Newspaper Page Text
The True Citizen, Wednesday, August 3, 2016 — Page 7A
DOT urges " safety first" as
students head back to school
Students heading back to school means more traffic, increased
congestion and the need for extra safety precautions.
As back-to-school season gets into full
swing, the Georgia Department of Transporta
tion this week urged drivers to put safety first
- especially in and around school zones,
buses and children. From school buses
loading and unloading, to kids walk
ing and biking, to parents dropping
off and picking up - dangers abound.
• Pay attention to school zone flashing
beacons, and obey school zone speed
limits.
• Obey school bus laws.
• Stop behind/do not pass a school bus that
is stopped to load or unload children.
• If the lights are flashing and the stop arm
is extended, opposing traffic must stop un
less it is on a divided highway with a grass or
concrete median.
• Watch for students gathering near bus stops, and for kids
arriving late, who may dart into the street. Children often are
unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.
According to the National Safety Council, most children who
lose their lives in school bus-related inci
dents are four to seven years old, walking
and are hit by the bus or a motorist illegally
passing a stopped bus.
“It's never more important for drivers to
slow down and pay attention than when
kids are present - especially in the peak
traffic hours before and after school"
said District Engineer Jimmy Smith.
“If you're driving behind a school bus,
increase your following distance to allow
more time to stop once the lights start to
flash. The 10-foot area around a school bus
is the most dangerous for children; stop far
enough back to give them space to safely
enter and exit the bus.”
Whenever you drive - be alert and expect
the unexpected. By exercising a little extra care and cau
tion, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in and around
school zones.
LOCAL GAS PRICES BELOW STATE, NATIONAL AVERAGES
At an average price of $1.88
per gallon, gasoline prices in
Waynesboro are below the
state and national averages.
Gas prices continue to fall all
over the country, reaching this
week's national average price of
$2.14 per gallon, which is the
lowest mark since April and the
lowest price for this date since
2004. This week's price is 15
cents less than one month ago,
53 cents less than last year, and
$1.38 cheaper than this same
date two years ago. While gas
prices are likely to remain rela
tively low heading into the fall,
there is potential for an increase
if there is an unexpected impact
to supply or distribution, such as
a hurricane.
"Motorists are seeing some of
the cheapest gas prices for this
time of year in over a decade,"
said Josh Carrasco, spokesman,
AAA - The Auto Club Group.
"Abundant fuel supplies and
declining oil prices are the
main contributors to the drop in
price at the pump. It's between
$5-$7 cheaper to fill your tank
compared to last year, and those
savings are motivating more
Americans than ever to take a
road trip this summer."
Georgia gas prices have de
clined for 52 of the past 55 days,
falling 28 cents over that period.
Gas prices fell below the $2
mark on July 27th for the first
time since March. The aver
age price of a gallon of regular
gasoline is $ 1.99 which is 1 cent
cheaper than a week ago, 16
cents lower than a month ago,
and 52 cents less than this time
last year. The lowest regional
averages in the state are Albany
($1,861), Macon ($1,891), and
Valdosta ($1,924). 68 % of all
Georgia gas stations have prices
below $2 a gallon.
Despite paying the lowest
seasonal prices in 12 years,
there is always the possibility
that unexpected events could
lead to higher prices later this
summer. For example, crude oil
costs could rise due to disrup
tions in supply, stronger than
expected economic growth, or
geopolitical tensions overseas.
In addition, regional prices
could increase due to refinery
problems, production cuts,
stronger than anticipated de
mand or hurricanes that impact
distribution and production.
At the close of Friday’s formal
trading session on the NYMEX,
WTI was down $1.53 on the
week to settle at $41.60 per
barrel.
AAA updates fuel price aver
ages daily at www.GasPrices.
AAA.com. Every day up to
120,000 stations are surveyed
based on credit card swipes and
direct feeds in cooperation with
the Oil Price Information Ser
vice (OPIS) and Wright Express
for unmatched statistical reli
ability. All average retail prices
in this report are for a gallon of
regular, unleaded gasoline.
ESTATE SALE - LOG HOMES
PAY THE BALANCE OWED ONLY!!!
AMERICAN LOG HOMES IS ASSISTING FINAL RELEASE
| OF ESTATE & ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT ON HOUSES.
3 Log Horn for BALANCE (ME, FREE DEMY
1) Model#101 Carolina $40,840...BALANCEOWED$17,000
2) Model#303 Little Rod $38,525...BALANCEOWED
3) Model #403 Augusta $42,450...BALANCE OWED
in
NEW- HOMES HAVE NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED
• Make any plan design changes you desire!
