North Georgia News From FM 103.7

Benton Bill Passes House Committee

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:33:34 -0500

(AP) A bill giving Georgia school districts more flexibility has passed a key legislative committee. The measure would allow school districts to increase class size by one student in kindergarten through fifth grade and by two students in sixth grade through high school through 2013. It also lifts state controls on how schools spend their state funding. Jackson County Republican Representative Tommy Benton sponsored the bill that cleared the House Education Committee Thursday.

Trash Talk in Gainesville

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:55:56 -0500

The Gainesville City Council meets this morning. Council members will hear from Gainesville Public Works Director David Dockery in their 9 o'clock session. He's pitching a plan to cut Gainesville garbage collections in half, from two days to one day per week. It's a budget trimming proposal. The Gainesville Council will also get an update on the city's emergency management procedures.

Transportation Forum at GSC

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:55:28 -0500

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce hosts a transportation forum, 11:30 til 1 at Gainesville State College: DOT traffic planners will be on hand to talk about various Hall County and northeast Georgia transportation proposals.

Judge Blocks Hustler Photo Request

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:39:12 -0500

There is now a lawsuit from the family of murdered University of Georgia graduate Meredith Emerson, the 24 year-old hiker was who was kidnapped and killed two years ago in Dawson County: the family is filing suit to block the release of crime scene photographs sought by Hustler magazine. A DeKalb County judge has ruled in favor of Emerson's family. Hustler is expected to appeal that judge's ruling.

DOT Closes Stretch of Russell Parkway

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:38:38 -0500

The Georgia DOT says 7 miles of State Route 348 are closed because of pavement problems: the DOT says the winter's ice and snow has damaged asphalt on 348--the Richard Russell Scenic Parkway--between Hog Pen Gap and Raven Cliffs in White and Union Counties. There's no word on when that stretch of 348 might re-open.

Library Litigation Looming

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:07:09 -0500

The Clermont City Council signs off on plans for a lawsuit against Hall County: it's the latest development in the ongoing dispute over a controversial Hall County Commission decision to move the north Hall library branch out of Clermont and into a new complex on Nopone Road.

Garbage Collections on Chopping Block in Gainesville

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:06:44 -0500

Twice-a-week garbage collections could be a casualty of budget cuts in Gainesville: Gainesville's Public Works director will recommend cutting that service in half in an effort to save City budget dollars.

Prison Time for Man in Gainesville Car vs Officer Case

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:05:50 -0500

The man who struck an undercover Gainesville police officer with a car is going to prison: 29 year-old Jonathon Blackwell draws a 20-year prison sentence, his punishment for the events of February of last year. Police tried to pull over Blackwell's 1985 Chevrolet Caprice. Two undercover officers with the Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad got out of their cars and ordered Blackwell to stop. Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh says Blackwell drove toward one officer, sending the drug agent over the top of the hood before he fell off to the side. The agent suffered non life-threatening injuries.

Hall Co SWAT Raid

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:05:17 -0500

A Hall County SWAT raid netted two Tuesday drug arrests: agents hit an apartment complex off Cleveland Highway in Hall County. Marijuana and cocaine were confiscated.

Commissioners Call for Hall Co Audit

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:51:10 -0500

It's a dispute stemming from the controversial Hall County Commission decision to move the north Hall library branch out of Clermont and into a new complex on Nopone Road: there are now questions about Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver's payments to consultants who worked on that and other County projects. Oliver says the payments were legal and discretionary in his role as Chairman; other Hall County Commissioners disagree and are calling for an audit of Hall County finances.

Jefferson Council Approves Massage Parlor Ordinance

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:50:24 -0500

The Jefferson City Council signs off on an ordinance to allow for city regulation of massage parlors and spas that operate in Jefferson. The Council met in a special called session Monday.

Barrow Co Commissioners Meet

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:49:56 -0500

Barrow County Commissioners meet at 7 o'clock tonight in Winder: Commissioners will look to hire a new Barrow County Elections Supervisor, and they'll take up proposed amendments to the budget of the Barrow County Sheriff's Department.

Report: Bulldog Quarterback Arrested

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:52:16 -0500

Sister station 960 the Ref (WRFC-AM, Athens) is reporting the weekend arrest of Georgia Bulldog quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The station says the redshirt freshman from Oconee County was picked up on alcohol-related charges by police in Valdosta. Charges are said to include underage alcohol possession. Mettenberger has been taking part in the Bulldogs spring practice sessions in Athens, competing for a starting position with fellow quarterbacks Logan Gray and Aaron Murray.

Deal Addresses Area GOP Meeting

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:57:30 -0500

Hall County Congressman and Republican candidate for Governor Nathan Deal is due in Athens this evening: Deal is speaking to the Athens-Clarke County Republican Party in a 6 o'clock session at Athens GOP headquarters on north Milledge Avenue. Also scheduled to speak is Republican State Senate candidate Kelly Gary.

Ga Supreme Court Takes up Vergara Case

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:57:04 -0500

The Georgia Supreme Court hears arguments this week in the Ignacio Vergara case: Vergara is serving life without the possibility of parole for the shooting deaths of two people killed in south Hall County. Hall County authorities say the murders were drug-related.