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    A WOMAN WAS KILLED AND TWO MEN SHOT IN AN INCIDENT THAT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE GORDON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.  A SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTINGS, 38 YEAR OLD PAUL BUCHANNON, WAS WOUNDED BY POLICE GUNFIRE... AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO ERLANGER'S INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. 
    THE INCIDENT STARTED AT A RESIDENCE ON HIGHWAY 41 IN RESACA, THURSDAY NIGHT.  LAWMEN ARRIVED TO FIND TWO MEN SHOT AND WOUNDED AT THE HOUSE.  THE EX-GIRLFRIEND WAS ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPPED BY BUCHANNON... WHO FLED THE SCENE... LEADING POLICE ON A FOUR HOUR MANHUNT.  THE WOMAN, WHOSE IDENTITY HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS LATER FOUND SHOT DEAD ON RAILROAD TRACKS IN NORTHERN GORDON COUNTY. 
    A TRACKING TEAM LOCATED THE SUSPECT... AND HE WAS SHOT WHEN HE REPORTEDLY THREATENED DEPUTIES WITH A GUN.  BUCHANNON, WHO HAD BEEN LIVING IN A CALHOUN MOTEL... FACES CHARGES OF MURDER, KIDNAPPING, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND FIREARMS VIOLATIONS.  NO LAWMEN WERE HURT.

     WALKER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES WILL BE MONITORING TRAFFIC ON WEST COVE ROAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND... AS PRODUCERS WORK ON THE MOVIE:  "WATER FOR ELEPHANTS".   IT'S BEING FILMED, IN PART, ON AN OLD WALKER COUNTY FARMSTEAD IN THE KENSINGTON AREA... A HOMEPLACE NO LONGER USED... WHICH HAS THE PERFECT "LOOK" FOR A 1920'S FILM.  
    FANS ARE ANXIOUS TO GET A GLIMPSE OF MOVIE STARS REESE WITHERSPOON AND ROBERT PATTINSON... SO SECURITY IS TIGHT IN THE AREA.

    WALKER COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE PROPOSED HALF-MIL INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES... AND BY THE THIRD AND FINAL PUBLIC HEARING LAST WEEK, COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL SAID CITIZENS ATTENDING HAD "COME TO UNDERSTAND THE NEED".  HEISKELL SAID EVEN A COUPLE OF TEA PARTY MEMBERS ATTENDING WERE CONVINCED THAT THE COUNTY HAD DONE WHAT IT COULD - TO HOLD COSTS DOWN.
    COUNTY COORDINATOR DAVID ASHBURN SAID THE DOUGHERTY GAP ROAD PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.   LAST SEPTEMBER'S FLOODING CAUSED A MUD SLIDE THAT CLOSED THE NARROW, WINDING ROAD... WHICH CONNECTS THE TOP OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN WITH MOUNTAIN COVE FARMS BELOW.  FEMA DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS WERE USED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR.
    THE COMMISSIONER ADOPTED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY'S EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL ORDINANCE... BRINGING IT IN-LINE WITH STATE LAWS.
    AND A CONTRACT TO REPLACE "WALKER TRANSIT" BUSES WAS SIGNED.   THE STATE D.O.T. WILL PAY 90% OF THE COST OF 6 NEW BUSES... REPLACING SEVERAL WITH OVER 100-THOUSAND MILES.   THE COUNTY PAYS 10-PERCENT OF THE COST.  WALKER TRANSIT OFFERS LOW-COST TRANSPORT SO RESIDENTS WITHOUT A VEHICLE CAN ATTEND COLLEGE... RIDE TO WORK... AND TRAVEL TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS.

     GOOD NEWS FOR THE LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED IN GEORGIA... THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SAYS EXTENDED BENEFITS ARE NOW BEING PAID TO OVER 90-THOUSAND PEOPLE.   THE BENEFITS WERE ENACTED BY CONGRESS LAST WEEK.  THE LAW EXTENDS THE QUALIFYING TIME FOR ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS FROM JUNE 2nd THROUGH NOVEMBER 30th. 
    NOTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ELIGIBLE CLAIMANTS... THERE IS NO NEED TO CALL THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

