JacksonHeraldTODAY

John Green named superintendent for Jackson County School System

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:50:06 -0500

The Jackson County school board named John Green, a high school principal in Alabama, as the school system's new superintendent during a brief called meeting Thursday that preceded Jackson County Comprehensive High School graduation exercises.

He takes over for Shannon Adams, who retiring because of health reasons. Adams has been the system superintendent since 2006.

Chairperson Lynn Wheeler-Massey opened the meeting, which was held in a classroom at JCCHS, and made the motion to hire Green "pursuant to the contract as presented." Those on hand in the audience applauded after the unanimous vote. They also gave a round of applause to Adams.

"We have a new superintendent, and I think you folks are going to be extremely happy," Wheeler-Massey said. "He's very excited about coming to Jackson County."

Green is principal of a high school in Madison, Ala., that is under construction. He retired from Gwinnett County Public Schools in June 2011 as an area superintendent.

Meanwhile, Adams expressed his gratitude to those on hand.

"I wouldn't have made it without all y'all," Adams said. "I appreciate you so much, and thank you everything you've done for me."

Said Wheeler-Massey: "We appreciate you and what you've done for our school system."

Former UGA star coming to East Jackson

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:28:00 -0500

Ex-Bulldog and Falcon D.J. Shockley hosting camp May 26

FORMER Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley knew there would come a point in his life when he’d want to impart the knowledge he’d gained from careers both in college and professional football.

Now he’s doing that with a series of camps, one ...

Allen announces for BOC District 2

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:02:58 -0500

Jackson County resident Max Allen announced Wednesday his candidacy to run for Jackson County Board of Commissioners District 2, the seat currently held by Chas Hardy.
Allen is a longtime resident of Jackson County and married to Fran Hilley Allen. He has managed a family business at the Jackson County Airport since 1988 and is the owner of Dry Pond Investment Company and Aircraft Aviation Services. Dry Pond Investment is a hangar rental company and Aircraft Aviation Services is an aircraft maintenance facility.

Continue reading "Allen announces for BOC District 2"

Baseball: Three Panthers sign

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:08:00 -0500

Finch signs with Newberry

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:04:39 -0500

THERE wasn’t much more Jefferson’s Cain Finch could accomplish as a high school wrestler.

After all, he’d won two individual state championships and been a part of four dual state title teams and four traditional state title teams. All that was left was a college scholarship.

He can now check that off the list. ...

Hardy to play college baseball at Savannah St.

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:56:42 -0500

CALEB HARDY said he eats, sleeps and breathes baseball. The East Jackson standout will now continue that diet for four more years.

Hardy has accepted a non-scholarship offer to play for Division I Savannah State with a possibility for scholarship money next year.

“This is just exceptional,” said Hardy at ...

Football: East Jackson coach enthused after spring ball

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:50:41 -0500

IT’S ONLY spring football, but coach Brian Smith hopes the offseason session generated some momentum.

The Eagles — coming off a 3-7 season — wrapped up workouts Thursday, which were much to the second-year coach’s liking.

“We’re really pleased with everything,” Smith said. “We felt like our kids ...

Baseball: 15 local players named to 8-AA South team

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:42:40 -0500

FIFTEEN LOCAL baseball players were named to the recently-released All-Region 8-AA South teams.

Jackson County led the list with first-team four selections — Andy Williams (third base), Trey Sorrells (catcher), Jesse Tallent (utility) and Jalen Banks (pitcher). That tied the Panthers with North Oconee for the most first-team ...

Baseball: 15 local players named to 8-AA South team

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:40:10 -0500

Baseball: 15 local players named to 8-AA South team

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:37:23 -0500

Former UGA star coming to East Jackson

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:26:34 -0500

Track: Hamrick disappointed with third-place finish, but not deterred

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:23:27 -0500

A THIRD-place finish in the pole vault at state wasn’t part of Mason Hamrick’s career plans, but the setback may serve to fuel his determination.

The defending Class AA champion — who had aspirations of being a four-time title holder by the time he left Jefferson — vaulted a 13-6 at state Thursday to take the bronze. ...

Football: New coach preaching summer work

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:04:35 -0500

AS SOON as the final seconds ticked off the clock in Jackson County’s spring football game Monday, new coach Benji Harrison put his players on notice about this summer.

Harrison — who comes to the Panthers via Flowery Branch — said there’s much to cover and only a precious few months to do it before Jackson ...

Track: JCCHS’ Reynolds reaches hurdles finals at state

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:55:00 -0500

Jackson County’s Yohan Reynolds capped his career with a pair of seventh-place finishes at state in the hurdle events.

Reynolds ran a 15.73 in the 110-meter hurdles Saturday and a 40.73 in the 300-meter hurdles later on that afternoon.

