Entries by Staff Writer

Updated: Failure to appear catches up to 4

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in Public Safety

Friday, January 27. 2012

Updated: 6 days ago

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Four people got first-hand experience during the past week in why it pays to show up for a court date, according to the Commerce Police Department.

Two were charged with driving with a suspended license for failure to appear for previous offenses and two were picked up on warrants for failure to appear.

When someone does not appear in court and the judge issues an FTA warrant, a $100 fee is automatically applied — over and above any fine coming from the original charges. In addition, if the court notifies the state of the failure to appear, the state can suspend the suspect’s driver’s license, which results in an additional hefty fine if the suspect is pulled over for a traffic violation.
[Full Story »]

Police called to break up 'racist' dispute

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Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Wednesday, January 25. 2012

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Two Commerce police officers had to diffuse a dispute at Fuel Mart last week between a white male and a black female who, a witness said, were both “being racist.”

According to the incident report, the woman entered the store with her son, a juvenile. The boy dislodged a wooden block used to hold the door open, and a white male customer told the boy to put the stop back.
[Full Story »]

Cow tests positive for rabies

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Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Wednesday, January 25. 2012

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A case of rabies has been confirmed in a Jackson County cow.

A cow tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with the owner. The incident occurred in the Unity Church Road area of Maysville.

OPINION: Libraries provide access to information highway

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Staff Writer

in Opinions

Sunday, January 22. 2012

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Editor:

Readers of the newspaper may have noticed last week’s announcement. In case you missed it, starting sometime in the next month or two, the Commerce Public Library will be offering e-books to check out for your e-readers.

This is an exciting step for our library and the Piedmont Regional Library System, but it probably brings to mind a question I was asked recently by a citizen of Commerce: with the advent of e-books, digital media, and Google, what is the future for local libraries such as ours? With the digital revolution in full swing, will libraries become obsolete and just a place to house old books? These are legitimate questions, but they are questions that can easily be answered head on. Here are a few reasons why libraries will continue to be important in the digital age.
[Full Story »]

2 Commerce schools earn honors

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Staff Writer

in Area Headline News

Friday, January 20. 2012

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Both Commerce Primary School and Commerce Elementary School were among 824 schools announced last week as “Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools” for 2012.

"These schools are showing that high expectations, coupled with effective educators in the building, produce outstanding student achievement," Superintendent John Barge said. "I'm very pleased to recognize the educators, students and parents in these schools and school districts."   Title I schools have significant populations of students who are economically disadvantaged. These schools receive federal money to assist with the education of their students. There are two National Title I Distinguished Schools among the total 824 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools. Title I Distinguished Schools have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at least three years in a row.
[Full Story »]

Jackson deputies arrest 44

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Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Friday, January 20. 2012

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The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office made 44 arrests last week, including the following:

•Diana Reece Kennedy, 35, 120 Gardiner Road, Braselton, theft by receiving stolen property.

•Lisa Ann Mason, 48, 305 Rock Forge Port, Jefferson, statutory rape.

[Full Story »]

Chase leads to capture of SC fugitive

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Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Wednesday, January 18. 2012

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A Stone Mountain man wanted on felony warrants in South Carolina racked up multiple charges with two local law enforcement agencies last week following a chase that hit speeds in excess of 100 mph and ended in the parking lot of a Banks Crossing restaurant.

According to the Commerce Police Department, Christopher Obrian Greene, 20, of 2857 Highland Park Drive, Stone Mountain, will be extradited to York County, SC, where he’s wanted on charges of burglary, grand larceny, criminal conspiracy and pointing and presenting firearms at a person. [Full Story »]

Commerce police report 12 arrests

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Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Thursday, January 12. 2012

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The Commerce Police Department reported making 12 arrests during the past week, including the following:

•Scott Matthew Odette, 32, 427 Heritage Hills Drive, Commerce, who was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over on Clayton Street for crossing the centerline and nearly striking a car driven by a police officer. According to the incident report, the officer quickly observed Odette attempting to hide something in his crotch area. Upon being searched, the report said, Odette was uncooperative enough that the officer “took him to the ground,” whereupon he discovered a glass pipe hidden in a sock. The pipe allegedly contained residue of methamphetamine, but the officer did not charge him with drug possession.
[Full Story »]

Thief walks off with $10,000 worth of rings

Posted by

Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Wednesday, January 11. 2012

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The Commerce Police Department is investigating the alleged theft by a homeless man of $10,000 in jewelry from a Commerce Crossing apartment on Steve Reynolds Industrial Boulevard.

According to the incident report, the tenant allowed two homeless men from Crawford to spend six nights in his apartment. At the same time, he let another couple stay there because one of them knew one of the homeless men.

At some point, one of the men gave the victim a “lockbox” in which to keep her jewelry and medications, assuring her that she had the only key.

Some time later the woman reported that the man left with five rings valued at $10,000 and her Roxycodone — taken from the lockbox.

Red Cross blood drive is Tuesday at First Baptist

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Staff Writer

in Area Headline News

Friday, January 6. 2012

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The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday, Jan. 10, from noon to 6:00 p.m. in the family fellowship center of the First Baptist Church of Commerce.

The church is located at 1345 South Broad Street, Commerce.

The Red Cross provides blood services to local hospitals, including Northridge Medical Center and the Athens, Gainesville and Atlanta area hospitals.

Participants will receive a coupon for a free Chick fil A sandwich at the Banks Crossing restaurant.

Entries by Staff Writer

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