About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 30, 2016)
Page A2 Lake Oconee News Friday, December 30, 2016 2016: Year in Review part i of 2 The Lake Oconee News looks back at 2016, a year with its share of changes, violent crime, political maneuvering and tragedy. It was also a year of sterling successes for some as Lake Oconee Academy continued to pile up acco lades and Morgan County Memorial Hospital tied for first place as winner of the quality care and patient safety award. Since it was an election- year, 2016 was full of polit ical squabbling and debate, but in the end voters spoke the loudest. Here’s a look back at the year that was from January to June. Next week we will take a look at the final six months of 2016. Jan. 1 A Watkinsville man is killed on the bridge that separates Morgan and Oconee counties on Hwy 441. Douglas Paul Mc Grath’s Ford Fiesta collided head on with a tractor trailer. Mentavious Jackson is arrested and charged with the Dec. 20 killing of Chris topher Reid in Madison. Jan. 8 The Greene County board of Education votes not to renew Superintendent Phillip Mellor’s contract during its first 2016 meeting. Mellor had been hired July 1, 2014. Mellor is replaced by Greene County Sheriff Chris Houston two weeks later. A local man was nearly swept away by flood water during the Flood of 2015 which began on Dec. 30. The flood overwhelmed drainage systems across Morgan County leading to the closing of a dozen roads. James Brown of Madison was driving his Ranger pickup when he got caught up in the rising water along Briar Creek Road, but he was rescued by Morgan County deputies and fire fighters. Jan.15 Lake Oconee Academy is named a top five finalist for Georgia Charter School of the Year. Irish drug maker Shire buys Baxalta, and the Bank of Madison asks the Board of Commissioners to restruc ture an overdue loan related to the Stanton Springs de velopment where the new Baxalta facility is being built. Jan. 22 A small single-engine airplane crash-landed in Madison around 7:35 p.m. Jan. 17 Sunday about 2,000 feet southeast of the downtown square. The aircraft came to rest near the intersection of E. Washing ton and Vine streets. No fire resulted from the crash. No one was hurt on the ground. The two men aboard the plane survived the crash and went by ambulance to Athens Regional Medical Center. Jan. 29 Donnie Harrison is chosen as the interim Sheriff in Greene County after Chris Houston departs to become the superintendent of schools. A special election is slated for May 24 to elect a sheriff to serve until the current terms ends in November. The Greene County Board of Education and Lake Oconee Academy reach an agreement on the charter school’s renewal application. Feb. 5 In competition with 45 critical access hospitals, Morgan Memorial Hospital ties for first place as winner of the quality care and patient safety award for 2015-2016. Interim Sheriff Donnie Harrison announces that he will run for the office in the special election slated for May 24. Feb.12 Adomesticdisputeatl580 Aqua Road leads to gunfire in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, violence that left a wife injured and a husband dead. Deceased is Robert T. Edwards, 41, of the same address. His wife, Jamie Renee Edwards, 48, suffers a gunshot wound where the bullet passed through her upper right arm, according to the incident report filed by Morgan County Sheriff s Deputy Shawn O’Kelley, first law officer to arrive at the scene. Morgan County Sheriff Robert Markley announces that he will seek a fifth term in office. Markley was first elected to his post in 2000. Feb. 19 Dr. Delmon Moore resigns at the principal at Union Point STEAM Academy. Feb. 26 The Greene County Board of Education’s meeting becomes contentious after a move to shorten of the Lake Oconee Academy charter from 10 years to five years pending approval by the school. Board member Leah Dukes calls the measure “illegal” and “immoral” and threatens legal action at the state level if it passes. Board member Deborah Smith, who made a motion to accept the recommendation to shorten the charter tells Dukes that she can take it as high as the sky. During the discussion, tempers flared and Smith reached over and turned off Dukes’ micro phone. Board member Arlie Collins pointed his finger at Smith and told her she was out of order. Smith then grabbed Collins’s finger and twisted it. The Board’s vote on the measure didn’t solve anything with Collins and Dukes opposed and Smith and Cobb in favor. When Clarence Hunt did not vote, the result was a split vote and no action was taken. Morgan County issues 10 building permits in the month of January for new homes worth an estimated $2.5 million collectively, ac cording to Morgan County Planning and Development Director Chuck Jarrell. This is up from three starts per month from August to December of 2015. March 4 Cell phone recordings seem to reveal that Greene County High School teacher and basketball coach Cory Hunter verbally abused a student. Attorney Ben Windham threatens a lawsuit if Hunter is not forced out and his teaching certificate revoked. The LOA charter is finally approved for eight years by the Greene County Board of Education. Deborah Smith and Clarence Hunt vote against the charter, but Leah Dukes, Arlie Collins and Velicia Cobb vote in favor of it. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the clear favorites of Republi can and Democrat voters in Putnam, Greene and Morgan counties in the presidential primaries. March 11 The Morgan County Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs both win state champion ships in basketball. The Lady Bulldogs defeat Jack- son-Atlanta 68-61, and the Bulldogs avenge the loss to Jenkins in the 2015 title game with a 66-56 win over the Warriors. Gatewood matches the performance with both the Gators and Lady Gators winning state titles in GISA basketball. Several candidates throw their hats into the ring for the 2016 elections. B. Jeff Smith for Greene County coroner, Ben Riden Jr. for Morgan County’s District 3 seat on the Board of Com missioners, Marcus Greene for Greene County Sheriff and Ron Milton for another term as Morgan County’s District 5 seat on the BOC. Attorney Amanda Petty announces she will run for Superior Court judge in the Ocmulgee Circuit. March 18 Greene County teacher and varsity basketball coach Cory Hunter resigns in the wake of allegat ions of verbal abuse towards a student. In Morgan County, 82- year-old Arlie Wilkerson of Rutledge who was confined to a wheelchair is arrested for the murder of this 54- year-old son Bryan David Wilkerson. According to newspaper accounts, the murder was in response to the son’s abuse of his mother Frances Wilkerson. 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Dim I ROTARY UPER FLE ROTARY Club of Greene and Putnam Counties Rotary Club is Happy to Announce the December 22 nd Winner December 15 th Winner Susan a Gift Certificate valued at $500 from Super Raffle Sponsor, Greensboro Tire /December 29 th Prized a GoPro Camera valued at $400 donated by ASSOCIATES, P.C. Certified Public Accountants Date: Item - Advertiser (Value): Date: Item - Advertiser (Value): Date: Item - Advertiser (Value): 7-Jan Fresh Flower Arrangement-of-the-Month for 12 months Z. Grant ($600) 5-May **SUPER WEEK** Kayak - Bulldog Marine ($300) PLUS Shopping Spree - Crowe Marine ($300) 8-Sep Bose Noise Canceling Headphones - Advanced Audiology ($300) 14-Jan Gift Certificate - Lamai Ban Thai Restaurant ($300) 12-May Round of Golf for Four - Harbor Club ($550) 15-Sep **SUPER WEEK** Wine Gift Basket - Classic Wines ($300) PLUS Gift Certificate - Pounders Market ($300) 21-Jan ** SUPER WEEK** Two tickets to OPAS shows on 3/16,5/17, & 7/2 ($360) PLUS Gift Certificate to Da Corrado Ristorante ($300) 19-May Catered Party for up to 30 people PLUS Entertainment - Sissions BBQ/Ronnie Pittman ($1,000) 22-Sep Gift Certificate for Framing or Artwork - Frames on Main ($300) 28-Jan 9-1OMM Pearl Set - Greensboro Jewelers ($375) 26-May Wool Rug Cleaning (up to 9x12) - Oconee Cleaning Company ($325) 29-Sep Apple iPad Mini 2 - Jay V. Dell, P.C. Attorney at Law ($320) 4-Feb Catered Party for up to 30 people PLUS Entertainment - GA Butts/Tim Cadiere Band ($1,000) 2-Jun Radar Paddleboard- Singleton Marine ($800) 6-Oct Photo Session - Pitter Productions Photography ($800) 11-Feb 48” Sharp Aquos Full HD LED TV - Netplicity ($450) 9-Jun Aerial Drone with Camera—BankSouth ($300) 13-Oct 48” HD TV - Piedmont Financial ($400) 18-Feb Shopping Spree - The Clothing Depot ($300) 16-Jun Yeti Cooler - Micki Tanner-Baird, Realtor ($300) 20-Oct Gift Certificate - Jimmy Britt Chevrolet, Buick, GMC ($300) 25-Feb Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar Pairing monthly for 12 months - Plantation Olive Oil ($325) 23-Jun GoPro Camera - Artisan Builders ($300) 27-Oct Gift Certificate - Pickle Barrel Restaurant ($300) 3-Mar LARGE Big Green Egg, Nest, & Handler - Spa + Patio Center of Lake Oconee ($1,250) 30-Jun Gift Certificate - Oconee Fast Lube ($300) 3-Nov Yeti Tundra 50 Cooler - The Corry House in Union Point ($400) 10-Mar Shopping Spree - The Oconee Cellar ($300) 7-Jul Window or Pressure Washing - Window Wizards ($350) 10-Nov Bissell “Soniclean’ Soft Carpet Vacuum - Dalton Carpet One ($379) 17-Mar GoPro Camera - Chris Jackson Allstate Insurance Agent ($300) 14-Jul **SUPER WEEK** Metabolism Reset Package - Pathways to Healing ($400) PLUS One Year Membership - Max Fitness ($500) 17-Nov Shopping Spree - Genuine Georgia ($300) 24-Mar Yeti Cooler - Cardiology Care Clinic of Lake Oconee ($300) 21-Jul Apple iPad - Mindy Chandler/On Q Financial ($400) 24-Nov **SUPER WEEK** Gift Certificate - Main Street Furniture ($300) PLUS Gift Certificate - Lights of Oconee ($300) 31-Mar Patio Furniture Set - Pike Nursery ($800) 28-Jul Fitbit + Two One-Hour Massages Rehab and Performance Center ($300) 1-Dec Gift Certificate - Aurum Jewelry ($300) 7-Apr Gift Certificate - Bone Island Grillhouse Restaurant ($300) 4-Aug Round of Golf for Four + $100 Gift Certificate - Reynolds Plantation ($1,080) 8-Dec Lunch for Two and Two Massages - The Ritz Carlton Lodge ($400) 14-Apr Shopping Spree - Hidden Treasures Furniture ($300) 11-Aug Family Photo Session - Leigh Lofgren Photography ($300) 15-Dec 50” LED Smart TV - Dr. Michael Miller and Lake Oconee Center for Dental Health ($750) 21-Apr One Year of Preventive Dentistry - Lake Oconee Dentistry ($495) 18-Aug Ruger 10/22 Hunting Rifle w/Scope + One Estate Planning Consultation - Frier and Oulsnam, P.C. ($500) 22-Dec Gift Certificate for Tires or Service - Greensboro Tire ($500) 28-Apr Round-trip Transportation to Atlanta Airport (Tip not included) - Lakeside Travel & Limo ($300) 25-Aug Countertop Appliance - Askew Appliance ($300) 29-Dec GoPro Camera - O’Neal & Associates, PC, CPAs ($400) 1-Sep Gift Certificate - Zapiens Salon ($300)
