News from JacksonHeraldTODAY

A major drop in the county’s tax digest will eat away at the Jackson County School System’s recent budget surplus by $2.4 million, according to officials. District officials recently announced that the school system ended the 2010 fiscal year on June 30 with a $3.3 million surplus — after starting the 2009-2010 school year with a $908,600 ... [Full Story »] 

Despite the slow real estate market, schools in Jackson County are still welcoming more students — even if that growth is just a glimmer of what it was several years ago. The Jackson County School System opened its doors to students for the 2010-2011 school year on Thursday. By the third day of school on Monday, the district reported that ... [Full Story »] 

Frank Ginn of Madison County prevailed Tuesday to win the Republican runoff for the State Senate District 47 seat. Ginn will face Democrat Tim Riley in November. Ginn defeated Shane Coley of Winder for the nomination on Tuesday by a 55-45 percent margin. In the runoff for the Republican nomination for Governor, Gainesville's Nathan Deal carried ... [Full Story »] 

A man found in the Bear Creek Reservoir Sunday afternoon is believed to have accidentally drowned. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, a body was discovered floating in a cove that flows into the Bear Creek Reservoir, located on Providence Road, by neighbors. The body was recovered and transported to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy. He has ... [Full Story »] 

State Senate District 47 candidates Frank Ginn and Shane Coley will face off Tuesday in the runoff election. Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all of the voting precints in Jackson County. Other runoff races to be on the Republican ballot include the following: •governor’s race, Karen Handel and Nathan Deal. •insurance ... [Full Story »] 

The City of Jefferson ended 2009 in the black, according to the town’s recently released audit. According to the audit, Jefferson netted $761,000 in its General Fund on the year, pushing its reserve funds to over $2.8 million. In the city’s water and sewer fund, the town had a net loss of $260,000 on the year, however, over $671,000 of ... [Full Story »]