After driving fast with no headlights on and ramming a vehicle stopped at a stop sign, a 20-year-old Commerce man tried to convince the driver of the other vehicle that someone else was behind the wheel.

It didn’t work.

Police charged Johnny Blake McDaniel, 348 Victoria Street, with driving under the influence (DUI) of ...

The Jackson County and Commerce planning commissions will hold a public hearing Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Commerce Civic Center to show off a proposed “overlay” zoning district to cover the entrances into town.

The proposal would make development standards identical for parcels that are in Jackson County and in Commerce in those ...

Tennis courts and a playground are among the projects to be funded with special purpose local options sales tax revenue.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will vote at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20, on a request to allocate $200,000 from SPLOST 5, approved by voters in 2010, for the projects.

At a work session Monday ...

Jefferson dropped off East Jackson’s 2012 football schedule, but the Eagles were able to add their closest geographic foe — Commerce.

East Jackson and Commerce (which plays in Region 8-A) will clash Sept. 7 in the Eagles’ home opener in the first match-up ever of these schools separated by 4.4 miles.

“I ...

All 11 Commerce wrestlers who competed at the area finals last weekend advanced to the sectional tournament at Telfair County this weekend.

The Tigers scored the highest team total, defying the odds with their win over Social Circle.

Commerce was forced to forfeit several weight classes because of injuries. The team ...

Winder’s city administrator on Feb. 8 fired the city’s human resources director in a cost-saving move. Don Toms told Penny Wilkins in a memo that her position is not being funded in the FY2013 budget, and due to its sensitive nature, she had to be terminated immediately.


The memo states that Toms would be taking over some ...

A Hull man was charged with disorderly conduct recently after a reported dispute.

Bernard Wendell Cooper, 47, 148 Freeman Circle, Hull, was arrested for disorderly conduct after a woman called 9-1-1 to report that he was “causing problems in the residence.” She stated that Cooper was “cussing” and had pushed her 15-year ...

The Winder-Barrow High School boys basketball team defeated Madison County 49-39 Friday night.

That is the easy part of the story.

When a basketball team wins, there are several elements which go into the victory. As is always the case, it takes a strong effort from each player who steps foot on the court. The Bulldoggs ...

Hank Williams Jr. had a smash hit song back in 1979 about a certain kind of “Family Tradition.”

While the country music singer related to the wild life, Winder-Barrow High School’s Alex Hentenaar knows about a different kind of “family tradition.” For Hentenaar, the tradition centers around a swimming pool and being one of ...

Charles Jerry “Bo” Loggins, 49, died Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

Services will be private.

Lord & Stephens Danielsville is in charge of arrangements.

Inaugural East Jackson, Commerce game set for Sept. 7 at Eagle Stadium

EXIT one rival, enter another.

Jefferson dropped off East Jackson’s 2012 football schedule, but the Eagles were able to add their closest geographic foe — Commerce.

East Jackson and Commerce (which plays in Region 8-A) ...

Coach says goal is to advance entire group to state


JACKSON County just missed its target of advancing eight wrestlers to the state sectionals with seven qualifying during this past weekend’s Area 8-AA tournament at Elbert County.

The Panthers boasted two area runners-up, J.T. Wood (113-lb.) and ...

The Braselton Town Council is getting the ball rolling on refinancing $14 million in water and sewer bonds — a move that could save the town an estimated $1 million over the life of the bonds.

During a called meeting on Tuesday night, the town council agreed to refinance its 2003 water and sewer revenue bonds, which were ...

Town also reaches agreement over Gwinnett services

The Braselton Town Council is getting the ball rolling on refinancing $14 million in water and sewer bonds — a move that could save the town an estimated $1 million over the life of the bonds.

During a called meeting on Tuesday night, the town council ...

WHILE IT’S possible that Jefferson has had more successful area tournaments in the past, this was still very prosperous — even by the Dragons’ lofty standards.

With 13 wrestlers reaching the area finals, the Jefferson wrestling team qualified everyone it carried to the traditional tournament for this week’s state ...

Jefferson won a late-season, non-region matchup Tuesday on the road as it warmed up for its regular season finale Friday with Jackson County.


The Dragons (16-8, 10-1) beat Oconee County 64-54 with three scorers reaching double figures — Austin Thompson (14), Andrew Bartek (14) and Andre Daniel (10).

Jefferson ...

TWO EAST Jackson wrestlers will continue their seasons after qualifying for the state sectional meet.


Junior Jeff Chandler won the heavyweight division of Area 8-AA, while senior Garrett Lott finished third in the 113-lb. division for the Eagles at the traditional 8-AA tournament. East Jackson placed ninth overall as a team at ...

EAST Jackson coach Brian Turner said his team’s 56-40 win Friday at home over Jackson County was probably its best performance of the year. It was certainly its most thorough.

Jarron Davis led the Eagles with 17 points, including three three-pointers, and Jake Grindle added 14 as East Jackson avenged a 57-45 loss to their ...

