About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2025)
Banks County News www.BanksNewsTODAY.com Banks County’s Legal Organ WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 $1.00 • Homer, Banks County, GA 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • 12 Pages, 1 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 59 No. 30 WORLD WAR II VETERAN CELEBRATING 99THBIRTHDAY Mr. J.D. Johnson, a mission ary to prisons and life-long preacher, is celebrating his 99th birthday. His church, Temple Baptist Church, will be holding a birthday cele bration for him on May 10. Mr. Johnson is a World War II veteran. PROM KING AND QUEEN Photo by Randy Crump Shayna Vickery and Cam Cooper were named prom king and queen at the Banks County High School prom. See more photos on Page 12. Homer leaders plan special events including Mother-Daughter tea The Homer Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has several planned events this year, including a Moth er-Daughter Tea on May 16 at 151 Athens Street. Other events coming up includes the following: •May 17, community yard sale and farmers market at Homer Park (farmers market to be held every third Sat urday). •June (date to be determined), Superhero lunch for kids and dads. •July 4, fireworks at the recreation department. •Aug. 2, back to school supplies and open house at the Alliance Community Center, located at 151 Athens Street. •Aug. 29, Labor Day Festival, parade to be at 10 a.m. •Oct. 11, Pumpkin Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with pa rade at 10 a.m. •Dec. 6, Christmas in the Park. For more information, email ddahomerga@gmail.com. BCSO apprehends murder suspect from Columbus Blood drive planned by BCSO The Banks County Sher iff’s Office is sponsoring a blood drive beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 12. The blood drive will be held at the Banks County Recreation Department. The Banks County Sher iff’s Office arrested a mur der suspect traveling on I-85 after an alert was issued out of Columbus. On Monday, April 28, the sheriff’s office received a BOLO (be on lookout) for a murder suspect out of Co lumbus, Georgia. A BCSO deputy saw the vehicle traveling south- bound on Interstate 85 in between the 154 and 149 mile markers and attempt ed a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Luke Mercar- dante, 26, from Covington, fled and led deputies on a brief pursuit. During the pursuit, Mer- cardente exited at the 149 exit ramp and tried to re- enter on I-85 SB, but lost control of the vehicle and crashed on the 149 entrance ramp. Deputies were able to take the suspect into custo dy without further incident. Mercardante was evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries and later transport ed to the Banks County De tention Center. In addition to being charged with murder out of Columbus, the Banks Coun ty Sheriff’s Office has ob tained local warrants related to the pursuit and crash. Mercardante is currently being held pending extra dition and further legal pro ceedings. COLUMBUS INCIDENT On April 28, 2025, around 5:28 p.m., Columbus police officers responded to a hit and run in the 3000 block of Williams Road (Summit Pointe Apartments). A white SUV struck a parked vehi cle before leaving the scene. While officers were in vestigating the crash, they were notified that the resi dent of a nearby unit (later identified as Abigail Cadou- ra, 22) was not answering calls and had missed plans with family. She was known to drive a white SUV, which was located traveling north on I-85. Officers conducted a wel fare check at the apartment and discovered Ms. Cadou- ra deceased inside the unit with multiple stab wounds. Investigators confirmed that the victim and suspect had been in an on-and-off relationship. Be aware of business fraud The Banks County Sher iff’s Office in warning res idents to be aware of busi ness and investment fraud. Investment or business fraud schemes will try to lure you in with the prom ise of low- or no-risk in vestments. Scammers often ask for upfront cash in ex change for guaranteed fu ture returns—but there is no such thing as a guaranteed return on investment. It’s a scam. Common schemes: Ad vance fee schemes ask you to invest upfront money for a larger return later, such as a loan, contract, or gift. Nigerian Letter or 419 schemes ask someone to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author—a self-proclaimed government official—is try ing to transfer illegally out of Nigeria. Ponzi schemes use cur rent investors’ money to pay previous investors. They in evitably collapse. Telemar keting fraud schemes try to steal your money over the phone, whether by telling you won a prize, are in le gal trouble, or some other approach. MAILING LABEL 8 0 487 9 1 4 1 4 3 Kindergarten registration numbers up over last year Banks County Primary School recently hosted kin dergarten registration for the future Class of 2038. The Banks County Leop ard mascot greeted families, and each child participated in a special “signing day” celebration to mark the be ginning of their educational journey. During registration week, 151 students completed the registration process—an in crease from last year’s total of 133. A make-up regis tration day is scheduled for May 16, all day at BCPS. While additional oppor tunities will be available closer to the start of school, early registration is strongly encouraged to help staff fi nalize class placements and schedules. Families needing assistance or more informa tion are encouraged to con tact Banks County Primary School, Registrar Amy Gil liam at 706-677-2355. Dillin named special education director for Banks schools Dr. Stacia Dillin has been named the new director of special education for the Banks County School Sys tem. She succeeds Nancy Bentley, who will retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Dr. Dillin will officially begin her role this sum mer. Dr. Dillin holds a bache lor’s degree in business ad ministration from Georgia Southern University, a mas ter’s in special education from Valdosta State Univer sity, an education specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Piedmont University. With 16 years of experi ence in education, primarily Kendall Seigler is shown at kindergarten registration. DR. DILLIN focused on special educa tion. Dr. Dillin held roles as a special education teacher, special education coordi nator, human resources and program specialist with Pio neer RESA and the GNETS program, and most recently as a high school assistant principal. “I pursued a career in special education because I believe every child deserves to be seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Dillin. “I’ve always been drawn to advocating for students who are often misunderstood or overlooked.” She adds, “I love the chal lenge this work brings—no two days are ever the same. It keeps me learning, grow ing, and pushing to find solutions that make a real difference.” Dr. Dillin is already fa miliar with Banks County and its strong sense of com munity. Over the past decade, she has built relationships with many local families through her work with Pioneer RESA and her involvement as cheerleading director for NGYFA (North Georgia Youth Football Associa ¬ D Grant and Ivey Giles are shown “signing” up ate Banks Coun ty School System kindergarten registration. tion). “I was drawn to Banks County Schools because I’m a big believer in com munity, and this one has ex actly what I’m looking for,” she said. “As the cheerleading di rector for NGYFA over the past 10 years, I’ve had the chance to be involved in the area and get to know the people. I want to pour into wherever I am, and I see this as a place where I can do that. I’ve also worked with the school system through Pioneer RESA and have al ways found it to be a caring and supportive environment with great people.” “My goal is to build a collaborative network that ensures students with dis abilities have the tools and opportunities to succeed,” Dr. Dillin said. She adds, “I will work closely with families, pro viding resources and sup port, while also empower ing teachers with the tools they need to create inclusive classrooms. Together, we will create an environment where every student can thrive.” Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Dillin is a mother of three, a pas sionate sports fan, and an active community member. She values spending time with her family, attending sporting events, and finding ways to stay connected and engaged. “Banks County Schools is excited to welcome Dr. Dillin to the Leopard fami ly and looks forward to the leadership and expertise she will bring to our system,” school leaders state.
