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Publication Number 635540 Volume 83 Number 36 Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Local Towns deputies give it their all in training Weather By Libby Shook iff’s Association helps meet and Towns County Herald that goal. [email protected] The state of Georgia re- quires a minimum of 20 hours Lake Levels in-service training each year for The Towns County Sher- all certified law enforcement Thur:Rain 79 63 iff’s Office is working hard officers. Fri: Rain 81 64 to ensure that local residents, The Towns County Sher- Sat: Rain 84 63 as well as visitors to the area, iff’s Office endeavors to pro- Sun: Showers 82 64 have the most qualified law vide an additional 20 hours of Mon: Rain 85 63 enforcement personnel at their in-house training for a total of Tue: Rain 84 63 disposal. over 40 hours per year,” said Wed: Rain 86 64 The TCSO Standard Op- Towns County Sheriff Chris erating Procedures, as well Clinton. as certification through the “All deputies are certi- Georgia Police Accreditation fied in the use of less-lethal Coalition (GPAC), require weapons systems, including periodic training in all areas of Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper law enforcement. spray) and the ASP (Armament On Thursday, June 28, Systems and Procedures) baton, the Towns County Sheriff’s Of- when they go through the po- fice held a mandatory training lice academy known as Basic for its Sworn Deputies. Mandate,” the sheriff said. Upstream Elevation “The Towns County “These less-lethal tools Towns County Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Whidden gets his eyes washed out after a shot of Predicted Sheriff’s Office places great allow a law enforcement of- pepper spray during recent law enforcement training exercises. Photo/Libby Shook 07/11/12 emphasis on maintaining high ficer to use methods to control Lake Chatuge 1923.43 standards of professionalism offenders who resist or become cer,” Sheriff Clinton said. Detention Center location. Spray and the ASP baton. Lake Nottely 1772.69 and proficiency in all aspects combative, but are not likely Recently, according to Rusty Walker of the “As part of ongoing in- Blue Ridge 1672.66 of law enforcement. to cause great harm to the of- Sheriff Clinton, deputies re- Blairsville Police Department services and required training, The training provided fender,” he said. ceived eight hours of POST is an OC Spray and ASP Baton periodic refresher courses are by staff POST Instructors, the “They are vital tools (Police Officer Standards and Instructor. He instructed both conducted and available to Georgia Public Safety Training which protect both the offender Training) credit provided in- classroom and hands-on re- INDEX See Training, page 12A 2 sections, 20 Pages Center, and the Georgia Sher- and the law enforcement offi- house at the Towns County fresher training in the use of OC

Arrests...... 2A Chamber News...... 11A Fourth Fireworks lights up sky Campbell bids Church/Obits...... 6,7A Classifieds...... 2B By Todd Forrest Editorial...... 4A Towns County Herald Elected Officials...... 4A Staff Writer farewell to fans Legals ...... 3B Despite the storm clouds By Charles Duncan looming on the horizon, Hia- Towns County Herald wassee celebrated our country’s [email protected] Sports Independence Day last Tuesday Page 8A night with a fireworks display at the Georgia Mountain Fair- For 54 years, Glenn grounds. Campbell has delighted crowds Parking was limited as worldwide with his iconic Early Vote some families arrived earlier voice and gentle guitar instru- in the day and spent their af- mentals. Early voting for the ternoon at the beach across the He’s sold 45 million re-

July 31 Primary is underway street before the night sky was cords, won countless industry in Towns County. lit up to celebrate our nation’s awards, has been nominated The Towns County birthday. for an Academy Award and Herald urges everyone to Both the beach and fair- a Golden Globe, was hand- exercise their voting rights. grounds were filled with fami- picked by John Wayne to co- lies from all over Georgia and star in the original True Grit and Glenn Campbell the Southeast. somewhere along the way had License plates from time to raise eight children. world Gentle On My Mind, By ... Alabama, Florida, most of Three of those children, The Time I Get To Phoenix, Yard Sale metro-Atlanta, and a few South Cal, Shannon and daughter Rhinestone Cowboy, True Grit, Don’t regift it, sell it Georgia counties were all rep- Ashley will accompany him Wichita Lineman and Southern at the Farmers Market Yard resented in Hiawassee. to Anderson Music Hall on Nights, will perform at the Sale. However, for a few mo- Friday for his final appearance Music Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday. Local residents can ments some spectators were at The Hall, part of his Good Tickets are still avail- come out to the Towns concerned about the weather as Bye Tour. able for the show and cost County Farmers Market at the sky filled with clouds and Diagnosed with Alzheim- $45 plus $2 handling. the Tennis Courts across a few rumbles of thunder were er’s Disease in the summer of “Glenn Campbell is truly from the Fairgrounds and heard around 7 p.m. 2011, Campbell decided not to one of America’s perform- sell items at The Market. “We were worried about just fade into the sunset. ing legends,” said Georgia both the fairgrounds and the Kennedy. “We’ve got children Mountain Fairgrounds’ Gen- Turn to Page 2A for the thunder earlier today,” said beach. from all different families here Rather, he decided that more details about The Mar- Joelle Golden. “My daughter there was no better way to ex- eral Manager Hilda Thomason. While waiting for sun- playing together.” “We didn’t give it a second ket and how it is doing. was very much looking forward down, children passed the Laurel James, of Hiawas- pose the disease than to conduct to seeing the fireworks tonight a farewell tour. Keeping him- thought when we