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O O SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 Madison County Journal Merged with The Comer News and The Danielsville Monitor, 2006 MadisonJoumaITODAY.com Vol. 38 No. 33 • Publication No. 1074-987 • Danielsville, Madison County, Georgia 30633 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers Inc. • 16 Pages, 2 Section Plus Supplements $1.00 CORONAVIRUS 15 more hospitalized with covid Fifteen Madison County res idents were hospitalized with covid over the past week, accord ing to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). The DPH Sept. 7 report showed a total of 192 county residents hospitalized since the pandemic began. That number increased to 207 on Sept. 14. Another 196 covid cases were reported in the county in that time, along with the 52" d con firmed covid death, the county’s youngest to date, a 32-year-old Asian female with pre-existing conditions. Fifteen Madison County res idents were hospitalized with covid over the past week, accord ing to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). The DPH Sept. 7 report showed a total of 192 county residents hospitalized since the pandemic began. That number increased to 207 on Sept. 14. Another 196 covid cases were reported in the county in that time, along with the 52nd con firmed covid death, the county’s youngest to date, a 32-year-old Asian female with pre-existing conditions. Madison County School Superintendent reported at the Sept. 14 meeting that as of 1 p.m. Tuesday, there were the following covid-positive num bers in the county school sys tem: Colbert Elementary, two students, two staff; Comer Ele mentary, four students, no staff; Danielsville Elementary, one student, one staff; Hull Elemen tary, seven students, six staff; Ea Elementary, one student, no staff; Madison County Middle School, 10 students, no staff; Madison County High School, 13 students, three staff; and the Early Learning Center, one stu dent and no staff. The schools MCHS cross country teams win Athens event — Page IB Fun on the field Taylor Doster of the Madison County Color Guard smiles during the halftime performance during the Red Raiders’ game against Stephens County. Photo by Zach Mitcham ZONING Subdivision approved ...but BOC sets lot size restrictions By Zach Mitcham zach@mainstreetnews.com A major subdivision approved for Old Kincaid Road in 2004 never hap pened. But now, a differ ent developer plans to cut the original number of lots nearly in half and construct an upscale subdivision on the property. He got the go ahead from county com missioners Monday, but it came with required chang es to some lot sizes. A request by Abe Abou- hamdan of ABE Consult ing to rezone 214.8 acres on Old Kincaid Road from A-l to R-l/A-2 for a major subdivision was approved 4-0 by the county com missioners Monday. But after considerable dis cussion, the board agreed to require that all lots adjacent to Old Kincaid Road, which totaled 15 on Abouhamdan’s site plan, must have a three-acre minimum. Commissioner Terry Chandler made the motion for the minimum lot requirement, voicing concerns about the small lot sizes and traffic safety. Though Abouhamdan now has approval for the project, which includes 61 lots, down from 111 homes previously proposed for the property in 2004, he'll have to redraw his plans to account for the larger lots required next to Old Kin caid Road. The developer won't have to have roads constructed for the subdi vision, since roads were created in the planned sub division years ago, but no homes were developed. The developer told com missioners that he plans to have three large “estate” tracts in the development that will be on the A-2 property and allow for some farming on those tracts. But he may have to reduce the size of those A-2 tracts — he can't go below five acres in an A-2 See ‘BOC’ on 2A update the numbers each Friday at madison.kl2.ga.us. Madison County trails the state in its vaccination rate, with 39 percent of residents fully vacci nated, compared to 45 statewide. Madison County trails the state in its vaccination rate, with 39 percent of residents fully vacci nated, compared to 45 statewide. Index: News — 1-3A Opinions — 4-5A School — 5 A Crime — 6A Social — 6A Church — 3B Sports — 1-3B, 8B Classifieds — 7A Obituaries — 4-5B Legals — 6-7B Contact: Phone: 706-367-5233 Web: MadisonJournal TODAY.com News submissions: zach@ mainstreetnews.com FESTIVALS EDUCATION Fair set for Sept. 21-25 The 73rd Madison County Agricultural Fair will be held at the Comer Fair grounds Sept. 21-25. The annual event, which is sponsored by the Comer Lions Club, includes