     WALKER COUNTY FFA AND THE YOUNG FARMER'S ASSOCIATION ARE OFFERING CLASSES NEXT WEEK IN ARC AND MIG WELDING... AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN.  ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL SHOP AND AG CLASSROOM... STARTING AT 6 PM. 
    MONDAY NIGHT, AN ARC WELDING CLASS WILL BE HELD... FOLLOWED ON TUESDAY NIGHT BY A CLASS ON MIG WELDING.  INSTRUCTORS ARE PETE DAVIS AND BRENT JACKSON.   COST IS $15 PER NIGHT FOR NON-MEMBERS... $10 PER NIGHT FOR WALKER COUNTY YOUNG FARMERS MEMBERS.
    MONDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHTS, IT'S "LANDSCAPING DO'S AND DON'TS" WITH WENDY MATTESON.  COST IS $5 FOR THE MEAL TO NON-MEMBERS... NO CHARGE FOR YOUNG FARMERS MEMBERS.
    THOSE INTERESTED IN THE LANDSCAPING OR WELDING CLASSES SHOULD CALL BRENT JACKSON BY THIS SUNDAY NIGHT... AT 706 280 3972.  LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES.

     STATE HONORS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR TWO WALKER COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.
     TRACI REECE, CAPTAIN OF WALKER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES, HAS BEEN NAMED THE "EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR" BY THE GEORGIA FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.  SHE'S WORKED FOR 10 YEARS WITH CAR SAFETY SEAT EDUCATION... AS WELL AS FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN.
    AND JIM BULMAN, AN ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR FOR THE VOLUNTEER RECRUIT TRAINING PROGRAM, WILL RECEIVE THE 2010 "ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD".  BULMAN IS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS THE OLDEST ROOKIE TO JOIN WALKER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES, AT AGE 62.
    THE AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED NEXT WEEK IN SAVANNAH.

    THE I.R.S IS WARNING THAT HUNDREDS OF SMALL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN GEORGIA, COULD LOSE THEIR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS UNLESS THEY ACT QUICKLY.  THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED TO FILE RETURNS FOR 2007 THROUGH 2009 CAN PRESERVE THEIR STATUS IF THEY FILE BY OCTOBER 15th.
    THE I.R.S. WEBSITE IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEED TO COMPLY... INCLUDING THE LAFAYETTE AREA EMPTY STOCKING FUND, THE WALKER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WALKER AND CATOOSA COUNTY FOSTER PARENT ASSOCIATIONS, THE COULTER MEMORIAL CEMETERY, THE MASONIC LODGES IN CHICKAMAUGA AND TRENTON, AND SEVERAL AMERICAN LEGION POSTS, INCLUDING THE ONE IN LAFAYETTE.  
    "WE URGE THESE SMALL GROUPS IN GEORGIA TO TAKE A MINUTE AND MAKE SURE THEY'VE FILED," SAID I.R.S. SPOKESMAN MARK GREEN.  "IT'S BETTER THAN LOSING YOUR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AND FACE RE-APPLYING..."  HE SAID.
    FILE FORM 990-N ON THE I.R.S. WEBSITE BY OCTOBER 15th... AT WWW.IRS.GOV.

     THE LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL CHAPTER OF THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WILL BENEFIT FROM A BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT THIS SATURDAY, JULY 31st.
    THE EVENT WILL BE HELD ON LAKE WEISS, AT J.R.'S MARINA... WITH LAUNCH AT 6:30 AM... AND WEIGH-IN AT 2:30 PM.  MONEY RAISED WILL BE USED TO SEND FFA STUDENTS TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLIS.
    ENTRY FEE IS $40 PER BOAT... MAXIMUM 2 ANGLERS PER BOAT.  PRIZES OFFERED FOR FIRST THROUGH FOURTH PLACE.  SIGN UP AT TALESPINNERS OUTDOORS, JUST NORTH OF LAFAYETTE. 

    TRAGEDY IN FORT OGLETHORPE TUESDAY NIGHT, WHEN POLICE SAY THREE-YEAR-OLD LUCAS DOVER DIED IN THE BATHTUB AT THE FAMILY'S APARTMENT IN THE BATTLEWOOD COMPLEX. 
    THE MOTHER TOLD POLICE SHE LEFT LUCAS IN THE TUB WHILE SHE WENT TO FEED HER 2-MONTH OLD... WHO HAD STARTED CRYING.   WHEN SHE CHECKED ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, THE BOY WAS FOUND FLOATING FACE-DOWN IN THE BATHTUB.  AN AUTOPSY CONFIRMED THE DEATH AS AN ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. 