AS THE postseason nears, Jackson County looks like a team aiming for an extended stay there.

The Lady Panthers (11-13, 8-3) have won eight of their last 10 games and locked up the no. 2 seed out of 8-AA South for the upcoming Region 8-AA tournament.

“The big thing is that we’re 8-3 (in subregion play),” ...

By Brent VanFleet

SENIOR NIGHT on the Jefferson hardwood will definitely be a memorable one for the five seniors after dismantling the East Jackson Eagles, 84-42, Saturday.


The Dragons were coming off a 68-60 loss Friday night to the Elbert County Devils, which would have solidified the top spot in the region. ...

BELIEVE IT or not, Jefferson coach Bolling DuBose prefers that his team is closing the regular season on the road.

Playing at home can at times be too comfortable. Life on the road is more pressure-packed — exactly what his Dragons will face at the region tournament, the coach said.

Jefferson (16-8, 10-1) takes on ...

THE JEFFERSON girls have been on the cusp of putting together a complete game several times this season.

On Friday, it all came together at exactly the right time. Jefferson throttled Elbert County, Region 8-AA South’s third-place team, 53-34 for its biggest subregion win to date.

“The biggest thing was just ...

By Brent VanFleet

LADY DRAGON point guard Jakeia Wilson received the inbound with only a few ticks left in the first half. She crossed the East Jackson defender, took one step over half court and let the ball fly from her finger tips. Swishh—never a doubt. The Jefferson fans come off the bleachers in an uproar. Lady Dragons went ...

Four polling locations in Jackson County have been moved. The new locations are as follows: 

•Wilson (Formerly in the Maysville Library), now located at Maysville United Methodist Church, 8482 Maysville Road, Maysville, Georgia, 30558.

•Redstone (formerly in the Redstone Volunteer Fire Department), now located at ...

For the first time in at least two years, the Jackson County School System may not need furlough days for its employees. At least, that’s the proposal on the table for the 2012-2013 school year calendar — which the Jackson County Board of Education is expected to discuss during its work session on Thursday, Feb. 9, and possibly take a vote ...

There has recently been a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon in Jackson County. A raccoon found in the Lebanon Church Road area of Jackson County tested positive for rabies. Two dogs came in contact with the raccoon and are being quarantined.

Residents in the areas are advised to take precautions:
•Be sure that ...

The Banks County High School Leopard mat men defeated Lanier 61-15 on Senior Night this past week. The Leopards held ceremonies prior to the match to honor their two senior wrestlers, Joseph Denton and Tyler Flanagan.

The program also gave mention to the BCMS and USA kids wrestling programs and their accomplishments this season.
BanksNewsTODAY 2012-02-08T16:02:42Z 2012-02-08T16:02:42Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22528 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22528 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22528-guid.html

Alicia Andrews and Albert Ward have again been named to serve as co-chairman of the Banks County Planning Commission.

The planning commission unanimously approved the appointments at the monthly meeting Tuesday night in Homer.

In other business at the brief meeting, the planners recommended approval of two conditional ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-08T15:36:05Z 2012-02-08T15:36:05Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22527 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22527 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22527-guid.html

If you are a social network “friend” of a Barrow County School System teacher, you may soon be “de-friended.” A new policy in the BCSS calls for teachers and other system employees to refrain from being “friends” with either students or parents.

The policy also states that the only electronic communication between ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-08T15:32:10Z 2012-02-08T17:37:04Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22525 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22525 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22525-guid.html

Barrow County Chamber of Commerce president Tommy Jennings said Tuesday he has decided to not make a run for county commission chairman this year. Jennings had openly been mulling a possible run for the seat. Former Braselton Mayor Pat Graham has announced her intentions to run. Incumbent chairman Danny Yearwood hasn't officially announced his ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-08T15:26:28Z 2012-02-08T15:26:28Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22526 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22526 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22526-guid.html

At a meeting Monday night, some members of the Winder City Council questioned Barrow County Chamber of Commerce director Tommy Jennings about how the chamber had been using city hotel tax money and hinted they might want to make a change.

In a longstanding arrangement, Winder’s council each year allocates to the chamber almost ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-08T15:24:53Z 2012-02-08T15:24:53Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22522 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22522 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22522-guid.html

The Bethlehem Town Council will decide at its March meeting whether to put the issue of Sunday alcohol sales before the citizens.

Council members agreed — despite some opposition —to move forward with the issue during Monday night’s meeting. An official vote by the council will take place next month.

“I think ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-08T15:23:35Z 2012-02-08T15:23:35Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22523 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22523 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22523-guid.html

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday removed a legal roadblock that has delayed for nearly three years the prosecutions of a group of teens who in 2009 capped off an alleged crime spree in Gwinnett County by terrorizing the family that owns the China Wok in Winder.

All five suspects were arrested outside the restaurant on March ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-08T15:21:46Z 2012-02-08T15:21:46Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22524 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22524 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22524-guid.html

The Barrow County Board of Assessors has begun the process of reviewing all properties throughout the county for a reassessment. The process began the week of Jan. 1.


