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PAGE 12 A BARROW JOURNAL • BARROW COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 Smooth start at new RMS By Alex Pace Journal Reporter The opening of the new Russell Middle School this week ran smooth, officials said Tuesday. The Barrow County Board of Education received an update on the first day of school at its Aug. 2 meeting. The district opened the new Russell Middle School on Monday at its property on McNeal Road and Candler Street. The City of Winder has been doing construc tion on the roads, causing them to be shut down for several months. But students and staff were able to make it to the new school. Assistant superintendent of system operations Joe Perno said the traffic wasn’t a major problem. “The traffic, really, I think just for an opening day at any school is kind of hectic,” he said. “But on day two in par ticular, it was very smooth other there.” Perno said he initially thought the district may have a “trouble spot” at the intersection of Candler and McNeal, but most of the traffic has been on the hill along Candler. But Perno noted that there were many car riders for the first day of school, which could have increased traffic. A ribbon cutting will be held for the new school on Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m. The district is also building a new ele mentary school at the site. Perno said the staggered start times at the two schools may alleviate increased traffic. “I really think with those different starting times there, we’ll be ok,” said Perno. Construction on the new elementary school is moving along and the district could release a survey for its name this week. OTHER BUSINESS Also at its meeting, the BOE: • noted its spring Georgia Milestones results, specifically the growth seen in each grade level. The district improved its scores this year in all high school subjects except physical science. Dis trict-wide, students improved in all sub jects in elementary and middle schools (see related story). • approved a wellness program policy: professional sick leave bank policy; bid from TechOptics for $94,000 for cabling at the new elementary school: designat ing Jimmy Stokes as the Tribunal Train ing Provider: a contract not to exceed $119,700 with Advanced Care Pediatrics for two nurses for medically-fragile stu dents; a funding agreement with the state for the district to receive $6.2 million for the new elementary school; and a copier lease bid with RICOH Opt 2 for $14,800 a month. • approved a recess policy and school property disposal policy. • approved its strategic navigational plan. • learned Education Local Option Sales Tax receipts were up 1.3 percent last month compared to the same time period in 2015. RECOGNITIONS Also at its meeting, the BOE recog nized: • Shane Crow, Community Missions and Outreach pastor at Bethlehem Church. The church donated food to staff during pre-planning. • Governor’s Honors Finalists including Ratislav Krylov, Apalachee High School, mathematics; Heather Perry, Winder-Bar row High School, social studies; and Ian Sheppard, AHS, social studies. • last year’s REACH scholars: Aldo Rivas-Chicas, Araceli Lopez, Franches- ca Regalado-Salas, Jasmine Roberts and Sydney Winkler; and this year’s scholars: Damien Brown, Jasmine Her nandez, Christopher Munoz and Isaac Xiong. The BOE also recognized sup porters and sponsors. For information on how to sponsor, contact Sherri Perry at sherri.perry@barrow.kl2.ga.us. ACCIDENT WITH FATALITIES Two drivers were pronounced deceased after a crash on Hwy. 211 NW Tuesday morning. Just after 9 a.m., Barrow County Sheriff’s Office dep uties were dispatched to Hwy. 211 NW between Will Maynard Road and Mulberry Road in reference to a head-on collision involving two vehicles. The investigation revealed one driver, who was traveling northbound on Highway 211 NW, left the right side of the roadway and upon re-entering the roadway the vehicle crossed over the double yellow lines and struck another vehicle, which was traveling southbound on Hwy. 211 NW, head on. The driver of the second vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene and driver of the first vehicle was pronounced dead at Barrow Regional Medical Center. The names of the drivers are not being released at this time pending notification of the next of kin, law enforcement officials said. Photo by Scott Carithers Winder water rates to increase By Chris Bridges Journal Editor City of Winder utility customers will notice an increase in their water bills beginning in Octo ber. The city council voted Tuesday to increase charges for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Base usage. Tier 1 will increase from $2.50 to $2.65 while Tier 2 will go from $7.20 to $8. The base use amount will increase from $15.50 to $16.25. Teir 1 is for the first 2,000 gallons of use with Tier 2 being from 2,000- 6.999 gallons. There is increase for water customers outside the city limits. In addition, a fee of $175 will be charged for damaging smart-point meter. Sewer costs will also increase from $4.50 to $4.60 with base rate going from $17.80 to $19.30. Those customers outside the city limit will see an increase from $30.30 to $32.90. It was noted that Tier 1 water rates would also increase in 2017 and 2018. Also at Tuesday's meet ing, city officials voted to purchase a new mower for use at Chimneys Golf Course at a cost of $48,841. The council also voted to revoke the business licenses for Judy’s Tow ing as well as Shipman Automotive Repair for repeated violations and legal issues. Letters to the Editor Annual Barrow GOP BBQ planned Aug. 27 Dear Editor: This is a call for all local Republicans. Our 23rd annual Barrow Republican BBQ will be Satur day, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. in the Winder Lions Club, 354 E. Broad St. We’ll have lots of food, fun and door prizes. Patriotic music will be provided by the Yargo Community Band. U.S. Senator David Perdue will be the featured speaker. