News from BarrowJournal

One of the first major decisions of 2013 for Barrow County’s new administration — and for Winder’s leaders — is whether to spend more than $2 million to get a state permit for a new water reservoir in the county. Three months ago, the Barrow County Water & Sewerage Authority was notified that its application for a $2.1 million ... [Full Story »] 

One week after a mentally disturbed shooter took 26 lives at a Connecticut elementary school, the nation’s largest gun-rights lobby called for Congress to place armed police officers in every school. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” said Wayne LaPierre, vice president of the National Rifle ... [Full Story »] 

Heavy thunderstorms are expected to arrive in Barrow County overnight, and the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for this area throughout Wednesday. The Dec. 26 forecast is for thunderstorms with winds around 20 miles per hour to arrive at 4 a.m. and to last for more than an hour. The rain should taper off after 8 a.m., but ... [Full Story »] 

Seventeen people lost their lives on Georgia roadways during the long holiday weekend. That was more than five times the three deaths during the same holiday weekend a year ago. One of the fatal wrecks was in Barrow County. A 29-year-old Buford man was killed at about 7:40 p.m. Dec. 21 in a head-on crash on Rockwell Church Road west of Moons ... [Full Story »] 

The Auburn Police Department sold its only police dog to its handler and former drug investigator, a sign the department might end its canine program next year. Police chief Paul Nadeau said the Slovakian Shepherd named Orfey was sold Friday morning for $3,000 to Cpl, Tony Lafreniere, who resigned from the department on Dec. 18. "We're going to ... [Full Story »] 

Following a 28-minute closed session Tuesday night, the Barrow County Board of Education finalized the terms of school superintendent Wanda Creel’s contract and extended it to June 30, 2014. That is three months longer than an earlier arrangement approved in August. That one guaranteed her continued employment only through March 2014. ... [Full Story »] 

In the wake of last week’s tragedy at a Connecticut elementary school, Barrow County public schools are in “soft lockdown” today with only one entrance to each building accessible and all classroom doors locked. Superintendent Wanda Creel on Saturday disseminated to parents via email and phone calls a message of reassurance, informing ... [Full Story »]