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City and County police blotters Page 9 oo oo to CO CO CO CJl Volume 148 GREENSBORO, GA 30642 GREENE COUNTY, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 NUMBER 20 Judge LaVerne Ogletree completes statewide certification program GaXtracts surging toward opening its Union Point facility Contributed By David Kopp L To R: Commissioner Dee Lindsey, Union Point Mayor Lanier Rhodes, State Representative Trey Rhodes, Councilmen John Rhodes and Jimmy Scott, David Kopp, Julie Gill, Jim Gill and CEO Don Barden Recently, it was announced that Judge LaVerne Ogletree of the Greene County Probate Court had met the necessary requirements for completing the statewide traffic certificate program for probate judges. In 2017, under the leadership of Judge Rooney Bowen, III of the Dooly County Probate Court who was serving as the Council president at that time, the Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia, in conjunction with the Institute of Continuing Mike Lynch, Chairman of the Greene County Board of Education, called the May meeting of the board to order Monday evening from the comfort of his home. This was the first virtual meeting of the Board of Education that had board members interacting from their homes. The meeting was live- streamed for the public on the Greene County School System YouTube channel. Many residents were interested to hear the outcome of the fourth item on the Action Agenda, listed as LOA Student Cap. Superintendent Dr. Chris Houston made the recommendation to increase the student cap at Lake Oconee Academy from 994 to 1,006forthe 2021 FY. After Chairman Lynch received a motion and a second to approve the recommendation of the superintendent, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. Earlier in the meeting Chairman Lynch asked the principals to provide an update regarding distance learning implemented across the nation when the COVID-19 pandemic caused everyone, including businesses and schools, to shelter in place. James Peek, GCHS principal, responded advising the board that his faculty had been given information on Google Classrooms prior to the Judicial Education, established a statewide certification program specifically for probate judges who have traffic jurisdiction. The primary objectives of the multi-year, comprehensive program are to increase the knowledge and skills of each respective probate judge who has traffic jurisdiction and to promote high standards for those probate courts to better adjudicate traffic cases. Judge Danielle McRae of the Upson Probate Court, who school closure. He added that overall the use of Chromebooks has kept them on pace but noted the difficulty for some students that didn’t possess enough knowledge of a subject to allow them the same learning environment that being in a classroom with a teachers would. Dr. Russell Brock, CMS principal, noted that with the assistance of Kevin Strickland, Technology Director, they introduced Google Classroom to the teachers a few years ago in case of a school closure from inclement weather. Because of that, CMS teachers were prepared for procedures for distance learning. Brock noted that most students responded well to the change in classroom settings considering this was a world-wide pandemic. Mrs. Ashlie Miller, GCPS principal, noted that Chromebooks are used for second and third graders but not for the youngest students in K-1st grade. Teachers and parapros still conducted small groups to work on site words and assist the students with adapting to the change in settings. She reported that 92% of parents are on ClassDojo, a free app for smartphones and tablets that claims to “connect teachers with students and parents to build amazing classroom communities." In addition to this type of communication, currently serves as the chair of the Council’s Traffic/Criminal Jurisdiction Committee and served as the chair of the ad hoc committee that created the structure of the traffic certification program, highlighted the importance of why the program has proved to be beneficial for the probate judges who have completed the program. “Quite frankly, this is a groundbreaking program and the judges who have successfully completed it have all expressed how this program has made them infinitely more confident in the manner in which they adjudicate traffic cases and more importantly, how it has allowed them to introduce greater efficiencies for the probate courts that they oversee. We look forward to many more years of providing our traffic judges with top-notch training and resources.” Ogletree was scheduled to receive her certificate at a formal ceremony last month, but the event was canceled, due to declared public health emergencies related to COVID-19. Ogletree is the first probate judge in Greene County to complete this program. Along with Judge Ogletree, more than 80 other probate judges also successfully completed the program. the staff made over 100 home visits to assist the students and parents. It was important for the staff to stay connected with the children through morning announcements, Dr. Christa Deissler, media specialist, sharing an incredible story with the students and teachers checking with parents through phone calls. Chairman Mike Lynch commended the principals and their staff for the efforts during this time. Lynch asked for an update from the Transportation Dept, regarding delivery of meals to students. Mrs. Weaver noted that the bus drivers were delivering approximately 4,000 meals per week. She also noted that a bus that contained WiFi equipment was used to assist students with the ability to complete online assignments. Other items passed with a unanimous vote were: 4-H Contract - The recommendation was to approve the annual contract with the University of Georgia Board of Regents for 4-H services