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BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023
Banks County Elementary School third graders named Students of the Month are: (L-R) Sean Lipchinsky, Bree Ewing, Way-
Ion Morgan, Nezzie King, Declan Evans, Sawyer Layfield, Eli Culpepper, Jared Lian, Palin Bryant and Roxana Canedo. Not
pictured: Laura Dobbs
BCES Students of the Month named
Banks County Elementa
ry School has named Stu
dents of the Month.
Third graders named are:
Sean Lipchinsky- Bree Ew
ing, Waylon Morgan, Nez
zie King, Declan Evans,
Sawyer Layfield, Eh Cul
pepper, Jared Lian, Palin
Bryant, Roxana Canedo and
Laura Dobbs.
FOURTH GRADE
Fourth graders named
are: Izaiah Aguilar, Eli Bal
lard, Carson Fowler, Kaiden
Lewis, MaKenna Wehunt,
Kinsley Thomason, Autumn
Seabolt, Addalyn Daniel.
Not pictured: Jaxon McCur-
ley and Annastyn Meeks.
FIFTH GRADE
Fifth graders named are:
Keniel Parker, Lucas Wil
liamson, Kinsley Blake,
Masen Baugh, Dylan Mc
Duffie, Paighton Maney,
Piper Williford, Charlie
Williams and Aiden King.
Sen. Hatchett carries
legislation
governor’s
Approves
governor's order
on Fuel Tax
Suspension
Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cor-
nelia) has announced the
passage of House Reso
lution 3 EX, which ratifies
Governor Brian P. Kemp’s
Executive Orders to sus
pend the collection of motor
fuel and diesel fuel taxes
in response to the state of
emergency caused by infla
tion.
Sen. Hatchett, who car
ried the resolution in the
Senate remarked, “As hard
working Georgians and their
families continue to weather
40-year high inflation and
face uncertain economic
headwinds due to failed pol
icies and reckless spending
in Washington, D.C., this
suspension delivered direct
relief to Georgians during
times of economic uncer
tainty. I believe it demon
strates our commitment
to putting the needs of our
constituents first. I extend
to confirm
tax cut
my sincere appreciation to
Gov. Kemp for his swift and
decisive action in response
to the challenges Georgians
are facing across the state.
His dedication to putting
Georgians first does not go
unnoticed, and I am proud
to have collaborated on this
resolution to support his ef
forts.”
The resolution, officially
adopted by the General As
sembly of Georgia, ratifies
the suspension of motor fuel
and diesel fuel taxes as de
clared by Governor Kemp’s
executive orders.
These measures were
enacted to address the eco
nomic strain caused by in
flation and to alleviate the
financial burden on Geor
gia’s residents.
Sen. Bo Hatchett serves
as a Governor’s Adminis
tration Floor Leader. He
represents the 50th Sen
ate District which includes
Banks, Franklin, Habersh
am, Rabun, Stephens and
Towns County and portions
of Hall, Jackson, and White
counties. He can be reached
by phone at 404.463.5257
or by email at bo.hatchett@
senate.ga.gov.
County students
graduate from UGA
Banks County Elementary School fourth grade named Student of the Month are: (L-R) Izaiah Aguilar, Eli Ballard, Carson
Fowler, Kaiden Lewis, MaKenna Wehunt, Kinsley Thomason, Autumn Seabolt and Addalyn Daniel. Not pictured: Jaxon Mc-
Curley, Annastyn Meeks
Three Banks County residents will be among the grad
uates of the University of Georgia recognized during the
upcoming commencement ceremonies.
The fall undergraduate ceremony will take place at
10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, while the fall graduate ceremo
ny will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
Banks County graduates include: Gideon Padtha and
Chase Wilbanks, both of Baldwin, and Samuel Wilson of
Homer.
“We are delighted to celebrate the incredible achieve
ments of our University of Georgia students in the Class of
2023,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Commencement
offers students, friends and families an opportunity to rec
ognize the tireless dedication UGA students have shown
during their time on campus. We look forward to seeing all
the great things these students will go on to do as alumni of
the University of Georgia.”
Georgia tax revenues
increase slightly in Nov.
Banks County Elementary School fifth graders named Students of the Month are: (L-R) Keniel Parker, Lucas Williamson,
Kinsley Blake, Masen Baugh, Dylan McDuffie, Paighton Maney, Piper Williford and Charlie Williams. Not pictured: Aiden
King
Baldwin looks at reading
program to promote literacy
By KARLEE CALDWELL
The Baldwin City Coun
cil discussed, at its meeting
last week, implementing
a free program called the
Mayor’s Reading Club to
help literacy rates for chil
dren in the area.
This would be a Geor
gia Municipal Association
(GMA) initiative to al
low the City of Baldwin to
design and participate in
events that target children
ages 4-11.
This will be designed
where the mayor, employ
ees, and citizens can vol
unteer to read to children
within the community and
highlight the importance of
reading and writing.
