Postseason play Dental ministry Rabun athletes advance Rabun residents get help Read more on page C1 Read more on page A7 The Clayton Tribune THURSDAY, May 9, 2013 Vol. 116, No. 19 n 75 CENts theclaytontribune.com Murder suspect released on bond the two had an earlier tor in the district attor- set for later this coming diately after the shooting According to Whidby, Victim’s altercation, and Close ney’s office. summer. and he has cooperated Groom said nothing was shot about 30 yards “All I could do is sob,” Groom will be restrict- with authorities. would have happened mother up the driveway after he she said. “Where’s the ed to Oconee County, Ga., “There if he wouldn’t have met returned to the property. justice in our judicial and he will have to wear is a Close in the driveway. Mountain Judicial system? People who deal an ankle monitor. He legiti- Whidby also asked him wonders why Circuit Chief Judge B. drugs get more time also was ordered to avoid mate about having enough contact with any of the self-de- people at the house with By Blake Spurney Chan Caudell granted than those who murder Groom, 38, bond during a someone’s children. I victim’s family or wit- fense him in case any problems Editor nesses, which includes argu- arose, and Groom agreed Murder suspect Travis hearing May 1 in Rabun don’t understand that his mother, Susan. ment, that he did. Melvin Groom has been County Superior Court. and probably never will.” “He’ll be restrained to and he Assistant District released from custody on Dawn Close, mother of Mountain Judicial a zone monitored by GPS saw Attorney Maggie Hast- $100,000 bond. James, was beside herself Circuit Public Defender GROOM so he can work on a farm that,” ings used those state- Groom, 38 was charged in trying to understand Drew Powell said that near Watkinsville,” Pow- Powell ments in an attempt to with malice murder Dec. why the man who killed for a murder suspect to ell said about his client. said. counter any self-defense 5 after he fatally shot her older son was let out be granted a bond was Caudell mentioned Georgia Bureau of arguments made by the James Eugene Close of jail. She didn’t attend not unprecedented. He several factors in making Investigation Agent defense. Jr., 21, during the early the hearing but learned also said Close’s fam- his decision. Groom has Brian Whidby testified “I was shocked that he morning hours at 1065 that Groom had been ily wouldn’t see Groom no prior felony convic- about statements Groom McCrackin Road. Ac- granted bond from the while he remains free tions, he called 911 imme- gave after the shooting. Please see GROOM, A11 cording to authorities, victim-witness coordina- awaiting trial, which is County holds the line on taxes By Shelby Harrell we’ve accomplished that Staff Writer so that the budget this year will be right in line The Rabun County with last year’s budget,” Board of Commissioners Darnell said. “These cuts approved a preliminary that we had to make ... I 2013-14 fiscal year budget don’t think we cut them that is a reduction from to where it will hurt the the current year and does services or anything not raise taxes. they’re trying to do.” After receiving cuts, a The development total budget of about $16.4 authority budget was million was approved, approved at $847,846, which is slightly down coming in at $560,698 from the $16.9 million more than last year. final budget of 2012-13. Jacobs said a majority of The largest cuts this the budget increase was year affected the Rabun going toward a $490,216 County Fire Department bond payment for the and road and bridge Rabun Business Park. maintenance, said Debbie The first payment on $17 Jacobs, county clerk and million in bonds is due chief financial officer. January 2014. The fire department Photo courtesy of Peter McIntosh budget decreased by Please see COUNTY, A11 $287,620 since the last Awakening the vines fiscal year. Cuts primar- Alan Taylor of Kennesaw conducts The Seed and Feed Marching Abominables musicians in entertaining guests while ily affected requests for Cities may be last year’s old winter canes burn in a bonfire. The 11th Awakening of the Vines spring festival was held Saturday at additional salaries and Tiger Mountain Vineyards, despite the rain and chill. new fire trucks. hit with charge Commission Chair- man Butch Darnell said the fire departments for dispatching still could receive new Ladybug Farms honored by USDA vehicles with Special By Shelby Harrell Purpose Local Option Staff Writer By Shelby Harrell land and live simply and Sales Tax funding. Staff Writer really kind of do innova- “If we get the SPLOST The Rabun County tive farming techniques money turned loose, like Board of Commissioners Farm owner Terri and share those with for instance