Reynolds was the Region 8-AA champion in the 300-meter hurdles.

Sheriff’s candidates raise over $91,000 so far

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:23:08 -0500

The race for Jackson County Sheriff hasn’t officially begun, but already a lot of money has been raised in that race. Qualifying for all elections slated for July 31 opens next Wednesday May 23.
So far, the sheriff’s race has gotten the most attention as a number of candidates have said they plan to run. But only three candidates in that race showed any significant amount of fundraising on the March 31 campaign report. A little over $91,000 has been raised by the top three candidates. Ramone Gilbert led the pack with $58,639 in contributions followed by Janice Mangum with $26,348 and Andy Garrison with $6,269.

For the full story and listing of donors see the May 16 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Forty indicted by Jackson County Grand Jury

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:21:38 -0500

FORTY PEOPLE were indicted by a recent Grand Jury, including the following:
Continue reading "Forty indicted by Jackson County Grand Jury"

Jefferson schools to have 8 furlough days

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:19:36 -0500

Due to budgetary problems for school systems state-wide, the Jefferson Board of Education amended its 2012-2013 school calendar Thursday to reinstate two furlough days initially left off the calendar. The system will operate with a calendar similar to the one it used this year and eight total furlough days.

Continue reading "Jefferson schools to have 8 furlough days"

In the May 16 issue of The Jackson Herald...

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:13:00 -0500

Jefferson schools to have 8 furlough days

Due to budgetary problems for school systems state-wide, the Jefferson Board of Education amended its 2012-2013 school calendar Thursday to reinstate two furlough days initially left off the calendar. The system will operate with a calendar similar to the one it used this year and eight total furlough days.

Pet photo contest planned by Herald

The Jackson Herald is sponsoring a “cute pet photo” contest over the next month. Readers are encouraged to send in their favorite pet photo. Photos may dropped off at The Jackson Herald office in Jefferson. Photos may also be mailed to: Angela Gary, The Jackson Herald, P.O Box 908, Jefferson Ga., 30549 or emailed to angie@mainstreetnews.com.

Sheriff’s candidates raise over $91,000 so far

Qualifying for all elections slated for July 31 opens next Wednesday May 23. So far, the sheriff’s race has gotten the most attention as a number of candidates have said they plan to run. But only three candidates in that race showed any significant amount of fundraising on the March 31 campaign report. A little over $91,000 has been raised by the top three candidates. Ramone Gilbert led the pack with $58,639 in contributions followed by Janice Mangum with $26,348 and Andy Garrison with $6,269.
Continue reading "In the May 16 issue of The Jackson Herald..."

BOE expected to name superintendent this week

mike@mainstreetnews.com (Mike Buffington) — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:12:36 -0500
The Jackson County Board of Education is expected to name its next superintendent this week — possibly just minutes before a graduation ceremony. Two weeks ago, the board named John Green and Dale Gaddis its finalists for superintendent of the Jackson County School System. Superintendent Shannon Adams is retiring because of health reasons.

Continue reading "BOE expected to name superintendent this week"

Track: Pirtle wins state 3,200 meters in thriller

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:54:00 -0500
IT WAS a final lap that Cale Pirtle will remember for the rest of his life.

The East Jackson senior standout covered the final 400 meters of the oh-so-close Class AA 3,200 finals in just 63 seconds Friday to run down Westminster’s Jordan Flowers and win in a photo finish.

Pirtle wasn’t afraid to leave ...

Photos: Boys' state track meet

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:26:08 -0500

Soccer: Lady Panthers' season ends in Elite Eight

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:52:20 -0500
JACKSON County coach Joe Ridgway hopes an Elite Eight run was only the beginning.

The Lady Panthers (14-7) bowed out of the Class AA state tournament with a 9-1 loss at Buford (16-5) Saturday, but Ridgway said the program should only build now after completing the most successful season in school history.

...

Track: Pirtle wins Class AA 3,200 meters in thriller

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:32:31 -0500
EAST JACKSON'S Cale Pirtle, running in the last race of his high school career, won the Class AA 3,200 meter state title in a photo finish Friday night at Jefferson.

Pirtle ran a 9:45.99 — setting a new personal record by 23 seconds — to beat Westminster's Jordan Flowers by two hundredths of a second.

Check ...

Pirtle wins state 3,200 meters in thriller

http://www.mainstreetnewssports.com/ (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:32:31 -0500
IT WAS a final lap that Cale Pirtle will remember for the rest of his life.

The East Jackson senior standout covered the final 400 meters of the oh-so-close Class AA 3,200 finals in just 63 seconds Friday to run down Westminster’s Jordan Flowers and win in a photo finish.

Pirtle wasn’t afraid to leave ...