This will also include an
effort to raise money for the
addition of a free library sta
tion at the Farmers’ Market
and several reading events..
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the
work session, the city coun
cil:
•heard a request for an
addition to the policy for
the revocation of cemetery
plots.
This policy would include
the options given to some
one wanting to return a va
cant plot that is no longer
needed.
•discussed the addition of
a City of Ethics ordinance
and City of Civility reso
lution which was not met
positively by several coun
cil members. Although the
idea was meant as a remind
er for city employees to be
respectful, council members
found it unfair to put it into
a rule format.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
•City Offices will be
closed on December 22 and
December 25 in observance
of the Christmas holiday
and January 1 in observance
of New Year’s Day.
•City Hall will be op
erating by drive-through
and appointment only from
Tuesday, December 26
through Friday, December
29. To make an appointment
with a member of city hall
staff, call 706-778-6341.
By Dave Williams
Capitol Beat News Service
State tax collections rose slightly last month compared
to November of last year, the Georgia Department of Rev
enue reported Friday.
The state brought in $2.32 billion in November, up 1.5%
over the same month a year ago.
Tax receipts increased by 3.3% during the first five
months of fiscal 2024, driven primarily by the state collect
ing the sales tax on gasoline and motor fuels during much
of the period.
The gas tax was suspended during much of the compara
ble period last year.
Not counting gasoline tax revenue, state tax revenues
for July through November declined 1.7% compared to the
same months last year. Individual income tax collections
increased slightly - just 0.5% - last month compared to
November 2022.
Net sales taxes rose by 1.7% in November.
Typically more volatile corporate income tax receipts
were up by 48.4% last month, largely due to a huge 219.3%
jump in corporate tax return payments.
Baldwin hosts Shop with a Hero
program for community youth
Since 2011, the City of
Baldwin has been partici
pating in the annual Shop
with a Hero event.
Throughout each year
Baldwin Police and Fire de
partments collect money to
help provide Christmas gifts
to those in need.
This year, on December
11 at 9 a.m., Baldwin police
officers and firefighters met
at the Walmart in Cornelia
for the annual event. Dona
tions in support of the event
are accepted year round at
Baldwin Fire Department.
Fire Chief Joe Roy has
been the organizer of the
event since 2011.
“We always look for ways
to interact with the public,”
Chief Roy said. “We always
go to the schools for Pub
lic Safety Week. We would
hear stories from the teach
ers about children not hav
ing good Christmases. We
wanted to help, and that’s
one way we could.”
PUBLIC MEETINGS ... FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH
you can list your group’s meetings!
Banks County News • Jackson Herald
Madison County Journal • Braselton News
Call 706-367-5233 to list your meetings!
COMMERCE
Igp AMERICAN LEGION
Post 93 • Meets 2nd Thurs., 7:00 p.m.
Wayne Brown, Commander
Phone (404)310-7177
Commerce Civic Center, Commerce, GA
12971
MADISON COUNTY
DEMOCRATS
Meet Monthly
For Time, Date & Location:
Facebook:
MadisonC ounty GaDemocrats
Or mcgademocrats .wixsite .com/mcdp
JEFFERSON ROTARY CLUB
Meets Tuesdays 12:00 Noon
Jackson County
Historic Courthouse
85 Washington St., Jefferson
Holly McShane, President
706-768-0456 i 2626
4660
St. Catherine Laboure
Catholic Church
Mass Schedule: Sat. 4:00 p.m. Sun. 10:00 a.m, Tues. 12:10 p.m.
Mon,, Wed, Thurs. & Fri. 10:00 a.m, Spanish Sun. 8:00 a.m.
Website: www.stcatherinelabourega.org
706-367-7220
BANKS COUNTY 13004
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Meets first Monday each month
7:00 p.m. in the Banks County
Historical Courthouse at
105 U. S. Hwy441 North in
Homer, GA
12972
JL, ROCKWELL
rW\ LODGE F& AM
No. 191, Hoschton, GA
2nd Tues. at 7:30 p.m. • Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
www.rockwelllodgel91 .com
Two blocks behind Larry's Garage
West Broad at Hall Street
12969 .
Tri-County
f Shrine Club
3rd Thurs. of each month
7:30 p.m.
Rockwell Lodge 191
12619
JEFFERSON
fgp AMERICAN LEGION
Post 56 • Meets 3rd Tues, 6:30 p.m.
Joe Ruttar, Commander
Phone (860) 949-4037
309 Lee St., Jefferson, GA
KIWANIS
OF JEFFERSON
Meetings every 2 nd & 4 th
Monday at Noon
Cream & Shuga
Contact Darryl Gumz at
770-605-6656 for more info.
Pilot Club of Jefferson
Meets 3rd Tuesday of
each month, 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson City Clubhouse
706-367-9313 or
706-693-4715 12625
