Tornado Confirmed For Damage In Cherokee County

The severe storms of Sunday night for parts of the state did result in at least one confirmed tornado. The National Weather Service says a twister did touch down for a few seconds in a Cherokee County neighborhood. That’s all it took for more than 100 homes to sustain some level of damage, and 12 to be completely destroyed. Officials say the tornado was a half-mile wide and left a destructive path over a mile long. Reported twisters in north Georgia’s Cobb County, and west Georgia’s Muscogee County have not been confirmed.

Georgia Hit By Severe Weather

Another round of severe weather moved through parts of Georgia Sunday night, leaving some damage in north and western portions of the state. Officials in Cherokee County report some damage to homes, with downed trees and power lines from high winds. In the Columbus-area, some homes there sustained what was termed "major damage" by the the National Weather Service. Forecasters have not yet determined whether any of the damage reported came from tornadoes. The storms also brought heavy downpours of rain, with a wide swath of counties reported hail.

Cherokee County puts-off immigration vote

The Cherokee County Commission decided Monday night to wait until mid-January at the earliest to vote on a revised ordinance targeting illegal immigrants.

A 2006 county law was passed making it unlawful for landlords to rent or lease to people not able to prove citizenship. That ordinance is currently tied-up in a legal challenge. The revision calls for any prospective renter to apply for an occupancy license and get verified for citizenship. It also targets business owners who hire undocumented workers.

Commission members last night heard public comment on the re-worked proposal, which drew strong opinion from both sides of the issue.

Debbie Seagraves has problems with the proposal. She’s with ACLU-Georgia, and a lifelong Cherokee County resident:

"I'm very concerned about the idea that everyone in this county would be required to get a license to rent a home. If that is not inherently un-American, I don't know what could be."

Seagraves and others also voiced concern over the cost to businesses during bad economic times.

Others support the ordinance. Community activist D.A. King says the proposal hits all the right notes:

"You can tell this is a good ordinance by the amount of people who are here opposing it. This bill--this ordinance--has all the right enemies."

A commission member detailed this version should be able to hold-up to possible legal challenges.

Cherokee County proposes new immigration law

Cherokee County is proposing a new measure to crack down on illegal immigration. The proposal would make renters prove citizenship, and would threaten to suspend business licenses of companies with undocumented workers. The Cherokee County Commission will present the proposal at a public hearing tonight.

In 2006, a similar action was tried, but it was challenged in court and never enforced. The Cherokee Commission chairman says this new ordinance is designed to send a strong message for a problem the federal government won’t address. However, an attorney with the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund says the measure is quote “legally problematic."

Funds for storm-damaged county

Cherokee County residents affected by severe weather and tornadoes now are eligible to receive federal aid. The help comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Earlier, the Federal Emergency Management Agency turned down the county's request for aid to cover uninsured victims because it did not meet federal requirements. The tornado on May 20 caused about $3 million in uninsured damage.

Holly Springs approves ticket 'fuel fee'

The city of Holly Springs in north Georgia’s Cherokee County hopes its new fee attached to speeding tickets will help offset the cost of fuel for the city’s fleet of police vehicles. The city council approved the 12-dollar fee last night. It goes into effect July 1st. The city expects the fee will bring-in an additional $29,000-$35,000 a year.

$11 M marijuana crop discovered

More than 9,300 marijuana plants are in police possession. A tip let Cherokee County sheriff's deputies to the plants in a remote wooded area. No one is charged in connection with the crop but the investigation is on-going. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation estimates each marijuana plant is worth $1,200, making the total bunch worth more than $11 million dollars.

Perdue asks Bush for disaster declaration

Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday requested that President George Bush declare Cherokee County a major disaster area.

Perdue says such a declaration will assist residents and local governments with emergency response measures and aid for losses from the severe weather and tornadoes on May 20, according to a statement from the Governor's Office:

“This is the third tornado event this spring that has disrupted the lives of our citizens and devastated one of our communities,” Perdue said.

“I am hopeful that our federal partners will recognize the extent of this damage and will render the appropriate assistance to help the residents of Cherokee County recover in the aftermath of this severe weather.”

Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) officials estimate initial governmental response and clean up efforts will exceed $2.9 million, the statement said.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storms and tornadoes that have repeatedly struck the state in recent weeks.

Oxendine: $40 M in insured storm losses

Heavy thunderstorms and possible tornadoes on May 20, caused some $40 million in insured damages in Cherokee and north Fulton counties, according to Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine:

“After one week of documenting damage in the North Metro area, the insured losses there are at least $40 million,” Oxendine said. “Actual losses are much higher when you consider things like infrastructure damage and uninsured losses.”