   AT KIDS 4 CHRIST IN LAFAYETTE, THE ANNUAL "BACK TO SCHOOL BLAST" IS SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 7th.  THE EVENT WILL FEATURE CARNIVAL GAMES, REFRESHMENTS, FACE PAINTING, AN INFLATABLE... PLUS KIDS GET FREE BOOK BAGS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.  OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS, HUNDREDS OF AT-RISK CHILDREN HAVE BEEN GIVEN BOOK BAGS... AND THIS YEAR'S TARGET NUMBER IS 350.
    KIDS 4 CHRIST NEEDS SUPPLIES AND VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS BIG ANNUAL EVENT.  PRIMARY NEEDS NOW ARE BOOK BAGS, FILLER PAPER AND PAPER PORTFOLIOS.   THEY ALREADY HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF CRAYONS, PENCILS AND GLUE STICKS... THOSE ITEMS ARE NOT NEEDED.
    DROP OFF SUPPLIES, OR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DESIGNATED CHECKS, AT THE KIDS 4 CHRIST BUILDING... CORNER OF CHEROKEE AND WITHERS STREETS.  COLLECTION BOXES ARE ALSO LOCATED AT CHURCHES AND BUSINESSES IN LAFAYETTE, CATLETT AND SUMMERVILLE.   PLEASE DONATE BY THIS FRIDAY.
    VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP PACK BAGS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4th, BEGINNING AT 10 AM... AND MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AT THE BACK TO SCHOOL BLAST ON AUGUST 7th.  AN ORIENTATION FOR VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY AT 10 AM.  CALL KIDS 4 CHRIST AT 706 639 3234 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

     MOUNTING LOSSES AND FALLING PATIENT VOLUMES HAVE HUTCHESON MEDICAL CENTER LOOKING FOR A LARGER "PARTNER" HOSPITAL FOR HELP.  THIS WEEK, THE BOARD ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CONSULTING... A TEXAS FIRM.
    SO FAR, THERE IS NO AGREEMENT FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH ANOTHER HOSPITAL IN THE AREA... BUT IF THAT MOVE IS MADE, THE CONSULTING FIRM WOULD GUIDE HUTCHESON THROUGH THE PROCESS.  ERLANGER AND MEMORIAL HAVE BOTH SAID THEY ARE 'OPEN TO NEGOTIATIONS' WITH HUTCHESON.
    THE FORT OGLETHORPE HOSPITAL LOST ALMOST A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS IN 2008... AND AN EVEN LARGER LOSS IS EXPECTED IN THE FISCAL YEAR WHICH ENDED IN SEPTEMBER, 2009.

      LAFAYETTE HIGH IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR... AND WILL BEGIN SELLING PARKING PERMITS AND ASSIGNING LOCKERS FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 3rd.   SENIORS MAY APPLY FOR PARKING PERMITS AND LOCKERS BEGINNING AT 9 AM... AND JUNIORS BEGIN AT 1 PM THAT DAY.
    PARKING PERMIT SALES AND LOCKER ASSIGNMENT FOR SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMEN WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4th.... 9 AM FOR SOPHOMORES AND 1 PM FOR FRESHMEN.
    STUDENTS SHOULD REPORT TO THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE WINDOW.  PARKING PERMITS ARE $25 AND LOCKER RENTAL IS $6.
    STUDENT SCHEDULES AT LAFAYETTE HIGH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 9th, BEGINNING AT 9 AM.  SCHEDULE PICKUP WILL BE AT THE CAFETERIA COMMONS AREA.
    TEACHERS RETURN TO WORK ON AUGUST 10th... AND STUDENTS' FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS AUGUST 16th.

    THE CATOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION HAD DISCUSSED AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE COMING YEAR... BUT WHEN THE VOTE WAS TAKEN TUESDAY NIGHT, THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN TAXES.
    THE CATOOSA COMMISSIONERS VOTED INSTEAD TO DIP INTO THE COUNTY'S RESERVE FUNDS TO COVER A NEEDED INCREASE IN THE BUDGET.   NOW, THEY'RE COUNTING ON PROGRESS LIKE THE NEW COSTCO STORE TO INCREASE REVENUES IN 2011.

