Articles

     Recently updated data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that per capita personal income in Pickens County grew by 4.35 percent from 2017, to $47,887 in 2018.

Per capita personal income is personal income divided by population and residents here saw their incomes grow by almost $2,000 in 2018 over the previous year. Ten years earlier, in 2008, Pickens County’s per capita income was $35,008.  

     Pickens’ $47,887 per capita personal income figure  leads our 15-county Northwest Georgia region. Murray County is the lowest in the region at $29,968.

       Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center is offering free dental care for kids this Friday, Feb. 2 as part of the nationwide American Dental Association Foundation’s Give-Kids-A-Smile event. 

Evaluations and treatments are given on a first-come-first-serve basis, but all children will at least be screened for a future appointment. 

“I’m going to do whatever I need to do based on the needs of the child,” said Good Sam’s Dental Director Dr. James Talbot. “That could be cleanings, fillings, we will assess the situation. All children will be screened though.” 

Design Plan presented to Jasper Planning Commission

Piedmont Village must gain a Planned Unit Development zoning, and be approved for land disturbing and building permits before construction can begin.

 Jasper Planning Commission paved the way for a large, mixed-used community behind Piedmont Mountainside Hospital with a recommendation for rezoning for the parcel at their September 25th meeting.

Read the rest of this story in our e-edition this week.

Girl with rare disorders has ‘series of unfortunate events,’ says mom

Jessica Sims / Photo

Haven Sims, who maintains a smiling disposition despite her long list of medical problems, has just undergone at least the 10th surgery in her life. Her mom, Jessica, is trying to stay afloat in the midst of the chaos. 

Earlier this year, the community was introduced to Haven Sims, a little girl who has been through more in her seven years than most adults have in a lifetime.    

When she was just an infant, Haven was diagnosed with a disorder called VACTERL Association. This condition affects her spine, heart, veins and arteries, limbs, kidneys and brain. Her arteries don’t let enough oxygen in her body or let her blood flow normally so she tires easily. She gets kidney infections. She has malformed feet and vision and hearing problems.