Entries by Mike Buffington

THE JACKSON County Sheriff’s Office charged 41 people last week, including the following: [Full Story »] 

A small plane crashed at around 11:45 a.m. Sunday morning at the Jackson County Airport, killing David Rushlow, 50, of Jackson County.

The crash happened in the grassy median between the airport's two runways, about 300 yards from the north end of the runways.

Officials said the plane was a single engine "hobby" type aircraft and was doing test landings and takeoffs when the crash happened. A witness said the plane sputtered and then crashed and burst into flames.

The plane was housed at the Jackson County Airport.

The year 2011 is now history as we move into the New Year. Compared to some years, 2011 was relatively calm in Jackson County. There were controversies, of course, but nothing that shook the foundations of the community.
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Longtime Jackson County Sheriff’s Office employee Gary Brewer has been reinstated to employment with the department following an appeals hearing before Sheriff Stan Evans.

Major David Cochran reported on Tuesday that Brewer was assigned as a certified jailer with the jail division at the sheriff’s office.

Brewer was arrested on Dec. 5 by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, reckless driving and brake light violation. This case has not yet been resolved and Brewer has reportedly denied the allegations against him.

Brewer has been employed with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and was head of the civil courts division.

State Senator Frank Ginn expects the Georgia General Assembly to revisit the issue of “tax reform” when the 2012 legislative session convenes next Monday.

But Rep. Tommy Benton said he doesn't see any move coming out of the House in that effort.

The issue was a popular topic of discussion last year, but ultimately the plan that would have reduced the state income tax in exchange for expanding the reach of the sales tax was scuttled.

“I was proud that last year while it never got perfected we didn’t pass something just to pass something,” said Ginn last week. “There was no urgency to pass something that might be a problem later on.”

According to Benton, the effort that began last year to roll back the income tax rate in exchange for expanding the sales tax will not gain traction this go-round.
“They just can’t get the numbers to work,” said Benton of legislative leaders.

Ginn also expects legislation to be introduced to help curb the theft of metal, which he says, “has gone berserk… People are stealing anything not tied down and some of it that is tied down.”

Benton said he expects some “tweaking” of last year's immigration bill in an effort to help alleviate possible shortages of farm labor caused as immigrants — both documented and undocumented — left the state.

Other issues likely to result in legislation include healthcare and campaign disclosure laws.

So the Arcade City Council doesn’t understand why the county water authority won’t give up its territory to the little town? [Full Story »]