WKEU Radio – The Rock – 88.9 FM / 1450 AM – Griffin, Georgia

Griffin High School graduation will be Friday May 24 th  7 pm at Memorial Stadium.

Spalding High School graduation will be Saturday May 25 th  9 am at Memorial Stadium.

Tickets for guests of the graduates will be distributed to graduates at their high school. Each graduate is allocated a specific number of tickets. However, graduates are asked to only accept the number of tickets they will need. Other graduates may then request additional tickets over their allocation.

“In my three years as principal, Griffin High has never run out of tickets for all guests who want to attend,” said Keith Simmons, principal at GHS.

Griffin-Spalding County School System employees must wear their school-issued badge in order to attend the ceremonies.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said, “In addition to tickets, ceremony attendees will observe law enforcement officers maintaining a safe school environment for our graduates and their families. Several streets immediately surrounding the stadium will be closed to traffic, and wand handheld metal detectors will be on site.” He continued, “Part of our school system’s plan is to maintain a safe environment that is appropriate for the occasion.”

Fifth grade student at Orrs Elementary completed a career portfolio which provided them the opportunity to conduct research and present information about a career that interested them. The portfolio consisted of two major components: a two page essay and a presentation. WKEU has included a Photo on our website wkeuradio.com of a few of the students who were chosen to present their portfolios to the fourth grade students.

The J. Joel Edwards Library in Zebulon invites you to Dig Into Reading this summer. The Summer Reading Club has its official kickoff on Saturday, May 25. Children through age 14 are encouraged to register for the SRC, keep track of the hours they spend reading this summer, and reap the rewards of great reading, combined with certificates, prizes, programs, movies, and a Summer Reading Finale.

Teens are encouraged to register to volunteer at the library for the SRC. For their efforts in supporting the reading endeavor, teens can earn prizes and awards as well as valuable Community Service Hours.

Every Thursday at 1:00 the library will host a special event in the Meeting Room. On Saturdays at 1:00 families are invited to enjoy a movie together. All programs and events are free and open to the public; however, space is limited, so be sure to arrive early.

                                                           Calendar of Events

Saturday, May 25 REGISTRATION BEGINS Saturday, June 1 Movie: Inkheart (PG)

Thursday, June 6 Harvey Wilson, Storyteller Saturday, June 8 Movie: The Neverending Story (PG)

Thursday, June 13 “Exploring the Sands of Time” presented by The Society for Georgia Archaeology Saturday, June 15 Movie: Ice Age: The Meltdown (PG)

Thursday, June 20 “The Touch Truck” presented by Southern Rivers Energy Saturday, June 22 Movie: Holes (PG)

Thursday, June 27 Camelot Theater presents “Pirates!” Saturday, June 29 Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (PG-13)

Thursday, July 4 LIBRARY CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

Saturday, July 6 Movie: Antz Thursday, July 11 Jim Quick presents “Bees”

Saturday, July 13 Movie: The Bee Movie (PG) Thursday, July 18 “Juggle Like an Egyptian” with Ron Anglin

Saturday, July 20 Movie: Corpse Bride (PG) Thursday, July 25 “Dig Those Rocks!” The public is invited to bring rocks to be identified.

Saturday, July 27 SUMMER READING FINALE!!!

Regular library hours are MWF 10:00-5:00, TTh 10:00-7:00, and Sa 10:00-3:00.

Monroe Sheriffs Deputies have arrested the fouth suepct in the double homicide that occurred in Monroe County on May 7.

              
      Semeeria Carter  16           M. Martin age 19            Jordan Maxwell age 18

Sameeria Rikiea Carter, 16 years old, of Macon, Marquez Deshawn Martin, 19 years old, of Macon and Jordan Keaugh Maxwell, 18 years old, of Macon were arrested and charged with murder in the deaths of Russell Jacobs, 36 years old, and James Pittman Wood, 40 years old. A fourth suspect,

                                         
                                        Dave’von Sapp,  age 17

Dave’von Sapp, 17 years old, of Macon was arrested Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered that the vehicle the victims were riding in, a red Ford Ranger truck, apparently broke down near the Riverwalk Apartments late in the evening on May 6. Investigators believe the victims parked the truck on the apartment grounds near Bass Road on Hwy. 87 then somehow traveled to the nearby Marathon gas station. Video tape from the Marathon gas station shows the two victims conversing with Carter at the station at 2:33 a.m. and leaving with Carter in silver Pontiac Torrent at 2:48 a.m. Martin, who owned the Torrent, was driving and the other suspects were passengers along with the two victims.

