At the close of qualifying on Friday, six local races are contested.
Races are set for sheriff, BOC chairman, BOC Districts 2 and 4, probate judge and coroner.
Those who qualified include:
•Sheriff – Mark Bandy, incumbent Carlton Speed and Robert “Bob” Blackwell
•Board of Commissioners Chairman – incumbent Jimmy Hooper and Will Ramsey
•BOC District 2 – incumbent David Duckett, Freddie Dalton and David Jones
•BOC District 4 – incumbent Charles Turk and Jerry Baker
•Probate Judge – Keith Gardiner, Shannon Gowder, Helen Hewell and Carolyn Hooper
•Magistrate Judge – incumbent Ivan Mote
•Tax Commissioner – incumbent Becky Carlan
•Clerk of Courts – incumbent Tim Harper
•Coroner – incumbent Bobby Eubanks, Mark Savage and Cameron Boswell
•County Surveyor – incumbent Andy Jordan
•Board of Education Post 1 – incumbent Anthony Seabolt
•BOE Post 2 – incumbent Wes Whitfield
•BOE Post 4 – incumbent Atha Dalton
Entries by Staff Writer
Inmate has been captured
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office reported around 6 p.m. today the inmate who fled the recreation area of the Banks County Jail Thursday evening has been captured in the area of Trout Lane.
Paul Dylan Gross, 23, fled at approximately 6:55 p.m. Thursday evening and a search, both on the ground and in the air, has been ongoing since that time.
Paul Dylan Gross, 23, fled at approximately 6:55 p.m. Thursday evening and a search, both on the ground and in the air, has been ongoing since that time.
Lula mayor pro-tem seriously injured in weekend wreck
Lula Mayor Pro-Tem Vicky Chambers was seriously injured in a two-car wreck on Saturday, Jan. 10, in Hall County.
Chambers’ Toyota Sienna Van was hit head-on by the driver of a Honda Accord on Joe Chandler Road near Brock Road.
Chambers has already had two surgeries and is still in intensive care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
A female passenger in Chambers’ vehicle was also injured and transported to the hospital as was the driver of the other vehicle.
Chambers’ Toyota Sienna Van was hit head-on by the driver of a Honda Accord on Joe Chandler Road near Brock Road.
Chambers has already had two surgeries and is still in intensive care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
A female passenger in Chambers’ vehicle was also injured and transported to the hospital as was the driver of the other vehicle.
Sunday alcohol sales by the drink approved by Banks County voters
The Sunday alcohol sales by the drink referendum on the ballot for Banks County voters today was approved.
The total votes for the Sunday sales was 2,351 to 1,979 against. A total of 4,384 ballots were cast - or 53.1 percent of the registered voters in the county.
The total votes for the Sunday sales was 2,351 to 1,979 against. A total of 4,384 ballots were cast - or 53.1 percent of the registered voters in the county.
One fatality in Banks County reported
A Commerce woman died on Thursday afternoon in a single vehicle accident in Banks County. The Gainesville post of the Georgia State Patrol is not releasing the name of the victim at this time.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Hwy. 51 south two tenths of a mile east of Russ Rumsey Road, a GSP spokesperson said. The crash time is estimated at 3:36 p.m.
The woman was driving a Lincoln town car, according to the GSP.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Hwy. 51 south two tenths of a mile east of Russ Rumsey Road, a GSP spokesperson said. The crash time is estimated at 3:36 p.m.
The woman was driving a Lincoln town car, according to the GSP.
Banks County Schools holding buses this afternoon
Banks County School System officials are holding the buses at the respective schools this afternoon due to inclement weather that has been forecasted for the area.
The buses will be held for approximately 15-20 minutes as a precautionary measure, assistant superintendent Ann Hopkins stated.
The buses will be held for approximately 15-20 minutes as a precautionary measure, assistant superintendent Ann Hopkins stated.
Baldwin PD investigating armed robbery
The Baldwin Police Department is investigating the report of an armed robbery that occurred Thursday evening.
Police chief Chad Nichols said officers were called to Citizen Finance of Cornelia, off the 441 Bypass, at 7:27 p.m. in reference to an armed robbery.
“Upon the officers arrival to the scene, they found the victim unharmed and inside the business,” Nichols said.
The suspect had fled the scene on foot with approximately $2,000 in cash taken from the business during the robbery.
The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect.
Nicholson said the suspect was described as a white male approximately six feet tall with long hair pulled back into a ponytail with light colored eyes and a dragon tattoo on his left forearm and a smaller tattoo below that, wearing a black in color shirt. The suspect might possibly have tattoos on his neck as well.