in the amount of $32,340. Computer Switches at GCHS - The recommendation was to approve Meerkat to provide and install Fortinet switches at the Greene County High School at a price of $24,080.00, to be paid from 2014 ESPLOST and Continued on Page 2 GaXtracts, (pronounced “Georgia Extracts”), the Watkinsville molecular extraction and consumer product company is opening a hemp-based manufacturing facility in Union Point, and has informed this newspaper that it has plans to begin producing for sale its manufactured hand sanitizer, “Botanif”, by the end of this month. It has already received over $1 million in orders for the product, and is in the process of setting up a potential employee screening process. The company is anticipating hiring up to 200 workers within a year, at a beginning wage rate level of $15.00 per hour. Announcement of details about how to apply with the company will be detailed and released in the near future on its website [www.gaxtracts.com]. The company, headed by CEO Don Barden, also informed the newspaper that GaXtracts is working directly with the University of Georgia to determine which type of seeds will fit the climate of Georgia A 29-year-old Union Point man was arrested early Sunday after he reportedly tried to choke a woman who had come to his recreational vehicle to visit him, local authorities say. The suspect was identified as Kaleb Lynn Edmonds, of the 2300 block of Randolph Church Road, according to an incident report filed by Greene County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Michael Holloway. Edmonds was charged with aggravated assault and later farmers’ soil and environmental conditions for hemp production. Everything seems to depend on the farmer’s location in the state. They are assisting with UGA’s current evaluation of 24 different variations of the crop, which leads to maximize hemp product growth in Georgia. Hemp is legal and is used in many current products. GaXtracts specializes in plant growth as well as the molecular extraction of CBD oil from the hemp. CBD usage in products used by the public is strictly overseen by the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as the USDA and local agencies, all of which are in the process of studying appropriate public usage. For example, the oil has recently been federally approved for inclusion and use in two drugs which treat epilepsy disorders in young children. Some are predicting that various types of legal-level hemp crops will soon be grown all over the state by farmers as a primary source of income. taken to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center in Greensboro where he was jailed. The incident reportedly happened shortly after 1 a.m. at the suspect’s RV, according to the report. A woman identified as Jordan Wonzy, of Atlanta, told Sgt. Holloway that she went to the RV to visit Edmonds, whom she said was a friend. The woman reportedly told the deputy that when she got ready to leave that her friend became While many farmers are familiar and excited to begin hemp production, everyone is quick to clarify that hemp is not marijuana. While only a single DNA strand separates the two plants, industrial hemp does not have the ability to create a psychoactive affect as its cousin in the cannabis world. Hemp, has been used for fiber since the colonial days in the US, and is roaring back now that technology has advanced, and the plant’s molecular structure can be harvested as well. Formore background regarding GaXtracts and the increasing legal growing of hemp, now in 47 US states (including Georgia in 2019), as well as how Union Point worked for a lengthy period of time to get this manufacturing industry with many new jobs into the community, take a look on page 6 inside this week’s edition. There is even a quick look back at the manufacturing “tradition” that was the town of Union Point. “irate”, cornered her in his RV and refused to let her leave. Wonzy told the deputy that when she attempted to leave that Edmonds grabbed her by the throat and started choking her. The victim said once she was able to get free that she ran to the lodge for help. Sgt. Holloway said he saw red marks around the woman’s neck and bruises on her arms. The deputy asked the victim Continued on Page 2 GC Board of Education votes unanimously to fund 1,006 students at Lake Oconee Academy for 2021 FY Judge from the Dublin Judicial Circuit appointed to Stephen Eagleton’s appeal A judge from outside of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit has been appointed to handle Stephen Eagleton’s appeal of a ruling that disqualified him as a candidate for Judge of the Probate Court of Greene County. Mr. Eagleton filed paperwork to qualify as a candidate for judge on March 6, 2020, and J. Leighton Channell subsequently filed a petition challenging Mr. Eagleton’s qualifications as a candidate. At a hearing held on April 15, the Greene County Board of Elections and Registration voted unanimously to disqualify Mr. Eagleton as a candidate for probate court judge, finding that the evidence presented did not support Mr. Eagleton’s assertion that he had been domiciled in Greene County for two consecutive years prior to qualifying for election. Mr. Eagleton filed an appeal of the Board’s ruling in the Superior Court of Greene County on April 24. The Honorable Donald W. Gillis, Administrative Judge of the Eighth Judicial Administrative District, filed an order on May 11 appointing the Honorable Jon F. Helton from the Dublin Judicial Circuit to handle the appeal. Authorities arrest Union Point man for aggravated assault By BILLY W. HOBBS, Herald-Journal Correspondent Greensboro, Georgia | 855-595-1480 See all offers at www.JimmyBrittChevrolet.com Offering Service Pick-up, Drop-off, Loaner Vehicles, and now FREE Sanitation of every Serviced Vehicle. Contact us for more details.