• Comes with Complete Building Blueprints &
Construction Manual
• Windows, Doors, and Roofing not included
• NO TIME LIMIT FOR DELIVERY! BBB
A+ Rating
SERIOUS ONLY REPLY. Call (7D4>602-3035 ask for Accounting Dept
An invitation for Residents and Friends
of Shell Bluff/Burke County, GA to meet
with officials from the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Community Meeting
Monday, August 15th
2-4 PM
Burke County Library, auditorium
EPA officials who will be present
include the following:
Matthew Tejada - Director,
EPA Office of Environmental Justice,
Washington, DC
Tami Thomas-Burton, MPH
Environmental Scientist, Office of
Environmental Justice & Sustainability,
EPA - Region 4
Atlanta, GA
Rob Pope, Senior Remedial Project
Manager, Superfund Division,
EPA - Region 4,
Atlanta, GA
Kyle Bryant, Community Involvement
Coordinator, Superfund Division,
EPA - Region 4,
Atlanta, GA
Georgia WAND is pleased to
announce that officials from the
Environment Protection Agency (EPA)
will be coming to Burke County next
month. They are interested in learning
about the environmental constraints
facing the residents of Shell Bluff/
Burke County area, the community,
and environment.
There will be space on the agenda
for community members to share
their concerns, stories, and thoughts.
The EPA has expressed that they will
be there to listen, in order to help
discern a path forward. We are
hoping you will join us for this
important discussion.
Please RSVP with me or with
Johnna Szegda at
becky@georgiawand.org
or 404-524-5999.
You can reach me or Johnna
at this number.
Be a voice for your community!
Stand in solidarity with Shell Bluff!
WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?
Next week’s elementary school lunch menu for Burke County Public Schools:
MONDAY: Hot Dog or Turkey & Cheese Wrap w/ lettuce & ranch
Choices: French Fries, Baked Bean, Cole Slaw, Fresh Cantaloupe, Cookie
TUESDAY: Lasagna w/ parmesan roll or Chicken Salad Sandwich
Choices: Broccoli Salad, Oven Fried Okra, Raw Veggies w/ ranch, Fresh Seasonal Fruit,
Rosy Applesauce
WEDNESDAY: Brunswick Stew w/ brown rice & blueberry muffin or Yogurt & Granola w/
string cheese & crackers
Choices: Collard Greens; Black-eyed Peas, Squash Casserole, Orange Sections, Pineapple
& Cherries
THURSDAY: Hamburger or Bologna &Cheese Sandwich
Choices: Tossed Salad w/dressing, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Peas & Carrots, Banana, Cin
namon Rolls
FRIDAY: BBC Chicken or Tuna Pasta Salad w/ lettuce & crackers
Choices: Green Beans, Carrot Souffle, Steamed Cauliflower; Apple Wedges; Fruit Mallow
Packaged salad and 8 oz. skim, chocolate or strawberry milk are served with each day’s
choice of entrees and sides.
Check those backpacks for backs safety!
With students heading back
to the classroom this month, it’s
time to review some basic safe
ty tips to ensure your youngster
doesn’t have to worry about
back pain on top of getting
good grades.
“If a backpack is too heavy
or if it’s worn incorrectly, that
can create all kinds of problems
for students at any age,” said Dr.
Edwin Davis, D.C., president of
the Georgia Chiropractic As
sociation. “The most obvious
symptom would be back pain,
but it could lead to strain and
pain in other parts of the body,
as well.
“The correct size matters,
too,” Davis added. “A backpack
that’s too small can lead to nerve
or circulation problems.”
There are many things both
parents and students can do to
ensure a safe, comfortable fit,
including:
• Make sure the backpack
has wide shoulder straps and
a waist belt to help distribute
weight more evenly. On that
note, students should use both
shoulder straps when carry
ing the backpack, as opposed
to simply slinging it over one
shoulder.
• Adjust the shoulder straps
so the backpack doesn’t hang
down more than 4 inches be
low the student’s waistline. A
low-hanging backpack creates
unnecessary shoulder strain.
• The student should only
carry what’s necessary, leaving
any unneeded books and materi
als either at home or in a locker,
if provided. According to the
American Chiropractic Associa
tion, a backpack should weigh
no more than 5 -10 percent of the
student’s bodyweight.
like us on
facebook
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
TO RECOVERY! ** 1
■ Free Counseling
■ Free Insurance Assessment
* Gentle Treatment opt to U5
ADDICTION HdPE S HELP LINE
WITH SOMSONk WHO CARES
Fall Semester 2016
Classes Start On
AUGUST 15TH
Apply Now!
AUGUSTA
COLLEGE
216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830
A Uful of tb* Tifjbhfiicnl CoH-tige Stjatcnj nF | Equnl Ojiporiuninj Iriivtititlfmi