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News from CommerceNewsTODAY - Topics from May, 2011

Threats issued over use of swimming pool

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Wednesday, May 18. 2011

Residents of Heritage Hills Apartments, Lakeview Drive, reported that a man disturbing the peace in the apartment complex pulled a gun when confronted, according to the Commerce Police Department. The incident began at 9:30 p.m. one evening when a 22-year-old white female asked two black males who were in the pool to reduce the noise they were ... [Full Story »]

Shoppers who forget wallets return to find them stolen

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Saturday, May 14. 2011

Two people learned the hard way that leaving your wallet in a store is an invitation to disaster, according to reports filed over the last week with the Commerce Police Department. A 24-year-old white male told police that while using his debit card to make a purchase at Presto’s convenience store, South Elm Street, he inadvertently laid his ... [Full Story »]

City council trims spending to balance budget

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Saturday, May 14. 2011

There will be no tax increases or utility rate hikes in the 2011-12 Commerce budget, it appears. There will also be no employee pay raises or Christmas bonuses. Following its regular meeting Monday night (see separate story), the council wrestled to close a $113,000 revenue gap in the general fund, all that remained to balance the budget for ... [Full Story »]

City schools face $671,000 budget deficit

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Saturday, May 14. 2011

The Commerce City School System faces a $671,000 budget shortfall and leaders are looking at possible ways to cover it. At a board of education work session Thursday night, superintendent Dr. James McCoy said the system will receive a $371,000 reduction in state funds. The school system is also facing $300,000 in additional personnel costs due ... [Full Story »]

Redistricting plan set for Monday vote

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Friday, May 6. 2011

It appears that Commerce’s elected officials have agreed on a reapportionment plan. The city council expects to approve a resolution beginning the process Monday night. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Commerce Room of the Commerce Civic Center. Reapportionment is required after every census, and is designed to make sure citizens in each ... [Full Story »]

3 Jackson towns considering Sunday sales

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Friday, May 6. 2011

With Gov. Nathan Deal signing legislation to let local Georgia cities and counties hold referendums on the Sunday package sale of alcohol, at least three Jackson County municipalities are discussing whether to hold votes on the issue. All of them are on the west side of the county. Sunday sales will be on the Braselton Town Council’s agenda ... [Full Story »]

3 more entering auto cases reported

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Friday, May 6. 2011

The recent spate of break-ins of automobiles continues, according to the Commerce Police Department. During the past week, three more cases occurred. Two of them were in the fenced parking lot of Baker & Taylor books where thieves took advantage of a company policy prohibiting all but clear bags from the building to steal purses left in two ... [Full Story »]

Mayor Hardy will not seek re-election

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Wednesday, May 4. 2011

Come Jan. 1, for the first time in 22 years, Commerce will have a new mayor. Charles L. “Buzzie” Hardy Jr. made it official this week: He will not seek re-election in the Nov. 8 city elections. “I just want to spend more time with my family,” Hardy said. Former Ward 2 councilman Donald Wilson has said since he was defeated in a ... [Full Story »]

County schools see 'disaster' in tax digest dip

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Wednesday, May 4. 2011

Jackson County officials are bracing for more severe budget challenges amid speculation that the property tax digest for Jackson County could dip by 10-20 percent following reassessments this year. “Right now it’s really tentative,” noted Hunter Bicknell, chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. “There’s been a little ... [Full Story »]

Police investigating kidnapping

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CommerceNewsTODAY

Wednesday, May 4. 2011

The Commerce Police Department is investigating an 18-year-old man’s claim that he was kidnapped late last Thursday night by two men, one of whom wanted to play Russian roulette. The incident began when a 38-year-old white female walked into the police station that night to say that her son was walking to Ingles when he discovered he’d ... [Full Story »]

Entries from May 2011