
• last year’s REACH scholars: Aldo
Rivas-Chicas, Araceli Lopez, Franches-
ca Regalado-Salas, Jasmine Roberts
and Sydney Winkler; and this year’s
scholars: Damien Brown, Jasmine Her
nandez, Christopher Munoz and Isaac
Xiong. The BOE also recognized sup
porters and sponsors. For information on
how to sponsor, contact Sherri Perry at
sherri.perry@barrow.kl2.ga.us.
ACCIDENT WITH FATALITIES
Two drivers were pronounced deceased after a crash on Hwy. 211 NW
Tuesday morning. Just after 9 a.m., Barrow County Sheriff’s Office dep
uties were dispatched to Hwy. 211 NW between Will Maynard Road and
Mulberry Road in reference to a head-on collision involving two vehicles.
The investigation revealed one driver, who was traveling northbound on
Highway 211 NW, left the right side of the roadway and upon re-entering
the roadway the vehicle crossed over the double yellow lines and struck
another vehicle, which was traveling southbound on Hwy. 211 NW, head
on. The driver of the second vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene
and driver of the first vehicle was pronounced dead at Barrow Regional
Medical Center. The names of the drivers are not being released at this
time pending notification of the next of kin, law enforcement officials said.
Photo by Scott Carithers
Winder water rates to increase
By Chris Bridges
Journal Editor
City of Winder utility
customers will notice an
increase in their water
bills beginning in Octo
ber.
The city council voted
Tuesday to increase
charges for Tier 1, Tier
2 and Base usage. Tier 1
will increase from $2.50
to $2.65 while Tier 2 will
go from $7.20 to $8. The
base use amount will
increase from $15.50 to
$16.25.
Teir 1 is for the first
2,000 gallons of use with
Tier 2 being from 2,000-
6.999 gallons.
There is increase for
water customers outside
the city limits.
In addition, a fee of
$175 will be charged for
damaging smart-point
meter.
Sewer costs will also
increase from $4.50 to
$4.60 with base rate going
from $17.80 to $19.30.
Those customers outside
the city limit will see an
increase from $30.30 to
$32.90.
It was noted that Tier
1 water rates would also
increase in 2017 and
2018.
Also at Tuesday's meet
ing, city officials voted to
purchase a new mower
for use at Chimneys
Golf Course at a cost of
$48,841.
The council also voted
to revoke the business
licenses for Judy’s Tow
ing as well as Shipman
Automotive Repair for
repeated violations and
legal issues.
Letters to the Editor
Annual Barrow GOP
BBQ planned Aug. 27
Dear Editor:
This is a call for all local Republicans.
Our 23rd annual Barrow Republican BBQ will be Satur
day, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. in the Winder Lions Club, 354 E.
Broad St.
We’ll have lots of food, fun and door prizes. Patriotic
music will be provided by the Yargo Community Band.
U.S. Senator David Perdue will be the featured speaker.
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and other state and
local elected officials will also speak.
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson has also been invited. Sev
eral exhibitors have been lined up, including Georgia Fair
Tax, Georgia Carry, Operation Alert (PTSD), Conservative
Republican Women of NE Georgia, Georgia Right To Life,
Faith & Freedom Coalition, Georgia Fair Taxation and
Americans For Prosperity.
Tickets to eat are adults for $ 15, ages 6-12 for $ 7.50, and
age 5 & under are free. Take-outs are welcome. Tickets may
be purchased at the front door.
For reservations, please contact us by email at chairman @
barrowgop.org or call 770-867-5748.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available (contact us).
Please check our web site for more details at www.barrow-
gop.org,
Looking forward to seeing a great Republican crowd on
Aug. 27!
Sincerely,
Ken Young
Chairman
Barrow County Republican Party
Ga. 316 temporarily closed
following Monday wreck
Ga. 316 was shutdown in both directions at Ga. 11
Monday afternoon following a crash involving a tractor
trailer.
The delay lasted approximately four hours.
The injuries to those involved are considered minor.
Barrow County Sheriff’s Office officials said. Some were
transported to local hospitals.
Crews had to shut the roadway down because of oil and
diesel fuel leaks. Ga. 316 was reopened by 4:15 p.m.
Star Festival set Oct. 8
The 11th annual Bethlehem Star Festival is set for 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, in the Bethlehem town
square.
