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WEDNESDAY, JULY 19,2023
Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 12 Pages, 1 Section Plus Supplements
Vol. 57 No. 31
Democrats
to meet
Thursday
The Banks County Dem
ocrats will have the regular
monthly meeting at Homer
City Hall on Thursday, July
20, at 6 p.m.
The program will be a
conversation with Rep.
Chris Erwin.
All are welcome, leaders
say.
BOE plans
for new
school year
By HANNAH CAUDELL
The Banks County Board
of Education discussed at
a meeting Thursday after
noon preparations for the
upcoming school year in
anticipation for the first day
of school on Aug. 1.
During the meeting,
the board members talked
about finalizing the budget
and access to additional re
sources. According to Su
perintendent Dr. Ann Hop
kins, the tentative budget
for the 2023-2024 school
year is roughly 95 percent
finished. The board is also
looking into finalizing the
provision of additional re
sources for educators for the
upcoming school year.
Dr. Hopkins also stated
that beginning in August,
the principals from each
school will present a school
improvement plan before
the board each month. Dr.
Hopkins hopes that follow
ing the years of COVID-19
restrictions, the school sys
tem will be able to focus
more on academics and im
proving instructional tech
niques.
Board members also
discussed the induction of
new employees that could
be hired at all four schools
in preparation for the new
school year. As of now, the
schools are looking at can
didates to teach in the En
glish as a second language,
science, and athletic pro
grams, as well as parapros
at the elementary and high
school levels.
The board voted to ap
prove the salary schedule
for the school year, as well
as the annual adoption of the
public participation clause
in board meetings and the
School Food and Nutrition
vendor approval list.
Continued on Page 3
MAILING LABEL
Photos by Jamie Dailey
A man crashed into a Banks County business after fleeing a murder scene in Madison County.
Man found dead after crashing
into Banks County business
BYANGELA GARY
A man fleeing a shooting
in Madison County that left
one dead and another in
jured crashed into a Banks
County business Friday af
ternoon.
The man went through a
fence and traveled 150 feet
and crashed into the offices
at Caudell’s. Machine. The
building received signifi
cant damage but no one was
injured.
“We will begin the pro
cess of rebuilding,” Bobby
Caudell stated. “ Thanks
to all those who called and
helped out. We appreciate
your help and concerns.”
The man, William Blaine
Epps, was involved in a
shooting at a Garnett Ward
Road residence in Hull.
The Madison County Sher
iff’s Office responded to
a residence around 8 a.m.
after Epps reportedly shot
a woman believed to be his
girlfriend as well as an el
derly man. The woman was
reported deceased at the
scene.
Epps then left the resi
dence in an unknown di
rection of travel driving a
black 2009 Volvo V70 sta
tion wagon with Georgia
tag AIZ7180. According to
the sheriff’s office, he was
later confirmed deceased in
Banks County.
pATBOL,
This was the scene of a crash in Banks County Friday afternoon.
Business heavily damaged in fire
BYANGELA GARY
A Banks County business
was heavily damaged in a
fire Friday afternoon.
The Banks County Fire
and Emergency Services
Responded to the business
of Quick Site on Industrial
Park Drive on a reported
structure fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters
found a large business uti
lized for a recycling facility
with a large amount of fire
showing.
“The fire was started on
the outside wall and had ex
tended to the building,” fire
chief Steve Nichols states.
“The fire consumed three
of the five buildings on the
site before it was contained.
Heavy damage is listed for
several buildings in the
complex.”
The fire scene was still
active Monday with fire
crews working on hot spots
and, with the assistance of
the business, removing de
bris and product from the
remaining structures.
“A cause and origin in
vestigation is underway
with the Banks County Fire
Department, State Fire Mar
shalls Office and numerous
other agencies conducting
the review,” Nichols states.
Heat and exhaustion inju
ries were reported from four
fire personnel during the in
cident and they were treated
on the scene.
