Top Stories - Topics from February, 2017

Uline to be in million-square-foot facility

Wednesday, February 22. 2017
A national company well-known for its catalog of industrial and packaging materials plans to move into a 1-million square foot building in Braselton.

Uline, headquartered in Wisconsin, but with a facility in Buford, plans to be in operation in October, Jim Shaw, president and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, said Monday.

The company is privately owned and was started in 1980. It is owned by the Uihlein family. Liz and Dick Uihlein started the business.

Shaw said the company needs expansion room and that led to Jackson County.

See the full story in the Feb. 22 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Frustration continues over sidewalk delay

Wednesday, February 15. 2017
Fed up with continued delay in the completion of the federally-funded Safe Routes to Schools sidewalk along Old Pendergrass Road, Jefferson city leaders plan to put those frustrations into writing.

The city council on Monday asked city manager Jon Herschell to draft a letter to the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) to air its grievances with the handling of the sidewalk project.

“I think it’s time that we just officially send the DOT a letter and say how we feel about it,” councilman Steve Quinn said.

During his report at Monday’s city council work session, public works director Jeff Killip said a contractor was scheduled to begin completion of the project last week, but no work has started.

See the full story in the Feb. 15 issue of The Jackson Herald.

No connection found between dead cats and arson

Wednesday, February 8. 2017
No connection has been found yet to link a recent arson with the deaths of two cats in Jefferson.
According to Jefferson Fire Department chief Mark Duke, a small outbuilding was intentionally burned in the Jefferson Walk subdivision. Nearby, two dead cats were found.
Currently, authorities are considering the close proximity of the two crimes an “unfortunate coincidence.”
“Although sad and sickening, we don’t think the two were related at the time of the fire,” said Duke.
Authorities first thought the two animals were stray cats that hang around Kroger. But those stray cats were later found alive.
Duke noted the dead cats’ bodies were bludgeoned and had been there for several days before the arson. He doesn’t believe the two incidents are linked, but said it’s not impossible.
“It’s not entirely out of the realm that both could be connected,” said Duke. “We just don’t have any evidence to connect both of them right now.”
The JFD and State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the arson, which occurred on Feb. 4. Authorities have determined the fire was set intentionally, but they aren’t yet sure what started it.
No suspect has been named yet, but the JFD has collected evidence from the scene.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the offender’s arrest and conviction. Those with information should call 1-800-282-5804.

Fake immigration attorney sets up scam

Wednesday, February 8. 2017
Authorities have identified a man who posed as a fake immigration attorney and scammed several people in the area.
The suspect, Eddi Bueno-Cabrera, 46, allegedly set up a booth at the Pendergrass Flea Market and lured victims by telling them he was an immigration attorney. He is reportedly a convicted felon and has been deported three times in the past.
Warrants have been obtained for his arrest. He's facing charges of theft by deception and unauthorized practice of law.
Several victims have come forward in the case. The suspect allegedly told them that he could legally bring immigrants to the United States and legalize anyone’s immigration status. 
In each case, the victims paid him and he quickly disappeared. He stopped communicating with them and “nothing was done regarding their immigration status,” according to a Gwinnett County news release.
In the three reported cases, the suspect took over $30,000.
See the full story in the Feb. 8 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Quinn to run for mayor

Wednesday, February 8. 2017
Jefferson councilman Steve Quinn announced this week that he would seek the mayor’s position during this year’s elections.
Incumbent mayor Roy Plott has not announced his intentions yet. The election will be held Nov. 7. Qualifying will be Aug. 21-23.
See the full story in the Feb. 8 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Chaney awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

Wednesday, February 1. 2017
Archie Chaney, Commerce City Council member from Ward One, received the William H. Booth Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday night at the annual Jackson County Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Chaney has a long list of civic and public service accomplishments, including a previous stint of 10 years on the city council as mayor pro tem and five years on the Commerce Board of Education, including one year as chairman.
He also played “a major part” in the Commerce Library and recent expansion of the Friends of the Library and in the acquisition and renovation of the Commerce Civic Center.
Chaney served for years on the county senior citizens board and helped create the Arthur Lee Patman park and the walking trail at the Boys and Girls Club.
He led educational programs at local schools on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holidays for years. He is a deacon at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and has served as chairman of the Men’s Day Fellowship Breakfast for more than 30 years.
See the full story and photos from the event in the Feb. 1 issue of The Jackson Herald.
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