    GOOD GRADES IN THE RESTAURANT REPORT OVER THE LAST WEEK.  WALKER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GAVE TACO BELL OF LAFAYETTE AN "A", WHILE THE NEW 'CHICKEN N' FISH TO GO' SCORED A "B".
    AND WALKER COUNTY'S CAMP NEW DAWN SCORED AN "A" IN THEIR SUMMER INSPECTION.

    PROSECUTOR LEIGH PATTERSON HAS BEEN NAMED DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR IN GEORGIA, FOR HER WORK IN THE SAM PARKER MURDER TRIAL.
    THE LOCAL D.A. - BUZZ FRANKLIN - DECIDED NOT TO PROSECUTE THE HIGH PROFILE CASE AND PATTERSON... D.A. FROM THE ROME CIRCUIT...  WAS CALLED IN TO DO THE JOB.   WHILE THE BODY OF MISSING 9-1-1 DISPATCHER THERESA PARKER WAS NEVER LOCATED, PATTERSON'S TEAM SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED HER HUSBAND... FORMER LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER SAM PARKER.  HE WAS CONVICTED OF HER MURDER IN WALKER COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT AND SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON. 
      THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS COUNCIL AT THEIR MEETING AT JEKYLL ISLAND.  PATTERSON HAS SERVED AS THE ROME CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY SINCE 2003.

   THE WALKER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO LEASE THEIR FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION LICENSE TO A PRIVATE COMPANY... CLEARWIRE SPECTRUM HOLDINGS, LLC... TO BE USED BY WIRELESS INTERNET SUBSCRIBERS.
    DR. WAYNE ROBINSON, COORDINATOR OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, SAID THE FCC LICENSE WAS OBTAINED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO FOR TELEVISED BROADCASTS BETWEEN SCHOOLS... BUT THE 4 CHANNELS WERE NEVER USED BEYOND THE TESTING STAGE.
    CLEARWIRE PLANS TO USE THE SPECTRUM... ADDING TOWERS IN THE CHATTANOOGA AND NORTH GEORGIA AREAS EVERY 3 TO 5 MILES.  THE WI-FI, AS IT'S CALLED... CAN BE USED FOR WIRELESS INTERNET CONNECTION... AS WELL AS COMMUNICATIONS WITH PDA'S SUCH AS THE BLACKBERRY.  THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL LEASE 95 PERCENT OF ITS ALLOTED SPECTRUM TO CLEARWIRE, UNDER THE AGREEMENT.
    ROBINSON SAID IF THE LEASE IS APPROVED BY THE FCC, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL GET A LUMP-SUM PAYMENT, FOLLOWED BY MONTLY PAYMENTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE LEASE TERM.  HE SAID OVER THE YEARS, THE SPECTRUM HAS BECOME MORE VALUABLE FOR THIS NEW PURPOSE... AND IT'S FORTUNATE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN TURN A LITTLE-USED LICENSE INTO AN INCOME STREAM, WITH A NEW TECHNOLOGY.
    ON ANOTHER SCIENCE TOPIC... DR. ROBINSON SAID WORK IS PROGRESSING ON THE COUNTY SCHOOL'S NEW PLANETARIUM.  THE FACILITY IS HOUSED IN A NEW METAL STRUCTURE ADJACENT TO THE OLD POND SPRINGS SCHOOL BUILDING, SOUTH OF CHICKAMAUGA.  THE 40-FOOT PLANETARIUM DOME HAS NOW BEEN INSTALLED... BUT LOTS OF WORK IS YET TO BE DONE... INCLUDING PAINTING AND THE INSTALLATION OF CARPET AND SEATING.   ROBINSON SAID THE TARGET DATE FOR OPENING THE PLANETARIUM IS THIS DECEMBER... IN TIME FOR STUDENTS TO VIEW A CHRISTMAS PROGRAM.

    WALKER COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 8.8 PERCENT FOR JUNE... THAT'S DOWN FROM 9 PERCENT IN MAY.  2,730 PEOPLE WERE UNEMPLOYED IN WALKER COUNTY IN JUNE...  87 FEWER THAN THE MONTH BEFORE.
    CATOOSA COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT WAS UNCHANGED AT 7.9 PERCENT.  BUT TWO AREA COUNTIES HAD AN UPWARD SPIKE IN UNEMPLOYMENT... CHATTOOGA HAD 11.3 PERCENT IN JUNE, UP FROM 10.6.   AND WHITFIELD COUNTY HAD 12 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT IN JUNE, UP FROM 11.5 IN MAY.
    THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SAYS THE REGIONAL RATE FOR NORTHWEST GEORGIA IS AT 10.6 PERCENT FOR JUNE, UP 3/10ths FROM MAY.  
     AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REPORTS IN THE PAST YEAR, GEORGIA HAS LOST MORE JOBS THAN ANY OTHER STATE BUT CALIFORNIA.