live stock shows, music, rides, exhibits, night ly drawings, a variety of food and more. The 2021 Madison County Agricultural Fair Entertainment Schedule is: Ramblin' Country, 7 p.m., Sept. 21; Bluegrass Con fidential 7 p.m., Sept. 22; Country River Band 7 p.m., Sept. 23; Ronnie Pittman and Big Daddy’s Band 7:30, Sept. 24; Grains of Sand Band 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25. All shows are included in gate entrance fee of $5. “Be sure to keep your ticket stub and deposit half in the barrel at the prize tent for nightly drawings,” organizers said. “You must be 18 or older and you must be present to win.” The Saturday matinee will open at noon and close at 4 p.m. Gate admission is $1 for ages 15 and under. The livestock show schedule nightly at 6 p.m. is as follows: Tuesday, swine show; Wednesday goat and lamb show; Thursday, dairy cow show; Friday, beef show. The open beef show will be at noon Saturday. The Madison County Fair Association is currently accepting applications for vendors for this year's fair. “Please come out and support your local vendor,” fair officials said. For more information, call Angie McGinnis at 706-540-0404 or email her at Angie.McGinnis@piedmont.org. COUNTY SEAT Danielsville agrees to purchase used police car County schools fare well on Milestones — See Georgia Milestones scores on Page 8A By Zach Mitcham zach @ mainstreetnews. com The standardized tests of the spring weren’t emphasized like usual this past school year, given all the upheaval of a pandemic year. Still, Madison County school leaders were pleased with the recently received results from the Georgia Milestones. Madison County schools were above the state average in all but one area. (See Page 8A for a chart.) “To judge a system on a single day of testing in a pan demic year is unfortunate,” said superintendent Michael Williams. “But to have some of the some of the success were able to achieve shines a bright light on our students and staff.” Williams also spoke at the school board’s Tuesday night meeting about Advanced Placement (AP) accom plishments of students in 2020-21, noting that 31 more students received AP college credit in 2020-21 than the previous year, which he said was remarkable considering the pandemic, adding that this was the biggest increase in seven years. He reported that the high school AP students tested higher than the global average in 13 of 15 subject areas. By Margie Richards margie @ mainstreetnews.com Danielsville’s police department will soon have another police car. The city council voted Monday night to purchase a 2014 police car at a price not exceeding $16,000, including ship ping and other incidental charges. Police Chief Cleve Williams presented the council with two police cars he had found that had been sold at auction that need only minor modifications for use as police cars. The council chose one of those and Mayor Michael Wideman asked Williams to check on the condi tion of the tires, brakes and maintenance before they finalize the purchase. Also Monday night, Williams said he held a meeting for businesses interest ed in participating in the Christmas in Danielsville event but only one business, Dollar General, showed up. He said the store was generous in providing candy for the event and also for the traditional Halloween Trunk or Treat, to be held in the city hall parking lot. Williams asked that everyone get the word out to other businesses that more participation is needed for the annual Christmas event, which includes a deco rating contest with the winner receiving a free business license. There will also be a residential deco rating contest, with the winner receiving a $100 credit on their water bill. See “Danielsville” on 2A COVID CONCERNS VOICED Cynthia Fortson addressed school board members Tues day asking them to consider instituting mask requirements for students for protection against covid. She noted that masks are required in hospitals and added that they do protect people from the vims. “This is a disease where we don’t know who has it and who doesn't,” she said. “It’s invading our schools.” On a related note, Williams shared covid numbers, reporting that there were 39 students and 12 staff mem bers positive as of 1 p.m. Tuesday. He gave a breakdown of the number by school (see separate covid story). CHAMBER DIRECTOR SPEAKS Madison County Chamber of Commerce Director Anna Strickland addressed the school board Tuesday, speaking about the variety of ways the Chamber, local businesses and schools are working together to help educate, train and encourage youth through job shadowing days, workforce See “BOE” on 2A