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

The Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority is accepting grant applications for 2014. The Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority administers certain trust accounts, using the proceeds to improve the health and well-being of the citizens of Spalding
County.  Under applicable laws and trust agreements, the Authority may make grants to not-for-profit organizations for
health related purposes, provided the funds granted are used for the citizens of Spalding County.
The Authority reviews requests for grants annually notifying applicants of disposition. If you believe your organization may qualify for consideration of a grant under these guidelines, and are interested in applying for funds contact the Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority at (770) 229-5767 or in writing to P. O.Box 1592 – Griffin, Georgia 30224 for a grant application form.  Applications can also be picked up at the offices of the Hospital Authority at 245 Meriwether Street or the Chamber of Commerce at 143 North Hill Street. Deadline for applications is September 16, 2013.

The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Monday June 17, 2013 at One Griffin Center in the W. Elmer George Municipal Hall. The Board will meet at 3:00 P.M. and enter into executive session pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 50-14-3(4) for the purpose of meeting with its attorney for discussing and acting upon the acquisition of real estate.

On June 11, 2013 investigators with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office conducted an Alcohol Compliance Check of businesses in the City of Griffin and in Spalding County that are licensed to sell alcohol. A total of 24 businesses were inspected. The following businesses were cited for not being in compliance with State and Local laws that govern the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 21:

Texaco Food Mart 1669 W. McIntosh Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Jawaid Majeed Siddiqui, 62 years old, 505 Crossings Place Griffin, Georgia

Highfalls Shell Station 3200 Highfalls Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Rajesh Manilol Parikh, 43 years old, 912 Morningside Drive, Griffin, Georgia

Dit’s Market 2662 Highfalls Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Syed Zakiuddin, 67 years old, 315 S. Walkersmill Road, Griffin, Georgia

Copelands Groceries 1578 Highfalls Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Bharatkumar Ambalal Patel, 52 years old, 1618 Rosewood Drive, Griffin, Georgia

Kangaroo 3420 Jackson Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Melinda Bell, 55 years old, 129 Main Street, Griffin, Georgia

Orchard Hill Foods 3016 Macon Road Orchard Hill, Georgia

Arrested: Dipak Purshottamdas Patel, 33 years old, 3110 Macon Road Apt D, Griffin, Georgia

Twenty businesses that were inspected were in compliance and did not sell alcohol to the underage persons. Inspections of businesses that hold a license to sell alcohol by the package or for consumption on premises will continue.

     

John and Pearl Kemp of Barnesville

A Barnesville couple was killed and a third person injured in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Crawford and Johnstonville roads here Saturday afternoon.

Walter Geiger and tnhe Barnesville Herald Gazette indicated that Pearl Kemp,age 67,of Hwy. 18 West in Barnesville was driving eastbound on Johnstonville Road in a 1994 Ford pickup truck. The truck collided at the intersection with a 2003 Jaguar driven by Vivian Massey, age 55, of Forsyth who was southbound on Crawford Road. Investigators indicated that Mrs. Kemp’s vehicle had the right-of-way.

Mrs. Kemp was ejected and died at the scene. Her husband, 68-year-old John Kemp, was a passenger in the pickup and was also ejected. Neither of the Kemps were wearing seat belts, according to emergency responders.

John Kemp was lifeflighted to the Macon Medical Center where he died overnight Sunday after being taken off life support.

Massey suffered non life threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to Spalding Regional Medical Center.

John Kemp was retired from Southern Rivers Energy, suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was largely homebound. Pearl Kemp, described as the backbone of Calvary Baptist Church here, had worked at the William Carter Co.

Williams Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at Wil- liams Memorial Chapel.

The Kemps are survived by a daughter, Ginger Kemp Cannon. She is a fifth grade teacher at Lamar County Elementary School.

WKEU news would like to thank Walter Geiger and the Barnesville Herald Gazette for their assistance in this news story. You can subscribe to the Herald Gazette On line at barnesville.com.

The Spalding County Board of Assessors has narrowed its search for a new Chief Appraiser to a final candidate: Larry W. Lillard, Sr.Mr. Lillard has more than 20 years of experience in real estate appraisals, including 13 years as an Appraiser for the Spalding County Board of Assessors from 2000 to present. Mr. Lillard is currently the Assistant Chief Appraiser in the Board of Assessors office. He is certified as an Appraiser IV by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Mr. Lillard is a member of the Georgia Association of Assessing Officials and International Association of Assessing Officials.