When the suspects arrived at the victims’ home on Woods Drive in Monroe County, Maxwell asked the victims if he could get something to drink. The victims allowed at least one of the suspects into the home. The victims were shot in the head and the suspects fled the home with several electronics including a television set, a computer and cameras.

Carter was arrested at her home on Flamingo Drive in Macon on early Saturday morning, May 11,2 013 and is being housed at the RYDC in Macon. Carter was denied bond and her case has been transferred from Juvenile Court to Superior Court. Maxwell was arrested Friday evening, May 10, at his girlfriend’s residence on Rice Mill Road in Macon. Martin was arrested at his place of employment on Saturday, May 11. All of the suspects are associated with the gang MOE (Money Over Everything). Bond was denied by the Magistrate judge for both men.

UPDATE: Dave’von Sapp, 17 years old, was apprehended by the U.S Marshals SE Regional Fugitive Task Force today, around 2:45 p.m. The Task Force began surveilling Sapp’s relatives and through surveillance found him in an apartment complex where his aunt, who was released from prison two days ago, was living in Decatur. Sapp was found in another parolee’s apartment, near that of his aunt. The neighbor was also arrested by the Fugitive Task Force and charged as a felon in possession of a firearm in addition to a parole violation. Sapp is now in the custody of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals SE Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Forsyth Police Department and the Macon Police Department.

The investigation into this case continues.

Griffin Spalding County School System’s ESOL Program exceeds expectations

Students in the Griffin Spalding County School System’s English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program exceeded the progress goals set by the state for the 2011-2012 school year.

• We are required by law to have programs to serve students who have a home language other than English. We:

• provide a daily language acquisition course for 149 students who speak 10 different home languages with the majority Spanish.
• monitor 34 students for two years since they are language proficient on the ACCESS test
• monitor and support 15 students whose parents have waived ESOL services.

• The programs are in six cluster school locations: Orrs Elementary, Cowan Road Elementary, Beaverbrook Elementary, Jordan Hill Elementary, Cowan Road Middle, and Griffin High School.
• There are two certified ESOL teachers who work with the elementary and middle school ESOL students for one segment daily.
• At the high school level, there is one certified ESOL teacher who works with the high school ESOL students for one scheduled class period each day. Collaboration between the ESOL teachers and the general education teachers is on-going to ensure that the educational needs of each student are met.

The Griffin City Commissioners met Tuesday Night at 6 pm in the City Offices Downtown.

Recognized Carol Rainwater of the Planning & Development Services Department as the April, 2013 “Strongest Link” award recipient. Carol rainwater has exemplified a high level of dependability and knowledge for the city of Griffin. As a code enforcement officer Carol must deal with complaints as well as the complainers regarding everything from trashy yards to illegal signage. She is always willing to step in where ever needed to help or support staff. She is a stellar member of the Code Enforcement task Force.

Recognized Mr. Eddie Bogan, Certification Manager for the Griffin Police Department, on the 3rd Re certification by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This award is the third time the City of Griffin Police Department has qualified for this prestigious certification for National Accreditation.

Recognized Jack Lee Goodman, Line Crew Supervisor (Electric), for 30 years of service, and William “Todd” Harris, Corporal (Police), for 25 years of service to the City of Griffin. The City of Griffin Service Recognition Program recognizes and shows appreciation for long-term full-time employees. Employees with 25 or 30 years of service are recognized at a Commission meeting in the month of their anniversary.

Recognized Still Branch Regional Reservoir Water Treatment Plant employees on the Plant of the Year Award for Surface Water 9.0-14.99 Million Gallons Daily, from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP). Still Branch Regional Reservoir Water Treatment Plant was graded in 20 areas, with an overall score of 95%.

The commissioners:

Approved: Second and Final First Reading of an amendment to the Unified Development Code of the City of Griffin with respect to Regulation of Signs by Land Use: Emerging Corridor to allow for new and existing commercial structures, five thousand square feet or larger to install signage that is comparable to the size of the structure. Also, Increase the height of ground signs from five-feet to six-feet.

Approved: Second and Final Reading of an Ordinance amending the Code of Griffin Utilities Easement Acquisition Policy by eliminating the 20% multiplier. The 20% multiplier was placed in the original policy in 2009 to compensate for the fact that the Spalding County Tax Digest was undervalued by approximately 20%. With a revised tax digest, which should approximate fair market value of the properties listed, this multiplier is no longer needed.