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the recent severe weather statewide.

State of emergency for Cherokee Co.

Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency for Cherokee County following Tuesday’s severe storms. The move allows state resources to help with cleanup efforts. State officials estimate the storms caused more than $5 million in damage. No serious injuries were reported.

Little Damage Reported from Cherokee County Twister

Several residents in Cherokee County were stuck inside their homes after a reported tornado touched down. The suspected twister is being blamed for damaging several homes and falling trees in the Canton neighborhood, about 30 miles north of Atlanta. A spokesman for the county issued a statement late last night saying there have been no injuries in the area. However, officials also warn many roadways are blocked due to fallen debris.

No rain, few visitors mar 'Rain festival'

Billed as a rain festival to fight Georgia's drought, the event even included a rain dance, but turnout was slim and precipitation was even scarcer than people.

"Not much of a turnout," landscaper Linda Boyer said Saturday, squinting against bright sunshine under a cloudless sky and scanning the nearly empty parking lot sprinkled with several tables of water-related activities and volunteers.

Competition was part of the problem. "There's a lot of festivals going on elsewhere - the Ellijay Apple Festival, the pumpkin patches, haunted houses, Cagle Dairy's Corn Maize Festival..." Boyer said, adding that the event was a last-minute decision and was organized in just 10 days.

Cherokee County Water Authority employees handed out pamphlets and water-saving shower heads. Recycled water gurgled in a wishing well set up in the parking lot outside the Woodstock Art Center.

A local teen dance troupe appeared to perform in the tradition of Native American rain dances - but drew an audience of less than a dozen.

Kendra Cosner, who called herself "company mom" for the teen performers from Dancentre South, quipped:

"Bottom line, when it's not raining, everybody prays to the Big Guy regardless of culture."

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the drought.

(The Associated Press)

Grond beef recall affects some restaurants

A Forest Park meat company is recalling 1,900 pounds of ground beef that were sent to restaurants in Georgia and three other states--the reason is possible E. coli contamination. Only a small amount of beef was distributed in Georgia--two restaurants in DeKalb County, one in Cherokee County, and one in Carroll County.

Deer kills man in Cherokee County

Authorities in Cherokee County say a 66-year-old man was killed by a deer last night. The red deer was one of several that John Henry Frix was said to keep on his expansive property in Ball Ground. Relatives told sheriff's deputies the deer had been aggressive lately, most likely due to mating season. Deputies were called when Frix did not return from tending to the deer--they found him lying inside one of the pens. It appeared he had been gored several times. Authorities say the deer, about the size of a small elk, was put down by relatives.

Perdue in Germany adds Georgia jobs

Governor Sonny Perdue continues his two-week trip through Europe. He is courting more business for Georgia. To that end, an announcement on Tuesday that a German power supply company will add more jobs to its' facility in Cherokee County. 'Transtechnik' will add 45 jobs to its' workforce in Georgia. Perdue sealed the deal after meeting with company officials in Munich. The Governor's office also said Perdue wrapped up a productive two days in the Czech Republic.

North Georgia attracts new jobs

Governor Sonny Perdue’s trade mission to Europe is paying off. Today the Governor announced that German power supply company Transtechnik is adding 45 jobs in Cherokee County.

The company opened its facility in Ball Ground last March, and hopes to have 100 employees by 2009. The new jobs will range from $12-an-hour manufacturing positions to engineering jobs averaging $55,000 a year, as well as administrative positions.

Governor Perdue is in his second week of a 10-day trip to Europe that he calls an economic and development mission.

North Georgia county cancels fireworks

Drought has led another Georgia community to scrap plans for Fourth of July fireworks. Woodstock in Cherokee County north of Atlanta says many homeowners wrote letters voicing concerns over brush fires. Ware County in southeast Georgia has also banned fireworks through the Fourth of July.

Iraq vet fired upon return home, files suit

A Georgia National Guardsman says he was fired from his job with a local police force in Cherokee County, because of time away serving on active duty. He's filed a federal lawsuit.

Michael Wells was away from his job as a sergeant with the Holly Springs police department for 18 months. His service with the National Guard included a year of combat in Iraq. Wells told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that while there, a bomb blast caused some hearing loss. When he returned last June, he had hoped for a promotion at his old job.

Wells in his lawsuit filed in U-S District Court in Atlanta, claims he was denied the necessary training for the position, passed over for the job, and pushed to retire. Wells was fired in April. He says it was without cause.

Wells was a nine-year veteran of the Holly Springs force--his suit is seeking back pay. In a statement, an attorney representing the city says they stand by their reasons for the firing.