About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2023)
PAGE 2A 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