Approved: a request to name the City Pool complex “Zenobia Hood Kinnebrew City Pool”. Ms Rosalyn Payne-Hill, 520 E. Solomon Street presented to the city manager a request with about 400 signatures to rename the pool after the late Ms Zenobia Hood Kinnebrew. After retiring from the Griffin-Spalding School System as a teacher, Ms. Kinnebrew labored for more than thirty as the manager of the pool. She developed unusual rapport with parents an/or guardians concerning the use of the pool and the safety and development of their children. She ran the pool with leadership, passion, and dignity. The vote was unanimous to rename the pool and drew a round of applause from a large crowd of supporters in attendance.

Approved: to declare City of Griffin out of life cycle IT equipment surplus and sell through GovDeals online auction service. The sell will liquidate surplus Information Technology equipment and bring revenue to the City of Griffin.

Approved: amending the General Fund Operating Budget for FY 2013 in the amount of $12,100 in order to cover costs incurred in FY 2013 for materials and items associated with the Archivist position. The funds will come from the commission contingency fund.

Approved: awarding bid and construction contract to lowest and best bidder, Davidson Hydrant and Utility Services, for the relocation of a 12” water main at the bridge on Maple Drive in the amount of $52,742.00.

Approved: the purchase of a pre-fabricated bridge from Contect Engineered Solutions for the bridge at Maple Drive in the amount of $90,850.00. This is sole source item.

Approved: to award Brent Scarbrough & Co., Inc. work request in the amount of $19,880.00 for the connection of 260 linear feet of 8” water main on Ga. Hwy 19/41, and amend the budget accordingly. This project extends the water on the west side of GA HWY 19/41 north to Ridgewood Drive while the contractor is on site. This will eliminate construction at a later date to provide vacant commercial lots along the highway. Additionally it saves the City a significant amount of funds in mobilization and traffic control costs at a later date.

Approved; First Reading of an Ordinance establishing an Environmental Council and amending the Code of Griffin, to allow the Environmental Council to function in Lieu of the Tree Board. This council combines the functions of the Watershed Council and the Tree Board in addressing sustainability and environmental issues within the City.

Approved: to amend the City of Griffin’s Fiscal year 2012-2013 Capital and Operating Budget for the purchase of a K-9 Training Suit. Cash from the K-9 donation cash account will be used to purchase from ALL K-9 Company a K-9 Training Suit in the amount of $1,664.99. This includes $25 shipping and handling cost.

Approved: the Timber Management Contract between Spalding County, City of Griffin and Joel Vinson & Associates. This agreement will permit harvesting of timber at the Shoal Creek landfill. Proceeds from harvesting the timber will be used to construct the firing range.

Approved: an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Griffin and Spalding County for the construction and operation of the Griffin-Spalding Law Enforcement Firing Range. The agreement has been approved by the City Attorney and will allow for construction, operation and financing of the Firing Range facility. The facility will establish a permanent location for the training of Law Enforcement personnel in required firearms training.

Approved: to award bid for a new fire suppression system to be installed in the IT Server Room to Georgia Independent Sprinklers, Inc. in the amount of $28,000.00. This will permit safeguarding of all city servers and data systems in the event of a fire. This is a budgeted FY 12/13 expense.

Approved: of Work Authorization between the City of Griffin and Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. Consulting (formerly LPA Group) to provide administrative services for the acquisition via Federal Land Acquisition Regulations of a parcel of land adjacent to the Griffin-Spalding County Airport. This is an AIP reimbursement eligible cost (90% Federal, 10% Local) Match. GSA 5-year Capital Improvement Plan has been amended and approved by GDOT to include this expense.

Approved: acceptance of a grant agreement between the City of Griffin and the Georgia Dept. of Transportation to conduct Airport Improvement Project AIP-29, for the purpose of improving the Griffin-Spalding County Airport Infrastructure. AIP-29 provides for the replacement of the Airport Beacon Tower & Light, tree removal off approach end of runway 14, and updates to Airport Layout Plan property map.

Approved: to amend the City of Griffin’s Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Operating and Capital budget in the amount of $225,600.00 for the Griffin-Spalding County Airport. The airport experienced unanticipated fuel sales. Which is a good thing. Therefore, the city must purchase more fuel to meet current operation needs to maintain adequate supply and budget fuel sales purchases, accordingly.

Approved: a Resolution of Support endorsing the application by Meriwether Redevelopment 1, LLC to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for low income housing tax credits and/or HOME funds for the redevelopment of the property currently known as Meriwether Homes. The first phase of the redevelopment will be an 84 unit apartment complex located at 426 S. 15th Street. City of Griffin Housing Authority plans are for demolition of the current 120 unit housing project commonly referred to as Meriwether Homes, and redevelopment of a new affordable housing unit. The new units in Phase 1 will consist of 84 – 2 and 3 bedroom units, 40 of which will serve low-income households.

