MainStreetNews

The GBI said Wednesday morning that its probe into allegations of public corruption in the Pendergrass city government had not yet begun. That contrasts sharply with what Pendergrass Mayor Monk Tolbert told a standing room only crowd at the town’s Tuesday night council meeting when he indicated the GBI investigation into the city was over. ... [Full Story »] 

Embattled Pendergrass Police Chief Rob Russell is being replaced, but will continue to serve as the town’s administrator. "The mayor has decided to replace me in that (chief’s) position,” Russell said this week. “I will stay on as city administrator." He said his salary will be changed, but he doesn't know how much yet. The town began ... [Full Story »] 

A 15-year-old girl is Barrow County's first reported case of the newly declared pandemic virus – novel influenza A (H1N1), popularly known as "swine flu." “The District Health Office has confirmed a case of H1N1 flu in Barrow County,” states a July 3 e-mail announcement from Forsyth County EMA Director Jimmy Terrell. “The victim is a ... [Full Story »] 

Employees of Barrow County’s government will learn next week how severely the county’s fiscal crisis will affect them. Sources requesting anonymity told the Barrow Journal this week that the Barrow County Board of Commissioners is likely to vote Tuesday night on decisive steps to salvage the county’s finances. The plan reportedly includes ... [Full Story »] 

A 30-year-old Statham man was shot outside the Waffle House in downtown Winder early Monday. Ronald John Arnold was treated at Barrow Regional Medical Center for gunshot wounds to his foot and to his arm, according to a Winder Police Department incident report. He was shot in the parking lot on West May Street after midnight and the shots also ... [Full Story »] 

Severe thunderstorms raked Jackson, Banks, Barrow and Madison counties Friday night. One fire was reported in the North Jackson area due to a lightening strike.

Jackson County Emergency Services issued the following report:

A series of storms moved through Jackson County starting around 6 p.m. this date and exited around 8 p.m. The storms resulted in the Jackson County EMA activating the weather warning sirens twice for tornadic activities in the area.

Several reports of tornadoes were reported through out Jackson County with no confirmed touch downs. Reports of several trees down in the roadways (5) were reported and quickly handled by Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the Jackson County road department.

Several power outages were reported due to downed power lines. Jackson EMC is currently working on that situation and power should be restored by midnight.

Two auto accidents were reported during the storms and resulted in only minor injures which were handled by Jackson County Rescue and EMS.

One fire was reported to an out building on Nichols Rd. in the Plainview community with Plainview, North Jackson, and the Jackson County CI Fire Departments responding and quickly extinguishing the fire. The fire was reported as being started by a lightning strike.

Jackson County storm spotters and a local amateur radio club, North East Georgia Amateur Radio Club/ ARES, were activated to monitor the storms and advise of changing weather conditions. No serious injuries were reported.