Jefferson Police Department officer Stephen Taylor who got into a bar fight while off duty, was charged Tuesday in connection with the incident. Taylor was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery. He turned himself in to the Jackson County Jail Tuesday and bonded out on a $2,000 bond.
Taylor remains on administrative leave with pay from the JPD after being involved in an altercation at Mike’s Down Under bar. JPD Chief Joe Wirthman said Wednesday that Taylor will remain on paid leave while the department does an internal investigation of the incident. JPD Major Dave Hill is doing the internal probe, he said.
Taylor and James Tyler Beck, 22, reportedly got into a shoving contest at the bar around midnight on Aug. 24 over comments about the color of Taylor’s shirt.
In Beck’s version of events to JPD officers who responded to the incident, he said he had made a comment to a third party in the bar about Taylor’s pink shirt. The comment was not made in Taylor’s presence, he said, but someone told Taylor about it.
Beck said he stood up to leave the bar when Taylor confronted him about the pink shirt comments. Beck said he put his hand on Taylor’s shoulder and told him he didn’t want any problems, but that Taylor responded by pushing him in the chest and then hitting him with a closed fist on the left side of the face.
Taylor told officers that Beck had pushed him and that he acted in self-defense. He said the incident had stemmed from a verbal altercation he blamed on Beck, saying Beck was upset over a woman who was "hanging out" with him.
A blood alcohol test of both men taken by the JPD reportedly showed Taylor at .183 while Beck was .00.
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Updated: Foreclosures up 10 percent in NEGA over last year
Wednesday, August 25. 2010
Updated: 6 days ago
Because of two years of recession and a collapsed real estate market, foreclosures in Northeast Georgia are continuing at a fast pace.
For the first nine months of 2010, foreclosures in Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Banks counties are running ahead of 2009 at the same point.
In Jackson County, foreclosures are up 10 percent year-to-date at 1,162, up 109 over 1,053 at the same point last year.
In Barrow County, foreclosures are up 11 percent at 1,769 YTD.
Banks County has seen 223 so far in 2010, up 16 percent, while Madison County has had 337 for the first nine months, up 19 percent from 2009.
For the first nine months of 2010, foreclosures in Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Banks counties are running ahead of 2009 at the same point.
In Jackson County, foreclosures are up 10 percent year-to-date at 1,162, up 109 over 1,053 at the same point last year.
In Barrow County, foreclosures are up 11 percent at 1,769 YTD.
Banks County has seen 223 so far in 2010, up 16 percent, while Madison County has had 337 for the first nine months, up 19 percent from 2009.
Jefferson sidewalk replaced
A new sidewalk being placed between Martin Street and Dell Street in downtown Jefferson has to be replaced after it was found to be too high.
Jefferson city manager John Ward said the sidewalk, as well as the curb and gutter, was put in too high.
“The contractor has agreed to correct this by removing the newly-poured items and to replace it at no additional cost to the city,” Ward said.
The problem was discovered last week when city of Jefferson staff, along with project managers with Bron Cleveland, Clark Patterson Engineering and Tri Scapes, met at the site to conduct a project review of the downtown streetscape project.
Demolition and replacement work has already began.
The sidewalk is part of the streetscape project in the downtown Jefferson area.
Jefferson city manager John Ward said the sidewalk, as well as the curb and gutter, was put in too high.
“The contractor has agreed to correct this by removing the newly-poured items and to replace it at no additional cost to the city,” Ward said.
The problem was discovered last week when city of Jefferson staff, along with project managers with Bron Cleveland, Clark Patterson Engineering and Tri Scapes, met at the site to conduct a project review of the downtown streetscape project.
Demolition and replacement work has already began.
The sidewalk is part of the streetscape project in the downtown Jefferson area.
Jackson County couple survive Colombia plane crash
A Jackson County couple who survived a plane crash on an island off the coast of Colombia Monday have become the face and voice of the incident in the U.S.
David and Carolina Bellino of P.J. Roberts Rd., Jefferson, were among 130 survivors of the 737 jet crash. One person died of a heart attack in the incident.
The plane broke apart while attempting to land on the island of San Andres on Monday.
Tuesday, several of the national news networks interviewed the Bellinos by phone. Both were injured in the crash suffering from fractured backs.
The couple was flying to the island for vacation. Carolina is from Colombia, according to friends of the couple.
They attend Chestnut Mountain Church where Carolina volunteers with the children’s ministry.
Cynthia Herndon, children’s ministry director, was among the first to receive a call from Carolina on Monday following the crash. Herndon said she received the call from Carolina at 7:38 EST, some three to four hours after the plane crash.
“The call was from an unknown area code and I chose not to answer the call and Carolina left a phone message,” Herndon said. “I played the phone message back and immediately tried to call the number back to no avail. I also tried David’s and Carolina’s cell phone numbers, but did not get an answer. So, I immediately did what she asked and that was to pray.”
Herndon also said she was shocked.
“I was devastated, shocked, totally speechless. It took me a few minutes to process the whole thing.”
