Dragons prepare for region play

     The public is invited to hear local historian Bill Cagle speak about his book The Road To Georgia Marble. The event will be held on October 15. 

Submitted by William Young, Sassafras Literary Exchange President

The Sassafras Literary Exchange is pleased to announce that Bill Cagle will be guest speaker this Thursday evening.  The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., October 15th at the Southern Appalachian Folk School (formerly Sharptop Art Center) behind the Old Jail on D.B. Carroll Street.

Chris Clark, president and CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

By Dave Williams

Bureau Chief

Capitol Beat News Service

The coronavirus pandemic represents an economic development opportunity for rural Georgia, local business and government leaders said October 7th  during a conference sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

The highly contagious invisible virus has made Americans wary of living in close proximity to each other in urban settings, Larry Hanson, executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association, told in-person and online audiences at the chamber’s fourth annual Rural Prosperity Summit in Tifton.

“Density is what the coronavirus loves,” Hanson said.

Pickens commission chair candidates keep it "classy"

Econ. development, JeepFest, good ol’ boys, and other 

topics debated. Find links to other important election articles below. 

     The commission chair debate between candidates Kris Stancil (R) and David Shouse (I) proved to be civil on the part of both candidates as well as members of the public, who were invited to ask questions from the floor. The most heated portion was in response to a question about Stancil’s involvement with JeepFest.

During closing statements, Shouse, who had apparently expected a more fiery exchange, said he would change his final comment because discourse had remained “classy.” 

     The event was held at the Pickens County Administration Building and was hosted by the Pickens Progress. Stancil, who has a history of public service with law enforcement and other entities like the Pickens Chamber of Commerce and churches, emphasized in opening and closing statements that relationship building and working together with other community leaders is “key for us to be able to move forward.” He sees Pickens as being on the “brink of incredible things” with “great opportunities in front of us.”

     Shouse, a developer who has many commercial properties, highlighted his ability to think outside the box, “roll up his sleeves and work,” and negotiate with businesses and leaders to bring meaningful projects and improvements to the community. He wants to use his development background as a way to improve the county and “lay a successful foundation” for its future. He entered the race because “Pickens County needed a real change.”

     See full story and highlights from the debate in print or online editions.

•Click here for important points for voters before election

•Click here to learn about Pickens schools' ESPLOST, which will appear on Nov. 3 ballot 

•Click here to be directed to e-edition with commission chair candidate profiles and interviews

Press Release Georgia Bureau of Investigation

     Jasper, Georgia (October 8, 2020) – On Thursday, October 8, 2020, Scott W. Waters, 20 of Jasper, Georgia, was arrested on multiple charges for injuring his 8-week-old infant. Waters was charged with two counts of cruelty to children, four counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated assault. Waters was booked into the Pickens County Detention Center.

     On Thursday, October 1, 2020, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) was alerted to an infant that was life flighted to the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta at Scottish Rite with critical injuries. The PCSO requested the assistance of the GBI to investigate the case. As a result of the investigation, warrants were issued on October 8, 2020 for Waters, the infant’s father.

     The investigation is ongoing and will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution upon completion.