News from BarrowJournal

News from BarrowJournal - Topics from December, 2011

Winder police nab tire scammer

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Monday, December 12. 2011

Winder police have charged a man they believe tried to scam females from ages ranging from 60-78 by posing as a car technician who could fix their wobbly tires. According to Winder police spokesman Chris Cooper, Joe Quick of Norcross, 45, was arrested around midnight Wednesday night. He is charged with two counts of theft by deception, two ... [Full Story »]

Thompson’s final act: Stick it to Maynard

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BarrowJournal

Friday, December 9. 2011

City of Winder employees won’t get Christmas bonuses this month, but over the coming year they will get something even better. Tuesday night, the council voted — with only one dissenting vote — to give employees a three percent pay hike. The idea had been put to the council Monday night by outgoing Mayor Chip Thompson. It was a very, very ... [Full Story »]

Death of 9-year county paramedic reported

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BarrowJournal

Thursday, December 8. 2011

A nine-year veteran of Barrow County Emergency Services died Dec. 7 from a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home. Firefighter/paramedic Daniel Tucker had resigned from his position last week and was in the process of taking another one in Banks County, according to an email that Chief Dennis Merrifield sent to county government ... [Full Story »]

Total forfeited EMS billings over $293,000

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BarrowJournal

Thursday, December 8. 2011

Barrow County’s forfeited ambulance billings during the 32-day lapse of its state license in late August were almost twice the net of $150,000 disclosed this week by Barrow County CFO Rose Kisaalita. According to a breakdown of the lost revenue figures she provided for the Dec. 13 meeting packets of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, ... [Full Story »]

Winder hikes city pay 3%

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, December 7. 2011

At his final meeting with the Winder City Council, outgoing Mayor Chip Thompson orchestrated the approval of 3-percent raises for all city employees. But in a move to address concerns about adding an unbudgeted expense in the middle of the fiscal year, the council took away the Christmas bonuses that city workers were anticipating this month. ... [Full Story »]

AES fifth grader takes first place in statewide essay contest

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, December 7. 2011

Several people were recognized at an Auburn City Council meeting Dec. 1, including one Auburn Elementary School fifth grader who tied for first place in a statewide essay-writing contest relating to emergency preparedness. Ten-year-old Tamara Head and AES teacher Kim Easterling were congratulated for Tamara’s writing ability under the prompt ... [Full Story »]

EMS lapse costs Barrow $150,000; officials sought to have state backdate license

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, December 7. 2011

The recent 32-day lapse of Barrow County’s emergency services license was a costly mistake that could have had serious legal consequences for the county government, according to new information obtained this week by the Barrow Journal. While the State Office of EMS & Trauma did not penalize the county for the August lapse of its biennial ... [Full Story »]

School system asks for public opinion on 2012-13 school calendar

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BarrowJournal

Wednesday, December 7. 2011

School superintendent Wanda Creel presented preliminary survey result data reflecting the public's reaction to a new 2012-13 school year calendar. She asked Tuesday night for the board to recommend approving the options to be posted on the school system’s website for additional public review as school leaders work to design system wide ... [Full Story »]

Winder council poised to approve mid-year raises for employees; vote will be at 6 p.m. meeting tonight

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BarrowJournal

Tuesday, December 6. 2011

The Winder City Council is planning to vote tonight on giving 3-percent raises in the middle of the fiscal year to all 168 city employees. The raises would be on top of Christmas bonuses that the outgoing mayor reportedly has approved. The unbudgeted raises would cost $177,000 plus an estimated $13,540 for federal payroll taxes, for a total of ... [Full Story »]

Winder raise idea to be discussed

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BarrowJournal

Monday, December 5. 2011

The Winder City Council has a host of issues at its two meetings this week, including a proposal by outgoing Mayor Chip Thompson to give city employees a raise. But no details on that idea have been given to the city council members, who must approve the raises but only received their meeting packets late Friday. Sources say the percentage ... [Full Story »]

Entries from December 2011