94 N. Main Street, Jasper, GA - (706) 253-2457
photo/Pickens Community Thrift Store website
The Community Thrift Store will be closed for two weeks due to the possibility that volunteers were exposed to a person infected with COVID-19.
A member of the Timothy House, a non-profit that assists with much of the manual labor at the thrift store, tested positive. The person who tested positive has never been to the store, but because residents at the Timothy House live together it was decided it was in the best interest of safety to close, according to a statement from founder Don Russell.
The store will be closed to donors, customers and workers for an estimated 14 days.
An email sent to volunteers and media on September 19 alerting of the closure said all Timothy House clients will be tested, and recommended volunteers get tested as well.
photo/Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Press Release Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
ATLANTA – The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that a Union County woman was killed and four others were injured in an accidental fire at 545 Vista Circle in Blairsville around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22.
Read more: One killed, four injured in Blairsville camper explosion
Derek Cooper of Acworth was killed in an officer-involved shooting at a Twin Mountain Lakes home where his wife and children were hiding. Cooper had recently been released on bond and had a restraining order against him.
Statement from a family member present during Saturday’s fatal shooting:
A Pickens Deputy shot and killed an armed man trying to break into a Twin Mountain Lakes home where his wife and children were hiding Saturday. The man had been arrested last week in Bartow County on domestic violence charges including threats to kill his wife.
According to the GBI investigation the man, Derek Cooper, 52, of Acworth, had a restraining order against him and brandished a gun and shot at the deputy who gave a verbal command for him to stop in the yard of the home where relatives of the wife lived.
See full story in this week's print and online editions.
photo/Angela Reinhardt
County commissioners (l to r) Rob Jones, Becky Denney, and Jerry Barnes at the new public works building on Camp Road. An open house was held with county employees on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Commission Chair Rob Jones got emotional at the open house for the new 15,000-square-foot public works facility off Camp Road, held Tuesday, September 15.
Jones said it took over 15 years to conceptualize and complete the project, and tearfully told the room full of county employees, “It looks great. I’m tickled I can leave this building.”
Jones will complete his final term as commission chair in December.
Council addresses numerous items at September meeting
photo/ city of Jasper Zoom image
In a lengthy Zoom meeting, in addition to the possible property tax hike, the Jasper council discussed what could be done with this area along Main. While some contractors scoffed at the plans to make this into a “plaza” for dining, Council Member Kirk Raffield said now is the time to make downtown Jasper into a destination.
In preparing for a vote that could lead to a 56 percent tax increase, Jasper Mayor Steve Lawrence wanted it clearly stated, they may not raise property taxes that much. The council will get into the heart of the budget in October but they need to advertise a millage now to meet state requirements.
The Jasper Council is advertising a possible jump in their tax rate from 4.655 mills to 6.78 mills and the date for public hearings on the need to increase revenue. City Manager Brandon Douglas said that the budget process is a case of “cart before the horse.”
See full story in this week's print or online editions.