Assistance was received
from the Jackson County
Correctional Institute Fire
Department, along with as
sistance from Commerce
and Bold Springs fire de
partments.”
The scene of a Banks County business fire on Friday afternoon is shown.
Judy Harper
appointed to serve on
Homer City Council
By HANNAH CAUDELL
The Homer City Council officially appointed Judy Harp
er as a new council member and Angie Bullock as a quali
fying officer at its June meeting.
The council also discussed the codification of ordinances
and amending zoning ordinances, while also hearing from
Downtown Development Authority Treasurer Kellie Jones
about the planning of upcoming events in the community.
The council began the meeting with a motion to ap
prove the appointment of Judy Harper to the city council.
All were in favor of Harper’s appointment, and she stood
before the council while city attorney David Syfan swore
her in. Harper will be serving out the term of the late Jerry
Payne.
The council also motioned to approve Angie Bullock as
a qualifying officer.
The council also discussed the codification of ordinances
of the town. According to attorney Syfan, a proposed draft
of the codification of ordinances of the town has been cre
ated by Municode, who the council hired as a contractor
for the project.
Because of the volume of ordinances that needed to be
codified, Municode has proposed a price of $25 per page,
totalling to a close estimate of $10,000. The council has
not decided whether they will contest the price or not, but
have considered paying for the service through SPLOST
funds.
Council members considered three zoning ordinances
that will be discussed by the Planning and Zoning Com
mittee at the end of the month. The ordinances could po
tentially be amended to allow home occupations in land
residential districts and to allow any sized grocery store to
operate inside the city. As of now, the ordinance allows for
grocery stores with a limited space of 10,000 square feet.
Removing that limitation would allow for larger compa
nies and pharmacies to operate within city limits.
The council approved of the city joining the Rotary Club
during the meeting. The Rotary Club is the only service
organization in the county. Council member James Dumas
motioned to approve their membership in order to promote
community outreach and to better assist the educational
community.
The council also heard from Downtown Development
Authority Treasurer Kellie Jones about the upcoming
events that the DDA is planning for the community. She
announced the Labor Day celebration for the town, themed
“One Leopard Nation.”
This year, the Labor Day festival will begin with a pep
rally on Friday, Sept. 1. On Saturday, Sept. 2, there will be
a parade at 10 a.m. The DDA has also chosen their Grand
Marshall, but are in need of a convertible for the nominee
to ride in.
The DDA is also planning on hosting the first annual
Pumpkin Festival in Homer Town Park on Oct. 21. The
festival does not have a set time as of right now, but it will
begin with a children’s parade for ages zero to 12. They are
allowed to decorate any human-powered or battery-pow
ered bike, trike, or Power Wheels, as long as the vehicle
of choice is pumpkin-themed. North Georgia Produce will
help to provide the pumpkins.
The DDA also invited residents to shop at the local farm
ers market on the third Saturday of each month in Homer
Town Park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spots for vendors are first
come first serve at zero cost.
The council ended the meeting with a discussion on the
progress of the well on Evans Street and issues that were
discussed at the Georgia Municipal Association Confer
ence.
Council member Dumas gave an update on the well
repairs on Evans Street, estimating that the construction
could conclude by the end of the year. As of now, the coun
cil is waiting on equipment to arrive for construction to
continue.
Council member Dumas also gave a report on his atten
dance at the Georgia Municipal Association Conference.
At the conference, the Georgia Environmental Protection
Division discussed the possibility that cities in Georgia
would be responsible in replacing any lead piping that
could still be present in water systems.
By October 2024, cities in Georgia are expected to have
any remaining lead piping replaced with a safer equivalent.
To fund such a potential project, the council discussed pos
sible solutions in the form of grants, loans, and vouchers.
CHEERLEADING CAMP HELD
Photo by Hannah Caudell
The young cheerleaders participating in a camp perform one
of their more complicated stunts in the routine before their
parents, garnering a round of applause from the proud on
lookers. See more photos on Page 12.