Approved: a Water Sales Agreement with Spalding County and the Spalding County Water & Sewerage Authority to provide treated drinking water for the Spalding County Water System. Once signed this is a 25 year contract.

Approved: a revised Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Griffin, Spalding County and the Griffin-Spalding County Airport Authority for joint funding of general aviation operations. Currently the airport is funded by both the City and the county based on each fiscal years budget. The agreement formalizes that funding split agreement. Additional funds will be required to fund the operations of the Authority.

Approved: to authorize Chairperson Joanne Todd acknowledge service of petition from Cedric West, and waive further service regarding 2008 offense of shoplifting. Cedric West entered a plea in the Municipal Court of the city of Griffin on December 2, 2008 to the offense of Shoplifting. His sentence was probated upon payment of a fine of $687 which was paid. No appeal was taken. At the time, Mr. West was not represented by counsel and did not allege he was entitled to appointment of the indigent public defender.

On February 25, 2013 Mr. West filed in the Superior Court of Spalding County a Petition for Habeas corpus. Solicitor Reid Turner executed a Waiver of Service for Petitioner’s attorney; however, the Solicitor has not been expressly empowered to waive service on behalf of the City of Griffin, who is named as respondent in this action.

This matter is being defended by the City Attorney’s office. At this time, Petitioner either needs to personally serve the Chairperson, or the Board needs to enact a resolution authorizing the Chairperson to acknowledge service and waiving all further service. That is what the board did. If the Court sets aside the conviction, the City will be asked to refund Mr. West the sum of $687. The stature of limitations has now expired to retry the case.

The Griffin Spalding Airport Authority visited Paulding County Airport on Monday. At 9:am the group traveled by Spalding tour Bus, and departed the Griffin Spalding Airport. Individuals making the trip were City Commissioner Dick Morrow the Chairman of the Griffin Spalding Airport Authority; Larry Johnson, Griffin Spalding Airport Authority member and WKEU Radio representative; Robert Mohl Griffin Spalding Airport Director; Kenny Smith City Manager; William Wilson County Manager; David Luckie Executive Director Griffin Spalding Development Authority; Chuck Copeland Chairman Griffin Spalding Development Authority; Chad Jacobs Spalding County Community Development; Anthony Dukes Griffin-Spalding Transportation; Taurus Freeman City of Griffin; Ronnie Perdue Parks Recreation Advisory Commission; Jacob Redwine and Mike Retter with LPA / Baker; Ray Lightner Griffin Daily News; and Kenwin Hayes.

This field trip had been planned for some time. But, even with preplanning, a host of city/county representatives and other invitees were unable to attend.

The Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport is the first jet-capable airport to be built in Georgia in over thirty years and its design provides a very solid foundation and infrastructure for the future of aviation and industry in Paulding County. Ground breaking for the airport was February 2006.

Located twenty-five miles northwest of Atlanta, Paulding county has been one of the fastest growing counties in the United States over the past ten Years. Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport was designed to accommodate for rapid growth in both private and corporate aircraft operations over the next fifty years.

The Griffin Delegation was met by Blake Swafford, Pulding County Airport Executive Director, who hosted a meeting in the conference room in the 23,000 square-foot, state of the art terminal building. With it’s design and space it is built to be functional and revenue generating with office spaces available for lease to tenants for, restaurants, and other aviation related and companies, such as aircraft management companies and flight schools that may require airside access, as well as space for tech schools to add aviation maintenance classes at the airport.

David Auston, Chairman of the Paulding County Commissioners, and member of the Paulding Airport Authority gave a brief summary of how the Paulding airport came to be built. He said Paulding had similar problems that Griffin/Spalding and other airports had to overcome. The nay-sayers, political obstacles, and funding. Paulding had nothing to start with except land. Griffin has an existing airport with customers (tenants) already aboard. Auston said Hartsfield cannot handle everything that is coming in aviation in the near future for midsize and smaller businesses, so Griffin is in a super position with its location halfway between Atlanta and Macon which will be highly attractive and a great recruiting point while the new airport is under construction. He mentioned Partnering with Hartsfield and added for economic growth and to give our children and grand children a better community it is important that your county has something to market. You will draw and grow from large manufacturing facilities, world wide or from within the U.S. Go after the National companies. National companies are looking for Southeast locations. Georgia is the 5th largest state in the nation in the airspace industry.

After a question and answer period and a brief time out for lunch Calvin Thompson, Chairman of the Paulding Airport Authority addressed the meeting with some important facts to remember. The tax on one corporate jet housed at your airport pays the taxes equivalent to 50 homes and uses no electricity or sewer. It is important to have ALL your commissioners on board. You need the support of local, State and Federal Politicians. Get as long a runway as you can. Corporate jets equal tax revenue and fuel sales. Back your airport director. He knows the nuts and bolts of the airport. An airport is the engine to your community.