a fire truck, is making preparations Jagger-Blincoe is eager others,” she said. “These that can come out of the to charge Clayton, Moun- to share her farming types of technologies and SPLOST,” he said. “So tain City and Sky Val- techniques with others innovations that assist it won’t really affect the ley a fee for 911 dispatch now that Ladybug Farms me with farming can be fire department, but at services. has been recognized as easily scaled down for the same time it won’t Commissioners verbal- a Natural Resources any farm owner.” affect our budget.” ly agreed during a May 2 Conservation Services Ladybug Farms cur- Commissioners re- budget hearing to allow partner by the U.S. De- rently provides produce duced the road depart- County Attorney Allyn partment of Agriculture. to 30 families and three ment budget by $145,318 Stockton to send out a let- Jagger-Blincoe cur- restaurants, including by cutting out depart- ter notifying the cities of rently is planning an Fromage & Other Fine ment vehicles and new the change. innovations in organic Foods and Lake Rabun equipment. The county Clayton, Mountain City farming field day to be Hotel. has earmarked $5 mil- and Sky Valley would be held next month at her Jagger-Blincoe said lion for road and bridge charged the fee since only farm in Clayton. She said her gravity-fed rainwater Submitted photo maintenance over six those cities collect taxes. she hopes to inspire other irrigation system had State conservationist James Tillman, with the Natural years from the SPLOST Commissioners have farmers to try simpler made an impression on Resources Conservation Service, from left, stands with initiative voters approved yet to decide on a dollar techniques. NRCS representatives, NRCS representative Doug Towery, Terri Jagger-Blincoe in March. amount. “Part of my vision for adding that it could hold of Clayton, NRCS representative Robyn Ledford and Jack “What we were trying Commissioner Greg this farm was to see that Lewis, assistant state conservationist, while presenting to do was to not have to it’s possible to live off the Please see FARM, A12 Jagger-Blincoe a partnership plaque. raise taxes, and I think Please see DISPATCH, A11 3 sections, 26 pages INDEX WEATHER Calendar ......................B7 NASCAR .......................C2 High 67-79 Church .........................B4 Obituaries ....................A8 Low 43-56 Classifieds ....................C3 Police Blotter ................A2 Honor Roll ....................A5 Sports ...........................C1 Mix of sun Letters ..........................A4 Your Pet......................A10 and clouds. Medical Directory .........B3 Weather .....................A11 See page A11. Jacky Jones Automotive Group Hayesville, NC Murphy, NC Hayesville, NC Franklin, NC jjfordhayesville.com jackyjonessuperstore.com jackyjoneschryslerdodgejeep.com smokymountainchevy.com 1.877.606.6191 1.888.614.8960 1.888.384.3145 1.800.452.2438 A2 May 9, 2013 COMMUNITY The Clayton Tribune POLICE BLOTTER CONTACT US Main Line: 706-782-3312 Fax: 706-782-4230 ● Donna Priscilla Hun- residence in the 300 block according to sheriff’s house all day. Fight in front nicutt, 43, Clayton, was of West Wolf Creek Road. reports. He was taken by ● About 8:30 a.m., Jer- Mail: 120 North Main St., P.O.Box arrested and charged She returned home about ambulance to Mountain emy Lamar Lackey, Clay- 425, Clayton, GA 30525 of baby brings with criminal trespass 11:20 p.m. and saw that Lakes Medical Center. ton, was driving a 1997 Email: thetribune@ stemming from an her bathroom door was ● Haylee Marie Toyota Tercel in the 9300 theclaytontribune.com incident in the 200 block shut. She told authorities Ethridge, 21, Law- block of Warwoman Road Website: www.theclaytontribune.com man charges of Merrydale Lane. Her that she never shut the renceville, was arrested when a horse darted out and charged with simple in front of him, according A 24-year-old Clayton sister told authorities door. A deputy checked ADMINISTRATION possession of marijuana to sheriff’s reports. His man was charged with that Hunnicutt came to the house to make sure and possession of drug car hit the horse’s legs, domestic violence offens- her residence under the nothing was out of the Publisher paraphernalia. causing it to land on the es Sunday for allegedly infl uence of something ordinary. Michael Leonard ● Gerald Wayne Wil- roof of his car. The horse striking his wife during and began going through [email protected] liams, 64, Macon, was broke the windshield and an argument in the 700 her belongings. ● Wednesday, May 1 arrested on a warrant collapsed the roof on the block of Old Chechero Casey Logan Littrell, ● Maximillano Garcia charging him with a car. It then got off his car ADVERTISING Street.