     A ROSSVILLE CITY COUNCILMAN HAS DIED, FOLLOWING A FIGHT WITH CANCER.  NATHAN BAIN DIED WEDNESDAY... HE WAS SERVING HIS THIRD 4-YEAR TERM ON THE COUNCIL.  COUNCILMAN BAIN WAS A CAREER MEMBER OF THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND SERVED DURING DESERT STORM.  HE WAS 73.

    IN AREA PRIMARY VOTING TUESDAY, INCUMBENT JEFF MULLIS WAS AN EASY WINNER IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, AND KEEPS THE 53rd DISTRICT STATE SENATE SEAT.  MULLIS HAD 68 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, FOLLOWED BY JIM POPE AND JEREMY JONES, EACH GATHERING 16 PERCENT.  THERE IS NO DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, SO MULLIS RETURNS AS STATE SENATOR.
    IN THE RACE FOR 9th DISTRICT U.S. CONGRESSMAN... IT'S A RUNOFF BETWEEN TOM GRAVES AND LEE HAWKINS... AGAIN.  GRAVES WON THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND IS NOW A SITTING CONGRESSMAN UNTIL DECEMBER 31st... BUT HE FAILED TO GET THE REQUIRED 50 PERCENT PLUS ONE YESTERDAY.   HE MISSED THAT MARK BY A SCANT 400 VOTES.  THE RUNOFF FOR A FULL TWO YEAR TERM WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 10th.  CHICKAMAUGA'S STEVE TARVIN FINISHED IN THIRD PLACE WITH 15 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.
     WALKER COUNTY'S VOTER TURNOUT WAS LOW, IN THE TUESDAY PRIMARIES... LIKELY BECAUSE THERE WERE SO FEW LOCAL RACES IN CONTEST.   4,338 OF THE COUNTY'S 40,234 REGISTER VOTERS CAST A BALLOT... FOR A TURNOUT OF 11 PERCENT.

    THE WALKER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO MAKE "ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS" UNDER THE FEDERAL NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT.  FOUR OF THE COUNTY'S 14 SCHOOLS FAILED TO MAKE A.Y.P. - INCLUDING LAFAYETTE HIGH, RIDGELAND HIGH, CHEROKEE RIDGE AND CHATTANOOGA VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. 
    THE CATOOSA AND CHATTOOGA COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMS ALSO FAILED TO MAKE THE YEARLY PROGRESS STANDARD, WHILE THE CHICKAMAUGA AND TRION CITY SCHOOLS ALL MET THE A.Y.P. STANDARD FOR 2010.  THE FINDINGS WERE RELEASED MONDAY BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
    STATE-WIDE, JUST 71-PERCENT OF SCHOOLS MADE ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS... A DROP FROM 79-PERCENT LAST YEAR.  EDUCATION OFFICIALS SAY THE "BAR HAD BEEN RAISED" TO PASS MATH TESTS... AND THE GRADUATION RATE REQUIREMENT WAS ALSO RAISED TO 80-PERCENT FOR HIGH SCHOOLS.   ONLY 33-PERCENT OF GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOLS MET THE A.Y.P. STANDARDS THIS YEAR.

    LAFAYETTE HAS BEEN ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL MAIN STREET PROGRAM FOR MEETING THEIR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REVITALIZATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.   THE LAFAYETTE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ADMINISTERS THE CITY'S MAIN STREET PROGRAM... AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS.