Initial site visits will include properties which are the subject of an active building permit for changes and improvements which have been made to the property, ...

BraseltonNewsTODAY 2012-02-08T13:40:24Z 2012-02-08T13:40:24Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22521 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22521 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22521-guid.html

An elderly Hoschton man that was reported missing through a Maddie’s Call was found safely by a motorist early Wednesday morning, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Raymond Franklin Faircloth, 76, was last seen by a niece at his James Court residence in the Jackson Park subdivision around 10 p.m. on Monday. ...

MadisonJournalTODAY 2012-02-08T06:58:00Z 2012-02-08T06:58:00Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22520 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22520 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22520-guid.html

Though the city of Danielsville currently has only three council members, with one serving as mayor pro tem, the council can continue to conduct business for the time being, according to city attorney Dale Perry.

Perry said that though council member Junne Temple is serving as mayor pro tem, he has found nothing “that indicates ...

MadisonJournalTODAY 2012-02-07T21:57:36Z 2012-02-07T21:57:36Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22519 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22519 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22519-guid.html

A Comer man was arrested Monday in connection with a 17-year old North Carolina murder case that was recently reopened.

Madison County chief deputy Shawn Burns said their office was contacted by Cleveland County North Carolina’s sheriff’s investigators Monday morning, who told them they had an active warrant for a June 21, 1995 ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-07T15:47:56Z 2012-02-07T15:47:56Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22518 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22518 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22518-guid.html

The Auburn City Council will hold a special called meeting Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the City Hall Conference Room to discuss a potential resolution on a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) consent order — a multi-million dollar lawsuit between Gwinnett County and 15 municipalities relating to the duplication of public services.

MadisonJournalTODAY 2012-02-07T12:50:00Z 2012-02-07T12:50:00Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22517 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22517 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22517-guid.html

The Madison County School System was among the highest in the area in per-student spending last year.

The Madison system spent $9,032 per student in FY2011. The rate was above the state average, which was $8,593 per student.

While Madison spent less for pupil services, general administrative and maintenance and ...

MainStreetNewsOBITS 2012-02-06T21:35:14Z 2012-02-06T21:35:14Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22516 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22516 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22516-guid.html

WINDER - Debra Wilson, 54, died Friday, February 3, 2012.

A native of Winder, she was a hairdresser at Headquarters Beauty Salon.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry Wilson, Winder; daughters, Deanna Page and Dana Wilson, both of Winder; parents, Lolen and Edith Metcalf; brothers, Sidney and Doug Metcalf; and three ...

MainStreetNewsOBITS 2012-02-06T17:10:26Z 2012-02-06T17:10:26Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22515 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22515 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22515-guid.html

WINDER – Elmer Joe Hardegree, 89, died Sunday, February 5, 2012 at his residence.

A native of Barrow County, he was the son of the late James Ernest (Dock) and Mary Elder Hardegree. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a military policeman during World War II. He also worked as a court crier/bailiff for ...

MainStreetNewsSPORTS 2012-02-06T16:53:56Z 2012-02-06T16:53:56Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22514 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22514 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22514-guid.html

No football coach is on the hot seat more than New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.

It seems like every year the man is in danger of losing his job, but somehow he is kept in place just long enough for his team to make another run.

When the Giants beat the Patriots in 2008, Coughlin almost got fired in the middle of ...

BarrowJournal 2012-02-06T12:50:00Z 2012-02-06T12:50:00Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22512 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22512 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22512-guid.html

The Town of Braselton is looking for proposals from qualified engineering firms and consultants for two major projects in downtown.

The projects will include the design and development of the Town Green and phase two of the downtown streetscape.

The Town Green will be located in front of the Braselton Brothers Store ...

BraseltonNewsTODAY 2012-02-06T12:50:00Z 2012-02-06T12:50:00Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22513 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22513 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22513-guid.html

The Town of Braselton is looking for proposals from qualified engineering firms and consultants for two major projects in downtown.

The projects will include the design and development of the Town Green and phase two of the downtown streetscape.

The Town Green will be located in front of the Braselton Brothers Store ...

MadisonJournalTODAY 2012-02-06T08:57:00Z 2012-02-06T08:57:00Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22511 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22511 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22511-guid.html

Madison County’s food bank will soon move to the old forestry office on Hwy. 98.

County commissioners approved the move 5-0 recently, noting that the current locale on Sunset Drive in Danielsville is too small.

Commissioner John Pethel said it’s a shame not to have a better facility for the food bank.
MainStreetNewsSPORTS 2012-02-05T23:03:22Z 2012-02-05T23:03:22Z http://www.mainstreetnews.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=22510 0 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/rss.php?version=atom1.0&type=comments&cid=22510 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/archives/22510-guid.html

Madison County wrestlers took third place in the eight-team Inferno Tournament in Elberton Saturday.


The Red Raiders finished behind Lovett and Elbert County. Other teams in the field included Hephzibah, Jones County, Stephens County and Greenbrier.

The tournament marked one of the strongest performances for ...