The family-friendly even will include arts, crafts, food
and music.
The town and the Nativity Lutheran Church sponsor a
free kids zone that includes games, arts and crafts, inflat-
ables and more.
Vendor application are welcomed. See the website at
www.bethlehemga.org.
Bethlehem continued from 11A
•council member Wayne Ridgeway asked the council to
consider a one-sided sign, as opposed to the two-sided that
the council previously received bids for. Ridgeway said a
one-sided sign facing Highway 11, installed close to the iron
fence, should be visible by traffic traveling both ways on
Highway 11 “as well as people coming from the mall."
r
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Calendar of Events: August 2016
HEALTH HAPPENING
Join us each month in the Education Center for an informative
lecture on a variety of health and wellness topics.
Spine Care
Thursday, August 18; 6:30 p.m.
Speaker: P. Tennent Slack, MD
LIVING WELL LECTURES
Each month, join us on the first Friday in the Education Center
for a fun and informative lecture on health and wellness topics.
Staying Well: Primary Care Milestones
Friday, August 5; 1 p.m.
Speaker: Haritha Arikatla, MD
Getting Lifeline Before the Fall
Friday, September 2; 1 p.m.
Speaker: Dianne Appling
WELLNESS IN THE KITCHEN
Cooking tasty, healthy meals is a snap when you know the secrets
of a chef. Join our chef from Cafe 1400 in the Education Center
for tips and tricks that will take your cooking to the next level and
bring wellness to the table.
Lighter Summer Sweets
Tuesday, August 9; 6:30 p.m.
FABULOUS 500 CALORIE DINNERS: WEIGHT
MANAGEMENT FOR HEART HEALTH
Cooking healthy dinners is an important step in the process of
maintaining a healthy heart. Join us for a mini-lecture on weight
management for heart health and a demonstration by one of our
chefs from Cafe 1400. We'll send you home with all you need to
know to cook a delicious dinner that's only 500 calories!
Thursday, August 18; 12:30 p.m.
Monday, August 22; 6:00 p.m.
Education Center
D-CON GAMES
Decontamination teams from around the state will
compete against each other to achieve the fastest time for
correctly setting up a deluge system, the cornerstone of
decontamination operations in the event people come into
contact with a hazardous substance. Bring a lawn chair and
cheer on your favorite team! We'll have food trucks, a celebrity
DJ and Haz-Mat Team t-shirts available for purchase with
proceeds to benefit SafeKids of Gainesville/Hall County.
Saturday, August 13
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Outside near the Emergency Entrance
Spectator registration not required.
For information about team registration, contact Jennifer Davis
at 770-219-1823.
Register today!
Phone: 770-848-8600
Online: www.nghs.com/braselton-events
BABY FAIR
With presentations by businesses, non-profits, and with a
whole lot of fun things to do. Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Braselton's Baby Fair Expo will include:
• Tours of the new Labor and Delivery Unit
• Free pregnancy portraits
• Recipes and samples of foods for mom and baby at Cafe
1400
• A wide variety of booths for businesses and non-profits
serving families
Register online before you arrive and check-in with your email
confirmation to receive a FREE Baby Swag Bag at the door!
Saturday, August 20; 10 a.m.
www.nghs.com/baby-fair
2 p.m.
CAR SEAT SAFETY CLASS
Make sure your baby is as safe as possible in his or her car seat by
taking this class and learning from the experts. We'll also check
the installation of your car seat in your vehicle at the end of class.
August 10 & September 14; 6:30 p.m.
Speaker: SafeKids
Education Center
BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP
Join Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Bariatric and
Metabolic Institute's informative support group meeting for
patients currently in the bariatric program.
Thursdays, August 4 & September 29; 6 p.m.
Education Center
LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Join the newly diagnosed, survivors and loved ones for a lung
cancer support group. Please call 770-219-8815 or email
penny.mccall@nghs.com for more information.
Mondays, August 15 & September 19; 4:30 p.m.
Education Center
ADULT GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
A 6 week support group for adults grieving a close personal
loss. Licensed social worker facilitates. Provides education for
coping, information about what to expect, normalizing the grief
process.
Wednesdays, July 13 - August 17; 1:00 p.m.
Interventional Conference Room at NGMC Braselton
Speaker: Marcia Flowell
