About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2017)
Page A2 Lake Oconee News Friday, May 19,2017 MORGAN COUNTY Man arrested for child abuse; mother investigated Katherine Klimt katherine@lakeoconeenews.us A report of a juvenile walking along the road late Thursday night resulted in a Madison man’s arrest for cruelty to children in the first degree, while the child’s mother also faces possible charges. Shortly after 11 p.m., Madison police officer Stacey Eaton was dispatched in response to a report of a small child walking in the road. Upon his arrival, Eaton found the child, who appeared to be crying, standing on the sidewalk. When Eaton began to speak to the boy, he realized he was hearing impaired and diffi cult to understand; however, he was able to communicate that he had been beaten with a belt, and told the officer his wrist was hurting. Eaton noticed that the child’s arms, legs and chest bore several large welts, and that his swollen right wrist seemed to be broken. Eaton called EMS to the scene to provide the boy medical attention. He asked the child to take him to his residence but he was unable to walk due to the injuries to his right leg. Eaton located a man, Rodney Smith, 40, of Madison, nearby and asked him if he knew where the boy lived, and Smith respond ed that he lived with his mother, Freida Smith. This was not the first time Eaton had responded to calls from the Smith residence. The officer asked Rodney Smith where Freida had gone, and he said she went to the store. Pictures were taken of the boy’s injuries and he was examined to see if he had sustained further harm while Eaton waited for his mother to return. When she arrived, Eaton ques tioned the mother about how her son had sustained his injuries. She admitted to spanking him earlier that day in order to punish him. She also said that Rodney at times helps punish her children, and he told Eaton that he had whipped the child with a belt at the same time as his mother had. The officer informed Rodney that while corporal punishment is acceptable, leaving marks on a child was not. Rodney said that he had attempted to only spank the child, but he kept moving. Eaton, however, pointed out that all the child’s injuries were on the front of his body and told him that this was unacceptable. Rodney was then placed under arrest for cruelty to children, and the boy’s mother was informed that DFACS would be contacted. The child was transported to Morgan Memorial Hospital for x-rays and further treatment. His apparently broken wrist turned out to only be bruised. The mother faces no charges but a case worker will be sent to the home to evaluate the situation. Under state law, felony cruelty to children in the first degree is a serious crime, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A good crowd of spectators attended the special called meeting of the Greene County Board of Education on Tuesday, May 16. Mark Engel/Staff GCHS Continued from A1 Work will begin as soon as the students leave for summer break and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31. Improvements will include restroom reno vations, new lights, flooring, drinking fountains and paint, new ADA compliant signage, as well as renova tions of the commons area and the media center. The county plans to use less than $3 million in ESPLOST funds to pay for the revised Phase 2 im provements. During public comments, Todd Ciavola, Chairman of the ESPLOST Oversight Committee, urged commis sioners to table the project Its your move. As the #1 real estate company in Georgias Lake Country, we attract more buyers...period. Serious about buying or selling? Call Coldwell Banker. COLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIAL LAKE COUNTRY PREVIEWS INTERNATIONAL LAKE OCONEE REALTY LAKE COUNTRY www.cbcLakeCountry.com • www.cbLakeOconee.com/Previews • www.cbLakeOconee.com Each office is independently owned and operated. This mailing is not intended to solicit properties already listed with another brokerage. until the Board approves a strategic plan for the College and Career Academy. “The taxpayers were told by the board that the paying- tax was going to be used to improve the educational experience for the students with a focus on the Career Academy,” Ciavola said. “The proposed high school renovation plan does not appear to be focusing on the Career Academy, rather on deferred maintenance and cosmetic upgrades.” Commissioners John Heinen (Dist. 4) and Joe Bashore (Dist. 2) joined chairman Mike Lynch in cutting out construction of a new entrance to the building, improvements to the facade including a large digital sign, construction of cross corridors that would have improved movement through the building and renovation of four class rooms designated for use as part of the College and Career Academy. Those changes could be implemented in a Phase 3 project that would utilize as much as $3 million in state money if the county’s application for a grant for a new College and Career Academy is approved. That funding would not be avail able until after Jan. 1. Also, at Tuesday night’s meeting, the board voted to accept a state supervised study of school facilities in Greene County. School ad ministrators from five sur rounding counties toured the county and developed a list of recommended changes as part of a five- year plan. The school board is under no obligation to make the changes but in ac cepting the plan, the county qualifies for $2.3 million in state funds that can be used to improve Carson Middle School and Union Point Steam Academy. The board will develop its own facilities plan later in the year as part of the strategic planning process. Board members were also updated on the Lake Oconee Academy conflict with the Georgia Depart ment of Education over the school’s practice of allowing out-of-county residents to participate in the lottery se lection process. Applicants are only required to estab lish residency in Greene County if they are chosen for a slot at LOA, which the DOE says is a violation of the school’s charter with the board of education. WHO can help with your HOME financing needs? We Can LAND LOANS • CONSTRUCTION LOANS LONG-TERM PERMANENT FINANCING FMB ibankfmb.com 706.485.9858 1011 Lake Oconee Pkwy., Eatonton (at Harmony Crossing) Madison Office: 168 S. Main Street • 706-342-1440 LENDER