Herndon said Carolina, who is seven to eight weeks pregnant, has said the baby is fine.
“Several church members have spoken to Carolina since the crash and David has been in contact with his sister in Gainesville,” Herndon said.
Carolina told Good Morning America Tuesday that she was thankful to be alive.
“It’s just like a nightmare, but I’m thankful because I’m alive,” she said.
The plane descended through a thunderstorm and landed short of the runway, according to published reports of the incident. The couple told national news interviewers that David helped pull Carolina out of the plane and they tried to run away in case the plane blew up. But David couldn’t go very far.
“I ran about 15 feet and my legs gave out,” he told CBS news.
David reportedly had a broken back from the crash, but is now recovering more use of his legs. Both were scheduled for surgery Tuesday, according to church members who had been in contact with them.
David told CBS news: “It’s a miracle. There’s no other way to look at it.”
David and Carolina Bellino of P.J. Roberts Rd., Jefferson, were among 130 survivors of the 737 jet crash. One person died of a heart attack in the incident.
The plane broke apart while attempting to land on the island of San Andres on Monday.
Tuesday, several of the national news networks interviewed the Bellinos by phone. Both were injured in the crash suffering from fractured backs.
The couple was flying to the island for vacation. Carolina is from Colombia, according to friends of the couple.
They attend Chestnut Mountain Church where Carolina volunteers with the children’s ministry.
Cynthia Herndon, children’s ministry director, was among the first to receive a call from Carolina on Monday following the crash. Herndon said she received the call from Carolina at 7:38 EST, some three to four hours after the plane crash.
“The call was from an unknown area code and I chose not to answer the call and Carolina left a phone message,” Herndon said. “I played the phone message back and immediately tried to call the number back to no avail. I also tried David’s and Carolina’s cell phone numbers, but did not get an answer. So, I immediately did what she asked and that was to pray.”
Herndon also said she was shocked.
“I was devastated, shocked, totally speechless. It took me a few minutes to process the whole thing.”
Herndon said Carolina, who is seven to eight weeks pregnant, has said the baby is fine.
“Several church members have spoken to Carolina since the crash and David has been in contact with his sister in Gainesville,” Herndon said.
Carolina told Good Morning America Tuesday that she was thankful to be alive.
“It’s just like a nightmare, but I’m thankful because I’m alive,” she said.
The plane descended through a thunderstorm and landed short of the runway, according to published reports of the incident. The couple told national news interviewers that David helped pull Carolina out of the plane and they tried to run away in case the plane blew up. But David couldn’t go very far.
“I ran about 15 feet and my legs gave out,” he told CBS news.
David reportedly had a broken back from the crash, but is now recovering more use of his legs. Both were scheduled for surgery Tuesday, according to church members who had been in contact with them.
David told CBS news: “It’s a miracle. There’s no other way to look at it.”
School enrollment numbers up slightly
Despite the slow real estate market, schools in Jackson County are still welcoming more students — even if that growth is just a glimmer of what it was several years ago.
The Jackson County School System opened its doors to students for the 2010-2011 school year on Thursday. By the third day of school on Monday, the district reported that 7,022 students had enrolled for a gain of 117 students — a 1.6 percent increase from last year.
At the Jefferson City Schools, enrollment grew by 3.6 percent from 2,709 students last year to 2,809 students this school year, which started on Aug. 2.
Those numbers, however, are just a fraction of the growth that local school systems saw during the height of the real estate boom in Jackson County.
[Full Story »]
The Jackson County School System opened its doors to students for the 2010-2011 school year on Thursday. By the third day of school on Monday, the district reported that 7,022 students had enrolled for a gain of 117 students — a 1.6 percent increase from last year.
At the Jefferson City Schools, enrollment grew by 3.6 percent from 2,709 students last year to 2,809 students this school year, which started on Aug. 2.
Those numbers, however, are just a fraction of the growth that local school systems saw during the height of the real estate boom in Jackson County.
[Full Story »]
Ginn wins Senate seat; Deal carries Jackson
Frank Ginn of Madison County prevailed Tuesday to win the Republican runoff for the State Senate District 47 seat. Ginn will face Democrat Tim Riley in November.
Ginn defeated Shane Coley of Winder for the nomination on Tuesday by a 55-45 percent margin.
In the runoff for the Republican nomination for Governor, Gainesville's Nathan Deal carried Jackson County by 65-35 percent. Deal gathered 3,919 votes in the county to Karen Handel's 2,047.
Ginn defeated Shane Coley of Winder for the nomination on Tuesday by a 55-45 percent margin.
In the runoff for the Republican nomination for Governor, Gainesville's Nathan Deal carried Jackson County by 65-35 percent. Deal gathered 3,919 votes in the county to Karen Handel's 2,047.
Man found in reservoir believed to have accidentally drowned
A man found in the Bear Creek Reservoir Sunday afternoon is believed to have accidentally drowned.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, a body was discovered floating in a cove that flows into the Bear Creek Reservoir, located on Providence Road, by neighbors.