Officers with the Cornelia Police Department, Alto Police Department and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to provide backup and assistance in searching the area for the suspect.
Nichols said, “ The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division processed the scene and is assisting in the investigation.”
Anyone with any information related to the case is urged to call the Baldwin Police Department at 706-776-5256 or the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 706-839-1724.
Police chief Chad Nichols said officers were called to Citizen Finance of Cornelia, off the 441 Bypass, at 7:27 p.m. in reference to an armed robbery.
“Upon the officers arrival to the scene, they found the victim unharmed and inside the business,” Nichols said.
The suspect had fled the scene on foot with approximately $2,000 in cash taken from the business during the robbery.
The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect.
Nicholson said the suspect was described as a white male approximately six feet tall with long hair pulled back into a ponytail with light colored eyes and a dragon tattoo on his left forearm and a smaller tattoo below that, wearing a black in color shirt. The suspect might possibly have tattoos on his neck as well.
Officers with the Cornelia Police Department, Alto Police Department and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to provide backup and assistance in searching the area for the suspect.
Nichols said, “ The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division processed the scene and is assisting in the investigation.”
Anyone with any information related to the case is urged to call the Baldwin Police Department at 706-776-5256 or the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 706-839-1724.
Two arrested in connection with home invasion in Banks County
At approximately 3:45 p.m. today, Banks County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of a home invasion on Mount Sinai Road in Lula. Shortly thereafter, a Banks County 9-1-1 call was dispatched out regarding a burglary on Highway 98 in Homer.
“The descriptions that were reported at both scenes by witnesses were similar,” said Sgt. Carissa M. McFaddin, OPS/PIO. “A BOLO was then forwarded to surrounding counties.”
Hall County deputies located a vehicle matching the description in the Lula area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. This led to a pursuit, which ended shortly due to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Both the driver, Tommy Woodruff, 34, and the passenger, Debby Bostick, 37, were taken into custody and transported to the Banks County Law Enforcement Center to face felony charges.
Additional felony charges are pending through the Hall County Sheriff's Department stemming from the vehicle pursuit.
“The descriptions that were reported at both scenes by witnesses were similar,” said Sgt. Carissa M. McFaddin, OPS/PIO. “A BOLO was then forwarded to surrounding counties.”
Hall County deputies located a vehicle matching the description in the Lula area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. This led to a pursuit, which ended shortly due to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Both the driver, Tommy Woodruff, 34, and the passenger, Debby Bostick, 37, were taken into custody and transported to the Banks County Law Enforcement Center to face felony charges.
Additional felony charges are pending through the Hall County Sheriff's Department stemming from the vehicle pursuit.
Voters to again cast ballot on alcohol sales
Banks County voters will once again get the opportunity to decide whether Sunday alcohol sales, by the drink, will be allowed in the county.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed at its Aug. 12 meeting to put the question the ballot in the Nov. 4 general election.
In November 2012, Sunday alcohol sales failed in a 3,206-2,909 vote. [Full Story »]
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed at its Aug. 12 meeting to put the question the ballot in the Nov. 4 general election.
In November 2012, Sunday alcohol sales failed in a 3,206-2,909 vote. [Full Story »]
Dust off your clubs: Scales Country Club is under new management
Residents of Banks County can take down their Craigslist and E-bay listing for their golf clubs and breathe a sigh of relief. Scales Country Club isn’t closing after all.
In a deal that is set to be finalized within the next two weeks, Jim Pritchard and partner Tony Adams will be the new owners of Banks County’s lone country club.
“We are very excited about keeping the golf course going and developing a first class community for the Banks County area,” said Pritchard.
Pritchard moved to Homer from Gwinnett County approximately two years ago. Living only two miles from Scales Country Club, he was naturally drawn to the course. He noted that he’d played several rounds with his son, who is a collegiate golfer.
After learning that the club’s owners were looking to divest, Pritchard and his partner Adams slowly began making moves to acquire the property. Pritchard was only a year removed from selling his primary business – a cost management firm for workers compensation. [Full Story »]
In a deal that is set to be finalized within the next two weeks, Jim Pritchard and partner Tony Adams will be the new owners of Banks County’s lone country club.
“We are very excited about keeping the golf course going and developing a first class community for the Banks County area,” said Pritchard.
Pritchard moved to Homer from Gwinnett County approximately two years ago. Living only two miles from Scales Country Club, he was naturally drawn to the course. He noted that he’d played several rounds with his son, who is a collegiate golfer.
After learning that the club’s owners were looking to divest, Pritchard and his partner Adams slowly began making moves to acquire the property. Pritchard was only a year removed from selling his primary business – a cost management firm for workers compensation. [Full Story »]
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