You are invited to participate in a FREE Workshop being sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Griffin Welcome Center, 143 North Hill Street, Griffin. Bring your own lunch.

Constant Contact’s educational marketing expert in Georgia and Alabama, Lanelle Henderson, will be leading the workshop that will help you explore the landscape of using Social and Email Marketing in order to generate new business, turn loyalty into repeat business and referrals. Learn how setting marketing goals and objectives will help you determine the best targeted channels for you to push out your social and email campaigns. Interactive exercises throughout the workshop will leave you with actionable steps you can take to help you achieve your goals. Engage through email and social media marketing for long lasting results.

You will learn how to build your audience through list-building and fan-building techniques, what types of content attract the most attention, how to create campaigns and calls-to-action people act on, what types of reporting and analytics matter to your business and how to integrate it all into one simple strategy.

Register with the Pike Chamber at 770-567-2029 or Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce at 770-228-8200. Call today and reserve your spot.

The City of Griffin and nCourt, an Atlanta-based government technology company, have entered into a partnership that provides City of Griffin citizens with the ability to use credit or debit cards to pay fines and fees 24/7 online or over the phone via nCourt’s unique live call center.

City of Griffin Police Captain Dwayne Jones stated to WKEU News that: “One of our primary considerations in selecting an electronic payment partner was reliability, security and ease-of-use for our citizens. nCourt brings over ten years of ecommerce expertise and a proven track record of providing best in class service to more than 2,000 government partners across the nation, including over 200 partners here in the state of Georgia. We feel this alliance will deliver improved convenience to City of Griffin citizens while easing the daily burdens faced by our Court personnel.”

Individuals facing a traffic violation simply visit: www.cityofgriffinpmts.com  the convenient, easy-to-follow website accepts credit and debit card payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Transactions are confirmed promptly, ensuring payment completion and avoiding potential delays or additional penalties. Citizens can also make card payments by calling 1877-725-3269 where they are guided through the payment process by live, bilingual, Atlanta-based Customer Service professionals.
While a nominal payment fee is charged by nCourt to offset operating expenses, the state-of-the-art system provides citizens with a convenient payment option – allowing them to avoid traveling to the courthouse, locating available parking and waiting in line.

“We are exceptionally pleased to partner with City of Griffin in servicing the needs of Griffin,” said David Keim, Vice President of nCourt. “Collectively we will enhance court operations by simplifying the payment process and minimizing the overwhelming workload faced by Court staff – all while providing a convenient service to the public. Our live, bilingual call center is unparalleled and sets nCourt apart as the vendor of choice in the card payment industry. There is no cost to the City of Griffin government for any of our services and no risk as nCourt guarantees all payments collected by absorbing chargebacks and NSFs.”

The activation date for the website and Call Center is set for May 6^th, 2013.

The Griffin Police Department reminds everyone that due to recent amount of thefts involving lawn and garden equipment and power tools to be sure and secure them at all times.  Also report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.  You may also call 911.

Interested in Coaching Football this Fall? Spalding County Parks & Recreation is now accepting applications for all volunteer youth football coaching positions.

All coaches, including returning assistant and head coaches, must complete a Coach Application/Registration Form before May 15, 2013. Mandatory coaches meetings and trainings are scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Community Center and on June 15, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the City Park Community Center. All who are planning to coach this fall must attend.

Applications are now available at the Parks & Recreation Administrative Office located at 845 Memorial Drive.

For more information, please contact Parks & Recreation at (770)467-4750.

Every law enforcement agency is concerned about establishing a positive line of communication with the citizens they serve. Most of the contacts that a police agency has with the public are in emergency situations or calls for service. These are not always the best times to sit down and discuss community issues with the officer.

The Griffin Police Department will be sponsoring a program that is being used by other agencies that is referred to as “Coffee With A Cop”.

This will be an informal session designed for citizens to interact with members of the department and ask questions or express concerns.

The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 6th at Safe House Coffee located at 109 South Hill St. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m.

A second meeting has been scheduled for Monday, May 13th at Louise’s Restaurant located at 426 East Solomon St. at 7:30 a.m.

The third program will be presented at Phillip’s Food Pride on Monday May 20th at 2:00 p.m. Phillip’s is located at 332 North Hill St. The program will start at 2:00 p.m.

Each program will last approximately 2 hours. Anyone with an interest in communicating with police representatives and discussing various areas of concern is invited to attend.