learned we time admiring the fire trucks see, reminisced about watching had the opportunity to bring and I didn’t want her to be dis- and even a game of red rover the fireworks from Bell Moun- self in the public eye, Campbell appointed.” decided, would bring aware- him to Anderson Music Hall. broke out on the lawn behind tain and recalled getting stuck “His career speaks ... By 8:30 there was very the beach. the last time her family and ness to the disease and generate for itself,” she said. little parking and the highway “They are loving red rov- more research for a cure. Cookbooks The icon who gave the Chatuge Regional was lined with rows of cars at er,” said a Blairsville’s Kelly See Fireworks, page 12A See Campbell, page 12A Nursing Home has collected the best recipes from group members, family and friends Family Connection and compiled them into at- Boat Parade highlights Fourth tractive keepsake cookbook that makes a perfect gift By Joe Collins receives grant funds The books are selling Towns County Herald for $12.50 each. Staff Writer By Libby Shook For more details on how Towns County Herald to get a cookbook, call Tabitha Towns County celebrat- [email protected] Crawford or Rita Bradshaw at ed our nation’s freedom on the (706) 896-2231. Fourth of July with the annual Towns County Family Fourth of July Boat Parade on Connections has received a Lake Chatuge. state grant from the Gover- Thirty-five boats partici- nor’s Office of Children and ... pated in the event with prizes Families. awarded for the most red, white The funds make it pos- String Band and blue and the most creativ- sible for the agency to continue Back by popular demand ity. the excellent services they pro- is the FFA String Band of 1965 The weather couldn’t vide to the families and students and 1966 State Champions. have been more cooperative of Towns County. Amy Rosser The band returns to as the boats passed single file “We were just awarded nections makes it possible Mountain Home Music on under Anderson Bridge to the a continuation grant from the for us to continue to provide Saturday at 8 p.m. cheers of adoring spectators. Governor’s Office of Children needed services to meet the See Page 3A inside Hundreds of private and Families for our third year needs of all our students and today’s Towns County Herald boaters and watercraft flanked of funding,” Family Connection their families. for more details! the parade as it made its way Coordinator Amy Rosser. “This “In this world it takes around Lake Chatuge celebrat- year the amount is $31,362. more than a good school and ing Independence Day. “Funding from this grant more than a good home,” she The contrast of beau- will be used to ensure school said. “It takes all of us working ... tiful sunshine, crystal clear readiness and improve school together.” mountain lake water and the performance among middle It really does take a vil- Safety historic colors of “Old Glory” school students, grades six lage to meet the diverse needs made for a most impressive through eight, by promoting of many of the children in this and emotional day for those in youth development and leader- community. Course attendance. ship activities,” Rosser said. Fortunately, Towns The Towns County Sher- Towns County Schools County Family Connections A safety driving course iff’s Office led the boats around The Fourth of July was an exciting time in Towns County. Superintendent Melissa Wil- has taken a giant step towards will be held on July 24th at the parade route followed by Parade enthusiasts soaked up the sun and fun on Lake liams said every penny helps. ensuring that those needs will McConnell Memorial Baptist Parade Grand Marshal Russ Chatuge. Photo/Lowell Nicholson. “In this day, it takes all be met by partnering with not Church from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 Collins and his wife, local wa- the resources a school system only the Towns County School p.m. tercolor artist, Deb Collins. “We want people to have building as the judges an- can find to provide complete System, but Stephens Masonic During July and August The judges had a very fun and enjoy what Towns nounced the winners. educational opportunities for Lodge, the City of Young Har- this year, all educators, past or difficult time deciding which County has to offer,” said Jane The red, white and blue students,” Williams said. “This ris, and Young Harris College present, can attend the course boats would claim the two $50 Holland, executive director of winner was the DeGroot fam- is true regardless of your school as well. for $5. prizes donated by the Towns the Tourism Association, who ily, who traveled all the way size and location, but especially “Stephens Masonic Anyone associated with County Tourism Association. was busy cooking hot dogs to Towns County from Hemp- so for smaller, rural schools. Lodge partners with us on the education is eligible, teachers, The Tourism Association, with Harry Bates, an Army stead, Texas. “In Towns County, we administrators, maintenance along with the Towns County veteran of the Korean conflict The Baldwin family, are extremely fortunate to be See Connection, page 12A personnel, school bus drivers, Chamber of Commerce and and Vietnam. from McDonough, took the able to partner with Family Sunday School teachers, and Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, “The Fourth of July is coveted most creative prize, Connections to offer enhanced TOWNS COUNTY HERALD home school teachers just to sponsored this event to not the greatest day in our nation’s as they vacationed in Towns learning experiences for our name a few are eligible. only celebrate Independence history,” claimed Bates as he County. students,” Williams said. “With See Page 11A for more Day but also to give visitors an helped prepare lunch for the “We worry that younger our schools taking such a hit, added special attraction for fun parade participants. details. page 12A being able to partner with a and enjoyment. The excitement was See Boats, program such as Family Con-