     THE NORTH GEORGIA ANIMAL LEAGUE HAS OPENED WALKER COUNTY'S NEW DOG PARK, JUST BEHIND THE WALKER COUNTY CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX.  THE ACRE WOODED LOT IS A PERFECT PLACE TO EXERCISE AND SOCIALIZE DOGS IN AN OFF-LEASH SETTING.   IT TOOK VOLUNTEERS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF... AND 2-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO MAKE THE IMPROVEMENTS.
    THE ANIMAL LEAGUE'S VICE CHAIRMAN, VIRGIL SPERRY, SAYS THEIR NEXT PROJECT IS A LOW-COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC FOR DOGS AND CATS.  THE ANIMAL LEAGUE IS WORKING TO GET THE OLD LINWOOD FIRE STATION FOR A CLINIC SITE.  THE BUILDING WILL HAVE TO BE RENOVATED FOR CLINIC USE.  SOME VETS HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO PERFORM THE STERILIZATIONS FOR AROUND $45.
    A FUND-RAISER FOR THE CLINIC WILL BE HELD AT THE WALKER COUNTY AG CENTER... IT'S A DOG TRAINING SEMINAR - SET FOR JULY 31 AND AUGUST 1.  YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE ANIMAL LEAGUE'S WEBSITE... FROM OURS:  CLICK ON "LINKS".

     THE WALKER COUNTY CHAMBER'S "BALLOONS AND TUNES FESTIVAL" WILL HAVE THE BAND PERRY AS MUSIC HEADLINERS ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th IN ROCK SPRING.  THEIR COUNTRY HITS INCLUDE "HIP TO MY HEART" AND "IF I DIE YOUNG".  FORMER CONFEDERATE RAILROAD MEMBER CODY MCCARVER WILL OPEN FOR THE BAND PERRY.  200 VIP SEATS FOR THE CONCERT WILL GO ON SALE AUGUST 1st AT THE CHAMBER OFFICE, IN THE WALKER COUNTY CIVIC CENTER.  THEY ARE $10 PER PERSON, PLUS THE COST OF GENERAL ADMISSION.  GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS FOR ONE DAY, OR ALL THREE DAYS, WILL BE SOLD AT THE LIBRARIES IN LAFAYETTE, CHICKAMAUGA AND ROSSVILLE, STARTING AUGUST 1st.  SEE THE WEBSITE AT WWW.BALLOONSANDTUNESFESTIVAL.COM.

     THE LAFAYETTE RECREATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS FOR ADULT CO-ED SOFTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL... YOUTH CHURCH, ADULT CHURCH AND OPEN LEAGUES.  MEETINGS WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 5th... 6 PM FOR THE VOLLEYBALL MEETING AND 6:30 FOR THE CO-ED SOFTBALL.  ANYONE INTERESTED IN HAVING A TEAM PARTICIPATE, SHOULD HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE MEETING.  CALL DEBBIE BAKER FOR MORE INFORMATION AT 706 639 1590.

     SIGNUPS FOR FALL SPORTS ARE OPEN NOW AT THE LAFAYETTE RECREATION DEPARTMENT.  FALL SPORTS INCLUDE FOOTBALL FOR AGES 4 TO 11... CHEERLEADING FOR AGES 4 TO 12... AND SOCCER FOR AGES 4 TO 13.  MUST BE AGE FOUR BY AUGUST 1st TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL THREE SPORTS.  REGISTRATION CONTINUES THROUGH AUGUST 7th... AT THE PARK CENTER ON SOUTH MAIN STREET. 

    IF YOU WERE WAITING FOR A BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES TAX HOLIDAY IN GEORGIA... YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK NORTH.  GEORGIA LEGISLATORS DID NOT RENEW THE POPULAR TAX BREAK WEEKEND... BECAUSE OF A 2-BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT.  STATE BEAN-COUNTERS SAY THE LAST TAX-FREE WEEKEND COST THE STATE SOME 12-MILLION DOLLARS IN LOST REVENUE... AND THIS YEAR, LEGISLATORS LEFT THE IDEA ON THE TABLE. 
    BUT THERE WILL BE A TAX HOLIDAY AT TENNESSEE STORES... THEIR NO-SALES-TAX WEEKEND STARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 6th AND RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 8th. 

     WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL CONTINUES TO SEE SIGNS THAT THE LOCAL ECONOMY MAY BE IMPROVING... DESPITE THE DEVASTATING CLOSURE OF BLUE BIRD, NORTH GEORGIA, NEXT MONTH.
    ROPER HAS RECENTLY ADDED ABOUT 60 EMPLOYEES TO THEIR ROSTER... MAKING RANGES FOR GENERAL ELECTRIC AT THE LAFAYETTE PLANT.   ROPER NOW EMPLOYS AROUND 1,340.
    NISSIN BRAKE GEORGIA... LOCATED AT ROCK SPRING... IS BEGINNING TO ADD EMPLOYEES, ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSIONER.  NISSIN HAS 164 ASSOCIATES, MAKING BRAKE COMPONENTS FOR CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES.  BOTH COMPANIES ARE REPORTING "UP-TICKS" IN ORDERS.
    HEISKELL SAID "I HOPE MANY OF THOSE LOSING JOBS WITH BLUE BIRD WILL FIND EMPLOYMENT WITHIN ONE OF OUR OTHER MANUFACTURING COMPANIES." 
    JIM OWEN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF NISSIN BRAKE, SAID "WE WILL DO WHATEVER POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE COMMISSIONER'S COMMITMENT TO HELP DISPLACED BLUE BIRD WORKERS FIND NEW EMPLOYMENT."  HE ADDED THAT THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR EMPLOYMENT DETAILS. 
    AND MORE NEW JOBS MAY BE ON THE HORIZON FOR WALKER COUNTY.  HEISKELL SAID "WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO A NUMBER OF INTERESTED BUSINESS PROSPECTS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST HERE... I AM COMMITTED TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO CREATE JOBS THAT WILL LEAD TO THE PROSPERITY OF OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS."

     GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL CHANGE FROM QUARTERS TO THE SEMESTER SYSTEM A YEAR FROM NOW... THE FALL OF 2011.  THAT WILL PUT GNTC AND ITS SISTER SCHOOLS IN LINE WITH THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA... AND 80 PERCENT OF ALL PRIVATE COLLEGES.
    STUDENTS WILL GET ADVISEMENT SESSIONS TO CREATE AN INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC PLAN UNDER THE NEW SEMESTER SYSTEM... AND FINANCIAL AID WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.  ANNUAL TUITION UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO ANNUAL COSTS UNDER THE QUARTER SYSTEM, AS WELL.

        THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU HAS RELEASED IT'S POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR THE PAST DECADE... AND WALKER COUNTY HAD IT'S SHARE OF GROWTH.
    THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE NOW HAS AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF OVER 7,500... THAT'S UP BY 12.3 PERCENT SINCE THE YEAR 2000.
    CHICKAMAUGA'S GROWTH WAS EVEN FASTER... AT AROUND 16 PERCENT OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. 
    THE CITIES OF ROSSVILLE AND LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA... BOTH HAD DECLINES IN POPULATION.
    BY FAR, THE AREA'S FASTEST GROWING TOWN IS FORT OGLETHORPE... WHICH LEAD THE ENTIRE CHATTANOOGA METRO AREA AT A 42 PERCENT GROWTH RATE OVER THE LAST DECADE.
    THIS WAS THE LAST POPULATION ESTIMATE TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS BUREAU, UNTIL THE NEW 2010 CENSUS COUNT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

    THE NORTHWEST GEORGIA PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT SAYS CASES OF RABIES HAVE MADE A "SLIGHT UPTICK" RECENTLY.... AND HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING CITIZENS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT INFECTION.
    IN THE 12 YEARS FROM 1996 TO 2007, WALKER COUNTY HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CONFIRMED ANIMAL RABIES CASES IN THE NORTHWEST GEORGIA AREA AT 39.
    TIM ALLEE, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR FOR THE DISTRICT, SAID "WE'RE REMINDING RESIDENTS TO VACCINATE ALL DOMESTIC ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY DOGS AND CATS... AND TO AVOID EXPOSURE TO RACCOONS, FOXES, SKUNKS AND BATS.
    HE SAID IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA TO LEAVE PET FOODS OUTSIDE.  THIS CAN ATTRACT RACCOONS, THE NUMBER ONE RABIES CARRIER... EVEN IN URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS.
    ANYONE NOTING A RACCOON, FOX, BAT OR SKUNK THAT IS OUT DURING THE DAY OR BEHAVING STRANGELY... SHOULD REPORT THE SITING TO THE LOCAL GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GAME AND FISH DIVISION OFFICE.
    AND IF BATS ARE FOUND INSIDE THE HOME... THEY SHOULD BE CAPTURED IF POSSIBLE - AND TESTED FOR RABIES.

