Jefferson Schools Seek Charter Status

A northeast Georgia city will seek to make its schools a charter system. Jefferson's Board of Education unanimously voted to send a letter to the state Department of Education. The letter allows the state to start considering granting charter status. Jefferson's schools have 27-hundred students.

(Athens Banner-Herald)

Caterpillar To Close Plants In Jefferson, Griffin

Griffin and Jefferson will be the Georgia cities affected when heavy equipment maker Caterpillar lays-off more than 2,400 employees nationwide this year. Caterpillar Tuesday announced plans for the cuts at five U.S. plants, including two in Georgia.

The company’s fuel systems plant in Jefferson will close, putting 89 workers out of jobs by the end of June. In Spalding County, Caterpillar’s engine facility there will close its doors, putting another 200 out of work when the calendar hits May.

Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Illinois, says it is restructuring operations in the face of the economic downturn.

Jackson Co. OK'd for cheaper gas

An east Georgia county has the green-light to become the first in the state to sell gasoline to its cities at cheaper prices.

The state Department of Revenue says Jackson County can buy gasoline at a bulk-rate. State officials say the county can then sell the gas to its nine cities and towns.

The savings of about 20-cents a gallon will give local governments some breathing room in their budgets to help cover rising operating costs for police and other city vehicles.

John Ward is manager for the city of Jefferson, the county seat:

"It will definitely allow us to exercise expanded options. But at the same time anything we can do moving forward to make sure that we’re using tax dollars as efficiently as we possibly can we’ll be monitoring that and adjusting accordingly".

Ward says the cheaper gas should be flowing into their city cars and trucks in a few weeks.

FEMA aid for twister-struck counties

The twister's aftermath along Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, May 12th, 2008. (Josephine Bennet)

President George W. Bush on Friday approved a Federal Disaster Declaration for the 14 counties that Governor Sonny Perdue requested aid for following the Mother's Day tornadoes and severe thunderstorms on May 11-12.

“I am grateful to President Bush and FEMA Director Paulison for their quick action in offering assistance,” Perdue said. “This Federal Disaster Declaration will broaden our capability to recover from these devastating storms.”

Individual assistance is now available to disaster victims in 10 counties: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs.

Bush also designated that Bibb, Carroll, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, Treutlen, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties will all be able to receive federal funds to help offset 75 percent the cost of the initial emergency response, debris removal and restoration of damaged public facilities.

Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.

Perdue made the request May 16 for a federal declaration after touring the areas and reviewing preliminary damage assessment figures.

Residents and business owners in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.fema.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.

Click here and here for more GPB News coverage of the severe weather that struck much of central Georgia on Mother's Day.

Seven more counties join 'state of emergency' list

Macon: a resident salvages belongings from building in the city's business district demolished by the EF2 tornado that struck early Sunday morning, May 11, 2008. (Josephine Bennet)

Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency in seven additional counties affected by tornadoes that struck on Sunday.

Clayton, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jenkins, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties were added to Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson and Laurens, on the state of emergency list.

“We are working together to ensure response efforts reach all Georgians affected by these storms,” Perdue said. “Joint local, state and federal assessment teams will continue to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, state facilities and residences.”

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) activated the state’s Emergency Operations Plan and an operations center to support the affected counties on Sunday. The Special Operations Center (SOC) will monitor the situation, and operate until further notice.

Perdue toured damaged areas in middle Georgia early Monday morning.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the aftermath of the severe weekend weather.

Tornadoes confirmed: state of emergency declared

At least five tornadoes hit west central, north central, and central Georgia early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Tornadoes may have also touched down in Johnson, Treutlen, Fulton and Troup counties, according to reports.

Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson and Laurens counties Sunday evening.

"Last night's storms left trees downed, houses damaged and roads blocked across western and central Georgia," Perdue said.

"Needed state resources are being made available to assist in the cleanup efforts, and we will continue to actively work with local officials to support them"

The step enables the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to initiate emergency operations.

Damaged houses on Lake Tobesofkee. (Woody Marshall, The Macon Telegraph)

"As with all disasters, GEMA will coordinate the deployment of public safety agencies, utility companies and the volunteer community to meet the needs of our citizens," GEMA Director Charley English said.

An EF2 tornado packing winds of 111 to 135 mph hit Macon between 5:45 and 6 a.m. Sunday morning, local officials said.

Laurens Co. resident Tracey Clements, was killed in his mobile home by the storm, Laurens County coroner Richard Stanley said, according to Macon.com.

Clements' wife and children sustained varying degrees of injuries when the winds flipped over their double-wide trailer, Stanley said.

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert said Perdue is expected to visit the area on Monday to assess the damage.

A tornado touched down at Macon State College's campus, causing significant damage, and uprooting or breaking about half the trees on campus, according to the National Weather Service.

The college will be closed on Monday.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the twister and storm damage.

Special prosecutor vs. former Jefferson police chief

A special prosecutor plans to ask a Jackson County grand jury for an indictment against the former police chief of Jefferson. In September, the grand jury indicted Darren Glenn on charges that he used police department computers and equipment in 2005 to run background checks for his wife’s private investigation firm. However, a week and a half ago, a Superior Court judge dismissed the 30-count indictment, because Glenn was not allowed to testify. When the grand jury reconvenes later this year, the special prosecutor plans to recall the same witnesses. Glenn this time will be allowed to make a statement to grand jurors afterward.

Student faces 17 counts for bomb threat

Authorities in northeast Georgia have charged a student with 17 counts in connection with a bomb threat made earlier this month. On October 3rd, state schools superintendent Kathy Cox had just walked through the front doors of Jackson County Comprehensive High School in Jefferson, when the school was ordered evacuated by district officials. In all, 17 schools were cleared in Jackson, Jefferson, and Commerce school districts. Prosecutors have not decided whether they will try to prosecute the 15-year-old in Jackson’s Superior Court, or Juvenile Court.

School bomb threat disrupts state official visit

The visit of state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox to a northeast Georgia high school Wednesday was interrupted by a bomb threat. Cox had just arrived at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School in Jefferson, when the district ordered evacuation of all 13 of its schools. After the building was cleared, Cox returned to the school for her visit. Authorities say the threat was called in by a Jefferson City High School student, and they have a specific suspect in mind.

Former Jefferson police chief indicted

A former northeast Georgia police chief has been indicted on charges of theft and invasion of privacy. The indictment handed down by a Jackson County grand jury against Darren Glenn is the result of a two-year investigation into claims of corruption and using police resources for personal profit. Glenn was fired as police chief of Jefferson in June of 2006. Glenn faces 30 counts in all--charges including using professional access to illegally check information on people, and using a city vehicle while working for his wife's private detective company.

Teen in bomb scare to be tried as adult

A 15-year-old boy accused of taking a bomb to a Jefferson school in April, will be tried as an adult. That decision was made by Piedmont Judicial Circuit Court Judge Kevin Guidry after listening to testimony in a closed hearing on Monday.

Jefferson's police chief testified that the boy made "an adult decision" in bringing a Mason jar with black powder and a detonation trigger to the Jackson County Comprehensive High School on April 11th. Authorities say the real bomb had enough power to kill or severely injure everyone in the school's main administrative office. The school was evacuated, although the bomb never went off. The boy faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and making terrorist threats.