The Board of Assessors expects to finalize its decision after 14 days. Tim Whalen is currently serving as the Chief Appraiser and has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2013.

PERSON OF INTEREST WANTED BY GRIFFIN POLICE IN RELATION TO MURDER CASE

The Griffin Police Department is asking for assistance in identifying a subject who is a person of interest in the April 6, 2013 murder of Harry Burkett on Crescent Lane.

The person of interest is believed to be a black male. According to information that we have received this subject was last seen in a mid-90’s dark blue or black Honda Accord with a faded trunk. He was observed with two other black males leaving in the vehicle of interest. Anyone with information is asked to contact either Sgt. John Hayes (jhayes@cityofgriffin.com) or Sgt. Dwayne Hancock (jhancock@cityofgriffin.com) or 770-229-6450.

A $17,000 reward has been established for the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the April 6, 2013 murder of Harry Burkett

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.

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.

Lamar Grand Jury to Meet June 10t

The cases against three local young people charged with abandoning a teenaged friend who died of a drug overdose are expected to go before the Lamar County grand jury which convenes June 10.

Investigators say Ryan Lovick, 19, died January 16 after drinking a concoction called Lean which has been popularized by rap and hip hop music artists. It usually consists of codeine-based cough syrup, Sprite and Jolly Rancher or Skittles candy.

Sheriff Brad White reported last week that toxicology testing done at the state crime lab indicated the drink that killed Lovick apparently contained a synthetic heroin used to wean addicts off that drug. The autopsy results showed he had used alcohol, marijuana and methadone.

Jessica Amanda Casteel, 19 of Williamson; Elbert Tyler Horton, 21, and Katherine Noelle Nordan, 21, both of Griffin; are charged with abandonment of a dead body in connection with Lovick’s death.

Lovick’s mother returned to her home from a business trip to find her son dead after a party held there during her absence.

Nordan was previously arrested on Nov. 17, 2012 in Athens for underage possession of alcohol, battery and obstruction of an officer following an altercation that preceded the Georgia-Georgia Southern football game.

Bethel Baptist Church,448 Zebulon Rd., Milner, will be visiting Saddle Ridge Ranch at Vacation Bible School this year. June 17, 18, and 19th. Time 9 – 11:30 AM. For more information, contact Mary Thomas – (770)228-2420.

Sixth Street will Close June 12th.

Griffin residents are reminded that the 6th street bridge will be replaced at the Dairy Subdivision beginning on June 12th. Sixth street into town will be closed for several months until construction of the new bridge is complete. The road is highly traveled and residents outside our community from Lamar County are also reminded of the closure. The route into town from the south will be Zebulon Road/South Hill Street, 19/41 bypass, Everee Inn Road, and Macon Road. and feeder roads into the Arthur K. Bolton Parkway.

Georgia Baptist Childrens Home Meansville

The Georgia Baptist Children’s Home will hold a huge yard sale Friday June 7 th form 8 AM until 3 PM. Toys, Clothes, Furniture will be available. The Children’s home is lo carted at 2821 Highway 19 south of Zebulon Close to Meansville. This is a great event for the Children’s home to raise funds and WKEU urges you to take part and Support the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home Yard Sale June 7 th from 8 am until 3pm.

The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education reviewed the proposed budget for FY2014. . Assistant Superintendent Jim Smith and Finance Director Ryan McLemore led the board through the details of the $76 million general fund budget. A budget must be adopted before July 1, 2013 for the coming school year.

Revenue will see local contributions down 2.4%, however state will be up 2.5% and Federal as well up 1.9%.

Highlights of the proposed budget include:

Millage rate remains the same at 19.47

Students will attend a full 180 days

Full year work calendar for all staff

No salary increases

Health insurance rising by $500,000

Full-time counselors at each elementary school

One school resource officer at each secondary school

Increases in property and liability insurance, fuel and Teacher Retirement System contributions

School lunch prices for next year are already set at breakfast $1.25, elementary lunch $2.25, secondary lunch $2.50 and adult lunch $3.50. Estimates are that 74% of the student body will be eligible for free or reduced priced meals this fall.

Eighty-five percent of the district budget is payroll with 77.6% of the budget going directly to instruction. The proposed budget also includes funds for SAT/ACT preparation, Virtual Academy and College and Career Academy planning. The district will add an instructional technology trainer to assist teachers with using new technology.

Budget information will be posted on the district website www.spalding.k12.ga.us