     GEORGIA'S NEW 9th DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN HAS OPENED DISTRICT OFFICES IN LAFAYETTE, DALTON AND GAINESVILLE.  TOM GRAVES SAID CONSTITUENTS MAY CONTACT THE LOCAL OFFICE FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.  CONGRESSMAN GRAVES' LAFAYETTE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 108 WEST LAFAYETTE SQUARE, SUITE 102.   THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 706 638 7042.

     AN INITIAL LOOK AT WALKER COUNTY'S CRITERION REFERENCED TESTING SHOWS ENCOURAGING RESULTS FROM 2010, COMPARED TO '09.  HERE'S A SAMPLE OF THIS YEAR'S PROGRESS... LOOKING AT THIRD GRADE RESULTS FROM WALKER COUNTY SCHOOLS:
IN READING, 93.1 PERCENT PASSED, UP 3.9 PERCENT FROM 2009.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, 89.4 PERCENT PASSED, UP 2 PERCENT.
MATH, 80.4 PERCENT PASSED, UP 3.1 PERCENT.
SCIENCE, 86.8 PERCENT PASSED, UP 2.5 PERCENT.
AND IN SOCIAL STUDIES, 84.2 PERCENT PASSED, UP 5.5 PERCENT FROM 2009.
    THERE WERE SIMILAR IMPROVEMENTS IN 4th, 6th, 7th AND 8th GRADE SCORES.  THE ONE PROBLEM AREA APPEARED TO BE WALKER COUNTY'S 5th GRADE CLASSES, WHERE SEVERAL SUBJECTS HAD A SLIGHTLY LOWER RATE OF STUDENTS PASSING.
FOR 5th GRADE, IN READING...
92.1 PERCENT PASSED, DOWN BY 1.5 PERCENT FROM 2009.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, 93.2 PASSED, DOWN BY 1.6 PERCENT.
MATH, 81 PERCENT PASSED, UP 1.1 PERCENT. 
SCIENCE, 85.8 PASSED, DOWN 0.8 PERCENT.
AND IN SOCIAL STUDIES, 81.3 PASSED, DOWN 0.6 PERCENT.   
    CRCT SCORES ARE A MAJOR FACTOR IN COMPILING EACH SCHOOL'S ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS. 

     THE WALKER COUNTY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE WILL BE REVIEWING PROPERTIES UNDER THE CONSERVATION USE AGREEMENT... ACCORDING TO CHIEF APPRAISER, TERRY GILREATH.  COVENANT PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A RANDOM FIELD CHECK OF PROPERTIES... AND ANY FARMING ACTIVITY... BY APPRAISERS WITH THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.  

   THE 2010 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR THE LAFAYETTE HIGH RAMBLERS... IN THEIR OPENING SEASON UNDER THE DIRECTION OF HEAD COACH, TAB GABLE.
    IT STARTS AUGUST 27th AT CHATTOOGA... FOLLOWED BY A HOME GAME AGAINST TRION.  LAFAYETTE PLAYS AT CARTERSVILLE AND MURRAY COUNTY... FOLLOWED BY AN OPEN DATE ON SEPTEMBER 24.
    IN OCTOBER, LAFAYETTE PLAYS AT SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD... FOLLOWED BY A HOME GAME AGAINST CROSS-COUNTY RIVAL, RIDGELAND.  LAFAYETTE PLAYS AT HERITAGE... THEN HEADS HOME TO PLAY DALTON... FINISHING THE MONTH AGAINST RINGGOLD AT HOME.
    A CROSSOVER GAME ON NOVEMBER 7th WILL DETERMINE WHICH TEAMS HEAD TO THE STATE PLAYOFFS.

     LAFAYETTE RESIDENTS WHO RECYCLE CAN NOW USE THE NEW RECYCLE DUMPSTER... LOCATED ON NAPIER STREET, ACROSS FROM THE WALKER COUNTY JAIL.  THE NEW RECYCLE CENTER IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE... ACCEPTING PAPER, CARDBOARD AND PLASTIC.  A SEPARATE GREEN DUMPSTER IS MARKED FOR GLASS ONLY.
    ONLY CITY RESIDENTS MAY USE THE RECYCLE CENTER.
    PLEASE HELP KEEP THE AREA CLEAN - DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING ON THE GROUND.
    CARDBOARD MUST BE BROKEN DOWN TO FIT IN THE CONTAINER.
    NO HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE IS PERMITTED.
    AND THE AREA IS UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE.
    IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT RECYCLING, CONTACT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT 706 639 1509.

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