The body was recovered and transported to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy. He has been identified as Alexander Christopher Matthew Adams, age 23, of Athens.
“It appears that the victim drown and no foul play is suspected at this time and we are continuing our investigation to positively identify the body,” reports David Cochran of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. “We believe the body to be that of a black male that had been reported missing from Clarke County on Friday, but are awaiting autopsy results.”
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, a body was discovered floating in a cove that flows into the Bear Creek Reservoir, located on Providence Road, by neighbors.
The body was recovered and transported to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy. He has been identified as Alexander Christopher Matthew Adams, age 23, of Athens.
“It appears that the victim drown and no foul play is suspected at this time and we are continuing our investigation to positively identify the body,” reports David Cochran of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. “We believe the body to be that of a black male that had been reported missing from Clarke County on Friday, but are awaiting autopsy results.”
Runoff elections coming up Tues.
State Senate District 47 candidates Frank Ginn and Shane Coley will face off Tuesday in the runoff election. Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all of the voting precints in Jackson County.
Other runoff races to be on the Republican ballot include the following:
•governor’s race, Karen Handel and Nathan Deal.
•insurance commissioner, Ralph Hudgens and Maria Sheffield.
•public service commissioner, Tim Echols and John Douglas.
•attorney general, Sam Olens and Preston Smith.
DEMOCRAT BALLOT
•secretary of state, Gail Buckner and Georganna Sinkfield.
Voters who did not vote in the earlier election, may cast either a Democrat or Republican vote. Those who did vote in the earlier election, must vote the same party ballot.
Other runoff races to be on the Republican ballot include the following:
•governor’s race, Karen Handel and Nathan Deal.
•insurance commissioner, Ralph Hudgens and Maria Sheffield.
•public service commissioner, Tim Echols and John Douglas.
•attorney general, Sam Olens and Preston Smith.
DEMOCRAT BALLOT
•secretary of state, Gail Buckner and Georganna Sinkfield.
Voters who did not vote in the earlier election, may cast either a Democrat or Republican vote. Those who did vote in the earlier election, must vote the same party ballot.
Man burned in domestic dispute in South Jackson
A man reportedly set himself on fire with flammable liquids after being involved in a domestic dispute in South Jackson.
On Thursday, units from South Jackson Fire/Rescue and Jackson County EMS were called to a Wits End Road, Athens, location on a reported person injured in a domestic dispute. Upon arrival they found a male victim with a stab wound to his leg along with 50 percent burns to his body. It was reported he set himself on fire with flammable liquids.
The patient was stabilized by EMS and transported by helicopter to Grady’s burn unit in Atlanta and listed in critical condition. No other injuries were reported and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office is investigating this incident.
On Thursday, units from South Jackson Fire/Rescue and Jackson County EMS were called to a Wits End Road, Athens, location on a reported person injured in a domestic dispute. Upon arrival they found a male victim with a stab wound to his leg along with 50 percent burns to his body. It was reported he set himself on fire with flammable liquids.
The patient was stabilized by EMS and transported by helicopter to Grady’s burn unit in Atlanta and listed in critical condition. No other injuries were reported and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office is investigating this incident.
Jackson digest drops 5.3%
The Jackson County tax digest is expected to drop 5.3 percent or more this fall. With over 700 property tax appeals still pending, preliminary number show the overall net county tax digest will fall from $2.43 billion in 2009 to $2.30 billion this year.
According to county officials, the county will see a $1.4 million loss in tax revenue.
The drop reflects the real estate bust that has deflated property values in the county since 2007. It is the first time in decades that the county has seen a decline in property values from the previous year.
While the overall drop in values will be around five percent, that number isn’t the same for every taxing district. Being hit even harder is the Jackson County School System tax digest, which is expected to drop 6.2 percent or more. That digest excludes the cities of Jefferson and Commerce, which have independent school districts.
For its part, the City of Jefferson will see a smaller drop in values, projected to be 2.3 percent down, half of the overall county drop. That will also be reflected in the city’s school tax digest.
It is the unincorporated areas of Jackson County that saw the largest decline in values. Property outside the county’s nine towns fell 7.5 percent overall, much higher than the overall incorporated decline of 3.2 percent.
According to county officials, the county will see a $1.4 million loss in tax revenue.
The drop reflects the real estate bust that has deflated property values in the county since 2007. It is the first time in decades that the county has seen a decline in property values from the previous year.
While the overall drop in values will be around five percent, that number isn’t the same for every taxing district. Being hit even harder is the Jackson County School System tax digest, which is expected to drop 6.2 percent or more. That digest excludes the cities of Jefferson and Commerce, which have independent school districts.
For its part, the City of Jefferson will see a smaller drop in values, projected to be 2.3 percent down, half of the overall county drop. That will also be reflected in the city’s school tax digest.
It is the unincorporated areas of Jackson County that saw the largest decline in values. Property outside the county’s nine towns fell 7.5 percent overall, much higher than the overall incorporated decline of 3.2 percent.
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