Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

? egion Roundup Red Cross Cites Urgent Need For Several Blood Types ATHENS - Less than two weeks into the new year, the American Red Cross has a severe shortage of several blood types. Supplies of O negative, O positive, B nega tive, B positive and A negative blood are currently at less than a day’s supply despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month. These levels will drop further in the coming days without an imme diate increase in blood donations. It is especially crucial for type O and type B blood donors to donate within the next few days. These are the most commonly used blood types and are needed to treat patients every single day. O negative blood can be used for all patients, but it is essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and pregnant women. “There is a constant need for all blood types. At times like this when there is a severe shortage of the most widely used blood types on the shelves, it is felt across the region," said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region. “We need people to come out and donate." The American Red Cross encourages everyone who can give to donate blood as soon as possible. There are never enough blood donations made in Georgia to provide adequate blood for the patients in this state. Oftentimes, blood must be brought in from other states to routinely meet the needs here. However, during the winter, donations drop and the region’s supply of blood takes a huge dip to dangerously low levels. Blood drives are being held across Georgia at various times and locations. Donors are asked to visit www.givebloodredcross. org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The Southern Region needs 1,200 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply more than 130 hospitals and health care facilities in the state. Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Health Department Offers Vaccine Against Meningitis For a limited time, the Jackson County Health Department is offering Menactra vaccine for $14.75. The vaccine is offered on a 706-354-1539» Epps Bridge Pkwy. (Across from Super WalMart) first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Menactra vaccine provides pro tection against four strains of the bacteria N. meningitides, which causes most cases of bacterial meningitis. In the United States, about 1,400 to 2,800 cases are reported each year. Immunization is especially rec ommended for older children and young adults (age 11 and up). Those at risk for meningitis include college freshmen living in dormitories, someone with a damaged or removed spleen or those with an immune system disorder. Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the lining and fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. The primary symptoms are sudden onset of headache, fever and stiff neck, often with other symptoms such as nausea, vomit ing, sensitivity to light and a rash. Bacterial meningitis can result in death or permanent disability. The incidence of bacterial men ingitis is low compared to other infections, and the communica bility is low, so vaccination is not required for school or college. However, immunization is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of death and serious permanent consequences of this disease. Lula Woman To Lead DOT'S District One Teresa Waldrep of Lula has been named the district admin istrative officer for the 21 coun ties in Northeast Georgia that make up Georgia Department of Transportation’s District One. Waldrep has worked with DOT since 1976. She began her career as a clerk typist. She worked her way up through the administration division. Waldrep served as a sec retary typist, accounting techni cian, procurement officer, admin istrative services manager, legal services manager and assistant district administrative officer. Waldrep is now responsible for the administrative functions of District One, including per sonnel, training, safety, technol- ogy, purchasing and account ing. She supervises a staff of 20 and an annual operating budget of approximately $24 million. Waldrep assumed her new duties Jan. 16. “Teresa is an outstanding employee," said DOT district engineer Russell McMurry. “She is uniquely qualified to supervise our administrative office because she has worked in almost every WOODYARD Accounting 18 South Public Square Jefferson, GA 30549 - (706) 693-4280 - Timely And Affordable Tax Returns Individuals And Businesses 35 Years Of Experience facet of the office. “In 2005, Teresa won the ‘Commissioner’s Award of Merit’ for her outstanding work. As legal services officer, she processed over 160 open records requests. That’s a 20 percent increase over 2004.1 am sure Teresa will do her job to the best of her ability. She is an asset to the department and the state of Georgia," he added. Waldrep is a native of Hall County. Waldrep succeeds Darrell Pyeatt as District One administra tive officer. Boys & Girls Club Receives $15,000 Grant The Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County has been award ed a $15,000 grant by the Jackson EMC Foundation to purchase an outdoor fitness center for children ages five to eight at its Gordon Street facility in Jefferson. The clubs fitness and recreation program, one of its five core cur riculum areas, encourages healthy lifestyles, self respect and partici pation by helping students stay fit while understanding the relation ship between fitness and health. “As schools reduce the amount of physical education in their cur riculum, it’s especially important that students get daily exercise and physical activity. Those who do will have more energy and be able to stay more focused and alert during school," said Kathy Wilbanks, president of the club’s board of directors. The Gordon Street facility had no outdoor fit ness area. Foundation grants are funded through the Operation Round Up program, which rounds up partici pating members’ monthly electric bill to the next dollar amount, with an average contribution of $6 per year. Currently, 90 percent of Jackson EMC’s members partici pate in the Round Up program. Since its 2005 introduction, the Jackson EMC Foundation has awarded more than $2 million through 169 grants to organiza tions and 78 grants to individu als. Any individual or charitable organization in the ten counties served by Jackson EMC (Clarke, Banks, Bar row, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe) may apply for a Jackson EMC Foundation grant by completing a grant application, which can be completed online at http://www.jacksonemc.com/ Guidelines-for-Funding.l06.0.html or obtained at local Jackson EMC offices. Applicants need not be a member of Jackson EMC. Humane Society Seeks People To Adopt Animals The Humane Society of Jackson County has received its Department of Agriculture license, which enables it to rescue animals. In 2007, the Humane Society furthered its rescue efforts by establishing and implementing a foster program, which allows res cued animals to be fostered until a permanent home is found for them. In addition to the new foster program, the Humane Society of Jackson County also imple mented a new adoption program. The adoption program included numerous adoption events, as well as “Pet of the Week" ads. In 2007,89 animals were saved from being euthanized via the new fos ter and adoption programs. In an effort to help keep pet population down, the Humane Society implemented a new spay/ neuter program, and more than 80 pets were spayed or neutered. The success in 2007 could not have been achieved without the help of the volunteers of Jackson County, coordinators say, adding that the continued support of vol unteers is needed in 2008. The Humane Society is seeking new foster homes and has pets still in foster homes that are look ing for a permanent home. Established in 1998, the Humane Society of Jackson County was the vision of Marjorie Butler. The organization is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and donations are tax deductible. Member meetings are held at Beef O’Brady’s at 7 p.m. with meeting dates as follows: Feb. 4, April 7, June 2, Aug. 4, Oct. 6 and Nov. 3. Kroger, Food Lion and PetSense allow the Humane Society to leave donation barrels at their locations. For more information or to get involved, call 706-367-1111. Scouts Win Jackson EMC Grant For $4,850 The Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America has been awarded a $4,850 grant by the Jackson EMC Foundation for Eagle Scout Recognition Kits. Fareha Rahim, MD Internal Medicine We are now located at our new office at 613 Hospital Road Commerce, Georgia 30529 Commerce Medical Center 1 706-335-9411 \^CR^CD^C/BS^IGN^HMO/PPO^MERIGROU^AR^H^J “On average each year only 4 percent of Northeast Georgia’s 25,000 registered Scouts earn the Eagle Scout badge, the Boy Scout’s highest honor. The coun cil expects to present at least 200 Eagle Scout awards in 2008, and these recognition kits enable the council to properly recognize the outstanding young people who earn this distinction," said scout executive Trip Selman. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must fulfill require ments in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills; pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badg es, 21 of which must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout; dem onstrate participation in increas ingly more responsible service projects; and demonstrate lead ership skills by holding one or more specific youth positions of responsibility in his troop. Each recognition kit contains the Eagle Scout badge, Eagle Scout medal, father’s pin, moth er’s pin and certificate. Foundation grants are funded through the Operation Round Up program, which rounds up partici pating members’ monthly electric bill to the next dollar amount, with an average contribution of $6 per year. Currently, 90 percent of Jackson EMC’s members partici pate in the Round Up program. Since its 