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and other state and local elected officials will also speak. U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson has also been invited. Sev eral exhibitors have been lined up, including Georgia Fair Tax, Georgia Carry, Operation Alert (PTSD), Conservative Republican Women of NE Georgia, Georgia Right To Life, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Georgia Fair Taxation and Americans For Prosperity. Tickets to eat are adults for $ 15, ages 6-12 for $ 7.50, and age 5 & under are free. Take-outs are welcome. Tickets may be purchased at the front door. For reservations, please contact us by email at chairman @ barrowgop.org or call 770-867-5748. Sponsorship opportunities are also available (contact us). Please check our web site for more details at www.barrow- gop.org, Looking forward to seeing a great Republican crowd on Aug. 27! Sincerely, Ken Young Chairman Barrow County Republican Party Ga. 316 temporarily closed following Monday wreck Ga. 316 was shutdown in both directions at Ga. 11 Monday afternoon following a crash involving a tractor trailer. The delay lasted approximately four hours. The injuries to those involved are considered minor. Barrow County Sheriff’s Office officials said. Some were transported to local hospitals. Crews had to shut the roadway down because of oil and diesel fuel leaks. Ga. 316 was reopened by 4:15 p.m. Star Festival set Oct. 8 The 11th annual Bethlehem Star Festival is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, in the Bethlehem town square. The family-friendly even will include arts, crafts, food and music. The town and the Nativity Lutheran Church sponsor a free kids zone that includes games, arts and crafts, inflat- ables and more. Vendor application are welcomed. See the website at www.bethlehemga.org. Bethlehem continued from 11A •council member Wayne Ridgeway asked the council to consider a one-sided sign, as opposed to the two-sided that the council previously received bids for. Ridgeway said a one-sided sign facing Highway 11, installed close to the iron fence, should be visible by traffic traveling both ways on Highway 11 “as well as people coming from the mall." r Northeast Georgia Medical Center Calendar of Events: August 2016 HEALTH HAPPENING Join us each month in the Education Center for an informative lecture on a variety of health and wellness topics. Spine Care Thursday, August 18; 6:30 p.m. Speaker: P. Tennent Slack, MD LIVING WELL LECTURES Each month, join us on the first Friday in the Education Center for a fun and informative lecture on health and wellness topics. Staying Well: Primary Care Milestones Friday, August 5; 1 p.m. Speaker: Haritha Arikatla, MD Getting Lifeline Before the Fall Friday, September 2; 1 p.m. Speaker: Dianne Appling WELLNESS IN THE KITCHEN Cooking tasty, healthy meals is a snap when you know the secrets of a chef. Join our chef from Cafe 1400 in the Education Center for tips and tricks that will take your cooking to the next level and bring wellness to the table. Lighter Summer Sweets Tuesday, August 9; 6:30 p.m. FABULOUS 500 CALORIE DINNERS: WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR HEART HEALTH Cooking healthy dinners is an important step in the process of maintaining a healthy heart. Join us for a mini-lecture on weight management for heart health and a demonstration by one of our chefs from Cafe 1400. We'll send you home with all you need to know to cook a delicious dinner that's only 500 calories! Thursday, August 18; 12:30 p.m. Monday, August 22; 6:00 p.m. Education Center D-CON GAMES Decontamination teams from around the state will compete against each other to achieve the fastest time for correctly setting up a deluge system, the cornerstone of decontamination operations in the event people come into contact with a hazardous substance. Bring a lawn chair and cheer on your favorite team! We'll have food trucks, a celebrity DJ and Haz-Mat Team t-shirts available for purchase with proceeds to benefit SafeKids of Gainesville/Hall County. Saturday, August 13 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Outside near the Emergency Entrance Spectator registration not required. For information about team registration, contact Jennifer Davis at 770-219-1823. Register today! Phone: 770-848-8600 Online: www.nghs.com/braselton-events BABY FAIR With presentations by businesses, non-profits, and with a whole lot of fun things to do. Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton's Baby Fair Expo will include: • Tours of the new Labor and Delivery Unit • Free pregnancy portraits • Recipes and samples of foods for mom and baby at Cafe 1400 • A wide variety of booths for businesses and non-profits serving families Register online before you arrive and check-in with your email confirmation to receive a FREE Baby Swag Bag at the door! Saturday, August 20; 10 a.m. www.nghs.com/baby-fair 2 p.m. CAR SEAT SAFETY CLASS Make sure your baby is as safe as possible in his or her car seat by taking this class and learning from the experts. We'll also check the installation of your car seat in your vehicle at the end of class. August 10 & September 14; 6:30 p.m. Speaker: SafeKids Education Center BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP Join Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Bariatric and Metabolic Institute's informative support group meeting for patients currently in the bariatric program. Thursdays, August 4 & September 29; 6 p.m. Education Center LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Join the newly diagnosed, survivors and loved ones for a lung cancer support group. Please call 770-219-8815 or email penny.mccall@nghs.com for more information. Mondays, August 15 & September 19; 4:30 p.m. Education Center ADULT GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP A 6 week support group for adults grieving a close personal loss. Licensed social worker facilitates. Provides education for coping, information about what to expect, normalizing the grief process. Wednesdays, July 13 - August 17; 1:00 p.m. Interventional Conference Room at NGMC Braselton Speaker: Marcia Flowell