2005 introduction, the Jackson EMC Foundation has awarded more than $2 million through 169 grants to organiza tions and 78 grants to individu als. Any individual or charitable organization in the ten counties served by Jackson EMC (Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe) may apply for a Jackson EMC Foundation grant by completing a grant application, which can be completed online at http://www.jacksonemc.com/ Guidelines-for-Funding.l06.0.html or obtained at local Jackson EMC offices. Applicants need not be a member of Jackson EMC. BOC OKs Rezoning For South Jackson Car Dealership for the business. Commissioners Dwain Smith and Tom Crow and chairman Pat Bell voted in favor of the request, while Jody Thompson and Bruce Yates voted against it. Archer purchased the property after the Georgia Department of Transportation widened Hwy. 129 and took the land where his shop was located. The business had been located on Hwy. 129 since the 1960s. “I just want to replace what I had up the road," he said. Archer said he has asked all of the property owners in the area if they oppose the business locating on his property and no one does, he said. The planning staff and planning commission had recommended denial of the rezoning. “That railroad being there makes it a commercial-industrial area," said Crow. The approval came with the conditions that there be a 100- foot buffer between the business and residences; that there be no work after 11 p.m.; that the lot be paved to meet county codes; the building be re-inspected as a commercial building; and a plan review be completed. OTHER ZONING In other zoning business, the BOC: •postponed a request from ProLogis to rezone 198 acres on Toy Wright Road from A-2 to L-I to locate an industrial park. The developer asked that this be postponed until the April 21 BOC meeting. • unanimously approved a request from Day Design Group to rezone 15 acres at 7540 Hwy. 53 from A-2 to NRC to use the existing home for commercial purposes. •postponed until the Feb. 18 meeting a request from Susan Campbell to change zoning con dition for Wicklow Subdivision so that a fence buffer will no longer be required. The request was tabled until a landscape plan is submitted. •postponed action on a pro posed text amendment to the uni fied development code to address the land uses that are permitted to be applied toward the 20 percent minimum open space requirement for open space subdivisions. A rezoning request for a repair shop and used car dealership in South Jackson was approved by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners in a 3-2 vote Monday night. David Archer asked that his 6.03 acres at 129 Harrison Johnson Way be rezoned from A-2 to HRC NEED PRINTING? CALL 706-367-5233 $ 5 00 OFF Ticket Of s 2CP° Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only. La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Jefferson 173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 605 Athens Street 706-335-7458 706-367-5095 | The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. | “ROOF DOCTOR Roofing & Repair - Metal - Shingles - Flat Roofs - Flashing - Maintenance - Inspections HOMER CARVER OFFICE 706-677-1986 CELL 678-617-4503 FAX 706-677-1369 Dr. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) N. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) is now associated with Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia and will do all Invasive Cardiology Procedures at this facility. Commerce Cardiology Clinic Call 335-2000 for appointment KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL GET A HAIRCUT : 1 ^ Wood's 1441 North ^ Hwy 98 ■t* t lla Road 1- tn 5. th ens Commerce's Only Barber Shop Family Haircare Bill Wood, Owner Walk-Ins Welcome Wood Barber Shop 581 lla Road, Lot#l, Commerce (706) 335-5392 • Mon.-Fri. 8-6 FORTSON Well Drilling & Environmental Services, Inc. Residential & Commercial Services • 6” Drilled Wells • Water Filtration and Purification • Water Conditioning Systems • Irrigation Systems • Monitoring Wells • Remediation Wells Customer Satisfaction Is Important To Us. We Invite You To Check Us Out. PHONE 795-2717 FAX 795-3713 Located 5 Miles North Of Danielsville On Hwy. 281 Danielsville, Georgia On average, drivers who switched to Allstate saved $338 a year. Call me today. JOEL A HARBIN. CIC (706) 387-5030 38 SYCAMORE ST JEFFERSON JoelHarbin@allstate.com /instate You’re in good hands. Based on information reported by 5.291 new customers who purchased directly from an Allstate Customer Information Center Actual savings will vary insurance offered only with select companies and subject to availability and qualifications Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company. Northbrook. IL. © 2007 Allstate Insurance Company. Atlarita<, 1 Camping & ATLANTA EXPOSITION CENTER SOUTH SllN. 24-25-26-27 D V SUPERMARKET XV T RVs 0 BOOTHS 0 PRIZES 0 SEMINARS For more information, call 770-447-3334 E-Mail: info(2 atlnntarvshow.com • WEB SITE: www.atlantansliow.coni